A star wars animation

Our field trip to the Marin Headlands

We were all ready to learn on a bright, sunny morning. For weeks, our class had been waiting for this day. The past few days were pouring and raining. Then, on March 17, 2011, (St. Patrick’s Day) it was… sunny! It was as if fate was prompting us to go on this trip. Did I mention that we were going to the Marin Headlands?

As the class walked to the bus, I made sure that my bag had everything. This was it! I was going to the Marin Headlands! As I got onto the bus, I made sure that my best friends were right next to me. In a second, we had started. At first, we were chatting. But in 10 minutes, Mr. Hogan announced that we could bring out our… electronics. Everyone was excited. This made me wonder if my generation is addicted to video games and electronics. Now - I don’t claim to be immune to this. I, myself, had brought my Videora iPod. I can do this! 17 songs should last a long time I thought. Boy was I wrong. Four hours on a bus with nothing to do can get extremely boring. Just when I was ready to quit, I heard a voice saying, “We have reached the Marin Headlands!”

YES! After we got out, Mr. Hogan, our awesome teacher, had brought cookies for everyone. After a quick restroom break, we were off to the hike. Before the hike started, we were introduced to three rangers: Roxy, Molly, and Willie. As we gathered in a circle, we reviewed what we learned in class. Then, we continued on our hike. Finally, we reached the good part: the Investigations. My group chose the bridge. I imagined that these rocks had one time been over a thousand miles away. Here, we learned that the rock under the Point Bonita lighthouse was diabase. Also, it was created in the ‘60s. Here, the waves crashed so hard on the rock, the water was white all the time.  After huffing and puffing up the mountain back, we had the best part: LUNCH. After lunch, Willie taught us about the formation of mountains on plate boundaries. The most amazing thing was that she used an Oreo as a visual aid to explain the phenomenon. After that, we eroded (ate) our scientific tool (the cookie). Once that was done we went to the beach and played a bunch of fun games.

AT ABOUT 4PM, WE EMBARKED on our return back home… a four-hour drive back.

I am a Toastmasters YLP graduate now

We had Toastmasters YLP graduation last Friday.  There was a speech contest and I managed to get first place.  The other speakers were fabulous and it was a learning experience.  We also had table topics contest after that - which I missed most of since I was the Sergeant-at-arms keeping contestants at bay outside the room.

My speech was entitled "Embrace your fear; Soar to Success" and it was 4-5 minutes long.

Did I mention my YLP experience helped me breeze through most of my Boy Scouts Communication merit badge requirements.  And of course it gave me a lot more confidence with my school book report presentations.

Can't wait for the next session!! :)

Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

For the past 8 weeks, I have been attending a Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program, or the YLP which is sponsored by the Star Search Toastmasters club.  It was a 2 hour session every Friday.

This is basically a Toastmasters club for kids. Toastmasters are 18 and above.

Here, we learn about speaking in front of groups. 15 kids are in this class. We learn to stop using the words: UM, AH, SO, Etc. These are called filler words. In this 8 week session, we learn these eight things. In one session, we might learn this:

1.       How to run a toastmaster meeting.

a.       Having an agenda

b.       Starting and ending meetings on time

c.        Keep discussions on track

d.       Encourage everyone to participate.

e.        Make sure the meeting’s purpose is accomplished

We learn how to speak on the dot, or impromptu speaking. We call this Table Topics. We get only 15 seconds to think about a one minute speech on a certain topic.

IF you want to become a better speaker, check out Toastmasters.

Visiting the California Academy of Sciences

A few weeks back, we went to The California Academy of Sciences. They were awesome! First we went to an igloo where we learned about the Aurora Borealis. Then we saw an albino crocodile. After a walk up the steps, I saw the living roof. Then it was off to the Rain Forest. The humidity is genuine. See if you can catch a butterfly or a hidden frog. Can you see a camouflaged snake?

Then, it was straight to the one and only planetarium. There, we saw the origins of the Earth and the search for life. As we were winding down, we saw the penguins. Along with those rare animals, we saw tigers, deer, giraffes, and more. Finally, we went to the energy section and saw our carbon footprint.

Bored of your science book? Ready for some fun? Then go visit the California Academy of Sciences.

Science camp Journal: DAY TWO

We went on a HUGE hike up to the top of Spider Mountain. Before the hike, we had made our own sandwich. Mine was made of turkey, lettuce, and cheese. Simple, but tasty. We also had a fruit, chip bag, and cookie.

