Valentine's Day Project

Let's make a poster!

What your poster should include:

1) Title: what country are you researching?

2) Origins: what are the origins of Valentine's Day celebrations (or the equivalent) in your country?

3) Celebration: how does your country celebrate Valentine's Day?

4) Map: where in the world is your country?

5) Interesting Fact: are there any special symbols of Valentine's Day used in your country? Do people go anywhere special or eat something in particular?

6) Pictures!

Here is my example report:

Valentine's Day in Wales

The Welsh celebrate Valentine’s Day on January, 25^th. They call it Dydd Santes Dwynwen, or “day of saint Dwynwen.” Dwywen is the Welsh saint of love.

Dwynwen

Origins: There are lots of versions of the origins of Dydd Santes Dwynwen, but the general gist goes that in the fifth century, Dywnwen fell in love with Maelon Dafodrill. Maelon returned her love, but for some reason, they could not be together. In some versions her father forbade the marriage, in others her father had promised her to another. Dwynwen, distraught by her love for Maelon, prays to fall out of love with him. 

Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice. God then gave three wished to Dwynwen. First she wished that Maelon would be thawed, second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers, and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God’s service for the rest of her life.

She became a nun and built a church, which became known as Llanddwyn, which means “Church of Dwynwen.” 

Celebration: The popularity of this day has increased in recent years, particularly after 2003 when the Bwrdd Yr Iaith (Welsh Language Board) teamed up with a UK grocery store to give away free cards. One card entitled the finder to a prize. The board also suggested ways to celebrate, including love-themed gigs, singles nights, preparing romantic meals, and composing a love poem to be read at a local pub. The Welsh often celebrate with concerts and parties, and exchange Dudd Santes Dwynwen greetings cards.

Interesting Fact: Llanddwyn island contains Dwynwen’s well, where, supposedly, a sacred fish swims whose movements predict the future fortunes and relationships of various couples. Another tradition claims that if the water boils while visitors are present, then love and good luck will surely follow.

A map of Wales within Europe

Rock and Mineral Project

Questions to Answer

1. Name: What is the name of the rock/mineral? What are the origins of that name?

2. Description: Give a brief description of the rock/mineral. What color is it? How hard is it? What is its luster (is it shiny and see through or dull)? 

3. Classification: What kind of rock or mineral is it? (Igneous, metamorphic, etc.)

4. Location: Where is this gem typically found? (Countries, and is it mined, volcanoes, etc.)

5. Uses: What is it mostly used for? 

6. Interesting Fact: Something awesome/cool about it

7. Picture

Here is my example report: 

Ms. Valerie

1/15/14

The Red, Red Ruby

Name:

Ruby. The word “ruby” comes from the Latin word “ruber,” which means “red.”

Description:

Rubies are red gemstones that range from light pink to blood-red in color. They are one of the hardest minerals; only diamonds and moissanite are harder. They have a vitreous luster, which means the stones are transparent and reflect light, like glass. Rubies are one of four “precious stones,” the others being diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds.

Classification:

Rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum.

Location:

The Mogok Valley in Upper Myanmar (Burma) was where most rubies were mined, but few have been found there recently. They have also been mined in Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Some have been found in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar, Vietnam, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. In the United States, rubies have been found in Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wyoming. Recently some have been found in Greenland, Macedonia, and Kenya.

Uses:

Rubies are mostly used in ornamental jewelry.

Interesting Facts:

1. Rubies have always been valued in Asian countries. They were used to ornament armor, scabbards, and harnesses of noblemen in India and China. Rubies were also laid beneath the foundation of buildings to secure good fortune to the structure.

2. In the book The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy originally wore silver slippers, but when the movie was made, the directors changed them to ruby slippers in order to take advantage of their new ability to film in color.