Trivial Fact of the Day : In the U.S., Americans eat about 17 acres of pizza a day.

1. It’s September 1. Today is “Emma M. Nutt Day.” She was the first female telephone operator. With that name, what do you think her job should have been? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: In the U.S., Americans eat about 17 acres of pizza a day. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Seek the lofty by reading, hearing and seeing great work at some moment every day.” --Thornton Wilder (Pulitzer-Prize Winning American Author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: empathy (noun) – this is what you show when you understand someone else by entering that person’s feelings. Have you ever had true empathy for a character in a book you’re reading, or for a friend?

2. It’s September 2. Today is National “Beheading Day.” Please don’t celebrate it. Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class commences, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: No piece of normal-sized paper can be folded in half more than seven times. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” --Henry David Thoreau (American poet and author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: nonchalant (adjective) – this word describes someone who seems coolly unconcerned or indifferent. When or where do you feel the most nonchalant?

3. It’s September 3. Today is National “Skyscraper Day.” What’s the highest building you’ve ever been in? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class is in session, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: During a windstorm or rainstorm, the Empire State Building can sway several feet from either side. Interesting Quote of the Day: “A number 2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.” --Joyce A. Myers (American author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: scrutinize (verb) – this is the action you perform when examine something carefully with the intent of verifying something. What are three different instances when you might scrutinize something?

4. It’s September 4. Today is National “Newspaper Carrier Day.” How long before this becomes an archaic** holiday? Anyone ever a paperboy out there? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class begins, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Every human being once spent about half an hour as a single cell. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” --Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish author of Treasure Island) **Vocabulary Word of the Day: archaic (adjective) – this word describes something that is very old or old-fashioned. What are three things--besides newspaper carriers--that are going to become archaic in the near future?

5. It’s September 5. Today is National “Be Late for Something Day.” Please don’t celebrate! At least not in this class! Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class commences, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: It’s impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. Interesting Quote of the Day: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”--Mahatma Gandhi (Indian activist and humanitarian) Vocabulary Word of the Day: spurious (adjective) – this word describes something that is plausible (believable) but actually false. Look at today’s trivial fact. This was actually proven false by the Mythbusters, but it sounds true. Can you think of any other trivial facts that might be spurious?

6. It’s September 6. Today is National “Fight Procrastination Day.” Will you celebrate it today or will you wait until tomorrow? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts anew, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, ‘I’m possible.’” --Audrey Hepburn (American Actress) Vocabulary Word of the Day: prosaic (adjective) – this word describes someone or something that lacks wit or imagination. Which reality television show features the most people who could be described with the word prosaic?

7. It’s September 7. Today is National “Neither Rain nor Snow Day.” Will the weather cooperate? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts anew, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Other than humans, black lemurs are the only primates that can have blue eyes. Interesting Quote of the Day: “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.’” --Thomas Jefferson (3rd U.S. President) Vocabulary Word of the Day: hackneyed (adjective) – this word describes something (like a phrase or cliché) that is repeated too often, or overfamiliar through over-use. Can you think of an expression or joke that has been hackneyed?

8. It’s September 8. Today is International “Literacy Day.” How many books do you suppose you have you read in the past year? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Author Frank Baum named “Oz” after a label on his office filing cabinet. The top drawer was labeled “A to N,” the bottom “O to Z.” Interesting Quote of the Day: “There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is facing danger when you are afraid.” --Frank Baum (American author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) Vocabulary Word of the Day: acquiesce (verb) – this word means to agree silently. To what specific things do you have to acquiesce when your parents ask at home?

9. It’s September 9. Today is National “Teddy Bear Day.” What was your first stuffed animal? Do you still have it? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: An arctophile is a person who collects teddy bears. Arcto is the Greek root for bear, and phile is the Greek root for lover. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Rest and you rust.” --Helen Hayes (American actress, star of the 1956 film, Anastasia) Vocabulary Word of the Day: slothful (adjective) – this word is a great synonym for lazy. On what day of the week are you the most slothful?

10. It’s September 10. Today is National “Swap Ideas Day.” How have you celebrated so far? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Large doses of coffee can be lethal. Ten grams, or 100 cups over 4 hours, can kill the average human being. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Minds are like parachutes: they only function when open.” --Lord Thomas Robert Dewar (Scottish businessman) Vocabulary Word of the Day: inane (adjective) – this descriptor is a synonym for silly. What’s the most inane movie ever? Book? Joke? Song?

