I Believe

Allentown, New Jersey was where my life started. This is the place where all of my memories and friends were. This was my Home! The years 2004 to 2008 were the best times of my life. In kindergarten, I met my two best friends, Joey and Kevin. I did everything with them; vacation, sports, and sleepovers. I can remember the stupidest things we did together. My life was great, not to mention that they lived right behind me. We hung out after school and during summer break. I pretty much didn’t do anything without them. The three of us started soccer in first grade. We hung out a lot at practice and made more friends. Soccer wasn’t a big for us until about the third grade. We started traveling to different parts of New Jersey. This was a lot of fun traveling with my friends in the car. In the fourth grade we went down to the beach to do a beach soccer tournament. This was insanely fun. We would play soccer for a couple of hours and then we would go play in the water park. Once again this was the best time of my life. In the fourth grade I started playing lacrosse. Lacrosse is my absolute favorite sport. I got both of my best friends into it and we played a lot in Joey’s back yard. Nothing changed between the three of us, until the fifth grade. I found out I was moving.

Moving to Malaysia was devastating for me. I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never had to leave my friends before and now I was just supposed to forget them. We got to Kuala Lumpur around July and I had no friends. I started the sixth grade and as time went by I started making new friends. I started going to their house’s or them coming to mine. My friends and I would go to the malls, do school traveling trips, and even go on vacation together. I even have stupid memories with these friends, such as making up a new game of tag. We would go to play paintball or watch movies almost every weekend. If not we would just have sleepovers. Life for me was great again, but it didn’t last long. Once again I got the horrible news. I was moving again, but this time, to Abu Dhabi.

When I first heard the news I was really upset. Once again I would be leaving my friends behind. What I have learned in KL is that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, what language they speak, or what they look like, I can have a friendship like I had in Allentown. Now that I’m moving to Abu Dhabi, of course I’m scared, but I believe that with a good attitude and open mind, I can find friends that will last me a lifetime.

Battle of Hastings 1066

The two games we played were about the Battle of Hastings 1066. The first game was a choice game. We had to choose between two sayings. Each one created a different ending, either Duke William's death or King Harold's death. This game was boring, but I learned from it. I learned that whatever choice you take effects the ending of the battle. Whoever makes the decisions is in charge. The battle relies on them. The second game we played was a strategy role playing game.We got to choose which team to move and if they should attack. You can choose your archers, knights, King, and just your men. You have to aim with your archers and shoot just right. If you shoot too long or short it could hurt your team. I learned that if you do one thing wrong you can ruin your fight. In 1066 King Harold ruled England after King Edward died. Many people did not agree with this, such as, Duke William and King Harald. This conflict led into the Battle of Hastings. The battle was between England against Normandy and England against Norway. These two countries both wanted the power of England. What we know today is that King Harald was killed in battle with his men and the fleeing men left with less than half of the boats they came in. When it came down to England against Normandy the english had the advantage. They were placed at the top of a hill and could kill all of the men running uphill, but the Normans were smart they pretended to flee. The English ran after them and then the Normans turned around and killed them all. It is told that King Harold was shot in the eye and died. Duke of William turned into the King of England, King William of England. This is a valuble learning experiance because it is fun and you learn. There are not many games that are about history and are fun. This game teaches you more about the battle and you get to FIGHT!

Battle for The Crown- In plain English (part 1)

Boy in Striped Pajamas Response

The books “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” and “Rose Blanche” take place in the same time period, the Holocaust. The thematic concepts of “Rose Blanche” are courage, curiosity, and innocence. You need courage to stand up for what is wrong and to correct the wrong. These themes are very similar to the ones in “The Boy in Striped Pajamas”, but are also very different. Bruno has a different courage in him. Bruno has courage to go in to the camp and help his friend Shmuel, but didn’t have the courage to stand up for him. Rose too for Rose Blanche helps many people, but doesn’t enter the camp. The protagonists in these two books are very similar. They are innocent, curious, and left out of what is happening. They don’t really understand what is happening around them, just what they’ve been told. The ends of the books both culminate in death, both children die with the Jews, both have relationships with them.

