Room 229

Do you feel great being in 5th grade? I do! =)

It feels great being a 5th grader, being at the head of elementary. Everyone looking up to you, you feel like a leader. But then, when you move up to middle school you might feel like you’re in Pre K. We are the first grade in middle school, and then we have to look up to the 8th graders. (I think)The magic of having leadership is gone! Sad right? 5th Grade is going to be a memorable grade for me, until we go to 8th grade, and then 12th grade, and so on. Also, the higher grade we are in the harder work we will get! But, thanks to my friend Gwen, she showed me this website that might help solve your worries! For example, lockers, changing classes, and more! Middle School Survival

I can already see it on a newspaper, 5th grade, a grade I will never forget!

sophie  

Click the picture for the image source.

Hello readers of the 229 blog!

I am just going to tell you about what we have been doing in Science class!

We are learning about Brine Shrimp in the unit about Environmental Factors. This experiment is very fun. What we did is we took salt as the environmental factor and are testing how much salt brine shrimp need to live! So we tested 0 spoons, 2 spoons, 4 spoons and 6 spoons of salt. This experiment was controlled because we measured the exact same amount of water, and shrimp. Now for the results! In 0 spoons of salt the shrimp never hatched. 2 spoons of salt at the beginning there were some, then grew more and more. 4 spoons of salt had a lot, and later it did too. And 6 spoons of salt they didn’t hatch either. So we thought that 0 spoons of salt was too little, and 6 spoons of salt too much!

brine shrimp

Sophie

My post before…..

Hi you guys! It’s Sophie (again)!

I have a few suggestions for you when you get bored or NEED entertainment when you can’t get some.

First thing you can do is comment on the class blog (the blog you are reading right now)

second is maybe make something as in paper airplanes or a boat or something. I can find out how to make stuff and tell you how to if you want.

Third is to play a game online (age appropriate) (P.S there are math and science links on this blog!)

Sorry I didn’t make a lot of suggestions….. BYE!

Sophie 

And My new post!…..

Hi you guys! It’s Sophie (again)!

I have a few suggestions for you when you get bored or NEED entertainment when you can’t get some.

First thing you can do is comment on the class blog (the blog you are reading right now)

Second is maybe make something as in paper airplanes or a boat or something (as in Origami and stuff). Here is a good website for Origami tips! Tips on Origami

Third is to play a game online (age appropriate! P.S There are fun games on the math and science link)

Hope these might help! BYE!

Sophie 

Writing Workshop has really helped me make good quality posts!

Hi it’s Sophie!

Image source

You see it on shirts ALL the time. “Global Warming Not Cool” ,“Save The Ocean” , “Save The Forest”. But that doesn’t mean anything when you don’t do it. Everyone once in a while people litter, use cars and etc. But we can change that!

Every year even, global warming rises, killing animals and making animals EXTINCT =(. Polar bears are already endangered, and so are a lot of the ADORABLE animals and mammals!

Imagine if you were in a world, where all you could see was water around you, and you and your family “suffering” on the top of buildings wanting to be freed, to have some thing around you besides water and the tips of buildings. That’s what it would be like (well, we think). The whole world would be flooded, leaving us with not much; no food, no home and maybe you might of lost family. Try to make a difference; recycle more, use bikes or walk to school (if you can) and pick up litter! Thanks =)

There are a lot of charities and organizations that help save the earth, which help a lot. And we should be thankful to them. A fun website: Global Warming.

Save the forest, save the ocean, save the world! Make A Difference!

Peace Out, Sophie

Hi Everyone!

My narrative is about a girl who has a fear of owning a dog and how she gets over it. Hope you enjoy it!

Kelsey

“Do you want to keep her?” Mama said worried. “We can take care of her, we can-“

“NO!” I said. I put my hand on the poor puppies chest. “She is already-already dead.”

I started crying again. I kept on hearing those words and that moment from six years ago. I lay down on my bed looking at the blank ceiling counting the black stains that have been there forever. I kept on thinking of that moment, poor Kelsey in the rain, barking in sorrow. It was something I would never forget, and was stuck in my mind forever. Huskies and puppies just like Kelsey would scare me, I’m scared they are gong to die in my arms again.

The sun rose up, making me smile and forget about poor Kelsey, making me know that I had a mission to accomplish, to conquer my fear of dogs.

* * *

The car honked loudly from outside.

“Coming!” I shouted. I ran down the stairs from my room where I was putting up posters of celebrities that I loved. I quickly tied on my converse and went out the door where my oldest brother Mark, my sister Mary who was six years old and Mama waiting in the car for me ready to go to Grandmas house.

“Come on slowpoke! We don’t have all day!” Mark said as he rolled down the window.

“Mark, give your sister a break. We are not in a rush.” Mama said. Mark gave me a nasty grin. I jumped in the back seat, on the opposite side of Mary.

