Technology is good for kids

What if we didn’t have technology? We wouldn’t be doing this blog and I wouldn’t be able to get to know you great people. I agree that video games can be bad for kids. But technology is so much more than video games. Without technology researching, keeping in touch with friends, spreading the gospel and even learning another language would be much harder. Therefore, I believe technology is good for kids.

Before we get started let me define the words good and technology. I’m arguing that technology is good for kids. Good means effective, easier, faster, beneficial and helpful. For this debate I am defining technology as the internet and everything related to it. I believe there are many ways technology is good for kids but I will focus on the areas of education, spreading the gospel and learning new languages.   

Education is made easier through technology. When kids write an assignment in a notebook only their teacher will see it. According to John Page technology allows kids to share their information through: powerpoint, digital photography, video, web based school radio or TV station, digital music, website or even their own blog. Students need piles of books, pencils, notepaper, binders and the list goes on and on. All those things can now be put on an iPad. Instead of carrying ten to twenty pounds of books the students can slip a less then one pound iPad into his/her backpack. Many times students find it hard to be organized with all this stuff, technology allows them to be more effective.

Spreading the gospel has become easier with technology. Mission groups use catalogs, websites, blogs and Facebook pages to spread the gospel. The gospel is also spreading fast and even faster with technology. Now kids are given the chance to buy chickens, ducks, goats, soccer balls and even fishing poles to share Gods love with others all over the world. Walt Wilson, founder and chairman of Global Media Outreach said “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out this device (cell phone) is where we will present the Gospel to every living person on the earth in the next 3-5 years.” Technology is also allowing us to give U.S. troops a chance to hear the Bible without having “the Bible”.  Faith comes by hearing is a ministry that has worked so hard to translate the Bible into almost 900 languages. They have developed The Military Bible Stick. It is an amazing tool that brings the word of God to U.S. troops. The Bible Stick is an audio player the size of a pack of gum. Technology is allowing for the spread of the gospel in many exciting and far reaching ways.

Technology has advanced the learning of languages. Kids around the world are learning new languages everyday, through programs like Rosetta stone, Fluenz.com, Duolingo.com, Livemocha.com and Babbel.com. Kids can learn any language they want by just looking up “How do I learn different languages?” "There are more people actively learning a language through DuoLingo than in the entire US public school system," says Luis von Ahn, founder of the free language learning app. These apps and websites are filled with color, sounds, voices, videos and pictures. The websites walk the student through the world of languages. Instead of kids sitting in a boring classroom watching a teacher talk for hours they can see pictures, hear different sounds, different colors and cultures through these websites. Now kids want to learn different languages instead of counting down the seconds until their class is released. 

Education, spreading the gospel and learning new languages are just scratching the surface of what you can do with technology. While all things can be used for evil we can’t let that keep us from using it for good.  So many opportunities are provided for learning and spreading the gospel through technology that we must see this as good. Kids need opportunities for education and hearing about God’s Kingdom. Technology can provide this more effectively than just pen and paper. Therefore, we must conclude that Technology is good for kids.

Natalie Hawkins

Why you should support zoos

Did you know that recycling your phone can help protect animals such as chimpanzees and gorillas? Tantalum is a material that is used in phones, tablets, and cameras. The metal comes from a place where the animals live. That is one thing that I learned visiting the Houston Zoo.  Zoos do many things to make their animals as safe and happy as possible.  They are helping to save the endangered species, taking in injured animals, and making their habitats similar to the wild.  

            Many zoos are now trying to focus more on protecting and conserving endangered animals. There are several organizations that work with zoos to try to prevent extinction in different species of animals.  For example, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) have a program called the AZA Field Conservation Committee (FCC). The FCC organizes and supports projects that help with species recovery, veterinary care, and they research ways to protect species and try to spread awareness for animal conservation.  Zoos have plans for saving the animals such as restoring their natural habitats and breeding them.  One in four mammals and one in eight birds are in danger of extinction, so it is essential that zoos take action to save these animals!

    

            Numerous animals have been affected somehow so they are not able to live on their own in the wild.  Each year many zoos take in these animals. At the Big Bear Alpine Zoo in California- they take over 100 animals that are injured or incapable of living in the wild. They care for the animals and 90% of them are released back into the wild.  The others that are not able to go back to their natural habitats are kept in the zoos. So it is wrong to think that animals are forced to live in captivity when some may not be capable of living in the wild.

