WHAT A FAMILY! by Grace Tran

        The members of my family is my mom, and dad. There's also my aunt, two cousins, and my uncle. And of course, me.

        My mom is the boss of the family and the tough one. She's in charge when it comes to certain things. My dad's the mean one. He's also the one stressing out the most. My aunt is always bringing me to fun places and giving me toys, I love her. My cousin, Jasymne is also stressing out. She has a tough attitude just like my mom. My other cousin, Madison, is a swimming athlete. However, unlike my other cousin, Madison is the fun one. She likes candy as much as I do and she loves to play with me. When I'm bored, I always go to her apartment to play. Her dad, my uncle, is tall, and muscular. He used to be a firefighter and a paramedic.

        My family is special because my mom's side of the family is from China. My dad's side is from Vietnam. Right now, I'm learning some Vietnamese. As for my Chinese, its Okay. My family are also strict Buddhist believers, and there are not many families that believe in Buddhism nowadays.

        I feel the best thing about my family is. . . EVERYTHING! I LOVE believing in Buddhism, and being half Vietnamese and Chinese. My family is the most wonderful family anyone could ever wish for.

ABOUT ME by Sterlin Kato Lee

 
I am 9 years old and in the 5th grade. My birthday is in December. I am 4 feet and 6 inches. My hair is  dark brown. my eyes are also dark brown. I weight about 70 pounds. I like how I have brown hair because blond hair seems too bright. I like how I have brown eyes because other colors seem weird to me. I like my name, especially my middle name. My parents say my name is special. I am named after a character in The Green Hornet!  I dislike how I can't do a back flip. I always wanted to learn how to do that. I dislike how I am not twelve, because I can't sit in the front seat of my dad's car. I want to sit in the front seat so I can play with the car's navigator. I have lots of favorite foods such as pizza and spaghetti. My favorite colors are blue, black, and white. I have a younger sister named grace. She is 8 and her birthday is in November. She is in the 3rd grade. My favorite things to do are riding my bike, swimming, playing with my laptop, and many other things. I like it when I am on vacation because I get to relax. I especially love it when we go to the water parks or when we fly in an air plane. When we are in an air plane, I like to look out the window so I could see the clouds and the sun. This is me!

The End

Grace Tran's Autobiographical Sketch:

My Own Special Theories

        I am 11 years old and I have black hair, brown eyes, a cute smile, and a nose just like my dad's. I wear purple glasses. I'm about four feet ten inches. I have an o positive blood type. I can describe myself as a daredevil, funny, shy, fun, and creative. I won't describe myself as an A+ student, but, oh well!

        I like myself because I am a princess, my great ancestor was the princess of china. There's a picture of her in my grandfather's room. I also like myself because of my big eyes, one of the reasons that make me unique in my own little way. Lastly, I like myself because I have a face like my grandmother's, a nice big round generous face.

        I don't have a sibling so I really wish that my mom would hurry up and have another child already! It gets really lonely at my home so I want somebody to entertain me or someone to play or talk to. I also wish to be smart in every single subject in school (which probably would actually happen). My last wish is to become a scientist when I grow up. I either want to be an astronomer, chemist, or inventor. Even "lastlier", I want to go to harvard college and graduate with 999,999,999,999 PHD's. Fine, maybe I think too. . . imaginative. But that's my true dream. After all, I am the one and only Grace Kelly Tran. (Besides, I should think like one, too!)

AN ADVOCATE FOR HOPE

By Grace Tran

Heller Keller went from bitter to loving, from disturbed to compassionate, and from hateful to charitable.  At age two, an illness seized her sight and hearing.  Luckily, Helen gained Annie Sullivan as her teacher.  Annie taught Helen words and helped her graduate from Radcliffe College.  Ultimately, Helen journeyed to numberless towns and encouraged and gave hope to those who are disabled.

Helen Keller was only two years old when she became very ill.  The sickness affected her ability to see and hear.  Helen’s father searched and found her a special teacher, Annie Sullivan.  At first, Annie tamed Helen to behave.  One day, Annie pumped water onto Helen’s hand.  Then she spelled the word water on it.  At that moment, Helen understood everything had a name.  She grew persistent in learning.  Helen learned 300 words in a few weeks and also to read Braille.

As Helen grew older, she graduated from Radcliffe College with honors.  She wrote a book, The Story of my Life, which gave Annie and her a comfortable lifestyle.  The majority came to listen to her lectures tours that comforted them.  Helen traveled to every continent except Antarctica, just to encourage people who had disabilities. 