11. It’s September 11. Today is “9-11 Remembrance Day.” How will you show your respect? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: The shortest war on record was fought between Britain and Zanzibar in 1896, lasting only 38 minutes. Interesting Quote of the Day: “I decided it is better to scream. Silence is the real crime against humanity.” --Nadezhda Mandelstam (Russian author of Hope Against Hope) Vocabulary Word of the Day: leviathan (noun) – This word refers to any large marine animal, such as a whale. Ask your science teacher what the three largest leviathans are.

12. It’s September 12. Today is National “Video Game Day.” Don’t celebrate until after school and after homework, but with which game should you celebrate? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Humans have 46 chromosomes, peas have 14, and crayfish (a.k.a. crawdads) have 200. Interesting Quote of the Day: “You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” --Yogi Berra (Catcher, outfielder, and manager of the New York Yankees) Vocabulary Word of the Day: dwindle (verb) – This action word means to become smaller and smaller. What sorts of things do you when you want your stress level to dwindle?

13. It’s September 13. Today is International “Chocolate Day.” What’s the best flavor to put inside a chocolate? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Aztec emperor Montezuma drank 50 golden goblets of hot chocolate daily. The thick beverage was dyed red and flavored with chili peppers. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.” --Erica Jong (American poet and author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: harrowing (adjective) – use this word to describe something that is greatly distressing or upsetting. What do some kids do on the school bus that is harrowing to the driver?

14. It’s September 14. Today is National “Cream-filled Donut Day.” What’s the most amount of donuts you think a person could eat at one setting? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: All moons in our Solar System are named after Greek and Roman Gods, except Uranus’s, which are named after Shakespearean characters. Interesting Quote of the Day: “It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” --Howard Ruff (American financial advisor and author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: nestle (verb) – This word means to snuggle or lie close and snug. Where are your favorite places to nestle?

15. It’s September 15. Today is International “Day of Democracy.” What will you vote for? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: There are four U.S. presidents who never held any other elective office: Ulysses Grant, William Taft, Herbert Hoover, and Dwight Eisenhower. Interesting Quote of the Day: “It’s never too late to late to be what you might have been.” --George Eliot (pseudonym for Mary Anne Evans, British author of Silas Marner) Vocabulary Word of the Day: ominous (adjective) – This word suggests that something evil or harmful is about to come true. Storm clouds can be ominous. What are two or three other things that might be described this way?

16. It’s September 16. Today is both National “Mayflower Day” and “Trail of Tears Commemoration Day.” Any connections between the two? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: S.O.S. became the international signal of distress in 1912, and the Titanic was the first ship to ever use it before sinking in April of that same year. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll just get run over if you sit there.” --Will Rogers (American humorist) Vocabulary Word of the Day: invigorate (verb) – this action word means to fill with life and energy. What are some ways you can invigorate your writing?

17. It’s September 17. Today begins National “Constitution Week.” How is your constitution? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: In both England and the U.S., the year 1752 only had 354 days because the calendar type was changed that year, and 11 days were lost. Interesting Quote of the Day: “You make a living by what you earn; you make a life by what you give.” --Winston Churchill (British politician) Vocabulary Word of the Day: constitution (noun) – In addition to a famous American document, this word also means a physical state relating to strength or health. What do you need to do in order to have a strong or healthy constitution?

18. It’s September 18. Today is National “Respect Day.” Which adult in your life shows you the most respect? How might you thank that person? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: In M & M candies, the letters stand for Mars and Murrie, the last names of the two developers of the snack. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Learning does not consist only of knowingwhat we must or can do, but also knowing what we could do and perhaps should not do.” --Umberto Eco (Italian essayist and author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: forte (noun) – This word means a most highly developed characteristic or talent. Can you name three things that are your forte?

19. It’s September 19. Today is National “Talk Like a Pirate Day.” How many wayscan you celebrate it before you annoy your teacher? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: “Powder Monkeys” were small boys employed on pirate ships to clean and load the guns during battle. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great.” --Mark Twain (American author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: enthrall (verb) – This action word means to captivate or charm. Which subjects outside of school are you enthralled with?

20. It’s September 20. Today is National “Punch Day.” What kind of punch do you suppose they mean? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: A honey bee can make one pound of honey if it taps two million flowers. Interesting Quote of the Day: “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” --Bill Cosby (American humorist and author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: despondent (adjective) – Use this describing word means to show complete hopelessness or discouragement in a person. What are three ways to comfort someone who is despondent?

