How students won't get distracted next year.

   Some are worried that students next year will be distracted while on iPad 2s.  I think the solution to this problem is to make class fun and interactive.  For example if a student in a foreign language class ie. spanish, they could use an application like The Spanish Tutor.  If students bring in headphones they will be able to hear how certain words are pronounced and spelled so that teachers don't have to repeat certain words that someone might not understand.

   I understand that some students freak out during biology class because they have to disect animals.  Killing two birds with one stone, student's could download an application like Frog Dissection and learn but also save a life.  Not only would this save lives, but it would also help stop students and teachers from smelling and dealing with dead carcasses.

   Most students, like myself, have a hard time with Geometry.  With the help of this application students may have a better understanding of what is going on in class.  If they don't they can spend time at home and will have something to refer to or teach them if they don't understand certain things.

  I think most students get distracted because class can get very boring, very easy.  But with the help of games and fun applications, learning can be fun.

iPads Next Year

I think that students should be able to add whatever application they want.  Teachers should walk around during class monitoring students or have a software where they can see student's screens.

Students will be taking these home and using them so they should be able to add things for entertainment, maybe for study periods or bus rides etc.

Homework

I don't think there should be homework. It stresses out the kids of today because they have no time. Our society revolves around sports causing students minimal time. most students, when doing homework, don't concentrate nor care about it. Most rush throughh it and fill in relative answers.

Many students still copy homework from each other which isn't doing much for that student. Some teachers assign homework thats answers could easily be found online. Students now can easily read summaries of books or ask questions on Google etc.

teens short on sleep

When we were toddlers we never wanted to go to sleep, but as teenagers, we all look forward to it. As teenagers, I feel we don't get enough sleep because when I look around I see everyone is tired.

I usually don't fall asleep until 12-2AM on school nights and I have to wake up at 5:30 evry morning. i have to admit, sometimes I'm tired with a hot shower and caffine. I have fallen asleep many times in class during my school career.

I think the reason that teenagers don't fall asleep is because of their social lives and stress. Having a lot on my mind keeps me up very late. I also stay up later than I should if I'm talking to one of my friends how can't sleep.

My internal clock changes drastically in summer. I usually don't fall asleep until around 5AM and don't wake until 11. If I'm woken before that then I usually take a nap.

Teenagers might beeasier to sleep if they didn't have to deal with stress. This could be cured by relaxing before bedtime and shutting off all communications when tired.

Internet Common Sense

Personally, I'm tired of hearing and talking about cyberbullying. We've been talking about it ever since we have been using computers in school. I think that "Internet common sense" really is common sense and that people shouldn't have to make huge websites about it.

Everyone should be cautious about what they post, but when people say something mean online they truly don't care how it affects other people or they wouldn't be doing it.

Gum in Schools

I think gum should be allowed in schools.

Chewing gum is apparently very healthy. According to a website chewing gum is healthy. It relieves stress which is good for students who are stressed over work. Gum chewing improves memory which helps students remember facts for tests, quizzes, and projects etc. It also helps manage weight. Gum chewing helps people eat less which is great for students who don't have physical education as often as they should, especially for America's high obesity rate. It can also take away sleepiness without taking caffeine.

Some teachers and staff might not allow gum because some can't handle themselves. Some immature students stick gum under desks and chairs etc. This can be avoided by teachers checking under desks for gum while the class is still there so they will know who did it. If someone put gum on school property I think they should have detention, a call home, and have to take the gum off. It's not very difficult to walk up to a trash barrel and dispose of gum properly.

Locked Bathrooms

I don't think bathrooms should be locked because it's annoying if you have to go and you can't. It's also annoying because you have to walk all around the school and it's just wasting time. I don't think a thousand students should suffer because a few of them are immature.

School Changes

For libraries in schools I think that there should be rooms "rented" out for a certain period of time for projects.  This would keep the library quiet while others who need to talk can without disturbing others.

I think school should start 9AM - 3PM because when we had school delays for MCAS I was very refreshed in the morning because I had more sleep.  I wasn't stressed out before school trying to get ready because I barely overslept.