When I grow up, I want to be just like Helen Keller, helping people with disabilities.  Helen is kind and passionate. I see myself overcoming fears, graduating from college, and giving hope to the world.
 

MY TRAVEL JOURNAL: THE GRAND CIRCLE by Nicholas Ng

CONQUERING THE DESERT

DAY 1: Don’t you just hate airplanes? Airplanes make me throw up and my ears pop. Airplane food makes me puke! Well, on my family trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Circle, my ears popped for five hours! The three cans of orange juice helped a little. When we arrived at Las Vegas around 12:00 EST, my eyes couldn’t support my 2-ton eyelids. Unfortunately, I had to wait. The computer broke down when we rented our SUV. So the cashier, in a frenzy, was trying to work her brain instead of pushing keys on a keyboard. I rolled my eyes half way; everything went black. As light poured back in to my eyes, I saw us in a 4x4 Jeep rolling around in Las Vegas. Its electrical clock blinked 3:00 A.M. We arrived at Plaza Hotel and checked in. Everyone dashed to the elevators and zipped through the hallways except me. I thought everyone craved sleep, too. We opened the door to our room; a blast of weird smells gushed at us. I took a step in, hoping to sleep. I did find a bed but what really bothered me was the SMELL of CIGARETTES!!! The cashier ruined my night! Eventually, half an hour later, my dad came back with a new room key. We tugged our luggage to a new room on the other side of the hotel. As soon as the door opened, I ran inside and jumped in bed. I took one last glance at the clock: 3:45 AM.

DAY 2: I woke up at 9:30 AM. My eyes still drooped downward. We shopped for water and food supplies. Frozen Gatorade, checked! More frozen Gatorade, checked! Two 24 packs of water, checked! Three bags of chips and snacks, checked. We were completely prepared to conquer the desert. Stepping into our jeep, we began an unforgettable adventure. After we arrived at our lodge-looking hotel, we immediately took a shuttle bus to Zion National Park. The bus went around the entire canyon. Here and there stood skyscraping towers of rock, streaked with rusted iron ore. For one second, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The bus driver explained these famous “monument rocks” and then took us to other sightseeing spots. For the first time in my life, I was in awe. I ended my day with my jaw opened.

DAY 3: There it was. The sign said THE NARROWS and right beneath it were a group of bold letters that read FLASH FLOOD WARNING! I looked up at the sky. I didn’t know it was gray until now. As we hiked and hiked, the sky seemed to drop lower and lower. Finally we took a break. I looked across the path. There was a ledge. It looked unstable. It was 3 feet out and 2 feet wide. I wanted to take a picture on the ledge so badly but I was afraid the cliff would fall into the rushing muddy water right below it. It took me 10 seconds to gather all my courage and ask my parents’ permission. To my surprise, they agreed. I took 2 steps out and my parents snapped several unforgettable pictures. I quickly leaped off the ledge onto safer ground. “I did it,” I thought. “I DID IT.”

DAY 4: I looked up at the trail ahead of me. It was just a dirt path snaking its way up a 50 foot cliff with slopes up to 40 degrees steep. I let out a sight knowing it would be a long time before we finally made it to the top. “What comes down must go up!”I thought. So I began my adventure. As soon as I started walking up the slopes I saw my friend Charlie climbing the mounds of dirt and sand between the bottom level and the next level. It was a shorter distance and didn’t even look tiring. So instead of forcing my legs to go up and around 5 walls, I began to climb. This was so much more fun than walking up boringly. The only bad thing was that every step Charlie took, small little rocks rained on me. We climbed and climbed until we reached the top. I looked at my parents below me. They were walking around the second slope. Under the shade, I sat back and enjoyed my precious water.

 

END OF THE TRIP: I had a fun-filled crazy adventure in the Grand Circle. Maybe the furiously hot sun and the lack of air conditioning set me back, but the adventure taken was well worth the cons of my trip. I don't think I'll ever saw something as jaw-dropping and eye-popping as these canyons and national parks. I recommend all of you to visit!!! Save up, this was one expensive summer vacation!

 

Weekly Website Review

It’s Time for Kids!

Have you ever wanted to have news about children, not adult, topics? Time for Kids is time for kids!! http://www.timeforkids.com/news  What’s so unique about this website, you ask? Instead of adult reporters, kids report the news! Time for Kids also publishes a popular magazine; my younger brother collects TFK magazines!

And why is TMF so amusing?  It has news written by kids and news from around the world.  It helps you with homework (a big plus J).  You can view photos and videos or go to mini-sites and read about a variety of topics.  Check out extras at TMK Extras tab; and of course buy TMK products like magazines and books.