On our way there, we saw a TALL tree. Then we played Professor hike. This was a game in which the Professor went ahead of everyone on the trail while we played a game. Then, our leaders would send two people on the trail. The professor would “hypnotize” them into believing that they were professors. Then, the next two people would go on the trail and reach the “professors.” The professors would either ask a question or state a fact. After that, the students would continue on the way and eventually meet the professor, who would hypnotize them. Hence, the game would continue until everyone met at a certain place.

After we reached the top, we continued back and reached within the hour. On the way, we enjoyed some edible plants. We tried a plant called Redwood Sorrel, a plant that looks a lot like a clover. It tasted like a Granny Smith Apple. We also had a Douglas Fir that is often mistaken with redwood.

WHEN WE GOT BACK:

·        We played a long, but fun, game of capture the flag, in which my team won.

·        We played a game of Gaga Ball. In this game, a lot like dodgeball, you were only able to hit the ball with your hand. Also, if a person was hit anywhere other than the foot to the knee, then the person was safe.

·        Then we filled out a paper about our leaders.

·        Then we had dinner and slept (BARELY).

Science Camp Songs

These were some of the songs we sung at Science Camp.

BANANA SLUG
Chorus
Ba-Na-Na Slug, Slug, Slug!
Banana slug, Ba-Na-Na-Na-Na
Banana slug, Ba-Na-Na-Na-Na
Banana slug, Banana Slug.


You know I love my baby (love my baby)
I love the way that she hugs (way that she hugs)
People don't understand it (don't understand it)
It's a banana slug (banana slug)


CHORUS


It's just got one foot (got one foot)
It ain't got no toes  (got no toes)
It hangs out in the forest (out in the forest)
And helps to decompose (helps to decompose)


CHORUS


The way you wiggle your antennae (wiggle your antennae)
You know it gives me such bliss (gives me such bliss)
Come on, come on banana slug (come on banana slug)
Come on and give me a kiss (give me a kiss)


CHORUS


The way you slide through the forest (slide through the forest)
You know you look so fine (look so fine)
Come on, come on banana slug (come on banana slug)
Come on and show off your slime (show off your slime)


CHORUS


Some people say that it's gross (say that it's gross)
Don't want to hear that jive (hear that jive)
'Cause if not for my baby (not for my baby)
The forest might not survive (might not survive)


CHORUS


You know I love my baby (love my baby)
But he doesn't love me (Doesn't love me)
'Cause it's a hermaphrodite (Hermaphrodite)
Which means he's also a she (also a she)

Chorus


TAN OAK
Sing to the tune of Louie, Louie

Chorus
Tan oak, Tan oak: ooh baby let your xylem flow.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (x2)
(Repeat each line)


Let me tell you about,
Something to make you shout,
It's the tan oak tree,
and it's special to me! 


Chorus 


The xylem's under the bark,
Where it's cool and dark,
It takes the wet from the ground,
And spreads it around!


Chorus 


An acorn's hat,
Is bristly and fat,
The squirrels think it's neat,
To have an acorn treat,


Chorus 


It's the oak that's tan,
It gives us a hand, 
It's where the Indians go,
For the acorns that grow,

Chorus


It's an evergreen,
It's the best that I've seen,
So put your hands in the air,
And show that you care.


Chorus


Bazooka bubblegum
 Chorus
Bubblegum, bazooka-zooka-zooka bubblegum
bazooka-zooka-zooka bubblegum
bazooka-zooka-zooka bubblegum


My mom gave me a penny,
She said to eat at Denny's,
But I didn't eat at Denny's,
Instead I had some...


Chorus


My mom gave me a nickel,
She said buy a pickle,
But I didn't buy a pickle
Instead I had some...
\
Chorus


My mom gave me a dime,
she said to buy a lime,
But I didn't buy no lime,
Instead I had some...


Chorus


My mom gave me a quarter,
She said to buy some water,
But I didn't buy no water,
Instead I had some...


Chorus

My mom gave me a five,

She said to stay alive,

But I didn't stay alive,

Instead I choked on...

Chorus

My mom gave me a ten,

She said to live again,

So I lived again,

And then I had some...

Chorus 

FROGGY
Dog,
Dog,cat,
Dog,cat,mouse
FROGGY!
Itsy, bitsy, teeny weeny, itlle, bitty froggy