“What took you so long?” Mary said with a curious look on her face. I didn’t look at her. I didn’t want to look at her. “We were waiting for 5minutes…” I left off as she blabbed on and started thinking how I was the only one who didn’t like to go to Grandma’s and everyone else couldn’t wait to go to Grandma’s house. I loved Grandma, I just hated the way they had a husky, Bonnie, who looked exactly like Kelsey. It’s not that I don’t like dogs, I just get freaked out when I think it’s going to die again when I try to take care of it. Kelsey could never get out of my head. It was ike I was obsessed, but not in good way. I kept on telling Mama how much I hated dogs, but she wouldn’t care. She thinks I am too sensitive and selfish because I’m the only one not wanting to go. I hated it when she said that. I took out my small notebook and pencil out of my pocket of my blue hoody I was wearing and started doodling mad faces on the paper.

As we got to Grandmas house I walked towards the house. Grandmas house was huge, and she had everything I have always wanted. A guitar, Wii, bunk beds for guests and tons more. Bonnie was already barking as she saw us walk towards the door.

“Jane! Ring the door bell!” Mary called to me as if I was a statue. I pressed the button. “Ding Dong!” the door rang and we walked in.

“You’re finally here! Lets eat!” Grandma said. She was wearing a red apron with big hoop earrings and jeans. She was the hip type of Grandma.

“Pizza and french fries is what’s on today’s menu!” Sarah my 5-year-old cousin said. Everyone smiled.

After lunch Grandma told me that she and the “grown ups” were going to go for a hike and would be back in 1hr. Mark, Mary, Sarah and I had to stay here and take care of Bonnie while they were gone. I said yes, even though I wanted to go with them and not have to take care of Bonnie; I didn’t want to make Grandma upset and have to take me along.

When they left Mark was on the Wii, playing guitar hero, Mary was playing with Sarah with her old barbies, and I guess I was alone, needing to take care of Bonnie. I was mad. Why did I always have to do the work and chores while everyone was playing and having fun? Because you are the most responsible one they said.

I put my hand on Bonnie when I realized I was shaking. She was at the door window looking outside watching Grandma and the adults hop into their truck and drive away. Bonnie was crying and whining. I think she missed Grandma, because it is very rare Grandma leaves the house except for shopping and etc. As I stroked her fur very lightly, I could hear her heartbeat. It was very fast, so I got her water and some new food. When I called her name to get some water, she ran straight towards the bowl. Before I knew it, I was crying. This was the exact same thing I did with Kelsey before she died. Bonnie lay down after she ate as if she was going to sleep. I went up to her and petted her more confidently now, knowing that Bonnie wasn’t going to die the same way Kelsey did. I put my head down on her chest and lay there, like she was my pillow.

I woke up finding myself still on Bonnie as she was still sleeping. I smiled. I took care of Bonnie all by myself just like I did with Kelsey and she didn’t die. I stood up still smiling. And found a blanket. I laid it on Bonnie so she wouldn’t get too cold and walked off upstairs into Sarah’s bedroom. I laid down on her bed and stared at the ceiling and was thinking of Kelsey again. I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I stared at the ceiling just like I did in my room but Sarah’s room was filled with pink wallpaper and fairies everywhere, which made me happy. Now when I thought about Kelsey, it wasn’t a bad thing, it was a joyful thing. I also thought how I needed a dog, just like Bonnie and Kelsey, to help me conquer more of my fear, to help me stop thinking of dogs dying in my arms again. I wanted a dog now, more than anything in the world.

When everyone came back, I told Mama that I wanted a dog and she said I could if that was ok with Mark and Mary, so I went straight up to them.

“Mark, Mary, umm well I was wondering if we could have a dog? Is that ok?

“I’ve always wanted a dog! Yes please, but ask Mama.” Mary said. She was braiding Sarah’s hair. Mary was such a sweet heart but sometimes can be the most annoying.

“Sure whatever.” Mark said. His eyes were getting watery from Guitar Hero.

Yes! We could get a dog! I was still scared of that thought but I didn’t care.

That night we drove back to our house and said bye to everyone, but I spent most of my time with Bonnie. Mama said that we would go to the shelter to go find a dog. And I couldn’t wait. Mary looked very excited, and Mark just looked bored. Mama said that I could even bring a friend, so I’m going to bring Katie, my best friend in the world.

Looking and choosing a dog sounds fun but its so hard. All the puppies look so cute! We walked down the isle, Mama, Mary, Mark , Katie, and I. Mary said “What about this one?” about ten billion times. It got annoying. We walked on when I saw the cutest little puppy, brown lab. Drinking from it’s bowl of water.

“Mama! Look here!” I pointed as they all made there way towards me. ‘Can we get it?” I noticed I was shaking and sweating, but I needed to get over it. Mama and everyone crowded around me staring at the cute little dog. I wasn’t listening to their conversation. I was tired, and didn’t feel the greatest. I looked next to the cage when it caught my eye; a beautiful short hair black and white baby husky, sleeping on a fluffy blanket. Just like Kelsey when she was younger. I knew which one I wanted.