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” and “Rose Blanche” are both set in the far past. The past can happen again and that is why learning about this topic is very important. Things that happened in the holocaust are terrifying and disgusting. We have to learn that 6 million Jews died from people not speaking out. Speaking out is very dangerous, but it can save lives. People didn’t speak out during that time, so the 6 million Jews had little chance of staying alive. I understand why no one stood up and worry that I too may not have the courage to speak, but I’d like to believe I could. After reading about Le Chambon, White Rose, and Boy in Striped I have convinced myself that I would try my best to help anyone in need. That is why if this ever happens again people will be more educated about what will happen if we don’t speak out. That is why the Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a book everyone should read. People at Le Chambon are heroes. They risked their life to save 5,000 Jews. Those 5,000 Jews went on to live a great life after the war was over. Although speaking out can save lives, the sentence can be death or prison. It is a very big decision what to do. Either bystand or take action. Both have consequences, death or life. That is why not many people speak out.

Void (black box)

1) What would you call this story? Why?
I would call this story the black dot because that is what the story is about. We don't know what the black dot is until the end.

2) What did you think was going to happen? What clues in the text led you to believe this?
I thought that someone was going to die. I could sense it from he beginning when the kids ran and got rocks and when they pulled the slips of paper it was quiet.

3) How did you feel when the end of the story was not given to you?
When the end of the story wasn't given to me i was so angry. They told us the whole story and then just said go. I wanted to know the end for the whole day. I kept thinking what was going to happen. In class and at home I was anxious to open the end.

4) How did you feel when you were handed the mystery paper? What did you think was in it? Did you follow the instructions? Why/why not?

When i received the mystery paper i wondered what it was. Then after thinking about it i realized it was the end of the story. I followed the instructions as much as I could, but some people told me what it was. I didn't open it until 5 though.

5) How did you feel about the black box and the black spot/blank paper? Explain.
When they had the black box i wondered what it was for, because in the story the black box is bad. So i wondered if this black box was bad. When I got the paper, mine had a spot on it and no one in my group did. I wondered what it was for. In other groups only 1 person had a spot as well. I thought maybe we had to do something differently then the others.

6) How did you feel when you read the end of the story? Explain.
When I read the end of the story i was confused. I didn't think they would stone the lady to death. It frightened me when I tried to picture it in my head. I didn't get why they picked twice out of the box. When they were all silent it felt as if the atmosphere in the story was weary. It was almost as if everyone was watching each other. I was frightened how the kids would stone the lady as well. They killed her and didn't even care. The town killed one of their own.

7) Were your predictions correct? How did you feel about that?
I was correct that someone would die. The story was foreshadowing a lot. Also the author kept the story weary and creepy. I thought that someone would have been hung because it said there was a stage where they all stood on and in the old times people would be hung on stages. I was wrong, but also right.

8) What would have helped you to make a better prediction?
If they had told more about the stones and why they did this every year. If the had said, 'the stones were ready to be thrown' or 'every year the town grows larger and that is why one must go,' then i would have had a better prediction. I was mostly right anyway.

9) Why did the author leave these voids in the story?

The autor left these voids to create tension. Tension pulls the reader into the story and it pulled me in. Also the voids create thinking, making you think about what will happen and why. This way the reader gets to imagine the story for him/herself. Creating the story for yourself pulls you in and then you can't put the book down. This is how people get attached to books.

Steve McCurry Photo Response

Steve McCurry, born in Philadelphia and graduated from the Pennsylvania State University for Arts and Architecture, travels extensively mostly in Asia to places such as Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines. He photographs many different things, from people to piles of concrete. In many of McCurry’s photos we see him mostly focusing on the human consequences of war, not only showing what war impresses on the landscape, but, rather, on the human face. “Maybe one definition of hell is that it is the place where more effort produces fewer results.”