I think there should be more time in between classes because some students, like me, have classes not only on different floors, but on other ends of the school as well.  Sometimes I am a few minutes late going from a gym class to Geometry etc.  I'm also sometimes late going from History Hall to Spanish which is near the gym.  That is the most difficult to get to because it is first period and early in the morning so I don't walk very fast. 

I think seniors should have the privilege to go off campus for lunch because there are stores so close to our school and a majority of people can drive.  Obviously their would be rules and regulations but if they were followed I think they would be fun.

I'm happy Burlington is going 1:1 because it is a pain carrying around books all day.  Books sometimes fall in different directions and so do writing utensils.  Teachers and students get annoyed when other students don't have extra school supplies causing them to rely on others.

I think that the school should go entirely cashless because sometimes I get extremely thirsty and I have no money.  It is difficult going through the day being thirsty and I certainly don't like the taste and temperature of the water bubbler.

I think there should be more field trips in the school year because I think it makes students excited about something and makes them want to go to school.

If I could make up one elective class it would be strategic thinking.  Since schools usually teach students there is "only one answer and one way of solving it", I think that teachers could have a class teaching how to solve "games".  I think their should teach how to do cryptoquotes, sudoku, rubix cubes etc.  I think many adults would think that students won't be learning anything, but I think it would teach students to think outside the box.

College I Want to Go to

I would like to go to a college and study law.  After researching online and getting suggestions from family, I may go to Suffolk University Law School.

I was unable to see the technology policy because it required a download.

Views on Draft of Internet Use for Next Year

After reading the draft for internet use, I think it is pretty much common sense.  We were taught ever since using a computer, that we shouldn't say anything online that we wouldn't say in person.  We also were taught not to give out personal information online either.  Since Massachusetts has stricter laws against bullying, it's obviously wrong anyways to bully someone else.

I think that the punishments should be listed on the contract so students know what will happen if a certain rule is broken.

Google Cars Drive Themselves!

Since I've been using computers since I was little I know that they all have glitches and what not.  I would not trust a self driving car at all.  If their is a problem in all of their cars then a large amount of people won't be able to drive.  If they can't drive then they cant work, go shopping, etc.

I agree with one comment from this website.  Someone said "forget the human brain, google has little use for educating the human being, their version of progress human evolution is to delegate all responsibility to THEIR technology".  Google isn't teaching humans, if anything it's dumbing us down.  As a community we aren't learning anything from new technology being created by others, and maybe even one day by other machines.

Self driving cars also take the fun and excitement out of learning how to drive. 

How should the end of the school year end?

The post Mr. Larkin posted talked about how senior year should end since students sometimes finish their requirements early. I understand why they end requirements early and I don't understand why adults seem to complain why the last few months of school for seniors are "too fun".  They worked for four years and met their requirements so I think they should have a break before getting spit out onto their own.

I'm only a freshman so I don't really know how seniors end their years, but I think it depends on the student.  I have another three years of high school to go and I already know the school system is going to change while I'm here.  I already know this because we're getting iPads next year.

I would like to end my senior year on a good note.  Like every average student I hope that it is fun.  I know I'd be good at performing pranks on friends and I'm already excited for prom and parties.

3O Goals, #4 Leave it Behind - Stress

There are many ways I relieve stress in my life.

I have my little brother walk on my back to crack it.  After he gets off my back it feels much better and I feel more relaxed than I did.

If something in my life is causing me stress I usually go to a friend for advice or to "vent".  I make sure I trust the person so that no one else will know about it.  I have friends that live close to me so sometimes I hang out with them and that usually gets my mind off what I'm stressed about.

Sometimes I go for walks.  The fresh air feels good in my lungs and it lets me clear my thoughts.  It's also great exercise if I stay out for a while.  There's also a park that's a twenty minute walk from my house so sometimes I go there too.

There are times when I might not be able to go out.  There are also times I can't get in contact with my friends or I don't feel like talking to anyone.  In that case I listen to my music very loudly whether it's on my iPod or off my laptop in my room.

