MUSEBOX: The Keeper of the EYEBALLS!

Dear Creative Writers!

I understand that today is Halloween, but LOOK at what arrived in the MUSEBOX!!!

And when I opened it, LOOK at what I found! EYEBALLS!

 

 

I think they are chocolate, but this is still CREEPY! Do you also see that rolled up note??? LOOK at what it says!

 

 



 

 

"Eye am the Keeper of the Eyes!" Eeeek! Who could have sent this to me? And Why? What kind of message are they trying to make? I don't get it. Do you? In the comment section below, can you write a few paragraphs letting me know what you think this MYSTERY is all about?

 

 

Happy HALLOWEEN, I think.....

 

 

Professor Watermelon

WEEKLY MUSE: Lollipops

With Halloween right around the corner, I bet you are thinking the same thing I am thinking! TRICK or TREAT!

Dressing up as your favorite ghoul, goblin, super hero or princess is so much FUN. And knocking on your neighbors’ doors and threating a trick or treat is incredibly thrilling. From door to door your treat bag gets heavier and heavier with loot, and at the end of the night there is nothing more exciting than dumping your CANDY on the floor to see your bounty!

While you sort and sample your candy, I am certain that your will find a few different types of LOLLIPOPS. Looks like we’ve found our WEEKLY MUSE!

Did you know that the word “lollipop” actually means “tongue slap”?  And the first example of a lollipop was probably made by the caveman. Cavemen would use a stick to collect honey from a beehive. And since nobody wants to waste something as sweet as honey, the cavemen would lick the remaining honey from the stick.

Many cultures throughout the world and throughout time have had different types of candies that were made easier and less sticky to eat by poking them onto a stick. But the American “lollipop” appeared in the 1930’s.



Samuel Born

George Smith, the owner of Bradley Smith Company (a candy company), named his “stick candy” the Lollipop. George Smith said that he named the candy after his favorite racehorse, Lolly Pop. But some people wonder if this story is a fib, since the name seems pretty convenient, knowing what the word lollipop means (tongue slap).

When it comes to lollipops, we can’t forget Samuel Born, a Russian immigrant who invented the stick-inserting machine that made lollipop making MUCH easier. Samuel Born opened several candy stores and invented many more different kinds of candies. Two such candies are still in production today: Mike and Ikes and Peeps. Both of these candies are made by the Just Born candy company. And both of the candies will probably end up in your treat bags, too!

Today, the most popular lollipops are Dum Dums and Charms Lollipops? Here is a link to the Spangler Company’s website. Spangler is the company who makes Dum Dums. In particular, look at the video titled “FoodNetworks Unwrapped”. This video shows the inside of the Dum Dums factory. WAYCOOL!!!

Another favorite lollipop is the Toosie Pop. This lollipop is made by the Tootsie Company. Have you ever heard this quote: “How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?”

“One, Two, Three….Crunch! Three!” I don’t think anyone really wants to take the time to count, hee-hee-hee!

So, what are LOLLIPOPS made of? SUGAR! SUGAR! SUGAR! Well, most commercial lollipops are made of a combination of sugar and corn syrup with added flavorings. Take a look at this video if you want to make some lollipops at home. YOU MUST ASK AN ADULT FOR ASSISTANCE! Making lollipops involves boiling a water and sugar mixture. This mixture can cause serious burns if it spills on your skin. OUCH!

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these WHAT IF questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character lived in a LOLLIPOP factory?

WHAT IF your main character went trick-or-treating and met a witch who was handing out LOLLIPOPS that smelled like rotten eggs?

WHAT IF there was a place called Lollipop Planet?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The word of the day is “commercial”. Here is the definition: of, or pertaining to commerce or sales.

 

Jade the Rat and the Cookie Mix-up: By Lauren B.

Photo Credit: Brian Boucheron

Jade the Rat and the Cookie Mix-up

By: Lauren B.

 

Chapter 1: The Scout

 

There once lived a rat named jade.

"I am awesome!”

Yes, Jade was one amazing girl.

"I'm a boy!"

Okay, anyway, Jade had four sisters, two brothers and one baby. All of them were annoying to her.

"I'm telling you one more time and one time only that I'm not a GIRL!  Second of all, they weren't just annoying.  They are SUPER annoying - the kind of annoying that drives you up a tree! There's a big difference here!”

Let's move on. One day while Jade was walking down Main Mouse Street, he met a girl mouse.

"Finally!”

When jade walked up to the girl she said, “Hi, I'm a Girl Rat Scout, would you like to buy a box of chocolate chip cookies?”

Jade thought about it. In his head, he remembered that his mom had said to never trust  any Girl Rat Scouts, but he loved chocolate chip cookies.

Jade looked at her 1 more time.  She stared at him with gleaming eyes.  Jade couldn't resist it. He said, “Okay, one box of cookies, please!”

“Coming right up!” said the girl as she gave Jade the box with a wink.             

 

Chapter 2: Mixed Up

 

When jade got home, his mom asked him where he had got those cookies. Jade quickly said he had gotten them from the marker. He didn't want to risk telling his mom. He would have to do a lot of explaining, and he hated explaining stuff to his mom.

After escaping from his mom he ran to his room and opened the cookie box and took a bite from one of the cookies. He spit it out and ran down stairs.

“Mom, I bought a box of cookies from a Girl Rat Scout, “he told her. “And she said they were chocolate chip, but they were actually oat meal raisin cookies and you know I hate oatmeal raisin cookies.

“Well, I am really ashamed of you,” said Jade’s mother. “I told you almost every day not to trust Girl Rat Scouts!  You’re going to have to deal with them on your own!”