           

            Many zoos make sure their animals are happy and like their habitats.  At the Houston Zoo their elephant habitat has 3 acres of land and 80,000 gallon pool. There is also a 7,000 square foot elephant barn where you can see the elephants being bathed every morning.  Zoos also do something called “Enrichment” where the animals are given toys and food, but they let the animals make choices and have challenges. Enrichment encourages natural behavior in the animals.

            So what is your opinion on zoos? There are many reasons why zoos are good for animals, and not harmful or dangerous.  They are taking action to save endangered animals, they care for the animals that have been harmed, and the zookeepers work very hard to make sure that the animals are safe and happy in their habitats.  Zoos have a positive impact on the world.

http://www.stlzoo.org/about/whyzoosmatter/

http://www.houstonzoo.org

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/endangered_species/zoos/index.asp?article=whatzoosdo

http://bigbearzoo.org/

Zoos? Think twice.

Some people might think that zoos are good for animals. They might even think animals like being in zoos. This is a very wrong assumption. Animals at zoos are trapped. They are forced to live their lives sitting behind glass or in enclosures. Michelle Carr ,  PETA writer, says “Captive animals are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them”. Do we want this kind of treatment for these animals, just so we can see them?

So how do zoos get animals? You might think that zoos only take animals in need of rehabilitation. A popular argument against why zoos are harmful for animals might be that the animals in zoos need to be helped by people, and that putting them in zoos is just like putting them in rehabilitation programs. But, in 2006, the San Diego Zoo “rescued” 33 monkeys. It turns out, that they had bought the monkeys from a South African pet dealer that was illegally trafficking the monkeys.  No wonder animals in zoos are depressed! They have been taken from their original habitats and put in zoos. Now, I know that not all zoos do this. But still, a zoo with a good reputation?

Have you ever looked at the animal’s habitats in zoos? They live in spaces way smaller than they would in the wild. For example, in the wild, giraffes have entire savannas to roam and find food, whereas giraffes in ZooWorld only have 5000 sq. feet of space, a considerable difference. Even worse, Zooworld expanded that from a 1500 sq. enclosure, because one of the giraffes living in the 1500 sq. feet enclosure died.

 In the wild, animals are fine, but in zoos? They are bored and depressed. They need stimulation that they just can’t get in zoos. They need to be free. After reading this essay, I hope you get a chance to examine your local zoo. Do the animals look depressed? Are they bored? Should you spend your money on a zoo?

Wathne, Lisa. "Zoos Play into Hands of Wild Animal Poachers." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2006. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.

Carr, Michelle. "The Reality of Zoos." PETA The Reality of Zoos Comments. PETA, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.

WJHG. "ZooWorld Giraffe Dies: Update." WJHG RSS. N.p., 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

Winter Is Better Than Summer

Winter Is Better Than Summer

 By Olivia Lunsford 

Imagine you are wearing your shirt and shorts. You are going outside to read a book. When you open the door, a blast of sweltering heat smothers you. You still go out, but a swarm of mosquitoes attacks you. You run inside, roasting and itchy. Now imagine hiding behind a fort while your friends launch snowballs at you. Which of these sounds more like a pleasant afternoon? John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” My opinion is that winter is better than summer, and I hope that after this essay, this would be yours too.

One thing that makes winter better than summer, is the weather. In summer, it rains a lot. Would you like to play outside in a thunderstorm? What about when it’s 100 degrees? In winter, you can play in snow or shine. You could go sledding or ice-skating. If there’s a snowstorm, the schools have to close, and you have a day off school!

Secondly, the best holidays are in winter. What holidays are found in the summer? The first holiday that might come to your mind is the 4^th of July, then maybe Father's Day, and last, Flag Day. Now, can you name three holidays in winter? First there’s New Year’s Day; and for the Jewish, Hanukkah; and everyone’s favorite, Christmas! More than two billion people celebrate Christmas around the world every year.

Many people like sports, and there are a lot of them in winter. Everyone loves snowball fights, and sledding is a blast. There are also worldwide sports like ice hockey, skiing, bobsledding, ice-skating, and many others. Ice hockey is one of the most popular professional sports in the world. Even fishermen can fish in the winter.

In conclusion, many people love summer, in its sweltering, pest-infested glory, but as Indian author Anamika Mishra said, “Winter is not a season, it’s a celebration.” Because of its nicer weather, better holidays, and fun sports, I believe you should learn to love winter more than summer.