There are 2 of Steve McCurry’s photos that really touch me. One photo in particular is of a small boy wearing an orange sleeveless button up t-shirt with a brown hoodie over the top of his head coming down his back. Also this small boy is holding a pistol pointing it to the air. There is nothing in the background and he is the main focus. I think McCurry is trying to emphasize that there are many child soldiers in the world. From babies to grandparents there are soldiers. These people really do not have a choice if they do or don’t want to fight. Most kids don’t know what is right. They want to do what everyone else is doing so they join just to be like everyone else. If they are at war then they cannot go to school. If they have no education the rest of their lives are being ruined. Every child and adult has the right to get an education. No child should be involved directly in armed combat. The UN made rights for children, but these countries are where rights are denied. I look at my life and the young boy’s, the subject of the photo, life and just try to take it in. I go to a private school with a great education and activities to join while this boy fights to live with no education and no time to play. He is only a kid and he needs to play. He looks like a kid I would play soccer with at the park, but when I look at the gun it scares me. He could have killed families and seen death before his eyes. To be in his situation is just terrifying.

Another touching photo is of a bunch of children playing on an anti-aircraft gun. There are many bombshells near the front and the kids are swinging and hanging on the barrel. The boys and girls are having fun playing on it like a jungle Jim. The background is a far away city that is made of sand. They are far away from their home, but they are out of the violence. I think McCurry is showing everyone that kids will use their imagination in danger or not. That is what they do. They play and play and play, in school, on the street, or on a useable gun. Kids take all danger out and put in happiness. I look at these kids and think to myself “are they crazy?” They are jumping on what was, or possibly still is, a super dangerous gun. Then I realized that they are raised in a world of guns and terror and this is not as dangerous as playing in the city. They play and to them this huge gun, terrifying to me, is part of their everyday life, it’s just like a jungle gym and that’s the shock. Now that they are away from the city, they are free to play and jump and go crazy, just like us. This shows that all kids play, no matter what they are given they will play with it.

Learning about Steve McCurry has taught me a lot about photography. McCurry doesn’t try to take amazing photos, but takes photos of people living their normal lives. Just a simple picture of the Afghan Girl has won him many awards. All of his pictures are simple and precise. He focuses on normal people doing normal things. His pictures also show how people don’t have rights like we do. People in 3^rd world countries don't have the choices like we do. A photo will last a lifetime if it shows a story. Most of McCurry’s photos tell a story or make you think of your own story. To read a photo you look at all the detail. Everything is important, even the little bombshells. They all tell stories. Every photo has many journeys within them. Real war, real suffering, and real joy are all shown in photos, and it it’s the realness that connects the viewer to the situation more than the words. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions. The problem is that intentions which are based on faulty assumptions are doomed to failure”

Afghan Girl

Steve McCurry has traveled to many places in the world, but mostly focusing on Asia and 3^rd world countries. He photographs all sorts of tings like animals, fires, and even death. All of his photos tell their own story. One of his photos that is most known is the Afghan girl. McCurry found her at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp in Pakistan. When he saw her he just had to take the photo. Now it is one of the most known photos in the world. 17 years after the photo was taken Sharbat Gula was finally found. Many people were looking for her, but she was never found. National Geographic went back to her camp, Nasir Bagh where she was not there. They asked many contacts if they knew this girl. The team went through villages and villages until someone recognized her. The team was taken to the girls’ brother who had the same eyes as the Afghan girl. "The second I saw the color of her brother's eyes, I knew we had the right family," (Matson) The brother showed the team where she lived but because Sharbat Gula lives a traditional Muslim life behind the veil, she was not allowed to meet men outside her family, but the Geographic team was given permission to send a female associate producer to meet Sharbat and photograph her face. To make sure this was the same girl who was photographed 17 years earlier the team obtained verification through iris-scanning technology and face-recognition techniques used by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. The family gave permission for Steve McCurry to meet Sharbat Gula once again. When Sharbat agreed to have her picture taken for the second time in her life, she came out from the secrecy of her veil to tell her story. She wanted the people around the world who knew her face to know that she survived the refugee camp in Pakistan. She married and had four daughters, one of whom died in infancy. She lives in obscurity, according to the customs and traditions of her culture and religion. A member of the Pashtun ethnic group in Afghanistan, Sharbat said she fared relatively well under Taliban rule, which, she feels, provided a measure of stability after the chaos and terror of the Soviet war. She will not give another media interview and she wishes not to be contacted. Her family has relocated to a different village in a remote part of Afghanistan, where she will continue to live her life in purdah.

