Kendo

Kendo is "The Way of the Sword". I practiced kendo for 2 years. Kendo is a physical and mental activity. Kendo doesn't just mean you carry a bamboo sword, called a shinai, and start swinging it around. There is a lot of meditating as well.
There are 8 dans, or levels, of kendo. You must have at least 1 or 2 years of training to go to the next dan. I was on the 3rd dan after 2 years of training. To go up a dan, then you must take an exam where all the masters watch you do a series of demonstrations and then have a match against someone who is on a higher dan than you. Passing a dan is somewhat difficult because there are not a lot of dans.
When you have a match against someone then you must first do something that's like a prematch. You first share "blows", take turns hitting each other's shinai, before you start fighting. Then, you start after you are done. When ever you are in a match you must call out where you are going to hit or else the referee will take a point off. You can gain points if you manage to get a hit. People often yell to scare or make the opponent flinch. There are many ways you can win in a match.
The clothes you wear when you have a match are VERY heavy. It's hard to move around in first. There are certain ways you are to put your armor on and certain ways to take your armor off. Even your regular outfit is actually a little heavier than it looks. But all of this is preparing you for real matches and real tournaments.
Kendo is a very fun, although hard, activity. I loved kendo and I still like watching some kendo matches, even though I quit. I would recomend it to almost anyone!
What I am most excited about this year? New books and more books! The library.


What I am least excited about this year? HOMEWORK!

Glee!

My favorite television show is "Glee"! Glee is a musical and also has comedy and drama. Glee is about a bunch of high school students' daily life and their life in school. They're in the glee club (called "New Directions") with their club teacher (Will Schuster). This show is mainly about being yourself and not letting others bring you down.

I really like this show because anyone can relate to it and it's very inspiring. If you see the Glee movie (Glee: The 3D Concert Movie), a lot of people that are inspired by Glee are on it. They tell their story and how Glee has inspired them to change. I think that's really great. I also think it's important to be yourself and not force yourself to change because of others. There can be tough times in high school and it's important to stick up for who you are and what's right. Glee teaches kids about being yourself and one of the things that I think are great is that everyone has a chance to relate to it.

In the show, there is this one episode where the students wear t-shirts with things that they are most embarrassed or ashamed of written on it. I think that was pretty cool because it's really hard to do that and just show everyone that you're ashamed of something. I know it would be hard for me too. They also sing a song (Loser like me) about how if the others knock them down, then they will just get back up and be better than them. I really liked they lyrics and I think it was really meaningful.

Overall, Glee is a great show! I recommend high school students to watch it since you can relate to it more. There are 2 seasons so far and season 3 is coming out soon! (There is also a movie and a show called "The Glee Project") Thanks for reading! :)

What am I most excited about?
New clubs, friends, teachers, and more

What am I least excited about?
There's so much homework and I hate every single quiz and test. Also, there's finals which will be so hard!

Pretty Little Liars~ Ereni K's First Post!

It's a secret... can you keep it? ABC Family's hit show, Pretty Little Liars, premiered in the summer of 2010 with an overwhelming 2.5 million viewers. This show, based on the fabulous book series written by Sara Shepard, catches these 2.5 million viewers with it's mystery/thriller theme that leaves you hanging on at the end of each and every episode anticipating and predicting just what will happen next. So, what is this show all about?? Well, you are about to find out...

It all started out with the friendship of 5 middle school girls living in Rosewood, Virginia. Everything was nearly happy- happy joy- joy for Alison, Spencer, Emily, Hannah, and Aria until Alison goes missing. Da. Da. Daaaaa... With the "queen bee" and the one and only person that knew each of the girls' secrets GONE, the four girls quickly grow apart until they come back together again when Alison's body is found and the funeral service is held. On this day, something unusual happens, something called a text message.

"I'm still here, b****es, and I know everything

-A"

Who could this mysterious "A" person be? Is Alison really alive? All they know is, A is trying to ruin their lives... no matter what it takes. Now, the show has taken and is continuing to make its many unexpected twists and turns. I assure you, if you follow these four perfectly imperfect girls: Aria (the one who has fallen in love with her English teacher), Hannah (the one who has suffered with weight issues since she was a little girl), Emily (a lesbian with a disapproving mother), and Spencer (who has hit on all of her sister's boyfriends) you will be obsessed (in a good way)....

