It's a Small World

The chance to travel to a new place can be a fun way to learn about other cultures around the world. If you're limited by time or money reading a book, website, or listening to music may be a great way to experience another place.
Here are some websites that are fun to check out when exploring life in other places.

A website that shows different parts of the world is found at A Kid's Life in...
Teens and kids who live all over the world show us about their country. I like how you can get a first hand account about different places. The web site's graphics also help you to get a sense for interesting aspects of their culture.

Another handy resource when looking at different countries is a metric/customary conversion chart which can be found at Kid's corner: Metric Weights and Measures
When have you needed to convert between metric units, or from customary to metric units? Last year, I was training for a 10K run and wanted to know how many miles I'd need to train for. The conversion, 1.6093 kilometers = 1 mile would have been useful. Before running I thought it was around 5 miles, but after checking the math I realized a had run more.

Another question that's worth asking is: How much is your money worth? Money Exchange is done on a daily trade market which can be found at XE World Currency Converter.
This converter tool has a calculator type feature that will show you exactly how much your money is worth on any one day. For example, upon checking we can see that one US dollar is worth 12.5150 Mexican pesos. Which other types of currency do you know about? What other travel resources have you used that could also be helpful?

Sizzling Sounds of Summer

The sounds of music add sizzle to the summer. In outdoor venues the sounds of music fill the air. Some of my favorite venues in the summertime are Millenium Park and Ravinia.

Millenium Park area has an incredible Jazz Festival. One jazz musician is two time Grammy Award winner, Roy Hargrove. Hargrove plays jazz that is infused with hip hop, funk, gospel, and soul music. The Video link here shows Hargrove playing the trumpet along with lots of rhyme and soul. I like how jazz music blends different styles together. Concerts at Millennium Park are free of charge and bring lots of talented musicians to Chicago.

Ravinia is a 30 minute Metra train ride north of Chicago. Like Millenium Park, Ravinia is a summer time festival that has famous musicians and young stars. Ravinia has tunes from lots of different bands including Rock, R&B, Blues, Country, Gospel, and Classical. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) plays at Ravinia on many nights. Trumpet player, Tage Larsen from the CSO has a video link here. Larsen says, "I was amazed by the balance and unity (of the CSO). I could hear how they matched each other and was blown away by that 'Chicago Sound'"

It's fun to kick back and listen to the rich sounds of these star trumpet players. The music that fills the evening sky is like an ocean that carries many different sounds and memories with it.

Persuasive Writing: Are You Convinced?

School or Sleep. Why must we choose?

This Teensink author includes some research about the effects of oversleeping and undersleeping. There's an easy to follow list of reasons that supports her claim that students should petition their schools for a later start time. Use of vocabulary and depth in explanation provides convincing support for the author's argument.

Nature Comes Alive on a Summer Hike

A hike over the swamp
on an elevated trail.


A carnivorous, Pitcher Plant
eats insects that live in the bog.

In the book Walden, Thoreau says, "You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns." Nature holds many treasures in its forests, parks, and beaches.

I recently went to a forest preserve in Western Michigan. This forest had an interesting ecosystem called a bog. The pictures show the way we were able to walk above the water of the bog and observe some of the carnivorous plants that lived there.

The sounds of snakes, frogs, birds, and insects were all around us as we hiked along the path. At one point along the trail I was taking pictures and was startled by the rustling of an animal in the reeds. I heard loud croaking as the animal moved closer towards me. This animal showed itself to me in a way that caught me by surprise. Afterward, I couldn't help but think that this may have been a bear, moose, or other large animal letting me know that I had crept a little to close to its home.

It was interesting how this forest preserve was so untouched by human influence. As my family drove into the forest we noticed just a few other cars. The gravel roads that winded through the forest were surrounded by trees and didn't any have houses or businesses. The isolation allowed plants and animals to flourish without competing with people for space. In looking at the images on this webpage about Western Michigan there are some similarities between this area and how Chicago was a swamp before it was developed into a city.

Math Connections at Chicago Museums

Chicago offers visitors and residents some world class museums. Recently, I got the chance to savor some of the new, interactive exhibits these museums have on display.

Shedd Aquarium's Jellies exhibit has the slogan, 95% water, 100% amazing. One interesting fact that I learned while visiting this exhibit was how jellyfish are such resilent creatures. Jellyfish survive in areas where other fish are dying off because of pollution. As a result jellyfish are growing exponentially as pollution creates deadzones in the world's oceans. Jellyfish by the Numbers includes statistics about how Jellyfish are affecting our world's ocean water.