When I look at the photo of the Afghan girl I am astonished. This is a very beautiful girl living in a not so beautiful country. To be born with those green eyes is just luck. Her eyes are 1 in a million. This makes you think if more people around the world just like Sharbat are as beautiful as her. When you really stare into her eyes you feel scared yet happy. The eyes show terror within them but also show happiness. I think it has become one of the 100 most influential photos because it influences people to travel. It influences people to get out of their daily lives and go find someone like this, to travel and witness things that will blow your mind. It might influence people to help people in Afghanistan or just visit and help kids at refugee camps. This picture is one of the greatest photos ever taken and it will last for centuries.

Iskl's mission (void)

Part 1

The International School of Kuala Lumpur provides an exceptional (SILENCE) education that challenges each student to develop the attitudes, skills, knowledge and understanding to become a highly successful, spirited, socially responsible global citizen.

I feel that adding a silence after the word “exceptional” creates the best tension. When you add a VOID after the word, the audience might think that the school has many great programs or just one. They don't know what could be after it. People could think the school has a great sports program or academics or even activities. By adding the silence there creates a confusion in the audiences mind.

Part 2

I feel that one way composers can create great tension and then release is to have all the instruments cresendo from "pp" too "ff". Then complete silence. Rest for 2 measures and then finish with a big bang. 2 whole notes "fff" The tension is the silence

Role Model

We can make the world a better place by just doing something small. You don't have to start with the whole world, but maybe your school or your house. Matt Harding was on a backpacking trip and recorded a video of himself dancing funny. Soon the video spread and millions of people had watched it. He was offered a sponsership and people wanted to join in his dancing videos. People had smiles on their faces and were happy. They are getting connected. Just doing a silly dance is bringing people together. People who are different or who are shy. This is bringing them together like a family. They dance with him in rain, shine, or anything. They want to show there differences to the world. They want to be seen and heard and so does Matt. He loves seeing the happy and joyful faces on all the kids and adults. Matt has seen the differences and similarities every person has. He has witnessed different personalities and different cultures. He is spreading his ideas around while they then spread theres. He is now on a television commercial that has him dancing with people from different cultures. He has been a Role Model for everyone and he has taken that one step to make the world Peaceful.

I chose this photo because we all need a Role Model. Matt has been one to everyone. He has brought people together and made them happy. We can all be role models. Maybe not the President or Matt Harding, but how about the role model of your school or town.

Image by Alex Pardee

A Freind to be there :)

Today I watched the Compliment Guys and I thought of how good of an idea that was. A compliment is a simple thing to do to make someone feel better, smile, and have a good time. Many people now are gloomy and sad, but with a compliment you can change their world. I tested their theory on my Mom and it worked. I gave her compliments about her outfit and her food. She smiled back at me and said, "Thank you." Ever since then my mom has been in a much better mood. She is happier, talks more, and is excited. If everyone in the world helped one person or gave a compliment the world would become a more peaceful planet. All everyone needs is one good friend. Someone who helps them when their down or gives them a pat on the back after a bad test. If we all had 1 great friend the world might start to replace War with Peace. If instead we loved all countries and came together as one the world would live together in Peace. I think weall should compliment people, what they wear, how theyact, what they look like. We all need to make this planet better and this is how we can start.

I chose these two paintings because they show friendship and compliments. In the first one the purple monster is giving his friend a piggyback ride. We all need friends like this to make our only life as good as possible. In the second painting he is helping his buddy after an attack or something horrible. This shows how much they care for each other. This is what I need and everyone needs. Someone to be there for you.

