This 7th grade year has been really fun! The best 7th grade moment for me has been Science Olympiad. During that competition, it was so much fun to be creating different things, like helicopters, and learning how things are constructed. It was such a fun experience for me. It helps you learn even when you don't know it. While building some of the things, you realize after, that a lot of science and math is involved in it. I had such a great time with my friends, and our team really felt like a family. It was amazing how well we did in the regional competition, with only one medal not being given to us, and that was only a misunderstanding of directions. That also was the worst moment for me, and my partner.
We had worked really hard on a rotor egg drop, and it worked amazingly well, and it was our own design. We were confident at regionals, and luckily our confidence was correct. The egg survived with our device. However, when they were checking afterwards, they said that we were only supposed to have one axis that had all the blades connected to it. Well, the directions stated that the device must have a central axis with blades or wings around it. We read it that we could have more than one, and we put a central axis on each blade. We fought a lot, and it turned into a debate, where we had to go to the highest level. From there, we had lost the battle, because the person at the top of the power wasn't listening to what we said. My partner and I were really upset about that, because we put so much effort into it. But...we didn't complain all that much...because on our State Competition t-shirts, we put our egg drop design on the back, saying this underneath it: "Rotor Egg Drop 1 - Flying Forever." Our whole team was excited about it, and loved the idea, and together, we stayed strong throughout State!
Those were my best and worst seventh grade moments of this year. Sure, they were all in the same subject, and the best moment really beat the worst one. Because of what happened before, we didn't get disqualified at state for a new design, but still didn't get a medal. Overall, my best 7th grade moment was Science Olympiad! That was one of the best things that had ever happened to me in my life, and I loved it so much! Our whole team was a family, and we stuck together no matter what happened during any competition, because we all stick up for each other, give one another support, and we always will be, forever!
The Columbian Exchange was one of the most important things in history. It was effective for the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. But for those who do not know what the Columbian Exchange is, it was a time when all the countries came together, and introduced new things to each other. But, along with the positive effects, negative effects were sure to be found later on. But what are those connotations for the Columbian Exchange. Well, there were many positive effects, but one really negative one, that was only solved for a little bit in our country, recently.
The positive effects of the exchange were the food. Different types of food were passed around the countries, and one of the major ones was tomatoes. Originally, the Italians never had tomatoes. But, once they were introduced to it, they discovered they loved it, and it's now a key ingredient in whatever they make. Another really positive connotation were the animals. Many places had never seen all the animals the Spanish had, and once the Spaniards brought them over, everyone got to see them. Another good thing is the technology. Guns and steel were brought to Africa, and lots of other weaponry and technology, too. But, there was that one negative connotation.
During this time, Native Americans were forced into slavery, because they had darker skin than that of the Europeans. But, somebody noticed that they had been dying to often, and to solve the problem, a European explorer decided that because the Native Americans had been dying, they would make the Africans do all the slave work. That really didn't solve anything at all. So, the negative connotation of the Columbian Exchange was slavery and racism that had begun. The only reason they chose Africans, is because they had darker skin than the Europeans.
So, along with all the goos connotations of the Columbian Exchange, it did have its major bad ones too. The good things that were passed along were the food, animals, and technology. The major bad things that were passed along were slavery and racism. The Columbian Exchange was indeed one of the major things that occurred in our history, and was a turning point, because of all the other historical events that followed afterwards.
**All info from Holt 7th grade History Textbook**
Yesterday in my Science Solutions blog post, I talked about the zoo, and what new things I learned about my animal, and how I felt when I saw it. Today, for Core Concentration, I'm going to be talking about the Zoo trip as well, but what my favorite station was there, and why. Well, there were lost of great and different stations. The one that I liked most was the Rainforest station, not only because my animal, the Sun Conure, was there, but there are other reasons to why I liked it there. The rainforest room had to be my favorite for more than one reason, and I think everyone should get a chance to go see it.
The room itself was beautiful and green, and it really made you feel like you were in a real rainforest, even though you weren't. The room was very open too, and all the fresh air got inside, and all the birds were roaming free, and could go wherever they pleased. Those were a couple reasons why that was so amazing, and I liked it a lot. There was information about the birds, and it showed a picture, and you had to spot it in the rainforest room. There were lots of different and beautiful birds that flew around in the habitat, and were really close to us. That's also where we found the Sun Conure, and it looked much more beautiful with its habitat in the background along with it, and all the other macaws that were there. No doubt about it, my favorite station was the rainforest, and if you ever go to the Chaffee Zoo, that you go into the rainforest room, because of all the different varieties of birds and colors there, and it's really beautiful.
