Q: What event did the running of the marathon commemorate?
A: The victory of the Greeks over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
Thanks to our friends at the
Asheville JCC for sponsoring this question!
Asheville folks, don't forget about the Falafel 5K this coming Sunday. It's part of the family-friendly, community-wide
Celebration Israel festival, and a great race to run, walk, or cheer on from the sidelines. (Please give an extra whoop of encouragement to our runners in their orange TNCA tees!)
Q: Which four planets in the solar system are known as the "gas giants"?
A: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Look at these gorgeous planets our 1-2 class painted!
Q: Which American philosopher said, "I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude"?
A: Henry David Thoreau.
Here's a preschooler enjoying her solitude as she considers a box of Legos. It's so nice to see how respectful these kids are of each other. Even in close quarters, those who need quiet time can still find it.
Q: The holiday known as Purim celebrates the Jews' escape from destruction in ancient Persia. What is the name of the Persian ruler in this Biblical story?
A: It was King Ahasuerus, also known as Artaxerxes, and not to be confused with Xerxes, who ruled Persia during the time that the Purim story takes place.
Thanks so much to our friends at the
Asheville JCC for sponsoring this week's question!
Students in our 3-5th grade classroom supplied these two trivia questions, based on their geography and American history units this session.
Q: The Jordan River connects which two bodies of water?
A: The Jordan River connects the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. (It's also the lowest river in the world!)
Q: Which war is considered the bloodiest in American history?
A: The Civil War, which claimed over 620,000 lives, is considered the bloodiest war in American history. Interestingly, well over half the deaths were from disease, primarily intestinal disorders like typhoid fever and dysentery.
Q: What flower is named for the mythological Greek youth who fell in love with is own reflection in a pool of water?
A: The narcissus flower. According to myth, Narcissus eventually died because he could not pull himself away, and the gods turned his remains into a flowering plant.
Thanks so much to
Blossoms at Biltmore Park for sponsoring this week's trivia question!
These days, TNCA students are immersed in the study of ancient Greece. They love this unit; in particular, they're drawn to the drama of the divine soap opera otherwise known as Greek mythology.
The first and second graders made gorgeous paintings of their favorite gods. Here is Ares, god of war. Note that his name, as well as the artist's, are written in Greek!
Fifth graders made business cards. (Zeus will "water your garden" and "control your universe." Dionysus is available for party planning.) So much fun!
Q: What two continents are separated by the Suez Canal?
A: Asia and Africa.
Q: What events were included in the original Olympic pentathlon?
A: Discus, javelin, long jump, running, and wrestling.
A new Olympic sport? TNCA students having some fun on an unusually balmy January day.
[Special fungus edition!]
Q. What does a mycologist study?
A. Mushrooms and other fungi.
Q. Are fungi more closely related to plants or to animals?
A. Despite appearances, fungi are in fact more closely related to animals than to plants. One major similarity: Neither animals nor fungi produce their own food.
Q. Who are your mater, pater, frater, and soror?
A. These are the Latin words for mother, father, brother, and sister.
Did you know that even our youngest students are Latin scholars? Ms. Elise visits with the preschoolers and kindergarteners each week and teaches them basic vocabulary; by the time they're in middle school, students are writing and translating full paragraphs.
Latin accelerates the acquisition and retention of English vocabulary words and reinforces students' understanding of grammar. It also paves the way for the study of Romance languages.
Ms. Elise working with some middle schoolers.
Q: What Roman holiday was celebrated with the exchange of small gifts of candles and clay figurines?
A: Saturnalia, an end-of-harvest festival held around the winter solstice and dedicated to celebrating the Golden Age of Saturn.
Thanks so much to the trivia fans at Baggie Goose fine paper and gifts for sponsoring the question!
Send us an email to find out about TNCA Trivia sponsorship opportunities for your business.
Speaking of harvest and the exchange of small gifts, check out the "crop" from our 2011 winter workshop! (Not shown: chocolate spoons, felt mice, candy garlands, and more.)
In this annual TNCA activity, students work on various craft projects during the month of December and earn "money" for the time they put in. On the last day of school before break, they can "buy" presents in the "gift shop" for friends and family.
Winter workshop integrates a range of lessons--hand craft skills, time management, math, industry, appreciation of others' work, planning, and pride of accomplishment--and it's also tons of fun.
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