Summer is Better than Winter Persuasive Essay By Libby Alley

        Do you enjoy free time? Being able to wake up in the morning and have no worries about schedules, plans or work? That’s what summer is. A time during the year meant for a break and maybe a rest.  A time meant for you to do whatever you want and be yourself. That is why I am writing a persuasive essay titled “Summer is better than Winter.”  I believe that summer will always be less stressful and a time easier to do what you want to do. But resting is not the only thing summer has to offer. There are other things that make summer such an enjoyment!

         Some of you live in Florida (or used to),  and you know cold weather is more rare than it is in other places. (One time I had to wear a T-shirt near the end of December!)  Honestly, there are many ways that warmer weather is best.  Clearly winter is very cold, so you need to be prepared. Gloves,  coats, hats, scarves,  the list goes on and on, and all to stay warm. In my family,  we have bins full of all the things you need in cold winter. But in the summertime, you need to have nothing more than a T-shirt, a pair of shorts or a skirt, and shoes. (I prefer barefeet.) No heavy layers included!

           Are you interested in sports or activities? If so, then summer is a good season for you! A lot of activities and sports happen in this season. Softball, baseball and tennis to name a few.  There are also lots of different water activities that many different people enjoy. Even my littlest sister likes the pool, and she isn’t even 2 years old yet! The list of water activities includes diving, surfing, snorkeling,  and just normal swimming! The water is always a highlight of summer.

          And what about all the wonderful foods and snacks that you can’t have and enjoy in winter? There are nice and cold snacks like popsicles and ice cream, for one. Summer is the best season to enjoy cold but tasty snacks on a hot day. There are foods like hot dogs, popcorn, and BBQ . I haven’t even mentioned the seasonal fruits and vegetables that sweeten summer even more. Tomatoes, watermelon, corn on the cob, peaches, the list goes on and on. Summer foods are always easy, fun, and DELICIOUS!

          Summer is simple, fun, and carefree. You can do so many things. I hope that my writing has inspired you to enjoy and discover summer in a different way. If you love warm weather, sports, and good food, than summer is the season for you!

Heading To Hogwarts

Heading To Hogwarts,

A part of Harry Potter, 
by J.K Rowling, retold by Maya Kent

Harry:  It was a day in September, and I had just been dropped off at Kings Cross station by the Dursleys, my terrible aunt, uncle and cousin who I had to live the past eleven years with. And I was clueless.  I was supposed to be taking the Hogwarts express at eleven o’clock off of platform nine and three-quarters. But the thing was, all I saw was platform nine and platform ten.  There was nothing in between except the dividing barrier. I sat down next to my cart carrying my trunk and my owl Hedwig who was not very happy to be in her cage. I waited, not even knowing what I was waiting for.

 A couple of minutes later a family passed by, and I caught a few words they were saying.  As soon as I heard the little girl say something about platform nine and three-quarters I knew they were probably headed for Hogwarts, too. Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry was the school I was starting at this year. I found out I was a wizard a couple of weeks ago and at Hogwarts I would be taught magic. I watched the family carefully to see if they knew how to get to platform nine and three-quarters. There was a women with four boys and one little girl, all of them had flaming red hair.  Finally what looked like the oldest boy started marching towards the barrier in between platform nine and ten, and as he approached it he disappeared. The next two boys looked like twins, and when they were done tricking their mother about who was who they also went to the barrier and they too disappeared.

 I finally asked the woman how to get to platform nine and three-quarters, and she told me all you have to do is walk into the barrier. So that’s what I did. I jogged toward it pushing my cart in front of me. When I neared the barrier the crash I was expecting didn’t come. Instead I kept going and found myself standing on a platform with a big sign that said platform nine and three-quarters. In front of me was a shiny, scarlet steam engine that read Hogwarts Express.  I looked for an empty compartment on the train and when I found one the twin red heads helped me haul my trunk into it.

 I was sitting alone when the youngest boy from the family asked if he could sit with me. His name was Ron Weasley. We started talking. He is so lucky he has five older brothers, two of them had already finished at Hogwarts, I was the only one in my family. After a couple hours of riding and talking a lady pushed a food cart down the corridor that was filled with sweets. I didn’t want to miss out on any of this interesting wizarding candy so I bought some of everything. Ron didn’t have anything for himself so I shared with him. I had never shared anything with anyone before. Everything here was so new to me. Some while later a round faced boy came in our compartment looking for his toad, and shortly after that a girl came in asking the same question. She had a bossy sort of voice and lots of bushy hair and rather large front teeth. When we told her we hadn’t seen the toad she introduced herself as Hermione Granger, and blurted out something about knowing her spell books by heart and didn’t know if it would be enough. Maybe I should have read some of mine. I hadn’t even opened them since I first bought them.