Tune into this hour long captivating thriller every night at 7 PM on ABC Family!

What am I most excited about?

~Making new friends.

What am I least excited about?

~All of the homework!

Sonya A - House Of Virgin Mary

This summer I went on vacation to Turkey. One of the places that I visited in Turkey was Ephesus. I had a distinct privilege to visit the house of Virgin Mary. It was a very spiritual experience for me as well as the group that I was with. Some of the things I was able to see was the wall of wishes, where people write down their wishes on cloth, napkins, paper, and anything that they can write on and post it on the wall for the wishes to come true. There were also four different fountains that you can drink from or wash your face. It symbolizes the fountain of health, wealth, knowledge or a combination of all.

Beside that, each visitor lights candles as a symbol of respect, reverence and invocation. I took two of the candles and lit them for good luck. The experience as a whole was amazing! I will never forget that I was able to see such a unique place.

For more information, please visit

http://www.aboutkusadasi.com/ephesus/virgin-mary-house.html

What I am most excited about: Learning new things, meeting new people and enjoying high school to its fullest, and being involved.

What I am least excited about: Having no class!

Cirque du Soleil

This summer, my family and I went to go see Cirque du Soleil, performing “Ovo.” It was an amazing show filled with beautiful music, costumes, and more! I couldn’t believe how such a talented circus could come from the streets.

Cirque du Soleil was created by a group of street performers in Quebec. They created the “High Heels Club,” in 1982, which included many stilt-walkers, fire-eaters, jugglers, and mime artists. The High Heels Club was made to exchange their talent and ideas, while creating a circus tradition for Quebec. Soon they became a traveling circus, performing all around the world. They offer a theatrical show that mixes street theater and circus arts, and includes original music, special effects, and outstanding costumes. They do not, however, include any animal acts.

Now, the Cirque du Soleil produces their programs in Montreal studio and includes musicians, actors, and many acrobats from around the world. The purpose of the circus is to create something new and face the reality limits, making the circus world brand new. I really recommend going to see the Cirque du Soleil, because it will definitely be worth your time. Below I have posted the link to the video of the Cirque du Soleil “Ovo” trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkeUegWsNkA

What am I most excited about?
I am most excited about making new friends.

What am I least excited about?
All the homework, tests, and finals.

That '70s Show

“Hello Wisconsin!” One common phrase heard by all That ‘70s Show lovers. I have been watching this show with my older sister ever since I can remember. It is so amusing and hilarious because of the entire cast and crew. This show has been around since 1998 even though it seems to be from the seventies. That ‘70s Show does an amazing job of making every person who watches the show relive the seventies.

The Vista Cruiser… One of the main focuses of the show. This car belongs to Eric Forman who is played by Topher Grace. The car is featured in every single episode and happens to be everyone’s way of transportation. At the beginning of the show for seven seasons the kids appeared in the car singing the theme song. To hear the song click this link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpwOYiL_zRg. However in their last season, once Eric’s gone, they are in the basement for the theme song. I was so angry to see they had changed it because when everyone was in the car it was great. This car was called the third greatest car on TV and I have to agree with that. This is because there are so many great memories from the show while in the car. I could not believe that Wilmer Valderrama who plays Fez had bought the car at the end of season eight, for the very low price of $500.00. However, if I were to have one item from that show it would probably be the Vista Cruiser because that is where the gang had all their great times.

Eric’s basement, this is the place to be if you are part of this group of friends. One weird thing about the basement is even when Eric Forman (Topher Grace) left the show for good, the entire gang still gathered in his basement. Even though it was the place to be you would think that they would leave and find somewhere else to hang out. In my opinion, they should have found somewhere new to go, but it would make the show completely different. It also left you to think will Eric ever come back, which was a pretty good idea. I am so sad they stopped making this show, but it’s always on TV, so if you ever get the chance. Check it out!

SamanthaP

What am I Most excited about?

I am super excited to meet new people and realize that high school isn’t as bad as it seems.

What am I Least excited about?