In the Homework Helper section, TMK teaches you writing tips, how to write A+ essays, and how to be a grammar wizard. http://www.timeforkids.com/homework-helper  In Photos and Videos, re-watch Olympic highlights and see exclusive snapshots!  Don’t like the Olympics (which I doubt any of you wouldn’t)?  View other videos and pictures. http://www.timeforkids.com/photos-video  In Mini-Sites, read book reviews, movie reviews, Olympics, video game reviews (yes, video games!), and special months such as the Black History Month. http://www.timeforkids.com/mini-sites  The common Extras tab includes information about which companies and programs Time for Kids teams up with. http://www.timeforkids.com/extras  The Store tab is where you can buy all TMK products including: colorful magazines, 3D, Scientific, and other types of books.

Do you feel like this summer is one of the most blistering summers yet?  Well, I certainly do! According to TMK reporters, about 63% of the country is in somewhat of a mild drought and the other 46% is going through huge droughts. http://www.timeforkids.com/news/hot-and-dry/43366  A drought is when rain does not fall for a long time.  For Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, this year is a nightmare.  This drought is serious because no rain means no crops.  And no crops mean less to feed the animals and most importantly: us!

I would recommend this website to anyone who wants to know what is happening around the world and get help with homework too!  TMF is definitely the website to learn if our country is having trouble or is running smoothly and to learn about news of other countries.  I hope you enjoy this natural, colorful website just as much as I did reviewing and learning about it.

Weekly Website Review

DOGOnews!!!

           

When a computer opens to the DOGOnews homepage, articles everywhere invade the screen.  The top of the page has a News, Maps, and Sites tab.  Aspiring writers can write reviews of their favorite books or movies in the Book and Movie sections.

                This website specializes in news about every topic you can think of.  Under the News tab, check out Current Events, Science, Sports, Social Studies, Did You Know, Green, General, Entertainment, International, Amazing, Fun, and Video sections.  In Maps, you can look at the entire Earth online.  Drag and rotate the map with your mouse to see an overview of any place on Earth.  At Sites, read reviews of websites on different subjects such as New, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Brain Games, Little Kids, and Curious Kids.

The common weakness of most websites is they have no games.  But not DOGOnews!  I found Professor Garfield in Sites > Brain Games:  http://www.dogonews.com/external_sites?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.professorgarfield.org%2Fpgf_home.html&return=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dogonews.com%2Fsites%2F2011%2F3%2F8%2Fprofessor-garfield.  In this game mission, you must save the Earth by going through obstacles to get to the “off” switch. These obstacles are mini-missions that you either unscramble words to fill in the blank or have a game of Memory.  Enjoy!

                Let’s say you’re stuck in a dumpster and can’t get out.  Now think of a bear in a dumpster that can’t get out! That’s exactly what happened. Recently in New Mexico, a few cubs (baby bears) were stuck in a dumpster.  Lucky for them, Shirley and Tom Shenk came to the rescue! The couple drove their pickup truck and dropped a ladder in the dumpster.  They drove a few yards away and watched the cubs to make sure they got out.  And sure enough, the cubs climbed up the ladder to safety.  This is not the first time the Shenks saved this family.  They have saved them two times already.  Let’s hope those bears don’t go back in the dumpster! Read full article on… http://www.dogonews.com/2012/7/30/video-of-the-week-baby-bears-get-stuck-in-a-dumpster-again

                I definitely recommend this website!  It’s packed with hilarious and serious news and videos.  The Book Review and Movie Review tabs are very unique and really opened my eyes!!!  DOGOnews is a deluxe website!

Weekly Website Review

Science, Science, Read All About It!

For those of you who are science fanatics… you’ll love this week’s website!  Science News for Kids is all about science:   http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/.  You can read hooking articles and learn outrageous facts and new vocabularies from the articles!

Science News for Kids’ strengths are that it has everything there is to know about science.  It’s tabs on Atoms and Forces, Earth and Sky, Humans and Health, Life, Tech and Math, and Extra.  However, it doesn’t have games, which is the only drawback of this website.

Studying what you love is the way to go!  This is what I learned from Science News for Kids.

Wayne Maddison was 13 when he first became interested in spiders.  He pursued his interest in spiders and eventually studied spiders in college.  Maddison now works traveling to remote jungles in search of new species. 

Michael Dorcas started keeping pet snakes in his family pool at age 10.  After college, he started studying one of the biggest snakes in the world: the Burmese Python.  It could grow up to 20 feet long and swallow alligators, crocodiles, and deer WHOLE!!!  He also works in the Florida Everglades by finding and killing Burmese Pythons as they are not native to the Everglades.