Exponential growth is illustrated on the King's chessboard story where every square is double the one before it. When a species grows in this way it quickly becomes overwhelming to its ecosystem.

How Do You Use Internet Resources?

What are some of your favorite Internet tools? The Internet has learning tools for practice, research, connecting with others, and creating projects.

Math Practice- Review skills while playing online games. There's a basketball game that challenges your skill in solving equations.

http://www.math-play.com/Middle-School-Math-Games.html

Research- Find information about topics of interest. Bookmark your favorite sites to find the latest updates or write down the website address to share with others.

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/ Find out about many free summertime activities
http://discovermagazine.com/ Breaking news on science, technology, and more

Connecting online- Share information with others and keep connected with your friends online. Find a book blog like the ones Swift students' created and chat about your favorite characters or scenes in the story.

Projects-Refresh your skills on making videos, or even setting up a presentation.

http://www.prezi.com/ build a flashy online presentation, increased options for a student and teacher account
http://www.animoto.com/ create animated video slideshows

http://docs.google.com/ online PowerPoint presentations, online sharing of group word documents, sharing information and discussion comments

Summer Plans, Yet?

Summer vacation has finally arrived! There are many things to do over the summer that make vacations truly memorable. I think the neighborhoods in Chicago have lots of fun things to do if you're looking for something to do. The lakefront is one of my favorite parts about living in Chicago, and the diverse cultures and types of people are another that's right up there on top.


Both, fun by the lake and different cultures can be found right in Edgewater!


As I sit inside the library on this gorgeous day, I am looking at the sparkling, blue water and rippling waves of The Lake. Even though I can't be at the beach today, I know that the summer has much in store for beach lovers like me :)


What's your favorite summertime festival? Just north in Rodger's Park they have an arts festival in July and lots of cool events throughout the weeks. News for Rodger's Park highlights new happenings and shows on their monthly web page.


I'm looking forward to checking out my favorite baseball team a few times too. What's summer without baseball and barbeques? The Chicago White Sox boast Fireworks on Friday nights and Half Price tickets on Mondays.


Or, better yet doing instead of watching is fun too! Outside I am looking forward to playing Frisbee, soccer, or catch. Prefer inside? Grab a book, or notebook and imagine yourself in the place you've always wanted to go. Start a book club with a few friends. Teenreads.com has some great ideas for books and how to get started. Beginner's Luck by Laura Pederson looks like a great read.


I hope to keep posting summer happenings you can check back for updates. Hope you're having a safe and fun summer.

Congratulations Class of 2011!

The end of the school year is upon us, and it's a time to celebrate all the achievements that we've had as a team. The Class of 2011 has shared lots of special memories that will definitely not be forgotten. I am very excited for you as you transition to your new high schools.

Over the summer, I hope you have a safe and fun break. You developed many strong friendships during the past year. I'm sure you will certainly stay connected with each other. Keep up the awesome writing, reading, and thinking this summer. Take advantage of one of the great summer programs in Chicago or keep reading and writing on your own. I am very proud of the growth you've shown over the past year. You are going to do awesome as you take your next step into high school.

Your enthusiasm and hard work have made your teachers very proud of you.

Share some of your thoughts or memories.

Congratulations on a fantastic year!

More 8th Grade Blogs!

Here are some of the blogs from the 8th Grade Class of 2011. Check out the bloggers' latest posts. You will find a variety of creative topics and thoughtful questions. Here's a short summary of what you'll find on the blogs.

A book review of "Hoot" by, Carl Hiaasen. The blog shares ideas about funny and mysterious parts of the book. http://www.sghoot.blogspot.com/

This blog shows interesting parts of "Hoot" the book and movie. It includes pictures of the movie and explanation about the books' ideas. http://www.bohalterman.blogspot.com/

A review of the young adult book called Black and White. This blog gives updates about interesting parts of the novel. http://www.brandonblackandwhite.blogspot.com/

A book blog highlights scenes from the novel, "Hoot" and has video links as well. Videos show glimpses of the movie. The blog includes a response to the different scenes from each of the books' chapters. Check out this book blog at: http://jp-hootreview.blogspot.com/

The blog, Broken Hearted includes poems and ideas about love. Poetry from teen authors show the mixed emotions that come with love. http://www.loveislonely12.blogspot.com/

A blog dedicated to entertainer, Will Smith. Reviews from his movies, tv shows, and hit songs are showcased through pictures and creative descriptions. http://sheriannsarah.blogspot.com/

What books do you recommend? Which of the 8th Grade Blogs do you like, and why?