If I get too stressed out I usually get headaches so I will take a nap in my room for a couple of hours.

3O Goals , # 29 Stay Focused

There are many ways I can try to stay focused to overcome my long term goals.

To lose weight I will try to eat more healthy and exercise more often.  I can exercise more by taking walks, doing exercises in my room, or trying to go to Planet Fitness more often.  I could go with my mom or with a friend.

Another goal I would like to overcome would be getting good grades for the last semester.  I would overcome this goal by studying and trying my best.  I would also have to do all of my homework that is assigned to me.  I could have a study buddy that could push me to do my work and vise versa.

3O Goal , #8 What's Your Personal Theme Song?

My personal theme song is "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna.  I think this is my theme song because it's ironic in my life.  It's ironic because I'm usually lied to often but usually find out the truth. 

3O Goal, #6 Google Alert

Yesterday I created a Google Alert.  So far I like the website and I find it interesting that I can see what people are searching for in relation to me. 

I realize that since I am still learning, that there may be a lot I still don't know.  I think the software would be great for people who are trying to be discovered over the internet.

( I wrote more the other day, but it disappeared.  It seems I had a mental block about what I wrote :/ )

3O Goal , #17 Tell Your Story

There are a couple moments of my life that I am most proud of.  The impact on my life that I'm most proud of is my cheerleading career.  I went to Orlando, Florida for the National Competition for five consecutive years.  My first year I competed in Florida my team came in fourth place.  The following year I came in second.  In 2007 I came in 1st place and won the Spirit Award.  That same year was the 20th annual National Competition held in Florida.  We were awarded with plaques, ribbons, and even a beautiful leather jacket.  The following two years I came in third place.

In my room I have every award I've won from cheerleading, so the shelves are pretty cluttered!

Cheerleading taught me that success comes with hard work.  I have experienced how great success has felt.  That's why I now coach younger girls so that one day maybe they can feel what I've felt.

3O Goals Goal #1 , Diary

Today I woke up a half hour late because I fell asleep on my cell phone. I got ready for school, but forgot my cell phone at home.  I called my mom on the bus and asked her to bring it.  At around 8 I picked up my cell phone.  During gym class, my second period, we had to run a mile.  I walked and did not finish the mile.  In geometry I had a quiz.  Web 2.O is my fourth period class so there's nothing more to write about..

Osama Bin Laden's Dead!

Most people would grieve over a loss but America is celebrating.  The man responsible for our countries pain inflicting terrorist attack, 9-11, was killed on May 1, 2011.  Personally, I think he deserved to die considering he took the lives of so many loved Americans. 

During 9-11 I was in kindergarten.  I don't remember anything about it, but my mom does.  She claims her friend called her while she was in the shower and told her to turn on the news.  I don't know anyone that was killed but citizens of my town have.

I find it annoying that he was living in luxury for ten years.  It surprises me that it took us 10 years to find him.  It also shocks me that no one killed him during the ten years.

It also shocks me to see soooo many people around the world celebrating his death.  Some are worried that his people are going to retaliate. There are many different stories about how he died.

Facebook Distractions

I agree that Facebook and other social sites may be a problem next year with the iPads but I think the school district should use them in classrooms etc.  Most students would be distracted but I think teachers should find out what is distracting them about that website and use it in class.  If its distracting them from something in class its obviously interesting to them.

Angry Birds

Yesterday while on the iPad I played Angry Birds.  I only made it to the first couple levels after a while.  Personally I didn't like the game.  I ended up getting bored with it and frustrated.

Different Ways Teenagers Use Social Media

My friends and I don't really use social media for idea sharing.  We usually use it to socialize or ask each other for homework.  The only real "ideas" we share are those from GoogleDocs projects which have their own rubric that we need to follow. 

I'm not using social media to share my ideas about hobbies and my passions.

Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes real name is Trevor Smith Jr. and was born on May 20, 1972 in Brooklyn New York.  He has a Jamaican heritage.  He and his family moved to Long Island New York when he was 12. 