Read more about these appealing jobs that people do at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/07/cool-jobs-studying-what-you-love/.

I rate Science News for kids a 9.5 out of 10 because it lacks games.  However, if you focus mainly on information and not games, then this website suits your brain perfectly.  So, enjoy the website and have a happy Tuesday.

South Street Seaport in Flames

BREAKING NEWS:  FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING LED TO SEAPORT FIRE

On July 14^th a three-alarm blaze broke out at South Street Seaport at around 4PM. Hundreds of tourists and visitors were enjoying their day.  Smoldering dark plumes of smoke hovered over Manhattan and could be seen across the river from Brooklyn!  Thirty-three fire units responded to the fire with about 140 firefighters. The flames were located under the thick timber planks which were hard to cut through. As if that wasn’t enough, the firefighters had to put out the flames in boiling temperatures from the fire and weather. Coach Jen and I could see the smoke from her apartment. We thought it was fog!

                Fire officials say the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring. The wires under the seaport were used to provide power for lights and vending machines. The fire turned enormous due to the extremely flammable wood planks. Besides, part of South Street Seaport was built in 1985.  Its age didn’t help either.

This fire could’ve been extremely dangerous. Good thing the brave firefighters hosed the flames in under two hours.

Now, if you have a fire in your house…

1.       Create an escape plan and possibly a Plan B

2.       If you are in a room with one door, check to see if there is a fire behind the door by

a.       Looking to see if there is smoke coming from cracks under (if there is, don’t open your door).

b.      Lightly touch the door if you don’t see smoke. If it is hot, don’t open the door.

c.       Briefly touch the doorknob. If it’s warm or hot, don’t open the door!

3.       If 2a-2c are negative, slowly open the door and crawl on your hands and knees. Remember to STAY LOW!

4.       Don’t bring favorite toys or stuffed animals with you when you exit. You need to be outside as quick as possible.

5.       Once outside, DO NOT GO BACK IN! Not even for a family pet!

6.       If you can’t get out the only door in your room, open your window and yell or call for help. DO NOT HIDE UNDER A BED OR CLOSET as this will make it incredibly harder for firefighters to find you!

7.       If you catch on fire, don’t panic. Like they teach you in pre-school, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!!!

Hope you’ve enjoyed my report!  Signing off from River Edge NJ:  Summer Blogger/Reporter Nicholas Ng.

Weekly Website Review

Scholastic.com

By: Nicholas Ng

I’m sure everyone knows Scholastic books right? Well, this week’s website is just that! For those of you who don’t know Scholastic, it’s a publishing company that publishes books, magazines, and a website, http://www.scholastic.com/home/.

                This website is a bull’s-eye for kids because it has a “Kids” section specifically designed for children. http://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/.  There is a “Games,” “Videos,” and “Books and Authors” section. It also has a “Parents” section http://www.scholastic.com/parents/  and a “Teachers” section http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/.   When you’re at the home page of Scholastic.com, you’ll notice that there are many splendid news articles and features filling the page.

                Scholastic’s article, “Olympians vs. Animals,” immediately reeled me in.  Did you know?

Olympic Sprinter vs. Cheetah

Cheetah wins with its capability of reaching speeds at 70 miles per hour! Usian Bolt of Jamaica holds the record for 100 meter dash, which he completed in 9.58 seconds.  A cheetah could’ve finished in 6.13 seconds. Even the world’s fastest runner can’t beat a cheetah!

Weightlifter vs. Rhino Beetle

The Rhino beetle can lift a stunning 850 times their own weight! An Olympic Weightlifter can only lift twice their weight. Winner: The Matchless, Vigorous Rhino Beetle!

Read and learn more about animal abilities: “Olympian vs. Animal” clashes at: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757366

                I recommend this website because it is truly made for anyone including kids. The games are challenging, the articles are tantalizing, and their books and magazines are fascinating. This website is incomparable!

Weekly Website Review

CNN Student News

By Nicholas Ng

Watch the award winning show CNN Student News on http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/index.html.  The show also airs live on HLN from 4:00-4:10AM Mondays through Fridays during the school year.  Come and enjoy this website with me.

View this noteworthy CNN Student News TV clip: http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/07/studentnews/sn-transcript-fri/index.html.  Reading the transcript of this video was like reading a play but before it started.  Kids interested in directing films and plays would admire this transcript.