Hoot and Environmental Effects

The story Hoot (the book) tells about a boy who discovers a conflict between a business and nature. Roy finds out that a group of burrowing owls lives on the site where the business wants to build their store. (BTW check out the link above for a short and interesting book review of Hoot)

On the author's webpage Carl Hiaasen answers questions about Hoot.
Carl Hiaasen says,
"The world can be nasty place, and there's nothing wrong with going after the bad guys in a novel...Funny stuff happens, weird stuff happens, but the soul of the plot is Roy's quest to stop something very bad from happening. And that's serious"

The environment damage that businesses can cause is a serious issue that affects our future. Watch this YouTube video about the BP oil spill. The G4 News Crew finds out how corporations have negatively affected pelicans of the Gulf Coast. (A Big Thanks goes to Mr. Cornfield for finding this video)

As they mention in the G4 News story there are ways people can work to help restore the environment on the Gulf Coast. One simple way is by sharing ideas about this disaster so it is not forgotten. The BP oil spill devastated peoples' lives and continues to affect the area today.

• Do you remember when you first heard about the BP Oil Spill?





• What are your thoughts about how human activity can affect our environment?





• How does the BP Oil Spill relate with destruction of the owls' habitat in Hoot?

Highlighting Student Created Blogs

DJxHyPex85: Should homework be given out to students?
Student blogger adds his voice about the affects of homework. This topic has been a recent debate among teachers, parents, as well on many students' minds. Comment on DJxHyPex's blog post to show your point of view.

Elizabeth and Jocelyn: Movies and Music Two bloggers share information and recommendations about the latest movies and music. Who doesn't like movies and music. The pictures, lyrics, and commentary show some interesting new hits. Check it out, before you make plans.

Lejla: Quotes
Student blogger writes about meaningful Quotes. What uses can you think of for quotes? I know that in posters, advertisements, and graduation speeches quotes are often a way to "hook" the reader's attention. If you too like quotes check out Lejla's blog.

Poetry and Art

April was National Poetry Month and students published poetry in response to art work. In the poems below, what types of figurative language do you notice? How do you see the poems and art work complementing each other?

Stuck in the Moment
By, Ines

She pressed against each petal
As if she was holding onto her life,

Blowing away each “He loves you petal”
Wishing she could be his wife.

A Rose By, Sara

Romance,
Is a symbol from the lovely red rose,
It’s something given,
In luxury velvet clothes.

A rose,
Is a symbol of love,
a touch of destiny,
from the angels above.

A Lone Tree By, Kim

A lone tree in a vast valley,
Holding fast to its shivering leaves,
But to no avail.
Soon it shall be alone.

Its children fluttering in the breeze,
Take off to join the world in its soil.
In anguish, the tree turns dark. Ebony.
Its central body clouded with desperation.

Untitled by, Advin

I stand on a great mountain
watching the city I call home.
As the dark night
casts its cloak around me
I never felt more alone.

The moon stands by me
and gives me a hopeful light
With each strike of lightening
I regret each mistake in my life.

What images do you see in the poems that are also present in the art work?

What Do You Recommend?

My hobbies are enjoying interesting books, movies, and music. This time of year there are always lots of cool things that come out for the summer months.
Share a favorite book/movie/song that you enjoy. What makes it special? How does it help you connect to memories? Was it based on a true story?

Teens Ink (www.teensink.com) has reviews written by teens for teens.

The Outsiders by, S.E. Hinton
This book review includes specific details about the way language is used to draw readers into the story. "If you like symbolism, this novel has plenty, but the main one is to “stay gold.” The book has a strong message of staying young and innocent. It teaches us not to create a shell to block emotions and the importance of friendship." (teensink.com, 2011)
The way word choices can relate to a theme in the book is an interesting point. The reviewer, Michael Twinsburg, points out the symbol "stay gold" to show readers a cool feature of the book.

Check out the full review from the link above. Do you agree with Michael Twinsburg that this book sounds like a fun read? What books do you want to read, or have heard great things about?

Should Video Games be Used in Gym?

It's a known fact Video Games have "kid appeal". But should they be used during gym class? Are video games something that you'd like to do or do you prefer real games over virtual games?

Share your opinion on this matter. Here are some online articles and information sources to check out:

Wii used in Physical Education classes This newspaper article highlights how an elementary school uses Wii.

Does Wii provide a replacement for gym class? A teacher research project that studies the effects of Wii on students learning in gym.

Video clip about Wii's Mario Sports Mix Wii video game preview.

The impact of video games on children A health company looks at video game use.

Negative health effects of Video Gaming A blog about gaming computers and technology.