Both images by Alex Pardee

YIN YANG

Rory, An uncommon name. It comes from Irish and means Red King. Some days I wish I were a King so I could banish anyone who called me Loly. Loly, such a girly name. I hate it! People who can’t say R’s say Loly. :) I do get called Loly and I have to put up with it. Rory is my name, and I love it because, no one has it and I hope not many more people will. It suits me. It’s different, it’s unique, and it’s me! Like magic people remember my name. Somehow it just gets stuck to people. People I don’t even know, say “Hey Rory” in the hall. My mom was going to name me Ryan. 9 months, I was “Hello Ryan, awe baby Ryan kicked.” But like magic my dad saved me. He is the superhero of my life. He thought of Rory and my mom liked it, I liked it, and my dad liked it. It was and is a perfect name. The only bad part was that I only knew Rory's that are girls. Everyone said it was a boy girl name and to not worry. Eventually I forgot this nonsense and looked at the good in my name. I found out that my name was like a Yin Yang thing like Good and Evil. Green is my last name and sounds smooth and natural and red is the meaning of Rory, which is fire and anger. The Good vs. Evil in my name makes a good balance in me. It says that I can be Good and Nice but can be Angry and Mean. Which hasn't kicked in yet! :) Rite now I'm not a king, not evil, I'm just nice Rory Green.

Choice

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” by Don Williams, Jr. This quote inspired me from the minute I saw it. I have changed the words to create my title. This quote made me realize that any way you go there is always a different ending. Life is a journey and it always ends differently. No one can be the same as someone and no one can be the same as you. We are all different in our own special ways. We all have a purpose and we all have choices. Choices, they all end differently causing a different end. The Earth is our home and we have to make choices. These choices are very important and they hold the future ahead for us. No two directions are ever the same. 

To infinity and GRADE 7!! :D

Hi 7th grade Teachers,
My name is Rory Green. Well people say that I am funny and nice. So i guess I am funny and nice. Now I am going to answer the questions below. I can't wait until 7th grade. :)

1. What piece of work and learning are you most proud? Explain.
I am most proud of my final Math and Science test. I studied so hard for these tests and it payed off. I am really proud of my grade. My parents are happy for me and I am happy. At the beginning of the year I didn't have the best grades. Since the second trimester I have been able to pull my grades up. Now I hope to get good grades on my report card. :D For 7th grade I will push myself to study just like these tests.

2. What were your greatest challenges? Explain.
The greatest challenge this year was getting my homework done on time. Near the beginning of the year I would leave my homework to the last possible moment. Too many times I would be up late at night finishing my homework. Now I am more organized and finish it with lots of effort. My grades have gotten higher and I still have time to play with my friends. Next year i will continue with my good strategy.

3. Reflecting on your growth this year, what did you learn about yourself as a learner?
I learned that I work better in a pair or group. Sometimes we would goof off. I work better with a mixed group. I learn more and we talk about it. We can all put our thoughts into the work. :D

4. To evaluate your work habits, choose 1 of the following from each category ( and provide explanations):

a) Behavior
I feel that I could use some help in behavior. Sometimes I get distracted from other people and lose focus. I sometimes need reminding to get on track. If I am on track I will finish my and will be done early. :)

b) Participation

I usually participate in activities. I will raise my hand to answer questions. Most topics I like and will be excited about. Sometimes I get bored if we sit for 80 minutes. This can be a bad thing :( I try to ask questions about homework to be sure about it.  :)

c) Organization

I am mostly organized. Although I like it when the homework is written on the bored. It helps me remember exactly what to do. My locker is organized and neat. I can find what I need in a second. I always getmy work done and hand it in on time.

d) Effort

I put effort into my work. I can say that I don't go super high. I mostly just get my work done. On tests I always try my best. In writing I try hard because I am not so good at it. I hope I can put lots of effort into all of my work next year.