 I tried a news quiz.  That’s impossible, but I only score six out of ten correctly.  It’s important for 10-year-olds to know news from around the world, so they know more about other countries.

 Read this article, http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/09/my-view-what-a-21st-century-science-classroom-should-look-like/.  The writing style is unique and stimulating.  Being a reporter would be enjoyable and exciting because one gets to travel around the world for FREE.

 I watched a video on running a campaign:  http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2012/01/12/eitm-running-for-president.cnn.  I learned running for a political position takes time, effort, and lots of MONEY!

 CNN Student News is a phenomenal website.  I recommend this website to kids in 4th grade and above.  Take your friends along and explore CNN Students News.

Weekly Website Review

National Geographic Weekly Website Review

By Nicholas Ng

National Geographic Kids is one spectacular website!   Go to http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ and explore distant countries, exotic animals, and the wonders of the solar system.  National Geographic is much more than a magazine and television channel. This non-profit organization promotes conservation of planet and environment since 1888.

National Geopraphic Kids has numerous interesting pages including games, news, photo, videos, and countries.  The games are funny and exciting.  Here is the link to one of the games I played:  http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/actiongames.   There is a photo section where you can see spectacular pictures.  Check it out yourself: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/photos.  You can learn from educational videos on:  http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/photos/.  And I read about historial facts about Jamaica:  http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/places/find/jamaica/.

Did you know Jamaica is actually the tip of an island underwater?  It was created when American and Caribbean tectonic plates collided 25 million years ago.  It’s home to many rare species of animals, some of which can be found nowhere else in the world.  For example, the Homerus Swallowtail is the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere.  It has a wingspan of 6 inches!  There are 250 bird species, and 26 of these are found only in Jamaica.  Also, it’s home to the world’s second smallest bird.  So, if you enjoy bird watching, Jamaica is the perfect place for you! 

I recommend this website to all kids because it contains plenty of games, sections, and stunning facts. In the Fun Stuff section, you can explore jokes, cartoons, crafts, recipes, contests, and so more! I’ll surely use this website for fumuch n, contests, and school projects.  I know you’ll have as much fun with National Geographic Kids as I did.

CONGRATS NICHOLAS NG!!!!!!!!

on WINNING NY LIBERTY ESSAY CONTEST...We're so proud of you!

The Award Ceremony at Prudential Center June 24, 2012 Video 1

 

The Award Ceremony at Prudential Center June 24, 2012 Video 2

Like Mother, Like Son

My mom and I kicked off our summer sandals and headed immediately to the kitchen.  As she opened our Gatorade-filled refrigerator, I told my mom that Ms. Wyks asked for donations to buy a Nook for our third grade class.  Without hesitation, my mom took out her wallet and handed me $50.  I was stunned.  I felt impressed by my mom’s act.

The fiery sun was blazing.  We almost passed out as my friend Eric and I dragged ourselves across the school yard.  Our clothes drenched in sticky slimy sweat.  The thirsty grass scorched.  The dehydrated trees groaned.  Then I saw it – a frosty ice cream stand. 

I reached into my backpack and grabbed the four dollars left over from the book fair.  Without hesitation, I handed Eric two dollars.  Eric looked stunned like a deer in the headlights.  My cheeks turned cherry red.  I had this nervous weird feeling inside because it was the first time I did something like this.  We dashed toward the ice cream stand.  I gulped down my ice cream sandwich.  Eric nibbled on his strawberry shortcake Popsicle.  He looked relieved not only of the heat but also of not being left out.  We grinned at each other.  Then we strolled across the school front yard to join our classmates who were all savoring their ice cream. 

I was eager to go home and tell my mom.  Now I know it’s the little acts of kindness in life that really count.

THE END

MY STAMP COLLECTION by VICTOR TSANG

THE PROWLING CAT composed by RACHEL TSANG

ORIGAMI BOOKMARK VIDEO & ART created by NICHOLAS NG

HOW TO MAKE AN ORIGAMI BOOKMARK

PAPER CUTTING ART scissored by RYAN NG

PLAYDOH ART by CHARLIE KIM

HOKUSAI KANAGAWA GREAT WAVE by ALEX KIM

YouTube Video starrring ZOE ENG

Click on Link Below:

YouTube Video starring Zoe Eng

DANCE by GRACE LEE

ART & MUSIC in CHINESE by KATO LEE

SAMMY'S ADVENTURE by RYAN NG

ANCESTOR COUNTRY REPORT by VICTOR

SUNDAY PROJECT IDEA

SATURDAY PROJECT IDEA

FRIDAY PROJECT IDEA