A Field Trip to the National Zoo!

It  is a very busy time of the year, boys and girls. I know you are all excited and ready to begin your summer break. I really want to show off the wonderful students I met in Raleigh County last week, so I will hurry and tell you about my field trip to the National Zoo!

I went back to Washington, D.C., a few weeks ago to go on a field trip with the 5th graders at Tomahawk. Now, they are much older children that are almost in middle school, but they are mostly very polite and kind to me. Since a zoo is a place where you can see and learn about animals from all over the world, I was very excited about going. Even though it made me a little sad to see my friends in cages and enclosed areas, I know they are very well cared for and have wonderful lives living at the National Zoo.

Well, I know the best way to share my field trip with you is through pictures! I will explain a little about all the animals I met so you can learn more about the beautiful creatures outside West Virginia!

I first went to see some of the birds - Clay's request! I saw many fascinating feathered friends I had never met in the Mountain State! Some of them were very friendly and talkative; others wanted to be left alone.

This is a stork! Did you know they make no sound?! They "clatter"
their bills to get attention! Storks eat earthworms and insects...and even small
frogs and other birds!

Here are the flamingos! They were very noisy! Many times, they will
stand on just one foot. They get their reddish color from the bacteria in their food supply.
The redder the flamingo, the healthier the bird! Flamingos live in the Caribbean, South America,
Africa, and Asia!

The Scarlet Ibis is another bird that gets its color from
what it eats! They love areas that are wet and muddy!

This is a Cassowary, also known as the "Australian Big Bird!"
His feet are huge! The Cassowary does not fly. The only birds that are taller and
heavier are the emu and ostrich! Cassowaries love to eat fruit and are very shy
(he wouldn't even look at me)!

Believe it or not, boys and girls...but this is a cardinal -
the Red Crested Cardinal! It lives in South America, Hawaii,
and Puerto Rico! Clay was happy that excited to hear
about his relatives from down south!

Next, I went to see the Pandas! Everyone is talking about the Panda exhibit at the National Zoo, so I patiently (and very excitedly) waited my turn to meet them! The Pandas at the National Zoo are from bamboo forests in the country of China! They will be at the National Zoo until 2015. Panda are endangered animals. There are only 1,600 in the wild, and about 300 in zoos around the world.

This is the Panda Cam room - where scientists monitor the
pandas to learn about them and make sure they are healthy.

Tian Tian was taking a nap when we stopped by to visit. 

It was lunch time for Mei Xiang! Pandas love to eat bamboo!
She has to get enough nourishment so she can feed her cub, Bao Bao.

I thought you would like to see Mei Xiang in action. I don't know if I would like to be taped when I am eating my honey, but it's not every day you get to meet a panda!

Bamboo must be very tasty! It's a panda's only food source -
but pandas in zoos will also get sugar cane and other
nutritious treats, like fruit popsicles!

Panda selfie with my bear friend from China!

Bao Bao, the baby, was taking a nap! She is an excellent climber
and worked her way to the top of these rocks in her exhibit. Even though the
children outside were very loud she kept sleeping. She must have been very
tired from playing.

I then met some animals from Africa. That is a continent far, far, away from the United States.

These fellows are known as oryx. They are related to the antelope.
The oryx also lives in the Middle East. Many species of the oryx are
endangered or very close to extinction. It makes me sad that my
animal friends are hunted for their antlers.

Here is the zebra! Aren't his markings magnificent? They are
also endangered in their natural habitats, as they are hunted
for their beautiful coats. Did you know that this black
and white member of the horse family can see in color?

My elephant friend staying cool! They like to spend their days
near water. Elephants live in Africa and Asia. Their large ears help
keep them cool, and their long trunks have about 150,000 muscles! They
use their trunks do many things - breathe, grab things, make noise, and suck water
to drink or spray on themselves! 