21. It’s September 21. Today is “World Gratitude Day.” Who should you show more gratitude to than you currently do? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Absolutely pure gold is soft enough to be molded with the hands. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Vision without action is daydream. Action without vision is nightmare.” --Japanese Proverb Vocabulary Word of the Day: garrulous (adjective) – This word describes someone who is excessively talkative about trivial matters. Which three of your classmates would win the gold, silver, and bronze for being garrulous?

22. It’s September 22. Today is both National “Elephant Appreciation Day” and “Hobbit Day.” Which would you rather celebrate? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: It takes 17 human muscles to smile; it takes 43 to frown. Interesting Quote of the Day: “There are two primary conditions in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or to accept the responsibility for changing them.” --Dr. Denis Waitley (American motivational speakerand author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: pachyderm (noun) – This word is a fancy way to speak of an elephant. If derm means skin, what do you think pachy means?

23. It’s September 23. Today is National “Checkers Day.” When was the last time you played? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: X-ray technology has shown that there are three other versions of the Mona Lisa painted underneath the one that we can see. Interesting Quote of the Day: “If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others do their thinking for them.” --George Orwell (British author of Animal Farm) Vocabulary Word of the Day: perturb (verb) – This action word means to disturb greatly or agitate. What could you do in your next period class that would perturb someone else? Think about it…but don’t do it!

24. It’s September 24. Today is National “Punctuation Day.” How, could. you! celebrate? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: A hamlet is a village without a church, and a town cannot officially become a city until a cathedral has been built. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Never place a period, where God has placed a comma.” --Gracie Allen (American comedienne) Vocabulary Word of the Day: repulsive (adjective) – This describing word can be applied to something that makes you feel sick. Can you name three bad habits that you personally find the most repulsive?

25. It’s September 25. Go figure, today is National “Math Story Telling Day.” What story about numbers can you tell your math teacher today? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: A person afflicted with hexadectylism has six fingers or six toes on one or both of his hands or feet. Interesting Quote of the Day: “If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life. With confidence, you have won before you started.” --Marcus Garvey (Jamaican entrepreneur and publisher) Vocabulary Word of the Day: scrupulous (adjective) – Use this describing word when someone is showing a strict regard for what doing or saying what is morally right. Can you name three ways to be scrupulous, either at home or at school?

26. It’s September 26. Today is National “Johnny Appleseed Day.” What other fruit-related national character might you create and put in a story? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Cyanide is a poison, and apple seeds contain a small dose of a cyanide-sugar compound as a plant-defense against herbivores. It’s not enough poison, however, to harm humans who have a natural detoxification system. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” --Voltaire (French author of Candide) Vocabulary Word of the Day: begrudge (verb) – This action word means to envy or resent someone. Can you identify a character from a book who begrudges other characters?

27. It’s September 27. Today is National “Ancestor Appreciation Day.” Which ancestor could you write the most about today? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Cheerios were originally called Cheeri-oats, and Three Musketeer Bars used to contain one of three different flavors of nougat—chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. Interesting Quote of the Day: “If you can’t make a mistake, you can’t make anything.” --Marva Collins (American educator and author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: delectable (adjective) – This word is a fancier way of saying delicious. Can you name and describe three foods that you find delectable?

28. It’s September 28. Today is National “Good Neighbor Day.” How might you celebrate? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: The largest known volcano in our Solar System is Olympus Mons, and it is located on the planet Mars. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Good fences make good neighbors.” --Robert Frost (American poet) Vocabulary Word of the Day: eschew (verb) – This action word means to shun or avoid something. What are three yucky foods that you eschew? Why do you find them so disgusting?

29. It’s September 29. Today is “Confucius Appreciation Day.” How does one show appreciation for wisdom or philosophy? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: Despite their popularity in America, fortune cookies have never caught on in China. Interesting Quote of the Day: “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.” --Confucius (Chinese teacher and philosopher) Vocabulary Word of the Day: guzzle (verb) – This word means to swallow greedily. What three drinks do you find so delicious that you would guzzle them?

30. It’s September 30. Today is International “Translation Day.” What is the last thing you translated for yourself or someone else? Sacred Writing TimeDid you come to class with an idea to write about?As soon as class starts, quietly make that pencil dance! Trivial Fact of the Day: A typical lightning bolt is two- to four-inches wide and two miles long. Interesting Quote of the Day: “I know for sure that what we dwell upon is what we become.” --Oprah Winfrey (American TV personality and author) Vocabulary Word of the Day: myriad (noun) – Use this word to stand for an indefinitely great number of something. Having a myriad of what three items would make you happiest?