The Inca and Aztec empires were two brilliant empires, and they were both in South America. They thrived in many different types of occupations. They were also rich in gold and silver, which made people want to go see them, and tLater, both of the amazing empires fell. How could that be possible? How could that have happened? There was only one cause with many mini-causes inside it that caused the end of both empires. Those two empires fell because of a group of people. Those people, as many know them today, are the Spaniards. The Spanish explorers came and dominated the two empires. Two explorers, Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro, were leading two different expeditions. Cortes and all of his men conquered the Aztec civilization, and Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca civilization. However, both empires, even though they were fierce, both fell due to the same problems. The Spanish had metal armor, metal weapons, and guns. Those weapons were not known about to those civilizations, and they couldn't defeat them. Also, they had horses, which the Aztecs or the Inca had never seen ever before. One of the major causes, was the disease that the Spaniards brought. The Spaniards had medication for them, but both of the other empires had not, and they died rapidly from that. These reasons caused the end of the Inca and Aztec empires. Even though these two civilizations are a little different from each other, they both had the same weaknesses, and were conquered by the Spanish.
This Thursday, I'm going to be talking about my favorite 7th grade moments. Well, my first one would be Science Olympiad. That was the most fun thing that I've done in my life. I learned a lot, and learned how to build awesome things like a helicopter, and how to use those things in the events. I made lots of great friends while being in Science Olympiad too. Then, I also got to see how well we did, and I brought home a 1st and 6th place from regionals, and a 2nd from state. That has to be the best 7th grade moment that I have ever had.
Another great 7th grade moment was our idiom project that we had in Core. We had to take idioms, and do something creative with them. One of the students in our class had chosen to do "crying over spilt milk," and they acted it out. It was so hilarious, and one of the most funny things I have ever seen. Another really great moment in Core was doing simulations. Those simulations were really fun, and a great way to learn about history.
My final great 7th grade moment is when my Spanish class learns about new vocabulary, because we usually act it out when we're reviewing, and it's really fun and a really open class. Spanish has to be one of my favorite classes, and our reviewing of the vocabulary is the best part!
These are my 3 7th grade moments that have been the best ever, and I know I do have more, but can't think of them. They are Science Olympiad, Core projects, and the reviewing vocabulary games in Spanish. This has been one of the best school years in my life. :)
The Maya was a great civilization, and they, like many others, fell due to some reason. Well, there are many different reasons to the Maya collapse, but the main reason to me is probably war and alliance shifting. The Spanish came into the Maya territory, and were trying to take them over. The Maya however, had many city-states, which increased the amount of time that the Spanish could have conquered the Maya in. The Mayans, however, went to war with each other, which made them fall apart a little.
The alliances were a pretty big reason too. In the wars, the alliances broke up with each other, and they turned on each other in war, and fought against each other, which is bad, and that helped contribute in the fall. The city-states were at war with each other. The alliances turned against their long-time alliances, and fought for power. This weakened the Maya, and gave the Spanish an easier time to help the Maya fall, and take them under their control. War and alliance shifting contributed majorly to the fall of the Mayan civilization.
We've been walking for 3 weeks now, and we have found great game, and lots of berries and nuts. There all so delicious, and we have been on the move like this for our whole lives. I love to be on the go with my family, and I don't think I -- "Maya!" called out someone. "Yes mother?" I said. My mother ran towards me. "Maya, your father has made a big decision. You like this area right? So does your father. He wants us to settle in here," she said. I replied, "Sure, we can stay for a couple days." "No, Maya. Your father wants us to stay here for the remainder of our lives," my mother said. I was so shocked. How could my father think of this? What am I going to do? "Um, mother. I think I need a little time to think about this," I said. My mother agreed.
I thought about this area. It was extremely beautiful, especially with the blue waters, and the amazingly terrific food we have been getting. The game stays here, and we don't have to be on the move anymore. However, I have travelled for my whole life. I don't know if I should stay, or move along with the rest of the tribe. But, if I go with my tribe, I'll never see my family again. I have made my decision. I am going to stay here. It is going to change a lot about the way we live, but I can't leave this amazing beauty of a land, with the game, berries, and nuts, too. I'll also never be able to be with my family, and I can't do that either. "Mother!" I called. "I'm going to stay with all of you!"