He was one of a foursome and called themselves "Leaders of the New School". They signed a deal with Elektra Records when Busta was only 17 years old.

On December 27, 1998 he was arrested for having a loaded and unregistered gun in his car.  His manager who was also in the car at the time had marijuana.  He has a son T'ziah who was born in 1993 by his girlfriend Joanne.

In 2000, he broke the Guinness World Record for most syllables in one second during a freestyle rap.

http://www.imdb.com/list/2jvd-9yNnGk/

1O Picture Photo Tour

This is a picture of the BHS turf.  At the beginning of the year I coached Pop Warner Cheerleaders at their games and practices.

This is where I hang out every morning before homeroom with my friend Alexis.

 

This is room 249.  Mr. Khan teaches Honors Geometry period 3.

This is room 221.  Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Larkin teach Web 2.O during period 4.

After period 4 I have lunch.  I sit with all my crazy friends =)

Possible New Schedule

Teachers in BHS are asking for a change in schedule for upcoming fall. I think 86 minute block would be a bad idea.

I think it is a bad idea to have such long periods is because in 70 minute periods I find myself being distracted.  I think 86 minutes would be even worse, especially one after another.  After a certain amount of time I think students would be distracted especially if using time on the iPad 2.

I feel this schedule also would cause students to not want to go to school.

Gmail Motion

Gmail Motion started as an April Fools prank but soon turned into reality.  Using a camera, you can use body movement to stand for words or actions.  I think it is amazing that they can come out with this technology.  It would be great for those who have lost parts of their hands and cannot type.  It would also be great for special needs people to be able to communicate through the Internet.  It would also be easier to communicate rather than typing because some people type slowly.

Right now I am reading a book called Brain Jack by Brian Falker which is about a headset that can pick up brain waves and control your computer through thinking.  Even though I haven't gotten far into the reading, I know that the computer is going to use this information for its own use because it can now read your mind.

I know that since this isn't hooked up to your brain, I still think it's amazing that science fiction books can be so close to reality.  After reading this book, I might be afraid to wear a head set WHEN it comes out.  I might also be afraid that the camera may look off, but it might actually stay on and record me.  If something like this can be made, than a headset that is able to read your thoughts certainly can be invented.

Kanye West

Kanye West was born on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia.  His parents got a divorce when he was only three years old.  He was raised in Chicago by  his mother who was an English professor.  He spent the summers with his father who was a famous photographer and eventually  became a church  counselor. 

He graduated high school and spent one year in  art college at Chicago State University.  He dropped out of college because he felt he wasn't learning fast enough and felt he would learn quicker through life.  In 2001 he moved to New York to pursue his music dream.  Jay - Z hired him to produce songs for one of his albums.

One night driving home from the recording studio, Kanye almost died.  He fell asleep at the wheel and was in a head on car crash.  He broke his face and since his jaw was fractured, it had to be wired shut.

http://www.notablebiographies.com/news/Sh-Z/West-Kanye.html

"George Bush doesn't care about black people." He said this when he strays from his scripted monologue at the live televised Concert for Hurricane Relief

His mother died on November 10, 2007 from heart disease after plastic surgery. 

On September 13, 2009 he interupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for best female video at the MTV VMAs. 

http://www.people.com/people/kanye_west/biography/0,,20005936_10,00.html

50 Cent

Curtis James Jackson III was born on July 6, 1985 in Queens, New York.  His nick names are Interscope,
Fiddy, and Boo Boo.   He was raised by his grandparents after his father ran out and his mother got shot when he was eight.  His childhood dream was to be a heavy weight boxer.  He was discovered by Jason Mizell aka Jam Master Jay.  He  got shot three days before filming the video for "Thug Love".   He was shot three times that night.  Two shots hit him in the head and one of  the bullets that struck his face scarred him.

5O cent does not smoke or drink.   

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1265067/bio

Gucci Mane

Radric Davis, whos stage name is Gucci Mane, was born on February 2, 1980 in Birmingham, Alabama.  He chose his stage name after his father who is called "Gucci Man" because he was a hustler. 