The rest of the ride was fairly boring. Ron showed me the wizarding newspaper and told me about the four Hogwarts houses you could be sorted into: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Everything Ron told me that witches and wizards had come up with was so brilliant.  We changed into our school robes as the train slowed to a stop. I was getting nervous.  Ron and I stepped out of the train onto a small platform and into the cold night air. “Firs’ years, Firs’ years over here”, called a familiar voice. It was Hagrid the half giant who had first told me I was a wizard (now that’s another story). “Follow me”, he yelled. I slowly moved forward and followed Hagrid down a dark winding path, slipping and stumbling.  As we turned the corner I had my first sight of Hogwarts. It was amazing. Everyone oohed and aahed, I had never seen anything like it. Perched on top of a steep mountain next to a black lake stood a huge castle with tons of towers and turrets. Its windows sparkled next to the starry sky. As we crossed the lake in boats I knew this was my home.

Hermione: Finally the day was here! I had been waiting for this day for what seemed like years even though it had only been a few months. Today I would be going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I’m so excited but a little nervous too. I can’t wait to learn magic but I’m afraid I might be behind everyone else. My parents are what witches and wizards call muggles. They have no magical blood in them, they’re dentists. That’s why I was so surprised when I got my Hogwarts acceptance letter. I didn’t even know that magic was real then. But as soon as I got my spell books for all my different classes I read them over and over and now I practically have them memorized. Hopefully it will be enough.

My parents drove me to Kings Cross station, and as I said good bye to them I started to get a little nervous.  I wouldn’t be seeing them for months. My ticket said to take platform nine and three-quarters which I didn’t see so I asked some other wizards and witches at the station and figured out all I had to do was walk into the dividing barrier of platform nine and ten. I did, and it was quite easy. I found an empty compartment and settled into my seat. I pulled out some of my books and started reading. I read several books for the first part of the trip, and by the time the food cart came down to my compartment I was starving. I bought a couple of things with my new wizard money, and when I was done I decided to go meet some people.

 At the first compartment there was a boy named Neville.  He was looking for his toad so I decided to help him.  I went to another compartment where there were two boys. They hadn’t seen the toad but they were talking about magic so I started talking about everything I had learned in my books. I think I lost them there. I found out their names, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. Their parents were wizards so I bet they already know loads of magic. I told them I knew all my spell books by heart and they both looked at me like I’m crazy! Maybe they have done more than that and have known everything in those books for years. I decided to go back to my compartment and start studying some more. After a while when we were about an hour away (I asked the conductor). I got my robes on and once again walked around, no one else had their robes on! Some people are so unorganized.

When we finally arrived at Hogwarts my stomach was turning. It hit me once again I might not have studied enough. I should have done more than 5 hours a day!  I hurried to the front of the train to get out. It was dark outside and the air was cold. “Firs’ years firs’ years over here!”,  a voice called.  I looked up and there was the biggest man I had ever seen. He had to be at least eight feet tall! He was probably part giant.  I went over to the front of the group of first years and followed him.  We went down a steep path that was very slippery and I kept stumbling.  “You’ll be having your first sight of Hogwarts in a second” called the part giant. And there it was, a magnificent castle. Right on top of a mountain next to a dark lake. It was beautiful. I couldn’t believe this was my new home and I would be learning magic here. I couldn’t wait to start. 

The Tree and the Girl and How they Grew

By Libby Alley

    “Do it again daddy!” Anna exclaimed.  I watched as daddy lifted her up and spun her around.  I was just a little 2 year old sapling then.  Anna and her daddy had planted me yesterday.  Anna was constantly checking to see if I had grown yet.  Even though Daddy said it would take a while.  I watched 2 year old Anna squeal with delight as she landed on the ground held firm by Daddy’s strong arms.  Anna rushed over to me.  Her small, soft hands touched the few leaves I had.  Then I heard Mom’s loud voice call.  “Lunch!” Anna ran to the house.  Daddy looked over at me and smiled before going into the small, happy house.