It is true that schools are becoming more equipped with technology.
Are video games during gym class something that you would enjoy, if so what benefits do you see? What are some negative effects or disadvantages to using video games in place of other gym activities?

Xpression: Creative Writing and Art

"Art is literacy of the heart", said Elliot Eisner. (www.princetonol.com) Similar to creative writing, art shows personal ideas and opinions about the world.
Here's a video that shows Walking Across the Atlantic by, Billy Collins.
The famous painting on the right is called The Figure 5 in Gold by, American Painter Charles Dumuths.

Artists and Writers often work together to bring scenes to life. Charles Dumuths got the idea for this modern painting when he read a poem by Carlos Williams. This poem was called The Great Figure
and it reads,

"Among the rain and lights
I saw the figure 5
in gold on a red
firetruck
moving tense
unheeded
to gong clangs
siren howls
and wheels rumbling
through the dark city."

Source: http://www.poets.org

The poem uses imagery of "wheels rumbling through the dark city" and "the figure 5 in gold". The picture shows a 5 fading into the distance. As the fire truck races down the street it also fades into the background.

Details in this poem allow the reader to see a different interpretation or a new image then the one seen in the painting alone. As Poet Robert Creely said, "Any person reading what I've written and seeing what he's made is moving back and forth between two emotional fields"
Source: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5932
Those two "emotional fields" go hand and hand; paintings and poems.

Check out this website,
The Poet Speaks of Art to find some other art work and poems.
What other websites show visual or graphic art that you like? How do you feel about the connection between art and writing?

Poetry Seen in Songs

The month of April is National Poetry Month. Music often begins as poetry and many musicians are also poets. Many of my favorite songs have rich language and poetic devices that are worth a closer look.

These lyrics are from Metaphors and Similies in Hip Hop
by, Flocaburlary "Hip Hop in the Classroom"
Flocabulary is also on Facebook

"Wes Jackson had the vision, and brought it to fruition with a little hard work, perseverance and intuition."
- Aheru on "Soon Come," Soon Come...

"Me without a mic is like a beat without a snare...
I'm sweet like licorice, dangerous like syphilis."
- Lauryn Hill on "How Many Mics," The Score

"See, I drop the greats like clumsy waiters drop plates."
- Mr. Man on "Fortified Live," Fortified Live

These Hip Hop lyrics include similes, metaphors, and descriptive words. What are some of the things you notice?

What other lyrics do you know that also have figurative language?

Writer's Block?

Directions and Tips for 7th-8th Grade Persuasive Writing at SchoolNotes 2.0

Writing ideas:
Listen to Margaret Walker's poem entitled, Kitchenette
What are your dreams for the future?

Watch a live video of Eagles nesting in Decorah, Iowa. Have you seen the United States National Bird, a bald eagle, before? If not, this is the time of year that Eagles are nesting and hatching their eggs.
What birds or animals do you notice in the wild?

Congratulations Young Author's Winners!

Congratulations to all the participants in this year's Young Author's Book Making Project. There were 57 books that were scored in the classroom competition.
This week there were two Young Author's Winners from each home room. These winners will compete in our school wide Young Author's competition.

Here are the 8th Grade Winners:

Students: Genre

Ariana: Poetry
Evelina: Poetry
Lejla: Poetry
Ines: Narrative
Raymond: Narrative
Brenda: Narrative

Green Poetry for St. Paty's Day

Try your skill at reading and writing Limerick poems this week at our 7-8 Grade Swift Reading Night, Poetry Slam! Wednesday March 23rd 5:30-6:45pm

Lime green pants with a flashin’ shamrock hat
Who wants a pinch of luck or a friendly chat?
The spark of rays grow like a kaleidoscope,
I gaze at the sunlight and ponder some hopes
The clover pedals spread as I pluck a fresh chap.


There once was a lion named leon
Who ran into the wrong season
He flopped in the snow
That was up to his nose
And he never caught the doe he was seein’

To Gamble or Not to Gamble?

Some people believe that video gambling is like throwing your money away when you could spend it on something more valuable. In the opinion article, Repeal Video Gambling, Chicago Tribune writers support how state government is trying to repeal video gambling. The article shows video gambling affect society's well being and money problems. Click on this link to see the writer's opinion about video gambling. The author shows the way Illinois law makers are trying to protect consumers against predatory businesses. In the article it states, "(there are)terrible social costs of video gambling in other locales where it's legal". What do you think about video gambling, is it a problem for society, or does it have useful ways to solve our government's money problems?

Editing Assistant: Antrone