He worked with Big Cat Records.  He met Big Cat while doing jail time together. 

On May 10, 2005, men tried to attack Gucci and steal his trademark "So Icey" chain. The men trying to steal Gucci’s chain were shot at by Gucci’s group of self-defense. A few days before the incident, people found out that there was an arrest warrant for him. He ended up turning himself into the police on May 19, 2005. Sometime around December 30, 2005, police announced that there was not enough evidence to for a case against Gucci's murder charge.

Shortly after, he was arrested for possession of marijuana and having an unlicensed gun.  He was caught the same day that his debut album “Trap House” was supposed to be released.

On July 23, 2008, he was pulled over by officers just outside of the Atlanta during a traffic stop. The police found marijuana in his car and he had drug charges.

On September 14, 2008, Gucci did a year in jail because he violated his probation and didn't have enough community service to make him not go to jail.


http://www.guccmane.com/gucci-mane-biography/

What NOT to Post on Facebook

Here's 13 things not to post on facebook!
Opinions:
1. I think that it's crazy that people are able to guess your social security number by birthplace and birthdate.
2. I think that websites ask for too much information about people's personal lives.  Some people don't know that this can be shared with people you may not want knowing.
3. I would hope that someone doesn't post their adress on facebook.  I see that as pretty much asking to get robbed or kidnapped.
4. Like my mom always says, don't tell anyone that your going away until you come back from the trip.  Referring back to number three, if people know your adress and that you aren't home, you're pretty much asking for trouble.
5. Short trips away from home I'm suprised at.  Usually when I'm gone for a few hours there is always someone home.  Also, I don't think someone would try to rob your house if you are only going to be gone for a few hours because I think stealing a large television would take a while to get out my front door.
6. Inappropriate pictures obviously don't belong on facebook.  If it is something that you think might haunt you later than it shouldn't be published.  There are "flags" and reports for pictures.
7. No one should post confessions as their statuses.  No one really cares if it doesn't affect them.  Whatever you say can be saved and used against you later.
8. Obviously phone numbers shouldn't be given out.  If someone on facebook wants to have your number they can just ask for it.
10.  When it comes to your child/ren on facebook I think it is up to the parent.  I think it is ok to post pictures and have tags if the privacy settings are being set appropriately.
11. I think its terrible that health insurance companies creep on what dangerous activity you have been doing and over charge you for higher risk.
12. If you post pictures of the inside of your house is a definite no because, like above opinions, it is asking for someone to rob you.  If your saying you're not going to be home and people already know what they inside of your house looks like, it can make them quicker and more efficient to steal.

Blogging Advice

For any blogger it is important to know your research. You should also include your personal opinion about what you are blogging about. To engage your reader, you should use pictures, videos, and links. 

After watching the video, it made me realize that since the internet is more open to kids, it inspires us to learn things adults can't teach us.  Like how that girl learned to play piano, younger kids may be able to play an instrument.  Some students are visual learners, so they can learn by what they see on the screen.  It can start careers younger and make people famous, for example Fred.


P.S. HEY MR. FIELD!! =)

Eminem

According to a website, Marshall Mathers III was born on October 17, 1972.  He grew up being poor and others claim he was abusive at a young age.  His mother was a fifteen year old mother.  His father left when he was six months old and never saw him again. He and his mother moved around a lot until he was 12.  He repeated ninth grade three times because he missed too much school, but he eventually dropped out.  His first rap name was Eminem and Slim Shady was another that was later used.  After Dr. Dre's involvement in his records, Eminem won two Grammy Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards.

His first born child Haileigh was born on December 25, 1995.  In 2002 he made a movie called 8 Mile. 

In 2000 he was charged with assult because he pistol-whipped a man kissing his wife, Kim.  They got divorced in 2001.  In 2006 they remarried but soon got another divorce.  In 2000 Eminem released The Marshall Mathers LP which was the fastest selling album in the rap histoy. 