Last, I visited some members of the cat family. Truthfully, I do not like cats, boys and girls. Mrs. Sponaugle has two cats and home, and they have made it very clear we are not friends. It hurts my feelings, and I don't like it how they glare at me from across the room. The cats I saw were much larger than Alex or Frankie, "teacher's pets."

This is a cheetah. It is the fastest land animal in the world! It can
run as fast as 75 miles per hour - but only for very short distances.
Yikes - I think he would win a game of tag at recess!

His beautiful spotted coat helps keep him camouflaged. His fur
is dark under his eyes to his noes to keep the sunlight out of his eyes
when hunting - like the "black stuff" football players put under
their eyes before they play a game! 

See - I told you he was fast!

The tigers were getting ready to take their cat nap.  They are
the largest cats in the world! Mrs. Sponaugle just loves them...but remember,
cats are not my favorites. Tigers mostly live in Asia - and are very endangered.

Here are some lionesses staying cool and eating their lunch.
They have those boards on the trees to keep the big cats from
scratching the trees to pieces (like a giant scratch post). They live in
Africa. Only the male lions have a mane around their faces to make them
look larger.

It was so fun to be with the children from Tomahawk, celebrating the end of the school year. I am sorry to see them go, but I know it just means there are more students next year to meet!

I will soon tell you about the children I met in Raleigh County...and another field trip I went on with some students from West Virginia!

Until next time...

Berkeley Goes to Washington, Part 4: Inside the White House!

On May 1st, there was a BEAR in the White House!

Oh don't worry. I was on my best behavior and didn't growl at the Secret Service (the people who protect the president). And I was very quiet going through security, so they would see that I would mind my manners while I was there. I was so excited! The White House is where the president of the United States lives and works to serve our country.

Berkeley is about to enter the White House!

This was the very last day of my week in Washington. All of the state teachers of the year were at the White House to meet President Obama. I have seen pictures of the White House in books, but I couldn't believe my little bear eyes once I was really inside! We first walked up the Cross Hall to the State Dining Room (that's where they have the very special dinners with leaders from all over the world)! We were not in the dining room to eat but to line all the teachers up shortest to tallest for the teacher of the year ceremony. It was a bit like getting lined up for a class picture at school.

Here I am - just stepped into the White House
and into the Cross Hall!

The teachers lining up in the State Dining Room. That is a portrait of
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president.

Right before we left, they were setting up for
one of those fancy dinners!

The special ceremony was to be held in the East Room. This is the largest room in the White House, and they use it for many important events, such as when the president signs a bill into law. Abigail Adams, the First Lady and wife of President John Adams, would hang her laundry up to dry in the East Room in the winter! John Adams, by the way, was the first president to live in the White House (not George Washington). During the Civil War, the East Room quartered (housed) Union soldiers for a time. Whenever a president passes away while still in office, they "lay in state" in this room so people can pay their respects.

Look at all those cameras ready to record the teachers!

Another view of the East Room!

Waiting while the teachers listen to directions.
That is a portrait of President Teddy Roosevelt. I hear the
"Teddy Bear" is named after him!

We then had some time to see some of the other rooms of the White House while we were waiting for the ceremony to begin! It was so amazing to be surrounded by all of that history! I was able to go into the Red Room, the Blue Room (this is the room where they set the Christmas Tree every year!), and the Green Room. I think it is neat that they named the rooms after colors - it makes it very easy for a bear like me to remember! I hope you like all my pictures.

Entering the Red Room! That painting beside the door
is named "Florida Sunrise."

The beautiful fireplace in the Red Room. That is a
portrait of Angelica Van Buren, the daughter-in-law of
President Martin Van Buren

With Mrs. Sponaugle in the Red Room!

I really like the color of this room! It is the color of a cardinal!

From this room, you can see the Washington Monument.

Now I'm having a seat in the Blue Room!

That is a portrait of President James Madison!

What a beautiful chandelier! It's almost as sparkly as the ones in
our State Capitol.

That is a portrait of President William Taft.

In this very spot, the teachers (and bear) met
President Obama!

