BaMBoO GrOvE FiNAl PoST #5

1: I was mostly happy with the ending, and ending on the note of finding Hideyo was a really good idea. I think that without the epilouge, where it tells you what happened to her father, im not sure i would have been too happy! I think that Yoko could not have done a better job with the ending, and it was a good way to leave us hanging on what happened to her father, and having Hideyo come home at the very end. This makes you somewhat satisfied with the ending, but keeps you interested even when the book is over.



2: I think that they wanted to keep a little reminder of who they really were even though they had to act otherwise. The family wants to keep a little piece of home with them through the hard times. I think that through these little customs, the Kawashimas remind themselves that they will always have each other and their traditions. Its like a sentimental thing.



3: I admire the whole family for being so strong through this horrible event. If i had to pick 1 person, it would be Yoko. I really saw the most change in Yoko. She went from sort of spoiled, to aprreciating what she had and just being alive. She grew so much over the course of the book. She wanted to complain, but she didnt, because she realized that it wouldnt do any good.



4: I learned a lot, but mostly about the traditions the Japanese and Koreans had. For example, the Japanese carried rucksacks on thier backs, and the Koreans carried a bag on thier hips. I also learned about the historical events going on at the time of the war. The Korean army wasnt all made up of evil people, but they were forced to fight against the Japanese because the government held a grudge against them. I also learned what life was like in a refugee camp, not very good.



5: I think that the moral of the story is that you should never give up. The Kawishimas never gave up, and that helped them through the tough times. They also grew stronger mentally, and gained a feeling that they could accomplish anything. Like Yoko says, "I competed with life and death when young, and I won."

1: Yoko wants to help Mr. Nadio because he is the only person who is nice to Yoko at school. They have a lot in common, but especially the fact that nobody really tries to understand or be freindly towards them. They both seem to be outcasts in a way. They have seen true pain, and they both understand that about each other. She helps him try to speak clearer and stutter less.

2: I think Yoko realizes that Ko will do anything for her younger sister. I think Yoko sees that she means a lot to Ko , and that Ko really cares about her. Yoko's additude changes from thinking that Ko is just her sister, to really respecting and admiring her sincerely. She never really thought Ko would do something just fo her.

3: What do you think happened to Hideyo when he passed out at the farm? What do you think will happen next?

ANSWER: I think the people in the barn will take him in and give him a place to stay. I dont think that the people care about politics, they just want to make it through winter. If the people he encouters there are in fact Korean comuunists, I think its safe to say that he is pretty much done.

Op #3

1:

A: They see more soldiers raping those girls at the party. That would be a good enough reason for me to leave. The book says "The womens shrieks echoed" when the Korean communists are celebrating their independence. Thats really horrible if you think about it, it might seem funny but it wouldnt be funny if you saw it happen.

B: I think Hideyo would understand why they had to leave and would have done the same thing in their position. It was smart to leave when they did because the Koreans might get even more crazy and start killing people just for fun or because theyre drunk.

2:
What would you do if you had to leave one of your family members behind? how would you react and feel?

If I was in the same situation as Yoko, Ko and ther mother, I would have done the same thing. I know that any of my family members would completely understand. I think it was smart that they left, even if it was really hard to leave someone behind.

BaMBoO gRoVE pOsT # 2

1: Hideyo thinks of himself as a man old enough to make his own way in life. At times he can be stubborn, and say things he might not mean. Like when he oes to join the army, he doesnt realize that this may lead to his death. With all the pleading and arguing that he does with his family members, he realizes that going to the battlefront may not be the best idea. Hideyo can keep his cool under pressure, and i can relate to that because I get calm under stress.

2: If i had to leave my house in ten minutes, I would bring as much as I could carry! I would bring food, lots of water, some spare cothes, and pictures of my family. Its better than having nothing to remember them by. i would avoid taking anything that might weigh me down or things that are unnecesary.

3: I think that the moment I would have found most upsetting would be either when Hideyo saw his freind get shot right in front of him or stepping out of that tunnel and realizing you were covered in blood. I think Hideyo has seen the most bloody part of the war and understands what is really going on in korea. Hideyo has seen his freinds shot and been covered in blood. That to me is the most disturbing part because you would realize what had happened and realize how far this is going to go. People are being killed out of hate, and the communists will stop at nothing to see the ones they hate dead.

pOsT #1

1: I think Yoko needs to think about others more. She is afraid of the patients in the hospital,and even if they gross you out you dont act like it. She is at an age where its not just you that matters, but the people around you as well. She doesnt seem to understand that these are desperate times and that anything goes. For example, when she doesnt want to put on a blood stained blanket, she should be grateful for what she has and take it. She does show some kindness when she gives her food to the woman who gave birth aboard the train.

2: I think that deep down, Yoko really respects and looks up to Ko as a role model and "honorable sister". She seems to think of Ko as bossy sometimes because Ko orders her to do things, but I can understand why she says things that seem bossy because Ko understands the war more than her younger sibling. Ko would be a role model to me if I was Yoko and i think that Yoko can learn a thing or two from Ko.

3: I would do what Yoko did, and give away some of my food to the people that needed it. Yoko and Ko's mother was overreacting to the people on board the train. Sometimes you just have to tolerate things, you dont have to like it, but you deal with it anyway. (wow a lesson from southpark? NOTHING MAKES SENSE ANYMORE!!!) One thing that shows this is when their mother looks away whenever something bad happens or something that may be neccesary happens. The patients cant help what happened to them and the people should learn to accept that.




Thank you for your time
-Wade

reading response

TIME: 2:00 hrs

Book: The Eyes of the Dragon

Author: Stephen King

Pages: 121-178

RESPONSE:
So far in the book im reading i have picked up more of the small details than last time i read the book(if you have any new books for me to read tell me). Some things like how Peter comes up with his escape plan, and he thinks he can use the thread from napkins and the weaving loom on his mother's (she is dead) dollhouse. It might work but if it doesnt he will die. He only has one chance to escape. Peter gets in a fight with one of the guards around his cell, and fights him over the napkin on his plate so he can start his plan to escape. Flagg has put his plan into action to kill king Roland and the heir, (Peter) and make his younger brother Thomas become king. He has planted evidence and is getting the whole kingdom to belive he has killed his father. The book is getting good once again!

VoCAb wEEk #3

VOCAB:

Scruffy- Untidy or shabby

Pallor- extreme paleness, caused by death or fainting

Crockery- earthen bowls or utensils

Utterly- absoulutley or for sure

Coronation- the act of crowning a king or queen

VOCAB WEEK 2

VOCAB:

Recessed- an indentation or small crevice

Afoot- in progress

Vigorous- strong or active

Decisive- deciding something crucial

Feverish- having a fever or restlessness/excitement


Im looking at the clock on my computer and this is gonna look late but its not because my clock is off.

rdg post #2

book: The Eyes of the Dragon
author: Stephen King
pages read:67-121
time: 2 hrs

Question: What advice would you give to a particular character?Why?

The first character I would give advice to is the main character's father, King Roland. The reason why is because his advisor is trying to KILL him and he doesnt suspect a thing. He is afraid of Flagg (his advisor) because he is a powerful maigician, and he is afraid that Fagg will do something terrible to him. I would tell him to kick Fagg out of the palace or banish him so he cant come back. If it were me, I would have gotten rid of him before he tries to kill me.But thats just me. (and lots of other people who value their life)


The next person i would give advice to is the main character, who is also foolish. He doesnt realize that he is being plotted against. The entire story is beginning to unfold around Flagg, and not in a good way. Flagg wants to make Peter's little brother, Thomas, king. The reason for this is Thomas is one of those people who is easily influenced, and not very bright. The perfect choice for an evil henchman. I would tell Peter to speak out against Flagg, but he, like his father, is scared of being killed or injured. OR WORSE...... But part of having courage is being able to do things that you're scared of, no matter what.

This book is very good and i roccomend it to all!!! (380 pages so its kinda long, but nowhere near the longest ive read which is like 715 for Lirael (not sure how its spelled but i think its right...) by Garth Nix)

first independent ReAdiNG assignment

the book i am reading is called The Eyes of the Dragon and its by Stephen King. The book is about an evil magician, who wants the prince of a kingdom to kill his father and older brother, the rightful heir to the kingdom.

Question: What was one of your favorite lines (or sentences) in what you read today?

My favorite line in the pages i read this week was when Flagg, the antagonist and evil magician and also advisor, tries to poison the queen by using a spider who's venom can kill in a second. he says "Now die my pretty, and kill a queen." I also like how the author gives you an idea of just how poisonous the spider really is. It explains that Flagg uses a magic glove to withstand the poison, and yet his hand is thill burned and swollen from the spider's venom. This also foreshadows some events in later parts of the book, and you know right away that Flagg is not a good guy.

Another line I liked was when Peter and his best freind Ben entered a sock race, and they were winning, and Peter tripped and cut his arm. Being royalty, he wasnt used to being injured but they kept on going. Peter's father started yelling at him, telling him to be like a jackrabbit. So the boys crossed the finish line, and Peter said "Jackrabbit yourself!" I liked this line because it shows that even though there is something bad going on, the kingdom is happy. I relate to this a lot because im happy a lot.

VOCAB:

Good Words:

concious- Aware of one's surroundings

ignorant- a lack of knowledge or awareness

subsituted- something acting for another

manacle- a handcuff

brooding- the young of certain animals


PAGES READ: 97

my nEW BoOK.

the book im reading is called The Eyes of the Dragon, by Stephen King.
its my 2nd thime reading it.

Final Wave Post

1) I think that that quote relates to a lot of things. I think it means that even if everyone is doing something that you know is wrong, still don't go along with it because you will feel guilty for doing so. Even if people want you to do something, it doesn't mean you should and you need to think for yourself.

2) Robert in the beginning of the book has some major self- esteem issues. He is tired of being compared to his brother and feels like no matter what he does, he'll never be as good. The wave helped Robert to make some friends, and finally be treated as an equal instead of a loser. The wave members treated one another equally, but people on the outside were treated as less. I think some of the kids will remember getting to know Robert through the wave, and will think that maybe he isn't such a loser after all. Even if Robert was shaken by the Waves sudden end, he gained a lot in life socially and emotionally through it.

3) Mr. Ross really started to control the school. Kids were blindly following whatever he said, without even stopping to think about it. Many were hurt because somebody in the wave mistreated them and started to harass innocent people who didn't do anything wrong.
Hitler will be overused so I'm going with Saddam Hussein. He took over the middle east, and turned it's already troubled people into fanatics who kill themselves for religion. He even began opressing the people living in Iraq to the point where a war started.

4) Avoiding Mob Mentality: A Practical Guide by A Middle Student, for Other Middle School Students.
The first step to stopping mob mentality, is asking yourself why and how you got into this situation. Even if other people are doing it, it doesnt make it the right thing. You have the right to say what you want, and others cannot stop you. Try not to get involved in large scale things and remember to always think for yourself and that you are important no matter what anyone says.

Family History Project

FHP REFLECTION- End date: October 17 , 2007:



In the Family History Project, we were supposed to learn about our family and the events they were in. We had to get 4-5 pages of notes on our event, and write a historical article about the event in general. We were required to pick a family member to interview, and ask 19-20 questions about the event we chose. We also chose a piece of writing from our journals to type and put in our scrapbook. We put together scrapbooks with pictures and our articles, and displayed them with our artifacts to our parents. We had to do many drafts of our articles to refine our work.



In this project I learned a lot about my family. During my interview with my grandmother, I learned that my Great Grandfather, Emmrich Strohal, competed in the 1936 Olympics for gymnastics. He caught the eye of one of Hitlers governing generals, who asked him to join the Nazis. Of course, my Great Grandfather refused, as he did not believe in Hitler's motive. I not only learned a great deal about my family, but also about WW2. I learned that Hitler began to invade European countries before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. We learned research skills and how to do an interview.



I thought this project was interesting, and I found out things I never knew about my relatives. I feel like I could have done better, especially when i was putting together my scrapbook. I put off a lot of my work , and i felt rushed at the end. Next time, I would do my work at the beginning, and get it done 2 days before the due date instead of on it. I did feel like my writing was really well done.

Artifacts i could include: the pictures i included in my scrapbook, my articles, and other things i had in my presentation.

NEW POLL!!!

check out my new poll!
i'm trying to have everybody on the team vote so get on it!!!!
leave your opinion on my previous poll post!

wave #5

1) None.

2) "Shut up!!" and threw her down on the grass. The reason I picked this quote is because it shows that the kids at are part of the wave are becoming incapable of thinking for themselves anymore. It said that David felt like he was coming out of a trance, and that the wave forced him to do something that he normally would not have.

3) How do you think the wave will come to an end? Will Mr. Ross end it as he promised, ot will he keep it going?

POLLS!!

HEY EVERYBODY!!!!
Hey guys, this is about my polls...
I'm trying to get everyone to vote on my polls (levi says to vote on his too)
Leave a comment on this post and tell me what yo voted for.
I think there's like 50 somin' kids on this team so thanks. (if you already voted then still leave a comment.)

thank you for your time.

Comments OP#3

People who commented right:

Bailey

Olivia

Julian

people who commented but not all the way:

Levi

People who did not comment:

Christian

Karen

Wave OP#4

1) I think that he knows he has pushed the wave a little too far now. He realizes that maybe he should have been a little more careful, and planned the wave better. I can relate to how he feels though, because sometimes you cant just make something stop on a dime and end right there and then. I bet the Grapevine is not making him feel any better because of what Laurie wrote.

2) " But Laurie, the boy is Jewish, do you think that could have anything to do with this?" (pg. 92) I picked this quote because it showed that the wave is really turning into something like the Nazis, and that it is really out of control and needs to be stopped. I dont think that the Wave is really excluding people because of race or religion, but it might grow to that if it isnt stopped.

3) Do you think Laurie's newspaper article caused a positive or negative affect on the wave? How might this affect the outcome of the book?

The Wave OP #3

This is starting to get interesting!!!

1) I think that Mr. Ross is sort of pushing his experiment too far and is losing control of the wave. They even made membership cards and are going to have a wave rally. Now the whole school is getting swept up into the wave!

2) "At which they will formally indoctricate two hundred new members?"(pg. 73) I chose that quote because it shows how the wave is corrupting the whole school and how it is becoming more than Mr. Ross probably intended. The wave is starting to spread to even the lower grades now, and people are cutting class to get in.

3) How has the school changed since the wave started? Why do you think that it is having such a big effect on the school?




Thank you for your time.

Wave OP#2!!!

1) The classes new motto is defenetly affecting more than just Mr. Ross's class. The students are all sitting up straight, speaking when spoken to, and being completely obedient of everything that Mr. Ross says. I think that if the players on the football team applied the wave motto to the team, then they could stop arguing over who is a better QB and win a game!

2) The quote that I chose was: "I'd give up my position and be a waterboy if it meant winning a game." The reason I chose this quote is because it shows that the team is really desprate for a win and a chance to prove themselves against another really strong team. I think that the team knows that they can win some games if they get it together.

3) Do you think that somebody's parents will intervene and stop the wave? Or do you think that one of the students will rebel? How far do you think Mr. Ross will take this?

comments update

I have:

4 comments from Olivia,

and 4 comments from Bailey,

and 4 from Julian but not in much detail...

everybody else has yet to comment

The Wave!

I know it was only the first few chapters but I am already hooked!

1.
a.) This book took place in Palo Alto California at Gordon High School in 1969. (read the back)

b.)The reason I knew the book was not occurring in modern times is because in the very beginning the author mentions typewriters. There was also use of a film projector and old school film. Not too many people own film projectors anymore, not to mention use them! The last thing that I noticed is the way Mr. Ross dressed. Nobody wears a suit and tie anymore, they just wear casual stuff

2.) The quote that stood out for me is when Amy said, " I can understand how you feel, I thought it was just awful." (page 21) The reason I chose that quote is because my family was in Austria at the time of the Nazis and they experienced their cruelty firsthand.

3.) How do you think Mr. Ross's plan and the video they watched in class are related? How do you think the plan will turn out?

Reading group update...

Great job for our reading group everybody, I have all of your Betty Ann posts and they all look awesome! Here is the list of people's comments and how many they have done:


Levi: 5 comments
Julian: 4 comments
Karen: 2 comments
Olivia: 3 comments
Christian: N/A (I need the new url)
Bailey: 5 comments
Wade: 5 comments

Thanks everyone- Wade (kewlio)

for anybody doing WW2...

this a great site that has a LOT of information.
http://www.worldwar-2.net/

-wade


Also some cheesey music aside, the history channel's website is also good.
http://www.history.com/


Last but not least,- this website is really good for WW2
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WW.htm

disscussion topic

we are going to discuss betty ann posts part two... was there any point in the story where you would have stuck up for betty ann? please explain. Julian, DO THE ASSIGNMENT!!!! also publish a discussion post so we can post our comments there.

Betty Ann

I feel bad for her, everybody was really mean!

1) I think that the saddest part of the Betty Ann is when she writes a great story, but then it came to a part about the Queen of England eating watermelon, she was ridiculed in front of the whole class! That would really suck, like people laughing at your POL that you worked on long and hard to get a good grade!


2) If there was one part where I would have spoke up, it would be when Margie called while the narrator was at Betty Ann's house. I would have stood up to Margie and told her that she had crossed my line in the sand, ( this story even relates to our drama class) and that she needed to stop picking on Betty Ann.


3) I think that the lesson behind this story is that you should never judge a book by it's cover and that instead of teasing, get to know the new kid, even if you don't think you will like them, you might find that you really do like them and that you may have something in common. and plus, if you mess up big time in life, there is no rewind/erase button. but if there was nobody would learn anything but it would be AWESOME. (sorta)

Seventh Grade story.

that was a pretty good story but someone in 7th grade shouldn't be to worried about having a girlfreind (or boyfreind)...


1). "I think it works!" This is the line I chose because of the fact that there's almost no way a scowl can make you handsome!! If you really think about it, nobody thinks that frowns are that "attractive" in real life. Scowling at someone is not going to get you noticed in a good way, it will just make you look stupid.


2). The part I can really relate to is when Victor says that he can speak French to impress Theresa, but really can't and ends up having to say "Frenchie go wewe in September." (or something like that) I have done that before, the first time I tried to play hand drums, I tried to lead the circle and it ended up not going over so hot... ( I got my bass tones all wrong.)

Test story!!!

The story was kinda creepy, (I know a VERY scary story which i will tell you if you ask.) but the part that really grabbed my attention is when the officer said, "You all right son?". I felt like I really was waking up from a dream! I even felt like I was a little tired! It also felt so real when it showed Robert moving his arms and legs around to make sure he was still alive. I am against the whole "hypnosis" idea because I think that it is cruel. I mean, in first person, through your own eyes, would you like to be in a car accident? ( I didnt think so) Even a simulator for a crash would be better. I'm just not sure sure I would like to be thrown around on a subconcious level. About the ending, I think the whole thing was a dream and that he Imagined the whole thing! Well, either that or that is one messed up driving test!

best book of ALL TIME!!!!

Ok, the best book of all time is The Giver by Lois Lowry! This book is about a boy who lives in a place where everybody dresses the same, likes the same things, and even think alike. During the cerimony where each kid gets a job,Jonas(the boy) does not get a job. He is told that he is to become the receiver of memories, and recieve all memories of emotion from a man known only as the giver. This book truly portays human emotion and at the very end I almost started to cry. (not kidding, You would too. ) this is a great book and is highly recommended for anyone 4rd grade or above. (if they can take it, it has some swearing and "suggestive" themes) I think that this is the best book ever and you will to after you READ IT.

Planet Earth

That video was really cool!!! I think that the best part was the Jungles though. We learned that birds of paradise will try to attract a mate by using a colorful display of feathers and a call. Also, we learned that every time a tree falls, 100's of other plants will burst into life on the forest floor (which is usually dark), each reaching for a spot in the sun. Within several years, the hole where light once came through will be comepletely dark. Another thing that I found very interesting were those "gliding" (they are suicide if you ask me, gliding is just an excuse, KIDDING :)frogs that jump from tree to tree. Trees in the jungles can absorb several TONS of water each year. (thirsty much?) The grassland biome was pretty cool, but my favorite part were those little puffy things that live in holes. (pykas I think they were called...) Overall, that video was cool and I look foreward to seeing the rest of the biomes later on! (caves and underwater are the best)

enjoy da blog!!!!

you can look around freely and comment on whatever...just make it appropriate people.


Wade B.


ps. proballer!!!!

Best book in 6th grade EVER!

I read some pretty good books during my previous 6th grade year at High Tech Middle, but my personal favorite is Peter and the Shadow Thieves by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. This book is the sequel to the first book, Peter and the Starcatchers. The reason I like this book is because it has lots of suspense and action, along with some very good comedy. After all, what’s a book if it doesn’t make you laugh? This fantasy genre book is about two kids named Peter and Molly and a man named Ombra, who can steal the shadows of others and turn them into slaves. The book is based on what happened before Peter Pan and Never Land. (Yes, I know you’ve seen it, don’t be a wimp and try to be all cool about it.) The reason I would recommend this book is because it has the perfect balance of suspense and comedy as well as a developed plot and great ending. (No, I won’t tell) This book is for anybody who is a confident 5th grade or above reader, or people who have read the first book. This is definitely a must read. Hope you like it!


-Wade B.