Conflict Minerals

Today in class we watched a video about Conflict Minerals.  I'm surprised that the world we live in today wouldn't take action in stopping the madness.  I am also shocked that Congo's government isn't taking action either.  I am also surprised that the gang hasn't tried to take over its own or other countries.  I think that the government should shut them down or imprison whoever is in charge.  I also think all who are involved should be imprisoned too.

I am sorry to say that I haven't found out about this until today, but if I just found out, imagine how many people still don't know.  I think it is even worse that they use sexual force, such as rape, to scare their people just for money. 
But this situation some how ties to how we should treat misbehaving children.  We are "rewarding" the people killing millions by giving them our money, when really we shouldn't because of the issue.

Japan's Earthquake and Tsunamis

On March 11, 2011 about 350 people died in an earthquake in Japan.  About another 500 people are missing.  The earthquake was the fifth largest in the world since 1900.  The biggest waves were 6-7 feet tall. 

During the earthquake, 20 people had ceiling fall on them at a graduation.  Four trains were swept away and a ship carrying 100 people.  Fires also are occuring within the cities.  Dams have been broken and flooded many houses.  Some people are spending their nights at their offices because lifts have stopped working.  Around 400 million homes lost power.

The earthquake spiked a 8.9. Some waves reached 6 miles inland. 



web 2.O tools

Here's some great Web 2.O tools!

Glogster-
I have used Glogster this year in English class for the play "Romeo and Juliet", by Shakespeare.  It's great to use instead of a poster on paper because you don't need to worry about messing around with cutting and gluing.  You can also add videos, sound clips, and backgrounds for your poster.  Learn how to use it!

Edmodo-
Our Web 2.0 class uses Edmodo.  It is great for educational purposes because the whole class can find out assignments and share with others.  Here's how you use Edmodo!

Twitter-
Even though many of my classmates, including me, don't like Twitter, it can be helpful in classes.  It is a great way to communicate with others around the world who are interested in what we are doing or what we are learning.  Learn how to use Twitter.

Wordpress-
Wordpress has been very helpful for me in the past.  Many teachers use it to keep track of assignments, which is great if I forget what it was.  It is also great because they can post notes or important information about projects, quizzes, and tests etc.  Wordpress can be helpful for education, learn how to use it!

GoogleDocs-
I have used GoogleDocs for every subject this year.  It is great for projects because you can share with other students without having to get together to do it.  It automatically saves so nothing is lost. It also makes good graphs and charts easily.  You can also email projects to teachers so you don't have to print out anything.  Learn the new way to do assignments!

EasyBib-
Since schools have been so strict about plagiarism, EasyBib is a great way to prevent  it.  Learn how to now!

iPad 2

Apple has made the iPad 2. It is 33% thinner, faster, and 15% lighter.  It has a new smart cover too, which is great for looking at the screen in any way you want.  It has two cameras which is great for video chat.  It has a longer battery, which now lasts 10 hours.  They have 9 times the gaming performance.  When it's iPad cover opens up the iPad wakes up.  When closed the iPad sleeps conserving battery and energy.  You can the screen position and change the volume with a switch. 

Facebook Pro's and Con's

A man, Andrew McDonald, bit off another man's ear and spit them onto the pavement.  They were fighting because of Facebook messages.  But Facebook also contributed to Egypt's revolution. Here are some Pro's and Con's of Facebook.
Pro's of Facebook

• easy communication
• educational purposes

         Facebook could be used for kids who have missed school and they would be able to check homework or class assignments.  It also could be used for communicating with students or teachers about classroom material, for example, projects.  Video's of labs or class discussions could be video taped and shared.  Class notes could be written in notes which students could look at or be tagged in.  Pictures or video comments could be graded or count as homework.

• find old friends and reconnect with them
• promote yourself for businesses

Con's of Facebook

• bullying

          Many teenage suicides are caused by online bullying.

• addictions

        The average time spent on facebook is 7 hours a month.  For teenagers, I personally believe it is a lot more.

• obesity

        While people are on Facebook, most of the time they are sitting down.  If your sitting down you're not exercising. 