The Green Room!

I was so excited to be in the Green Room, I sat on a table.
You really shouldn't do that when you are a guest in the White House.

By the fireplace in the Green Room!

So many historic paintings!

This is a portrait of Benjamin Franklin. He was never
a president, but he was one of the founding fathers
of our country.

Soon, it was time for all the teachers (and the bear) to meet the president. Now I will have to wait a few months to get my copy of my picture with President Obama, but yes I did meet him, and he was very nice to me. He didn't seem upset at all there was a little bear from West Virginia roaming in his house! It all happened so fast I didn't get a chance to say much to him, but I did thank him for having me and the teachers to his home. When it was time for the ceremony to start, I quietly sat in the audience. It was time for Mrs. Sponaugle and all of her new teacher friends to have their moment.

Mrs. Sponaugle standing beside the president during the ceremony!
I was so excited...

...and the students watching back at Tomahawk were excited, too!

It was so amazing to be in the White House that day, to meet the president of the United States and be there with all of those teachers representing the millions of classrooms in America. They all looked so happy, and some had tears in their eyes. I guess they were thinking about all of their students and teachers back home - and how special it was to be there that day.

As we left through the lobby, I saw portraits of President Jimmy Carter
and President Lyndon B. Johnson.

They were playing music as we left. Above the piano is a portrait
of President Bill Clinton.

I am so glad I was able to tell you about the things I did in Washington, D.C. I was very tired from all the excitement when it was over, but it was one of the most special experiences as a little bear. The best thing now is that I get to share where I've been with all of the students in West Virginia.

Until next time...

Berkeley Goes to Washington, Part 3: Meeting the Second Lady of the United States!

Thank you, boys and girls, for waiting so patiently for me to continue my exciting Monday in Washington!

After my busy day at the Air and Space Museum, I got on the bus with all of the other state teachers of the year for a special visit at the Vice President's home! The name of his home is the Naval Observatory - and the name of the Vice President of the United States is Joe Biden. His wife, Jill Biden, is the Second Lady of the United States. She is also a teacher at Northern Virginia Community College. I thought it was very special that she invited us to her house, so I decided to be on my very best bear behavior.

We are here! I took this right before I went through
security. The security guy scratched my furry head and said,
"I guess we allow bears in here!"

The Naval Observatory. I was so excited, I forgot to take a selfie!

They were playing beautiful music!

Having a seat on the front porch!

Another view!

The swimming pool - and no, I did not jump in! Bears have
better manners than that :-)

While we were waiting, the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Mr. Markes, asked very politely if he could play with their quartet (he is a music teacher, you know). Not only did they let him play, they played the Oklahoma state song together!

This is the living room!

The glass pane going down the stairs!

Here I am with Dr. Biden's children's book! I was so happy to see this,
because I am going to write a children's book too!

Waiting quietly to meet Jill Biden!

I was so excited and happy for all the teachers there who were able to meet Dr. Biden! When she came downstairs to meet all of the years, I think they were a little starstruck. I was, too. She was so friendly and told all the teachers how proud she was of the work they do in their classrooms. Dr. Biden knows how hard they work for their students because she is a teacher, too.

Dr. Biden speaking to the teachers!

Now boys and girls, hold on to your seats, because this is the most exciting part. Every teacher got to meet and have a picture with Jill Biden - and every bear, too! I waited very quietly for all the teachers to have their turn, then asked Mrs. Sponaugle if she would introduce me to our country's First Teacher - and she did!

There we all are, smiling for the camera!

Even though it was a rainy afternoon, I felt so bright and cheery inside because all those teachers were there, in the Vice President's house, being recognized for teaching our country's children. I bet they will never forget how special it made them feel - and how important it is to share that feeling with others.

Can you find Mrs. Sponaugle?

This was very exciting for a little black bear, but I have saved the best for last! A few days later, I went to the only place that could top the Naval Observatory...the White House! I promise I will write about it very, very soon!

Until next time...