    I watched as Anna ran across the yard.  Once, twice, three times before going inside to check the clock again.  Anna is now 5 years old, and today she is going to have her very first play date.  She ran outside again, and sat next to me, opening her picture book.  She is learning to read, so it seems like she gets out that book all the time.  “Th-that c-c-cat is maaad.” She read slowly.  “He wah...will haaave a…” I never got to hear what that cat will have because just then, I heard a “beep” of a car.  “They’re here!!!” Anna yelled as she dropped the book.  She ran out of the yard.  Soon she came back with her friend, Ellie.  They played for a very long time.  Soon, her mom came home.  “Quick! Hide!” Anna said.  Ellie ran behind me, giggling softly. Ellie’s mom walked into the backyard, followed by Anna’s.  “I wonder where my Ellie is,” she said. Anna tried to hide a smile.  Ellies’ mom looked everywhere, even behind the small flower pots!  Finally she looked behind me.  “There you are!” she exclaimed.  Anna and Ellie started laughing like crazy.  Soon everyone walked out of the backyard to say goodbye.

   The backyard looked amazing.  Balloons were tied to nearly everything, there were three tables set up with all kinds of things on them, and fun music was playing over speakers.  “Are they here yet??” an excited Anna asked.  “For the last time, party is at 11 o’clock, which means you have to wait 5 more minutes,” Anna’s dad said as he hung up a banner that said “HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY ANNA!” Anna tugged at her new pink and purple dress as she watched her dad hold up the sign. “It’s time to hang up the pinata!” Anna’s dad said, holding up a big and colorful unicorn from a string. “Be careful!” Anna said to him. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave a scratch on your tree.” Dad said, smiling. “Good.” Anna said as she patted my branch steadily. Sixteen minutes later, the lawn was filled with kids.  Some playing, some examining the presents, some just running around.  Soon they started to play some party games.  First was the bean toss.  The winner of that was Anna’s cousin, Tracy.  She was a few years older than Anna, but they were really close.  The next game was pin-the-tail-on-the-unicorn. (Anna thought pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey was too boring.) Katie, a friend from school, won that.  The last game was musical chairs.  Anna won that! (Hooray!) Soon it was cake time.  If I had a mouth I would have gladly had a piece.  After presents, it was time for everyone to go.  Mom told Anna she should take a nap.  Anna didn’t complain.

    Anna is now ten years old.  “I can’t wait!” I heard her say for the sixth time today.  “Sleeping in a tent outside is going to be so fun!” Anna is going to have a sleepover outside in a tent tonight.  At 7:00 Anna, her friend Lily, and Dad came out.  Dad lit a fire and started to sing. “Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam…” Soon Anna and Lily joined in. “Home! Home on the range! Where the deer and the antelope play…” After singing, Anna and Lily crawled into their tent, and dad crawled into his.  I saw the lights in the house go out.  It took a couple shushes, but finally Dad got the girls to stop whispering and giggling.  In the morning, Anna woke up first.  She got a book from inside the tent and leaned against me to read.  It was a book about a magical tree that grew so high it touched the moon.  Soon, Lily got up.  Anna snuck inside her dad’s tent.  She woke him up.  They all ate breakfast.  The girls had bacon and eggs while Dad had a steaming cup of coffee.

    Well, now Anna is 12.  That means I’m 12 too.  Anna is playing with a dog she is babysitting for the weekend.  Suddenly the phone rang.  “It’s for you Anna!” called mom through the window.  “Coming!” called Anna.  “Stay, Buster,” she said to the dog.  Anna ran inside.  I heard the phone stop ringing and Anna say “Hello?” Soon, Buster inched closer to me. Please, no! He lifted his leg…”Buster! No! Bad Boy!” shouted Anna from the window.  Phew. Buster ran and did his business in the bushes.  All was well.

    I watched as Anna walked slowly around the yard, bag in hand, backpack hanging on her shoulder.  She is 18.  Off to college in a few minutes.  She touches her hat she always liked to wear when she was six.  She stood on the same part of the yard where dad used to always spin her around by her waist.  Lastly, she walked to me.  She put her hand on my trunk, brushing it against my rough bark.  Then she touched one of my branches.  “Time to go, Anna!” her dad said from the front yard.  Just then, Anna took a pair of trimmers from the picnic table.  Quickly, but carefully, she snapped off one of my branches.  “So I’ll never forget,” she whispered, half to herself, half to me and she walked out of the yard, branch in hand.  I don’t know if trees can or not, but I think I, in that moment, smiled.