• inappropriate or unwanted pictures, videos etc.
• personal information shared with people you may not know

India Runs on Dunkin

Dunkin Donuts will soon go to India.  In the beginning of 2012, about 500 stores will open in India.  I have mixed feelings about this idea. 

I think it is a good idea.  America's economy isn't in the best condition and we are in demand of money.  Since India is so well populated, I think Dunkin Donuts would make a lot of money.  I don't believe that many would move to India for jobs, but there may be a few that might.

I think it is a bad idea also.  America has an obesity rise and Dunkin's food is not helping the situation.  I think we would cause many health problems in other parts of the world and America would be blamed.

Biggie Smalls

Christopher George Latore Wallace was born on May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn New York. He was an only child. Both parents were Jamaican. His mother was a pre-school teacher and his dad was a part time welder and a politician. His father left when he was 2. Chris was good in school and won many awards. He was nicknamed Big because of his large size. Growing up in the crack epidemic, he began selling drugs at 12. He went to the same school as Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes.

He dropped out of school at 17 and did more criminal activities. In 1989 he was arrested and had 5 years probation for the possession of weapons. He was sentenced to 9 months in prison for selling crack-cocaine in North Carolina.

On August 4, 1994 he married the singer Faith Evans. Soon after he recorded his first solo hit "Juicy". His album "Ready to Die" received 4 platinum awards. He later became a rival to Tupac Shakur who was a West coast rapper.

He was arrested several times in 1996 for harassment, drugs, and weapon charges. Tupac was shot and killed on September 7,1996. Biggie was blamed for the murder but denied any involvement.

He later got into a car crash shattering his left leg Whig cued him to be in a wheel chair for a while. Once able to walk agin, he required a cane. On March 9, 1997 after leaving a party, 2cars pulled up along where Biggie was in the car and shot at him. He was shot in the chest 4 times. He is considered the best rapper of all time and his album Life After Death which was released short,y after his death was #1 on the charts. There is a video biography for him.

http://biggiesmalls.net/

Lil' Wayne

Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr was born in September 27, 1982 in New Orleans. He goes by the name of Wayne because he has the same name of his father who wasn't in his life so he dropped the D. He acted in school plays and eventually dropped out of high school when 14. He later got his GED. He joined Cash Money Records as a teenager. He has a daughter, Reginae Carter, with his high school sweetheart. They were married on Valentines Day of 2004, but divorced in 2006. He had a son, Dwayne Carter III, on October 22, 2008. The child's mother is unknown. He had another child, Lennox Samuel Ari, who was born September 9, 2009. His mother is the actress Lauren London. His fourth child Neal, was born on November 30, 2009 with singer Nivea.

His music influence was Nirvana, according to his statement in an interview. He has sold over one million records of his album Tha Carter 3 in one week. At 11 he met Birdman who let him record freestyles on his answering machine. He is now nominated to win Album of the Year and Best Rap Album for the 51st Grammy Awards.

http://thalilwayne.com/info/lil-wayne-biography/

My Favorite Artist =)

Onika Tonya Maraj "Nicki Minaj" was born December 8, 1984.  She lived in Trinidad with her grandmother until she was 5 when she moved to Queens, New York.  Nicki states that her father was a drug abuser, alcoholic, and he tried murdering her mother by lighting the house on fire.  To escape her family problems she created alter egos for herself.  She created new people in her mind and lived through them.  Her newest character is Roman, who "appeared" in her song "Roman's Revenge".

She graduated LaGuardia High School which specialized in music and peforming arts.  She was in the drama program.  She had a job at Red Lobster in Bronx.

In the beginning of her career she made some mixtapes and appeared on the cover of XXL.  She won the Female Artist of the Year Award at Underground Music Awards in 2008.  She was the first woman who had a solo song that topped the charts since 2002.  She was also the first female rapper to have 7 songs on the charts.  Her influences for music were Lil Wayne, Lauryn Hill, and Lil' Kim.

http://www.musictory.com/music/Nicki+Minaj/Biography

Brocton Murder

While skimming through my Google Reader account, I came across an article from the Boston Herald about a body being stuffed into a duffel bag and thrown into a dumpster.  I really don't know how someone would be able to fit a human body it such a small space, if it were an adult.  If it was a child's body, that would be horrible because no one should ever do that to someone, especially a defenseless child.  This article also caught my eye because my aunt lives in Brocton also.
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Should cell phones be banned in schools?