Thanks for reading this!

Soph (sophie)

Hello everyone,

After some unfortunate delays, we now have the next two installments of Room 229’s Historical Fiction Podcast Series available on iTunes.

Tamara, Emma, Karis and Juliana refer to Goldstone, and teach about building the world of the story in your mind.

Tasha, Helen, and Sophie refer to Esperanza Rising, and teach about walking in the main character’s shoes.

Goldstone Source Esperanza Rising Source

Hi its Sophie, and I will be sharing 2 historical fiction strategies. The first one is, “who has the power?”. And the second strategy is “Who’s voice isn’t being heard.” I will be referring to a book called Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan and another book called A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. I think they are both very important strategies because they both include each other. What I mean by that  is  that who ever has the power in the book the other person that he/she is talking to is the one that isn’t being heard. And so the opposite. They are also important because they can help you understand the character/s better and you can see and think how confident that character is. And that is pretty important.
Okay, the first strategy, “who has the power?” is like saying who is in charge and who cannot be talked back to. For example, in A Single Shard, Tree-ear, an orphan went on a long journey to a palace to confess that he broke special pottery. He argues with the official that he wants to go show the broken pottery to the Emissary himself, but the official refuses. At that part I put a post-it. I asked my-self he had the power? And I said, “Well, both of them do but I think Tree-ear” I thought this because Tree-ear eventually got to convince the official to let him do what he wants. But I also said both because the official had the power to say yes or no but he said yes.
Now, moving on to the next strategy. “Who’s voice isn’t being heard?”  In the book Esperanza Rising Esperanza had moved to America from Mexico and has a choice to be a striker. Later the government takes all the strikers away back to Mexico unless if they way from America. Now is the time to ask, “Who’s voice isn’t being heard?” I think the strikers voices aren’t being heard because they have to get sent all the way back Mexico and can’t strike or get a job for at least 1penny. I infer that the government doesn’t like the strikers and is annoyed because they are sending the strikers away. I think this because in the book it says that the government kept on trying to stop them. And I know that strikers are bad people because they want more money then their salary and are making other people work for even les of their salary.
These strategies are useful because you can easily get stuck without them! Also I recommend the novels! They are both really good! Bye!

Dian Fossey’s Accomplishments By Sophie

Have you ever heard of Dian Fossey? Her home was in the jungle with Mountain gorillas. And there she was the first to touch Mountain gorillas, the first in the world! And there Dian accomplished her dream! In my opinion, Dian was an important explorer because of mainly 2 things. Bravery and kindness to the gorillas.

Dian was brave. Well, for example, here is the story of how she got into her gorilla project! When Dian saw Dr. Leaky, she wanted to explore even more than before so she ran towards him. Dr. Leaky was in the middle of a gorilla fossil research so he was covered in dust. But still, Dian told him of how she explored the gorillas in the Virunga Mountain’s. After that, Dr. Leaky asked, “Are you merely interested in gorillas as a spectator or journalists?” Dian replied, “Much more than that Mr. Leaky, Someday I plan to come and live and work here” Dian was actually very nervous for she had never made that dream before, or written it down. But at the same time Dian was very excited. She wanted to live among them and complete her goal. Dr. Leaky understood and sent her to Africa and they always kept in touch.

Another example for how she was brave is that Dian was a natural person, who studied hard and went to a good college and got interested in Mountain gorillas by Dr. Leaky. She was brave enough to go near the so-called most “vicious” gorillas in the world!

Dian was important because she helped preserve Mountain gorillas. At first sight, Dian thought Mountain gorillas were the cutest animals in the world! She thought that the people who called mountain gorillas mean and vicious were cruel. She knew that Mountain gorillas were being killed by poachers, traps, and other things and for example, when Dian heard that Digit, (her gorilla friend) was killed by a trap she told all Africans to find all traps and destroy them, because she wanted Mountain gorillas to live and be happy forever. When the Africans were done they altogether found over 600 death traps. Dian was so happy!

Now you know what Dian did and what her personality is, and sometimes Dian liked animals more than people! And if Dian didn’t discover Mountain gorillas, they would probably still be called the most vicious animal in the world. And still, Dian was an important explorer to me because of her bravery and kindness.

Thanks and bye!

Hi everybody!

Remember when I said almost 4000 visits, now it’s OVER 5000 (barely over) (5,154) I missed the 4000th visit !

Well I just want to tell you, check the clustr map!

Sophie

Hi Everyone! I haven’t looked at the clustr map in a while!! I missed the 1000th visit!! But now our blog has a lot more visits, and we are so close to reaching 4000!!! we have exactly (right now when i am typing) 3,724 visits! Congratulations 229!! I can’t wait ’till 4000!! Keep it up!

Ciao Sophie