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.