5. Based upon your reflections, write two personal learning goals for Grade 7 next year.
Goal 1 - In Grade 7, I plan to try out for student Idle or the Talent show. I think that everone should get involved. It was fun watching and i hope i make it next year! :)  


Goal 2 - In Grade 7, I plan to get good grades. I have ok grades now and I reallly want Straight A's. You have to be really smart to get A's. I am going to try my hardest and do my best. :D


6.Is there any more information about yourself that you would like the teachers to know?

I CAN'T WAIT FOR 7th GRADE

Inside all of us is... HOPE

When I lived in America I had a huge backyard. In the back corner there was a forest that my friends and I would play in. On one day I was walking around in the forest. I caught a glimpse of a big box. I ran over to check it out and it was a T.V. I thought who could do this? How could they do this? I found many pieces of trash such as, beer bottles, plastic bottles, and a dish washer. This really was frustrating. Someone was littering in my backyard. Soon the world will be like this. We only have one planet to live on. If we destroy it, we all go down. We have to think about our choices.

I think I can make a difference. I can make sure the lights are all off when I don't need them. Wasting electricity is not good. Many people don't have electricity. Turning water off when not needed is also a great way to help. Drink your water bottle or turn off the tab. Recycling is a big help to Earth. We should all recycle our plastic or papers. plastics take a very long time to disintegrate and papers are made from trees. Without trees we will all die. :( Plastics are turning into land fills. I think everyone should use a reusable bottle. They really help. Our rainforest are being destroyed. Animals are found dead from eating plastic or getting stuck in it. We cause this. I believe everyone can change! Inside all of us is HOPE! I have hope that we will change!   Save our Earth 

 

MALAYSIA WEEEK!!!!! :D

Malaysia Week Rocked!!! :D It was the most fun I've had in a long time. I got a survivor site. Pulau Besar! We had to pretend we were surviving. We had to cook, build, and watch fires. I had many friends and some people I never met. Now we are all friends. Malaysia Week makes friends. Now you see 8th graders saying "Hi!" to the 6th graders. MW is an experiance of a lifetime. You meet people and learn new things. Each site had a different setting. Some were snorkling, diving, hiking, and rafting. I had to build my own shelter to sleep in and had to cook my own food. We got food which was ok. We also had to sleep on sand and swim to shore after our boat ride. My bus ride was 7 hours and boat ride was 1 hour. We were all board on our bus. It was so long. MW is a new thing i would have never done. It makes a good friendship and you do things you would never had done.

Memphis its KL

Hello Memphis! My name is Rory. I live in Kuala Lumpur. (KL) I go to the best school ever. ISKL (the International School of Kuala Lumpur) This is my first International school. Before I live in Malaysia I lived in New Jersey. Not that far away from you. I like playing soccer and hanging out with friends. KL is a great place to go. There are many things here. Sunway Lagoon, KLCC, and the great food. Sunway Lagoon is a great amusement, waterpark. If you go with friends you have so much fun. KLCC is a great place to hang out. You can go to movies and walk around. You can find food from everywhere. Malaysian, Western, Indian, everywhere. The reasons I love ISKL are the friends you make, the food, and the activities. You make friends everyday. People from all different countries Korea, America, Australia, India, and everywhere else. Kl is a great place, and is know for the KL tower and the Petronas Towers!

                                                                       

RESOLUTION!!!!!

I hope I can do all of these things this year.
My goals range from school to home!
I really want to get good grades in school and just have fun!

Middle School, a scary place! Hallways with 6 foot 8th graders, new teachers, and homework. I'm just kidding. Middle school is a fun, exciting place. New things happen every day. Some challenging, some easy, Some sad, and some fun. We have to keep track of homework, remember all our locks, and get to each class on time. I think the words I picked are the main words in Middle School. Most of my life is at school. Many things are different here then in America. Schools are different and we get more choices here. My biggest word is, Change. I used the word change because it represents the change from Elementry school to Middle school. We now get choices, freedom, and many, many after school activities. 6th grade is the start of Middle school. If that many cool things happened this year, then I can't wait until 7th grade.

People can help the SPCA!

This video is of a woman who gave 1 million dollars to the SPCA. Anyone can help.