 

Chapter Three: Cookies

 

The next day, Jade marched up to the spot where he had met the Girl Rat Scout, and he tried to find her. There she was standing right in front of him.

“Give me back my money,” said Jade. “You said that you would give me chocolate chip cookies, not oatmeal raisin cookies!”

“Yes I did,” said the snotty rat. “But when you asked for it, you said ‘could I have a box of cookies?’  You didn't say what type, so I picked for you and since we were running out of chocolate chip cookies, I gave you oatmeal raisin cookies!  And no, I will not give you your money back and I promise that!”

 

Chapter Four: Arrested

 

Ding! It was almost like a light bulb had struck Jade's head! He had an excellent idea. He would call the police because the police arrest anybody even if they didn't do a serious crime. The Girl Rat Scout would be arrested before you could say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

When Jade went to the police station, he told the police officer about the crime. The police officer said that he wanted to meet the selfish stinking rat! When the girl saw the police she ran away screaming, and she was never seen again!

 

FUN FACTS ABOUT RATS!

1. Dead rats are often seen in the road.

2. Crows eat dead rats

3. Their favorite food is mac and cheese

 

Lauren: What a fun story. I am so happy that you found the creative writers MUSE after reading the WEEKLY MUSE on Rats. I am very proud of you, Lauren. I can't wait to read more of your stories. You certainly have TALENT!

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

Thank You, Emerald Park Elementary!

Dear Mr. Johnson's Class,

Thank you for inviting me to your classroom this morning. I am always so impressed with your behavior, manners, enthusiasm, and TALENT! I am honored to know each of you, and I thank you for letting me be a part of your life journey! See you again soon!

Hugs and Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

Bookworm Bookmark: Pumpkin Seed

Hello Creative Writers,

Look at this week's BOOKWORM BOOKMARK! I've named him Pumpkin Seed, but I'd love for you to name him/her, too. As you can see, this BOOKWORM BOOKMARK is enjoying my favorite pumpkin book, The Runaway Pumpkin, by Kevin Lewis. It looks like the bookworm might be more interested in the PIG than the book, though. Ha-ha-ha! I see a story taking place. Do you? Can you write it? If you can, post your story in the comment section and I will give you $10 Melon Dollars!

With Imagination,
Professor Watermelon

MUSEBOX: The GIANT'S Spoon!

Professor Watermelon!

I am not dead! And here is my spoon to prove it! If you see my little friend, Jack, tell him that I smell the blood of an Englishman!

Fee Fi Fo Fum,
Giant

Dear Giant!

Heavens to Betsy, that's a huge spoon. You mind if I try it out? And I don't think you have to worry about Jack anymore. The last time I heard from him, he was chopping Brussels sprouts, not bean stalks.

Cheerio!

Professor Watermelon

Dear Creative Writers

It looks like the GIANT is back! And I've got his SPOON! Don't worry, he sent it to me in the MUSEBOX. I did not steal it. I wonder if this spoon has some magic in it like the objects from the GIANT'S castle. Remember the Golden Harp and the Golden Egg Laying Goose. Can you write a few paragraphs and describe what magic this wooden spoon may have? This challenge is worth $20 Melon Dollars!

Watch out for GIANTS!

Professor Watermelon

The Day of the Dead

Paul Asman

Graveyards and cemeteries can be spooky and sometimes a bit creepy, but they can also be a place to remember loved ones who have passed on. And there’s nothing creepy about that. In fact, we are approaching a Mexican holiday where families actually hold picnics and parties in the graveyard to honor the return of loved one’s spirits.

Do you know what Mexican holiday I am referring to? It happens to be our WEEKLY MUSE....

Dia De Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead)!

The Day of the Dead could also be called the Days of the Dead, since the people who celebrate it often spend several days in celebration. November 1^st and 2^nd are the noted calendar days, which coincide with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day.

And since the Day of the Dead occurs around the American holiday we call Halloween, many times the festivals overlap and share some of the same customs, especially since America is home to many Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants.

Those who celebrate the Day of the Dead believe that loved ones who have died are able to return to Earth in spirit form. Families will often place photographs and favorite foods of their dead loved ones on homemade alters inside their homes. Families will also clean and decorate the graves of these people.

At night, families will spend time in the graveyards and welcome the spirits back to Earth. They eat, drink, and tell delightful stories of the returning souls.

Like Halloween, children will dress up in costumes and beg for candy. One very popular candy is sugar skulls. These are very fun to make. If you would like to make some, check out this series of videos – you will needthe help of an adult.

Superstition is found around most holidays, and the Day of the Dead is not left out. Some people participate in this holiday because they feel that they have to. They think that if they do not clean the graves and leave gifts to the dead, those souls will feel cheated and may HAUNT them. Now that is CREEPY (wink).

The Day of the Dead rituals and celebrations go all the way back to the ancient Aztecs. The Aztecs believed that marigold flowers have a special scent that the dead can smell. This is why marigolds are still placed on graves and alters today.

To find out more about the Aztecs (a Native American people)take a look here.

 

To learn more about Mexico, take a look here!

With this new knowledge, what kind of story could you write? Maybe these WHAT IF questions will help you get started.

WHAT IF your main character was one of the souls that returned to Earth on The Day of the Dead? Who was he/she, and who is he/she coming back to see?

WHAT IF your main character made a batch of sugar skulls that came to life and told funny skeleton jokes?

WHAT IF your main character was a dog or cat who participated in the Day of the Dead celebrations?

The possibilities are endless, and please leave your own what if questions in the comment section below. I’d love to see what you come up with.

So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, a pencil and a piece of paper, and let’s begin. With your imagination, we can go anywhere. I look forward to seeing where you take us.

With Imagination,

Professor Watermelon

The word of the day is “superstition”. Here is the definition: irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious.