Christmas

Christmas is my favourite time of year.  It is my favourite time of the year because I get a lot of presents from my family.  My grandmother cooks a big turkey and we also have stuffing, roasted potatoes, gravy, carrots and broccoli.  We also cook a big ham. My family does not go anywhere for Christmas. We just stay home and sleep. I am looking forward to Christmas break.

This year I asked for toys such as Power Rangers and Star Wars figurines.  I think I will receive what I asked for because my parents will buy them for me.  The biggest thing I asked for this year was video games for my Xbox One S. Some guys I want are Spiderman and Lego Ninjago.

For me, Christmas is about having fun with my parents and grandparents.  I really enjoy the presents also. I bought presents for my grandparents this year.  For my grandmother I bought an owl coffee mug and for my grandfather I bought a Tim Horton’s coffee mug.  My mother helped me pay for these presents. For my parents I might make something for them like a Christmas card.

In Art class, we are drawing the Grinch.  We read the story and talked about why he doesn’t like Christmas.  Personally, I think the Grinch is fine.

~starwars

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Cheesy Scary Movies

Have you heard of cheesy, scary movies?  These movies are one of my favourite types to watch.  If you don't know what cheesy scary movies are, it just means movies that aren't that scary and are kind of silly.  You will realize that it’s not real because the effects are fake. For example, they use milk when they spit up.

These movies also help you lose your fear of things, like zombies or stuff that you don't really like.  For example, I used to be really scared of storms and the dark. Once I started watching scary movies they started making it so I'm not scared of the dark.  I’m also not scared of stuff under the bottom of my bed anymore. I used to be scared of lots of stuff and once you watch some cheesy scary movies it really helps you so you're not scared about certain stuff that you used to be scared of.

If you want to watch cheesy scary movies I recommend The Evil Dead but it's not that scary but there's a lot of blood and it's pretty gory.  If you're wondering what gory means it means pretty bloody. I also recommend comic books for cheesy scary movies. They're pretty good. But the comic books for the Evil Dead are pretty hard to find because they're not making them anymore.  And if you want to watch all those big scary ones like The Nun and stuff I would make sure to watch lots of cheesy movies so you can build up to the level of scary movies.

Do you like scary cheesy movies?  What scares you the most? Describe your favourite type of movie.

~mrpaper

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Skiing

I started skiing when I was six years old.  At first it was really difficult to learn but now it’s really easy.  I have my own equipment which includes skis, poles, helmet and boots.  

There are three types of runs:  green, blue and black. Green is the easiest while black is the hardest.  This year I started on the green runs just to get my legs back. Last year I went on the black diamond and it is very steep and dangerous if you’re not very good at skiing.

I went skiing in November and I had so much fun.  I went to Sunshine Village in Banff with my father and my sister. When we got there I had to go on the gondola which is a moving cart that takes you up the mountain and and it took a long time to get up to the top of the mountain.

I went on lots of chair lifts and one in Sunshine had a  cover and heated seats. One of the chair lifts went into the clouds but I did not get to go there.  I did not get hurt when I was skiing but my sister fell a couple of times and I did crash into her once and she started crying and I got in trouble.  

We also ate lunch there.  I had hot chocolate and chicken nuggets it was really good.  I go skiing quite often with my family.

Have you ever gone skiing and did you enjoy it?  Describe your experience skiing. Are you looking forward to our Snow Valley trip in March?

~winona

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a great leisure activity to do to lose weight.  I don’t mountain bike but I BMX at the skatepark. Mountain biking is basically not like road biking.  You have to do it on dirt paths but you have to watch out for other bikers because you don’t know if they’re in front of you.  Also, you get so dirty and you will need some gear to protect you from getting hurt always. You must wear knee pads, back armor, like dirt bike armour jackets that have elbow pads and a spine pad.  You also need a helmet so you don’t break your skull. The best place to mountain bike is in the mountains. If you can’t get to the mountains, then there are paths in the river valley.

My dad had a mountain bike.  He got hurt because he was in the woods getting hit by trees and got bruised all over the place.  Good thing that wasn’t me though or else I would’ve died. For my entire life I would be in the hospital right now.

Have you ever ridden a mountain bike before?  I have but I crashed into a tree and dented the front fender.  It was literally broken so it looked like a thing that had no fender in the front.  It was so weird because I had to cut it off but then I installed it back on with the toughest duct tape and put it on.  The next day I couldn’t kick start it for a day so my dad helped me. I couldn’t kick start it because I’m very weak. My brother and dad even says that because I was the last one born.

What do you think about dirt-biking?  Would you be brave enough to try this activity?  Describe one activity where you injured yourself and whether you continued doing it after your injury.

-tinyguy321

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Sports & Exercise

I really like all kinds of sports.  I enjoy watching and playing all types of sports.  

My favourite sports soccer and tennis.  The reason I participate in these activities is it makes me healthy by making me move and getting my heart and blood pumping.  I try to play soccer at least twice a week, especially during morning and lunch recesses. For tennis, it is more difficult to play because you need to use a tennis court and we don’t have one at school.  Also, it requires a tennis racket and a tennis ball but soccer only needs a ball.

Exercise can get you healthy and prevents disease.  My father does not exercise a lot and his back hurts if he bends over.  I think this happens because he does not exercise anymore. He used to exercise a lot with me but now he only exercises three times a month.  I think exercise is very important and I think most students exercise a lot.

What are your favourite sports that you enjoy doing or watching?  What do you think about exercising and sports?

~darkleon

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Hobbies

I think hobbies are nice things to do.  Hobbies are activities that many people like to do in their spare time.

My hobbies are making miniature figurines which are used in the game War Hammer 40 000.  After I buy the figurines from Games Workshop I need to cut the plastic pieces and glue them together.  It is recommended that a special glue be used because it dries quicker than regular glue and it has a special nozzle that makes it easier to use.  Then I need to paint them specific colours using certain brushes and paints.  After they have dried, the figurines are used in battle against other figurines in the game.  Matches are played locally in a Games Workshop.

Do you like hobbies or games and why?  Is it because they're addicting or fun, interesting or calming?  Describe your hobbies and/or which ones you might want to start.

~masterduelist1

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Video Games

Video games are probably one of the most popular  things of modern times, but they “melt your brain." In other words, it's really bad for your brain. I for one think video games are a waste of time.  Some of the video games I wish weren't made are: Fortnite, Call Of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, and Halo.  

If you like video games that much then why don’t you put together your own video game competition? Just make sure it’s an appropriate video game. Some of my favourite video games are: Minecraft, Ace Combat 6, and MX VS ATV Reflex. I like these video games because they are really fun; like who doesn't want to be playing an aviation game (that's Ace Combat 6)? And who doesn't want to be making unimaginable creations while battling monsters at the same time (that’s Minecraft)? And who doesn’t want to be racing motorcycles (that’s MX VS ATV Reflex)?

I would like your opinion on video games.  What are some of the video games you like? if you could design any video game what would it be?

-the big bro

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Our Football Unit

Our class is currently learning football as our first unit in Phys. Ed.  They have learned how to properly hold the ball and catch, throw and kick techniques.  Today they used their skills to play in a scrimmage.  We discussed having to move in the open if you want to receive a pass as well as slowing the play down so that passes are completed properly.

The rules of our football game are fairly different.  Students must pass the ball and once they catch it, they are allowed up to three steps before they must pass it off again.  If the ball is dropped, intercepted or not caught, the other team gets the ball. 

Students have come up to me over the years and ask why I play with such restrictions.  They would rather have long throws ("hail marys"), a running game and either touch or flag football.  Students also want to be able to tackle.

There are several reasons why I play with such restrictions.  What do you think they are?  If you were the teacher, what kinds of rules would you use?  What other units do you think we should play during Phys. Ed. this year?

~The BIG HAM
BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Detentions

In our class when students do not finished assigned work, they are given detentions.  Today, over half of my students received a detention because they did not finish either a weekly practice sheet and/or their Forest 14 logo entry for this blog.  This is unfortunate because now our voting for our blog logo is delayed.  Yet again.

I am certain that detentions are not new to my students.  They may have received them for poor choices made at recess and they may have also received them from their previous teachers because of unfinished work.  Usually, I find that these students need only ten minutes to finish an incomplete assignment.  This is extremely frustrating to a teacher because now the student has tarnished their school record with a detention when they could have just invested ten minutes at home to complete their work.

