Today's post is about art. Art may seem like a normal class as you go throughout your day, but what would you do if it was gone? May kids enjoy having art. It gives them a chance to create something inspired by their own ideas, rather than doing assigned work. I think it would be a bad idea for schools to take away art. It lets kids express themselves and gives them a chance to be creative. Also, if schools took away music, there would be so many kids with musical talents just being wasted. There would also be no concerts. And if schools removed the theater program, kids' acting talents would not be used. There would be no school peformances, and the school would have to find other ways to make money. Removing the art programs is a bad idea.
--SwimmerGirl
Friday, March 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Of Tsunamis and Earthquakes
I'm sure many of you have heard about the horrific destruction in Japan. But for those of you who don't know, on March 11, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 occurred in the ocean not far from Japan. The earthquake caused massive damage and many injuries. But the worst was yet to come. Earthquakes do not always trigger tsunamis, but since this particular earthquake happened in the ocean, a tsunami was almost inevitable. Shortly after such a devastating natural disaster, a gigantic tsunami swept across the east coast of Japan, crashing into the island and sweeping several miles inland. This merely added to the destruction and chaos. No matter what happens, I'm sure that everyone's thoughts are with them.
This was a horrible event in Japan's history. In an odd way, it also helped them. Architects in Japan have designed buildings programmed to resist falling over during earthquakes. Instead of crashing to the ground, the buildings merely sway (albeit menacingly) back and forth. This earthquake actually could have caused two times the damage it did, but thanks to the amazing advances of Japanese builders, many more people were spared. This earthquake is one of the top four worst in history. Please, everyone, try to spread the word to people who may not have heard. This way, we can help Japan as much as possible.
--SwimmerGirl
This was a horrible event in Japan's history. In an odd way, it also helped them. Architects in Japan have designed buildings programmed to resist falling over during earthquakes. Instead of crashing to the ground, the buildings merely sway (albeit menacingly) back and forth. This earthquake actually could have caused two times the damage it did, but thanks to the amazing advances of Japanese builders, many more people were spared. This earthquake is one of the top four worst in history. Please, everyone, try to spread the word to people who may not have heard. This way, we can help Japan as much as possible.
--SwimmerGirl
Thursday, March 10, 2011
E-Books vs. Books
Another class post! I promise I'll start back up with the book reviews!!!!
This is about the battle between books and e-books. In my opinion, I like both types the same. Normal books you can read as many times as you want, and the local library has many to borrow whenever you want and enjoy. E-books, however, are different. You have to pay to buy them (and sometimes rent them), and the digital reader you need for them could be in use, charging, or just plain broken! It is my opinion that e-books will eventually win out in the future, unfortunately. Print books can be translated into digital to be used on e-readers, and the companies can make money off of them as people start to buy them. Also, to actually read these e-books you need the e-reader provided by the company. If you have an Amazon Kindle, for example, and you want to buy an e-book that is only offered for the Barnes and Noble Nook, then you're out of luck. But if you want a print book and the library doesn't have it, you can request it from another library. There will gradually be more and more books offered for e-readers, and the use of print books will decline. However, I'll still be using print books, you can count on that!
--SwimmerGirl
This is about the battle between books and e-books. In my opinion, I like both types the same. Normal books you can read as many times as you want, and the local library has many to borrow whenever you want and enjoy. E-books, however, are different. You have to pay to buy them (and sometimes rent them), and the digital reader you need for them could be in use, charging, or just plain broken! It is my opinion that e-books will eventually win out in the future, unfortunately. Print books can be translated into digital to be used on e-readers, and the companies can make money off of them as people start to buy them. Also, to actually read these e-books you need the e-reader provided by the company. If you have an Amazon Kindle, for example, and you want to buy an e-book that is only offered for the Barnes and Noble Nook, then you're out of luck. But if you want a print book and the library doesn't have it, you can request it from another library. There will gradually be more and more books offered for e-readers, and the use of print books will decline. However, I'll still be using print books, you can count on that!
--SwimmerGirl
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Bullying
Another class post!
This is about bullying. All forms of this act are cruel and unneeded. They only make a person feel worse about him or herself and make the bullier feel better about themselves. During my education, I have heard many presentations, lectures, and scenarios about bullying, and to tell the truth, I'm tired of it. I know what to do when someone is being bullied. I know not to be a bystander, and help the person in need. But nobody really listens to what people have to say anymore. No kid wants to hear about this every few months. I think it's a good program, personally, but maybe it should only be used once every year. That way, there would be time to create a new program if necessary. Although these talks can be boring, they are helpful. If saving one kid's life means I have to be bored for two hours every school year, then fine. Because these programs do save lives, whether it be in your town or not. Every time somebody is saved from hurting themselves or others, it makes the world a better place to live in. And if the world is a better place, we can all live in peace. So next time you have a long bullying presentation, just think of how many lives it could possibly save. Think of some kids you know who could use help. And act to help children in need of comfort, aid, and friends.
