Some people believe that the word turtle is another word for tortoise. They believe that the two words are names for the same animal, but that is not true. Turtles and tortoises are related, and they are both reptiles. However,there are differences between these two animals. Most turtles live in salt water and can swim. They have hard shells and flippers for swimming. Tortoises usually live on land. Land tortoises have legs instead of flippers so that they can move on land. Sometimes tortoises live in fresh water, but not in salt water like turtles. The tortoises which live in freshwater have webbed feet and sharp claws so that they can move well in water and on land, as well. Both turtles and tortoises hatch from eggs and both can grow to be very large. Both animals have been around since prehistoric times.
Do you know that rules are everywhere? We have rules at home, rules at school, rules at the store, and rules on the road! We have rules for riding bikes, driving cars, flying airplanes, and even for swimming. Why do we have so many rules? Well, for one thing, rules help us know what to do. We know to stop at a red light and to go when the light turns green. We know to use our indoor voices in the lunchroom and save our outdoor voices for recess. At the store we know the rule is to take our things to the checkout lane before we leave the store! Rules help us do the right thing.
We know rules for fire safety. We know to dial 911 to report a fire or to stop, drop, and roll if our clothes are on fire. We all know the rule that we should never swim alone. Sometimes rules will change, but they are almost always made to keep us safe and to help us get along with others. Rules are important.
In 1732 a person was born who would be important to the United States of America. His name is George Washington. He grew up in this country before it was a free country. He played in the wilderness as a boy, and when he grew up he was a leader in the Army that made America free. People thought he was brave, honest, and smart. They asked him to be the first President of the United States. Washington was not sure if he should take the job of president at first. He knew it was a hard job. However, Washington loved the new United States of America, and so he did become the first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. He was president for eight years, from 1789 until 1797. He served our country well.