I am least excited about doing the large amounts of homework.

JanieK First Post: The Wizard Of Oz

"Toto,I've a feeling we're not in Kansas any more" Most people when hearing that line automatically think of the classic film "The Wizard of Oz". This magical movie was created in 1939 by MGM studios. The average person would assume that this film is nothing more then a 'chick flick' or just a movie. But only the people who know where to look can see the true magic behind the WIzard of Oz.

"Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk?" Along the way to the Wicked Witch of the Wests home, there was originally a musical number titled "Jitterbug". There Jitterbug number was part of a subplot that got discarded early on in the writing process. The subplot would involve interesting charaters such as large subplot involving Princess Betty and the Grand Duke of Oz.

"Follow the yellow brick road!" When filming the transition scene between the black and white to the techni-color they used a special technique. The film could not switch from black and white to techni-color while filming the actors. They hired a stand in actor for dorothy who was wearing what the iconic blue dress would look like in black and white film. MGM painted the walls of her house to look identical to what they would look like on black and white film also. They filmed in technicolor, so that the first shot of Oz was colorful, but the house was in black and white. All of that preparation for a 6 second shot! Here is a link to the song! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F9qw2CWm5k

Everyone may watch the movie, but I hope you can see the magic. Thanks!

What I am most excited about: I am excited to be in a new school! I can't wait to make new friends, join lots of clubs, and just enjoy myself.What I am least excited about: homework! I think some is okay, but i really do not like it when it takes hours!

Janie K

Welcome to our Blog!!!

Welcome fellow biologists!  Congratulations!  You found our blog!!! My vision for blogging in the classroom is evoloving, and I look forward to having YOU play a role in determing what it will become.  This blog is YOURS.  Each of you will be responsible for contributing to the blog throughout the year.  Although you will have times in which you are required to contribute to the blog, you may post something to the blog at any time.  I will use the blog as a means to share things with the class to help extend the content beyond the 50 minutes we share in the classroom.  I will also use the blog to convey extra credit opportunities to the class.  Remember, you will receive a GRADE for your contributions to the blog, so make it good!!!

How do you get become an author on our blog you may ask???  You should have received an invitation to be part of our blog in you GBS email account.  Please login to your GBS email (ID#@glenbrook225.org).  Follow the instructions and prompts from the email I sent you.  If you did not receive an email from me, please let me know by emailing me from your GBS account. 

At the top of out blog, you will notice the following tabs:  Digital Ethics, Tagging 101, and What Makes a Good Post?  Please click on each of these labels and read through them. 

If you are successful at becoming an author... try to make your first post!!!  Include the following:

• A title
• Something Interesting!!! Could be about you.... could be a link to a webpage, could be a funny science cartoon... something that is interesting to YOU and WHY is it interesting.
• What are you most excited for this school year?
• What are you least excited for this school year?

Be sure to tag your post properly.  Look at the Tagging 101 tab above for help.  You can see my first post below as an example!

Good luck and thanks for exploring this tool with me!

Water Bears!!!

Hey guys... its Mrs. Stein here... this summer I spent a few days at a teacher workshop in New York where I met some interesting people and learned a lot of new stuff!!!  One of the teachers at the workshop told about these organisms called Water Bears.  Has anyone ever heard of them???  So, apparently they are quite abundant in moss, so we should be able to find them anywhere... they are microscopic and they can survive being frozen for years!  They go into a dormant state to survive extreme temperatures.  This is something that is seen in simpler organisms, but in an actual animal, it is rare... and pretty cool!  And what else is cool about these critters... they don't really fit in with other groupings of invertbrates. 


They are not insects... not worms... they just don't fit.  Cool eh?  I am hoping to find some moss and see if in fact we really do have these little guys running around in Glenview too!  Want more info on Water Bears? 

Check out this interesting article on them.

Or watch this video. 





Aren't they soooo cute???  And weird too!!! 
What's interesting to you??? Please share!  Feel free to comment on my post too!

What am I MOST excited about?
I really love watching the transformations in freshman... I look forward to seeing the learning and growth that will happen in each of you this year... (OK...i know, a little cheesy)

What am I LEAST excited about?
Waking up early, traffic, and grading papers!