What are your thoughts regarding detentions?  Have you ever had one and what was the reason for your detention?  Could there be a different consequence for not completing homework or making poor choices?

~The Big Ham
BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

We Get to Go to ICE School!

Sometime in March, our class has been invited to attend ICE School.  ICE School is a program where students learn for a week in a classroom at Rogers Place, where the Edmonton Oilers play.  Only 22 classes out of all the classes in Edmonton and its surrounding areas get a chance to attend every year so this opportunity is extremely special.

The students are excited to go and are already asking who and what they will see during our week there.  Next month, a representative from ICE School will visit our classroom and discuss more with the students about the types of activities that they will be participating in as well as some of the rules and etiquette that they will need to remember.

Having never attended one of these sessions, I myself am eager to get over there and learn many things.  Maybe we'll get a chance to see some hockey players, like Connor McDavid.  Wouldn't it be great if we could visit their dressing room?  Maybe we'll have to figure out the number of chairs in the arena by doing laps up and down the stairs while counting.  That would be some Phys. Ed. class, wouldn't it?

Tell me how you feel about having the chance to attend ICE School this year.  Name two activities which you think we will do.

~The BIG HAM
BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is coming soon in February.  It is on February 14.  I love Valentine’s Day!  It is usually about love and gifts.

On Valentine’s Day it is customary to hand out cards to friends and classmates and/or family.  I hand out cards to everybody in my class even if I do not like them.  I give to everybody because it is being respectful.  I hope to hand out puppy cards this year but I have not bought them yet.  

Valentine’s Day is very amazing because you get chocolate, cards and other things like that.  I hope this year I get lots of chocolate.  Sometimes people bring pencils and sometimes gift bags. I hope maybe this year I get to bring cupcakes or some cake or candy.  It’s nice when people give little toys like yo-yos.

I hope the Student Council does candy grams again.  These are small packages of assorted candies that you can send to friends or even someone you like.  You can do it anonymously and keep it a secret.  

What are your thoughts on Valentine’s Day?  If Student Council is selling candy grams this year, are you doing to give one away?  Should Room 14 have a party to celebrate?

~snoopy19

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

Running Club

Our school has started a new club run by a Grade ⅚ teacher.  It is called the Running Club.  This is a club created mostly for exercise.  There is also the chance to compete with other schools in a race.  It is a relay race where there are eight runners who each have to run 200m around the track to see which team is the fastest.

I joined and I’m currently in it.  I joined Running Club because I love running and I want to go to the Butterdome with my friend.  I joined last year to see what it was like and I loved it so I joined this year.

The practices are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  We have to get here at 7:55 a.m., then we start with warm-ups at 8:00 a.m.  In Running Club when we get here we go to the gym and play British Bulldog, then we do ABCs. A is high knees, B is kicking your butt, C is sticking your leg out then straightening it. When we are all done those we go in the hallway where we walk, then jog, then run as fast as we can, and then we race.  Two people line up at the end doors and then we run to the other side and back. After we race, we change our clothes and go back to class.

Do you enjoy running?  Did you join Running Club, why or why not?  What are your thoughts about exercise?

~Lil Windex

BLOGGER OF THE WEEK

2018 Goals

The start of a new year causes many people to make a New Year's resolution.  What is a resolution you ask?  A resolution is a decision to do or not do something.  Usually, it is a long-term goal which can take a lot of time.  For example, some people say they will lose a certain amount of weight or some may vow to quit smoking.  Unfortunately, many people make resolutions and then fail at them because they were too difficult to begin with or they didn't have the discipline to follow through.

I used to make New Year's resolutions but would never follow through with them either so I have stopped making them.  Instead, I am going to try to live each day as best as I can by eating healthy, exercising and being kind.  I will not get upset with myself if I did not accomplish those goals that day because I can start again afresh each day.

What do you think about New Year's resolutions?  Have you made any thus far?  What are some goals that you want to achieve in 2018?

~The BIG HAM
SUBSTITUTE BLOGGER OF THE WEEK