--SwimmerGirl
This is about bullying. All forms of this act are cruel and unneeded. They only make a person feel worse about him or herself and make the bullier feel better about themselves. During my education, I have heard many presentations, lectures, and scenarios about bullying, and to tell the truth, I'm tired of it. I know what to do when someone is being bullied. I know not to be a bystander, and help the person in need. But nobody really listens to what people have to say anymore. No kid wants to hear about this every few months. I think it's a good program, personally, but maybe it should only be used once every year. That way, there would be time to create a new program if necessary. Although these talks can be boring, they are helpful. If saving one kid's life means I have to be bored for two hours every school year, then fine. Because these programs do save lives, whether it be in your town or not. Every time somebody is saved from hurting themselves or others, it makes the world a better place to live in. And if the world is a better place, we can all live in peace. So next time you have a long bullying presentation, just think of how many lives it could possibly save. Think of some kids you know who could use help. And act to help children in need of comfort, aid, and friends.
--SwimmerGirl
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Pictures
Another class post...
This one is about pictures. You would think your pictures from Facebook, Myspace, or your blog/website are private to you, right? Wrong. Some companies can actually take pictures from people's accounts and use them without permission. Say, for example, you have a Facebook. Let's say you have three albums full of various pictures of your family, your friends, and where you go on vacation. Now let's pretend you committed a crime (I know none of you would actually do that, but this is hypothetical). Facebook can submit photos from your albums to the police if the police need them. There's always a danger of your images being used, so you shouldn't post anything online that you don't want people to see!
--SwimmerGirl
This one is about pictures. You would think your pictures from Facebook, Myspace, or your blog/website are private to you, right? Wrong. Some companies can actually take pictures from people's accounts and use them without permission. Say, for example, you have a Facebook. Let's say you have three albums full of various pictures of your family, your friends, and where you go on vacation. Now let's pretend you committed a crime (I know none of you would actually do that, but this is hypothetical). Facebook can submit photos from your albums to the police if the police need them. There's always a danger of your images being used, so you shouldn't post anything online that you don't want people to see!
--SwimmerGirl
Monday, February 7, 2011
Doodling
A class post once more!
This time, it's about doodling, courtesy of this article.
Although doodling may seem like a distracted person's pastime, it really isn't. Doodling helps the mind focus and retain information better. It allows our mind's eye to "see" what we are thinking about better. For example, if you are trying to design a new product, it helps if you doodle what you are thinking. Surprisingly, doodling also helps us focus. It lets our mind work while keeping the hands busy. Doodling is also an effective way of planning new ideas. So if your teacher catches you doodling in class, you have a reason!
--SwimmerGirl
This time, it's about doodling, courtesy of this article.
Although doodling may seem like a distracted person's pastime, it really isn't. Doodling helps the mind focus and retain information better. It allows our mind's eye to "see" what we are thinking about better. For example, if you are trying to design a new product, it helps if you doodle what you are thinking. Surprisingly, doodling also helps us focus. It lets our mind work while keeping the hands busy. Doodling is also an effective way of planning new ideas. So if your teacher catches you doodling in class, you have a reason!
--SwimmerGirl
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Snow Days
Another class post, my readers.
I don't know about any of you, but my area has had quite a few snow days so far this year. We are now into late June to make up all the time we missed. Personally, I am neutral about snow days. I like them because it gives me extra time to get my homework done, study for a quiz/test, or just relax. I do not like snow days because that means shoveling. Lots and lots of shoveling. (And when the snow piles are taller than you, it's a bit difficult to shovel!) I think that schools have to make them up because it subtracts teaching time for them, and learning time for us. So we make them up in June because it's the end of the year, and we take a bit of summertime for stuff we didn't get to in the wintertime.
I don't know about any of you, but my area has had quite a few snow days so far this year. We are now into late June to make up all the time we missed. Personally, I am neutral about snow days. I like them because it gives me extra time to get my homework done, study for a quiz/test, or just relax. I do not like snow days because that means shoveling. Lots and lots of shoveling. (And when the snow piles are taller than you, it's a bit difficult to shovel!) I think that schools have to make them up because it subtracts teaching time for them, and learning time for us. So we make them up in June because it's the end of the year, and we take a bit of summertime for stuff we didn't get to in the wintertime.
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