I tried deciding on a favorite book, and I got one that people might think I'm way too obsessed about, but it's The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. I have never played the game, but now I really want to play it, because the storyline was so interesting, and it pulled me in right away. The beginning starts off with some people in a town awaiting a swordsman to come. The people rushed to the gate, and they didn't see anyone, until they heard a little voice, and they looked down. Little Link was staring up at them, and they thought it was some kind of joke. Link was upset, and showed them the Ocarina of Time, which is from the royal family of Princess Zelda. Everyone still underestimated him a little bit though. Link proved himself, and he beat everyone, even his own teacher. People were surprised at how amazing he was, and then he left to go find his friend. That friend is Navi. She was his little travelling companion. On the way, some kid wearing a mask showed up, stole the Ocarina of Time, my horse, and left behind a little fairy. It wasn't Navi.The fairy's name was Tatl. She became his travelling companion for this adventure, and they decided to go get him, whose name is Skull Kid. We chased him around, and then he put us into a different body -- on of the Deku's. We got entered into a different town, and we met a nice lady named Anju. She was waiting for her fiancee, Kafei, to come back. There are many myths that the moon is going to fall. People were really scared, and running. Link decided to help, and he finally found the Ocarina of Time, and he played it, and then time went backwards. He wasn't a Deku anymore! Link was overjoyed, and he realized he had the mask of a Deku, meaning he could become one when he wanted to. On the way to help Anju find Kafei, Link encounters many different people along the way, including Gorons, Dekus, and Zoras. He wears the masks of them, and helps all of them in their problems. Then, he finally approaches the place where the moon was about to fall. On the way there, Link found a kid in a mask. It wasn't Skull Kid, or any kid at all. It was Kafei.Link asked Kafei what happened, and he said Skull Kid turned him into a child. Link realizes the mask Skull Kid is wearing is overpowering him with evil. The great giants of Termina helped Link when the moon was about to fall. Skull Kid was out of his mask, and crying. Those giants were his so-called friends. But -- his mask was floating. This was Majora's Mask. Link was not too shocked that the mask had a mind of its own. The mask wanted to play around with Link, and Link pulls out his fierce deity mask. Link puts it on, and becomes a fierce deity. With this power, Link won the battle, and Anju and Kafei got married. Link will never forget the day when he s
Many people have heard of the Revolution, Colonial, Reformation, and the Crusade time periods. What about the Scientific Revolution? Why is that important at all? What did it do for us? Many people do not know, but the scientific revolution was one of the most important things in history. We discovered so many great things about the world, and about different and new instruments that could help us in learning about things in the world of science, and see what really is behind everything.
The scientific revolution is the foundation of modern science. People were thinking about what Aristotle had said, and that the earth was the center of the universe, in which Copernicus thought was incorrect. He could never prove his theory, but Galileo did. He studied and observed the world, and looked around at the things that were happening. He wrote down his observations, and he found out that the sun was in the center of the universe, and not the earth. The church thought he was going against them, because they thought he was trying to against the Bible, but he wasn't. Galileo had found out about the earth, and how it was not the center of the universe. Sir Isaac Newton discovered the laws of motion, not theories, because he proved them so many times. The things that kept on continuing like this helped the start of the scientific revolution.
When Martin Luther was alive during the Reformation, he wrote 95 issues to the Pope about he thought was wrong about the church. What about us? We were asked to write 5 issues that we have right now. One of them for me, is homework checking. In all our classes, we don't actually check if they are finished with their homework or not. In computers, we take notes on videos in our classes. We don't get our notes checked, which I think we should, because we shouldn't have people saying that they did their notes, when they actually didn't, and then they don't know how to do the assignments. Another thing about the homework, is students could be doing their homework right that minute. Another thing is about help that students need. Some students don't ask for help, so they just do something, and it turns out to be wrong. Instead of putting them in Homework Lab, the teachers should assign them a "help" time to come into the class, and then get help. This will help them learn more about the subjects, and their grades would get much better. Also, a different issue is the time constraints. Some projects are due for a while, and students forget about them, so the teachers should be reminding them everyday, so students don't realize that they have a project, and they end up doing it the day before it's due. A different issue would be the homework lab policy. If something small is sending you to homework lab, that isn't really that bad. If it was a short assignment, and it was forgotten, they should stay in for a detention at break instead of having to go to homework lab. My final and fifth issue would be with P.E., because there should be homework to practice doing pushups and situps before testing week. These are my 5 issues t
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