We are a group of 7th graders from Colorado who want to practice our writing and communication skills. We are excited to expand the walls of our classroom and collaborate with other classes! Please leave us comments and your blog URL, so we can respond back to you!
Article posted May 17, 2012 at 01:53 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 773
7th grade was enjoyable. I would say it was relatively easy until the end of the year when we had several big projects going on at once. So what did I learn? a) Never, ever say "like" in Language Arts class. b) You get a better grade when you do the blog correctly. c) Fail the first math scantron to get more Starbursts at the end of the year. I learned through experience that I don't like making wikis especially when my group members live in Louisiana. When I'm in 8th grade I would like to do more than minimum work. I made it through this year on the minimum. If I could leave a piece of advice to the incoming 7th graders, it would be this: Turn in your work and you shall survive. And now I bid adieu to all of you who probably never cared about my blog in the first place. Adios.
Article posted May 17, 2012 at 01:53 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 773
Article posted May 10, 2012 at 02:52 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 819
The first thing I noticed about International Towne was how small it is. I didn't expect it to be huge, but I thought it would be bigger. We could barely fit everyone in the center circle. The second thing I noticed was how short our visit was. We spent over a month planning for it, then we spent a couple hours there and left. The time we spent there was fun, though. My country, Greece, ended up with +67 EuRussia dollars. It now occurs to me that I never actually visited the entire section of AmeriLat. Oops. The thing I would have done differently would be to have started the cultural activities sooner. I barely had time to finish them. But then again, no one has time to finish anything at International Towne.
Article posted May 10, 2012 at 02:52 AM GMT •
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Article posted May 6, 2012 at 08:11 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 550
We comtinue to study world history because humans are fascinated about our origins. Everything is the result of something in the past, so we have reason to know. For example, modern american government is based significantly on the Roman republic. My guiding question pertains to Rome: "How did the Punic Wars shape the distribution of power in the Mediterranean?" I learned that because Rome won the wars, we can still see Roman architecture today. Nothing, however, remains of its adversary, Carthage. We continue to study our history because we would go nowhere if we were unaware of our past.
The World History Fair was a huge display of information. I learned that aqueducts actually have a very shallow slope and that human loss was much less significant in the ancient era. I could tell that many hours went into these projects, and I was happy with the result.
Article posted May 6, 2012 at 08:11 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 550
Article posted April 25, 2012 at 12:38 AM GMT •
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My class started Seedfolks today. The first thing I noticed is the odd way the author switches viewpoints. It is a very interesting style. When our enrichment class read the book the only activity we did was discuss thougts on the story. I like the way we did that. Outside of enrichment we created flowers out of old cans (reusing), painted rocks (also reusing) and planted tomatoes (growing?).I like the first character, who started the whole garden. I believe that the big idea of this book is that a few people doing a few small things together can have a huge positive impact.
Article posted April 25, 2012 at 12:38 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 500
Article posted April 17, 2012 at 01:02 AM GMT •
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My topic changed the entire Mediterranean. It led the world's greatest empire to rise to power. It is the reason that everyone has heard of Rome but few have heard of Carthage. Carthage lost the Punic Wars, which are the foundations of my topic. The whole project has been very interesting, and I look forward to the World History Fair.
Article posted April 17, 2012 at 01:02 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 583
Article posted April 10, 2012 at 11:31 PM GMT •
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Tonight is our jazz concert. If we can pull it off, I think it will be great. I just hope we're ready. Only having weekly rehearsals leaves a lot of time for forgetting music. Several people will be soloing as well. I hope our solos turn out well. The concert will also be the resolution for the "best soloist" rivalry that has always existed between Ryan and me. I fully intend to out-solo him two hours from now.
Article posted April 10, 2012 at 11:31 PM GMT •
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Article posted April 3, 2012 at 02:51 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 486
Dissecting a chicken wing is not actually that bad. The worst part for me was just cutting through the skin with dull scissors. It was really interesting to see the layers of skin, muscle, and bone. I learned just how complex the mechanisms are that allow us to do simple tasks. I think we should cut open frogs next; I haven't yet seen the classic subject of dissection.
Article posted April 3, 2012 at 02:51 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 486
Article posted March 20, 2012 at 10:28 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 485
White is…
Nothing.
It is not even a color.
White is…
The color of clouds.
But they are just air and water.
White is…
The color of this paper.
But no one cares about the paper.
Just the words.
White is…
The color of the door
Which is just there to keep you from something better.
So white is…
The color that means absolutely nothing and is not even a real color.
Alec 2/26/12
Article posted March 20, 2012 at 10:28 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 485
Article posted March 16, 2012 at 12:50 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 454
First of all, what those nine students did was amazing. I guarantee that I would not have been able to walk into a new school where everyone hated me by default. I believe that it was a big step toward the end of racism. However, there is still a long way to go. Although it's signficantly less obvious, racism still goes on throughout the United States and the world. Nevertheless, their accomplishments were highly influential.
Article posted March 16, 2012 at 12:50 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 454
Article posted March 1, 2012 at 02:43 AM GMT •
comment (1) • Reads 702
Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Thus far I have experienced neither, but I imagine the quote to be painfully true. And now, more or less as an afterthought, a free verse poem:
In life, nothing can be certain.
Except death.
And taxes.
In rare cases
The latter results in the former.
So when you consider whether or not to live
Do consider death.
And taxes.
Article posted March 1, 2012 at 02:43 AM GMT •
comment (1) • Reads 702
Article posted February 22, 2012 at 12:07 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 736
Our cell unit in science has been very cool. I have never been fond of textbooks, so my favorite part has been using the microscopes. Isaac and I always knock out classwork promptly so we can go use the microscopes. The best thing I've seen so far was a direct comparison between a living plant and one that was dying. There was a big difference in the chloroplasts. I definitely hope we get to use the microscopes more often.
Article posted February 22, 2012 at 12:07 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 736
Article posted February 15, 2012 at 01:51 AM GMT •
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Here is my poem consisting only of prepositions:
Among Fleas
Within the big, expansive, endless darkness of the Universe…
Across from the bright red Sun
Beyond the big white Moon
Within the whole wide world
Above the bright green continent
Beneath the big square state
On the crowded block
Inside the little house
Between the attic and basement
Below the living room ceiling
Atop the hardwood floor
Near the dirty dust
With the old, tired, lumbering, big shaggy hound dog…
Beside the other fleas.
Article posted February 15, 2012 at 01:51 AM GMT •
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Article posted February 7, 2012 at 12:57 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 603
Recently, my sister read the Hunger Games series. One morning, she was pretty much reciting the books to me when I asked if she would stop bothering me if I read them. So I did. They're pretty grim books, and the characters have superhuman emotional stability, but they're good reads. I have no idea where Suzanne Collins comes up with the characters' names, though. I would recommend for others to read them, but the majority of the American population has done so already.
Article posted February 7, 2012 at 12:57 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 603
Article posted January 31, 2012 at 01:10 AM GMT •
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As I mentioned in my Seven Random Facts, I have a dog who is almost as old as I am. She was diagnosed with cancer and given about two weeks to live. That was two years ago. Yes, she lived fifty-two times longer than expected, as of now. And she's still fine. No one told her that she's supposed to be dead. I will probably die before she does, because she's the dog that just never dies.
Article posted January 31, 2012 at 01:10 AM GMT •
comment (2) • Reads 858
Article posted January 23, 2012 at 11:57 PM GMT •
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Poetry affects us in so many ways through "poetic effects." These effects can only be conveyed through words, so poets arrange words carefully so as to create not only a mood, but a message. Individual words can create happiness, sadness, anger, or a range of other emotions. Certain techniques can be used to arrange these words in a way that will create better understanding. For instance, a poem with rhyme and an upbeat rhythm will seldom be used persuasively or to show anger. These devices can make memorable poetry for any purpose. For example, in the poem "In Back of the Real", Allen Ginsberg uses words like desolate, dread, and ugly to describe a mood that is definitely not a happy one.
Article posted January 23, 2012 at 11:57 PM GMT •
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Article posted January 20, 2012 at 01:18 AM GMT •
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The quote I picked is this: "Believe you can and you're halfway there." -Theodore Roosevelt. I chose this one because I believe it is absolutely true. It means that deciding you can do something is just as hard as actually doing it. Telling yourself and others this simple sentence provides enough encouragement to get "halfway there," so to speak. As for changing the world, many worldwide problems could be solved just by understanding this message. I hadn't heard this quote before now, but I can now apply it to many things.
Article posted January 20, 2012 at 01:18 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 702
Article posted January 11, 2012 at 12:58 AM GMT •
comment (2) • Reads 896
I don't believe in new year's resolutions. Why do we have to wait until January first to fix everything we did wrong the previous year? And you know you'll be just as bad as you are now come December. Kind of depressing, I know, but on that note I will come up with something. I want to practice playing my trombone more this year. I say that every year, but now an hour a day isn't enough, just as last year's half hour wasn't enough. It seems as good a time as any to do that.
Article posted January 11, 2012 at 12:58 AM GMT •
comment (2) • Reads 896
Article posted December 16, 2011 at 12:52 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 985
This was one of the most stressful projects I have done all year. That's all there is to it. The fact that we had to complete a project in a group comprised of people we never get to see is extremely difficult. On top of that, the actual wiki was extremely hard to work with. After Friday, I will probably try my best to avoid Wikispaces for the rest of forever. I spent two straight hours working on something that I now have to delete and start over. So yeah, it's been great.
Article posted December 16, 2011 at 12:52 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 985
Article posted December 9, 2011 at 12:13 AM GMT •
comment (2) • Reads 976
In Humanities, I am a part of the polis Athens. Athens was a large, powerful city-state. Its people were generally highly intellectual, and it possessed a strong defense system. Athens had an advantage over other city-states because it had access to the sea. Everyone feared Athens.
Unfortunately, the Humanities version of Athens is in last place right now because the gods hate us. Even Sparta is ahead of us (we intend to destroy them later). We have not yet had a chance to redeem ourselves through skill, though. Our time will come soon...
Article posted December 9, 2011 at 12:13 AM GMT •
comment (2) • Reads 976
Article posted November 30, 2011 at 02:19 AM GMT •
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I've gotten many comments about my rockets, so I decided to explain what I do. I usually start with assembling the engine housing, which pretty much just holds the engine in place. I next cut, sand, and refine the wooden fins. This is one of the hardest and most difficult parts because the fins, which are very fragile, keep the rocket stable. I've broken these many times. After that, I put together the engine housing with the fins, the body, and the nose cone. I then add the parachute at this point. This is also very important. I've blown up several beautiful rockets due to the failure of this step. One of my works-in-progress is over six feet tall and contains the biggest engine that you're allowed to use without a permit, so I had better rig the parachute correctly. Finally, I airbrush the rocket, launch it, and hope for the best. This is what I have been doing since 2008.
Article posted November 30, 2011 at 02:19 AM GMT •
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Article posted November 16, 2011 at 02:33 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1610
I agree that we all have a lot to be thankful for. First of all, even though most people despise school, I think we should be thankful for the educational opportunities that we have. Many people don't have the privilege of school, but we do. I think we take that for granted. We need to be thankful for the United States military, too. They protect us every day. Finally, we all need to be glad we live in a free country. In many other countries, kids have to work for hours a day just to sustain their families. Everybody has something to be thankful for, and I think that we shouldn't take just one day to recognize these things.
Article posted November 16, 2011 at 02:33 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1610
Article posted November 8, 2011 at 01:48 AM GMT •
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My favorite mystery is "The Pit and the Pendulum." I enjoyed this one because of its suspense and action. I enjoy Edgar Allan Poe's tendency to write gruesome stories. Being slowly sliced in half by a swinging axe sounds unpleasant, but it's fun to read about. I also enjoy the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. I think the ideal introduction to a mystery would be something like Doyle's "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." I like the way it introduces a seemingly unimportant object, Holmes deduces amazing things from it, and then the object suddenly becomes relevent to the mystery. Here is the opening paragraph to my mystery. It seems pretty random, but it is all relevent to the mystery:
Matthew waited patiently in his small bush plane. He and the only other man aboard, the pilot, sat near the runway at Boeing Airfield in Seattle. Matt watched as the snow fell silently on the plane. The de-icing crew drove up to begin work on the plane. Two men dismounted the truck and began spraying antifreeze on the wings and body of the little Cessna. It was a cold night, and Matt was glad that he was in the warmth of the plane. The men finished the plane quickly and departed in their truck for another plane. The pilot mumbled something in his headset and ignited the plane’s engine. They were headed out of Seattle and into the wilderness of British Columbia, Canada. Matt was going hunting for the weekend, and was glad for the much-needed vacation. The turboprop lurched off the runway into the night. Despite the snowfall, when the plane ascended above the clouds, there were clear skies. Matthew sat back and enjoyed the flight. One hour later, the plane was on the ground in a heap of wreckage and flames.
Article posted November 8, 2011 at 01:48 AM GMT •
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Article posted November 2, 2011 at 02:29 AM GMT •
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All of the blogging assignments have undoubtedly been thought-provoking. It has been a good way to improve writing skills while interacting with others. I get the purpose of blogging, but I don't really think I benefitted much from it. It's a good idea, though, so we should keep it up.
Article posted November 2, 2011 at 02:29 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1503
Article posted October 27, 2011 at 01:42 AM GMT •
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Here is my introductory paragraph:
Since the beginning of the United States, the people in the military have been protecting us. From all branches of the military, people have come together and devoted themselves to keeping America safe and free. Whether on the front lines, in an aircraft, or in an office, everyone who has been a part of the military has played a role in giving the United States the status it has today. Those who have ever served for the military must always be remembered. If it weren’t for their bravery, who knows where our country would be. Those who have served will never be forgotten, and for generations to come the U.S. military will stand proudly.
I would appreciate any comments that you have. Thanks!
Article posted October 27, 2011 at 01:42 AM GMT •
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Article posted October 19, 2011 at 02:12 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1481
I just saw an article about a "safe motorcycle." Right now it is just a prototype, but it may be on the market in a few years. One of the safety features it has is an enclosed cabin with doors like a car. Its secret is in its gyroscopes, which keep the motorcycle upright at all times. It is a revolutionary design in the motorcycle world, and it might be on the roads soon. I think this is a great idea. Lots of people like motorcycles, but they are really dangerous. If this thing really works, I think lots of people will buy it. That brings in lots of money, and it reduces accidents on the road. I look forward to seeing this motorcycle come out.
Article posted October 11, 2011 at 11:19 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 1405
There are several books that Raphael wants me to read, and there are several that I want him to read. We decided that I would read Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, and he would read Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury. I recently finished his book, and he's working on mine. Of Mice and Men is a short book about two men traveling to find work during a difficult economical time for the U.S. It is a story of friendship, loyalty, and courage. I highly recommend it.
Article posted October 11, 2011 at 11:19 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 1405
Article posted October 4, 2011 at 02:52 AM GMT •
comment (1) • Reads 1484
Over the summer my brother participated in a huge marching competition called Drum Corps. Most people have never even heard of Drum Corps International (DCI), but it is an event in which hundreds of music groups travel around the country performing their shows. Drum Corps is like professional marching band, but you don't get paid. In fact, it costs a lot to even be a part of a corps. It is an extremely mentally and physically destructive experience. Everyone sleeps on our country's finest high school gym floors, and the tubas have to do "happy fun time" where they hold their forty-pound instruments at set position ( held in the air- not on you shoulder) for painful lengths of time. The corps' intense agony pays off when they play their ear-splitting performances with amazing accuracy. The corps that my brother marched with, the Blue Knights, achieved ninth place in the nation. He came back home smelling really bad.
Article posted October 4, 2011 at 02:52 AM GMT •
comment (1) • Reads 1484
Article posted October 1, 2011 at 10:30 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 1299
Out of the two opinions, "Billy" is correct. They will all get 5%, as he said, because 25 divided by 5 is 5. This conclusion can be achieved because (5+5=10)(+5=15)(+5=20)(+5=25). The parents are incorrect because the method they used simply does not exist, and because it is completely unreasonable.
Article posted October 1, 2011 at 10:30 PM GMT •
comment • Reads 1299
Article posted September 28, 2011 at 02:43 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1627
Fox Run was a fun field trip. My favorite activity was the balance-the-egg (they should have been raw) or the activity with the PVC pipes and the ball. I hope I didn't fail the test because I completely destroyed the egg. I accidentally kicked it and it exploded violently. I always love field trips where I get to destroy eggs.
Article posted September 28, 2011 at 02:43 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1627
Article posted September 28, 2011 at 02:36 AM GMT •
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I think Banned Books Week is a great way to promote good books, as well as some basic rights and freedoms. I completely agree with the idea that everyone should be able to access all books, no matter what the topic. I hope the librarians nationwide continue to support Banned Books Week.
Article posted September 28, 2011 at 02:36 AM GMT •
comment • Reads 1769
Article posted September 14, 2011 at 03:12 AM GMT •
comment (5) • Reads 1702
The weirdest thing that happened to me occurred when my sister and I (we were very young) were in the yard playing. We had a baseball bat (metal- bad idea) and were playing the kind of baseball that four-year-olds play. It was her turn to hit , so I stood directly behind her to wait for my turn. She told me to stand back or I was going to get hit. Naturally, I told her no, that I would be fine. I wasn't. She swung back and cracked me directly on the forehead. There was blood everywhere. I still have the scar.
Article posted September 14, 2011 at 03:12 AM GMT •
comment (5) • Reads 1702
Article posted September 8, 2011 at 01:46 AM GMT •
comment (1) • Reads 1554
Columbine's story is unfortunate, but it has had an enormous positive impact on schools worldwide. Many lives have been changed by the story and the challenges. I think that we should use the memory as inspiration to spread the "chain links" throughout schools everywhere.
Article posted September 8, 2011 at 01:46 AM GMT •
comment (1) • Reads 1554
Article posted August 29, 2011 at 05:57 PM GMT •
comment (13) • Reads 1995
1.Mountain Ridge is the sixth school I’ve attended.
2.I currently own five leopard geckos.
3.I have flown on a plane more than fifty times.
4.I don’t like cats.
5.I used to absolutely love trains for some reason.
6.My dog has consumed a wide variety of animals.
7.I’ve built more than twenty model rockets.
Article posted August 29, 2011 at 05:57 PM GMT •
comment (13) • Reads 1995
About the Blogger
My name is Alec. I always build stuff, from rockets to various treehouses to just about anything else. I'm working on my latest project now: an advanced treehouse that can support the weight of several people.