I don't think cell phones should be banned in schools. Most educators see them as distractions, but few see them as great learning opportunities.  They can be used to communicate in class polls and/or discussions.  Most phones have cameras so they could take pictures or videos of important things such as labs and possibly send them to a class mate who missed school.  Most phones also have calendars which can be used to keep track of quizes, tests, and projects.  Some smart phones have internet access and other useful applications.  Students can take notes using their voices and/or some phones have a "note pad" that could be used for schools. 

But many educators still believe that cell phones are more distraction then anything.  Schools could do many things to prevent the negative use of cell phones.  They believe that most children will play games during class, but the teacher and/or his or her aid could be walking around to make sure children are doing what they are doing.  During tests children could put their cellphones in a basket or on their desk to prevent cheating.  Schools could provide insurance or have a tracking method for the cell phone in case of theft.  People also believe that pictures would be taken that shouldn't be.  I think teachers should watch out for that, and cell phones should be kept out of locker rooms.  When a student goes to the bathroom, he or she should leave their phone in the classroom. 

I just made a new Voki. See it here:

Anti-American National Anthem

At the Super Bowl 45, Christina Aguilera completely missed a line while singing the National Anthem in front of millions of people.  Not only will this affect her career, but she will be degraded by many comedians and the media.  She will have many labels for her mistake and many people will never forget it, especially because it is plastered all over the internet.  


I am surprised that she made such a large mistake considering how much she must have rehearsed.  I realize how many times she may have practiced singing that song because I did the same thing for my cheering routines, it is very tedious work.  As her and I are both performers, we are taught not to show on our faces that we had made a mistake which she did very well on doing.  It also surprises me that the National Anthem is sung quite often at sporting events etc. that she would forget the lines when a large majority of Americans can sing it without thinking about it.  I think she realizes how big of an impact her mistake had on her career and she should have took that into consideration.  But personally, I think she was over thinking the song by the way she dragged out the notes.


But people also have to consider that she was singing for millions of people and she must have been nervous.  People must also realize that everyone makes mistakes, but the average person's mistake is not plastered online and mocked.  Mistakes are learning experiences and everyone makes them at one time or another.  

Reaction to New Beford Child Abuse Case

After reading an article in the Boston Herald,  I found it shocking that there is a known child abuse case so nearby.  Most child abuse cases are unknown to the media or to the authorities in general.  But usually people don't think that it is so close to home.

I am angered to know that family members have requested that the child be taken out of the home in fear of his safety, but Child Services did nothing before hand.  It also angers me that the abuse had been so bad, the preschooler, who was the youngest of three, had to be hospitalized. He needs to remain at the Children's Hospital for two weeks.  Custody is being handed over to the grandmother and it was recently discovered that mother was addicted to drugs.  The man who abused the boy was the mother's "boyfriend".

Even though the abuse was horrific, it's relieving to know that the child is out of the dangerous environment and that his parents are most likely going to face jail time.

Changing Education Paradigms

       I was very impressed with this video.  The speaker had many important things mentioned that were true.  I believe that they should be looked upon and maybe have some of his words be put into actions.  I was impressed with how the video was put together using drawings because some people become more fascinated when they have something to look at.  I think the video must have took the artist a lot of time and it was very detailed.
       I agree that children shouldn't be put into school by age.  Everyone has different learning levels and they go at different paces.  Some schools like Sudbury Valley don't have grades, which is what I like about the school.  I agree that children's thinking strategies decline for the worse because it is true that we are taught to learn things no other way then what is taught. 
       I disagree that children are put on medicines for ADHD just so that children can pay attention in school.  I don't believe that ADHD isn't common in the west because that disorder could happen anywhere.
       It surprised me to think that someone thought about all the problems with the school systems and it's mostly true.  That speaker was a pure genius.