BLOG: BY JADEN RABANG-LUJAN
MY CLASS PET ROCKY THE TURTLE!

My class has a lot of animals. I can tell that my teacher is an animal lover. We have a crayfish and a turtle (which I’m going to talk about). Sometimes my teacher brings her bunnies. They are so friendly and cute! They are like her babies!

We have a turtle named, Rocky and I love him! Turtles are my second favorite type of animals. Rocky is a really cool turtle. He retracts his head in his shell. Rocky is a fabulous turtle because he never bites anyone-he is usually just really scared of you. When you hold him in your hand, you can feel his pointy toes! He is sometimes really jumpy.

I used to have a turtle. I don’t have one anymore.

Rocky is the greatest turtle I have ever met! Students in class are in charge of him. They clean his cage daily and feed him. It’s a lot of responsibility but it’s fun!  Some kids even got to take him home on the weekend.

I don’t get to go by him all the time because I know that I have to focus on my classwork. I think he’s saying, “Jaden! Do your work!” in a secret turtle language. When I think about it, it’s really funny.

Well, that is Rocky’s story-bye and happy face!

Are you an ANIMAL LOVER? Please comment below so I can see what your thoughts are! I show the IB Learner Profile, CARING with my love for all kinds of animals!

Blurb about Jaden:

Hi my name is Jaden . You might know me but if you don’t, here is a little blurb about myself.  I am in 6th grade. I am eleven years old and I love animals. I have one dog and one fish. My dogs name is Kona and my fish’s name is Doris. My hobbies are singing, dancing, and drawing. Ok, now that you know a little about me, I’m hoping that you’ll comment and let me know what your thoughts are! Be Happy!

Posted by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura's Class

Minecraft

Have you ever heard or played Minecraft? Most people do. I’m one of them! I did a poll and pretty much everyone I know is familiar with this game.

On May 17, 2009, a Swedish programmer named Markus Perrson; otherwise known as "Notch" created a sandbox indie game called Minecraft.

Minecraft allows players to create things no one has ever seen before with 3D textured blocks in their inventory. They are randomly spawned in a 3D world surrounded by mobs (A.K.A creatures) like sheep, cows, pigs, horses, and more. At night, monsters lurk in the darkness waiting to hunt you down. The monsters can be creepers, zombies, & skeletons. They all have special abilities to catch you. For example, a creeper can blow up when provoked. Creepers are VERY popular!

There are two modes to play in, Creative and survival. Creative is more likely to be used to build awesome structures. It allows players to have an infinite supply of everything. Also, they are given the ability of flight. On the other hand, Survival mode is more challenging. As its name states, you're basically surviving. You have a health and hunger bar that increases and decreases according to what activity you are doing. Players hunger bar goes down when they sprint or lose health. Players lose health when they fall great heights or get attacked by some sort of mob. Along with your health bar going down, your hunger bar goes down too! The only way to regenerate (heal) is to get your hunger bar back up. In addition to all of that stuff, you need to collect wood, mine stone, smelt ores (melt the metals) in order to survive. Basically, Survival is a pain to play.

Minecraft never gets boring because every few weeks, there is an update that would add new things to your Minecraft game. Right now, the most recent update is 1.6.4.  It removes bugs. In 1.6, horses were added but they would lag your computer. So that's why 1.6.2 and 1.6.4 fix bugs.

A con about Minecraft is that it costs a lot to buy the full version. You need to pay $26.95. But once you buy it, you won’t regret it.

This game teaches you to be resourceful and use the IB Learner Profile, THINKER. It’s a pretty complex game!

That's pretty much all about Minecraft. I LOVE it!

By: Jayde 

Posted by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura's Class

First Day of School

Article about the First Day of School

Even though it’s the ending of September, I still remember the first day of school.  It was kind of scary because it’s really weird when everybody is staring at you when you come in through the door. Another thing that’s scary is that you wonder what your grades might be---I hope not WB!!!!!!!! Another embarrassing moment is when you accidently bump into chairs and other kids look at you awkwardly.

It wasn’t all weird though, as I got to make new friends and see old ones, things got a lot easier. I kept seeing my teacher take so many pictures on the first day. Now that was kind of weird! :p

So that’s my article about the first day of school. Here is a picture of us walking in to H102 for the first time on the first day!

By Andre 

Blurb About Andre

I like playing video games. I like playing outside with my friends at the park. I also like math at school-multiplication is my favorite math concept. I like to learn double digit kind. I am sometimes very immature; but I am also mature sometimes. 

I am a funny and smart kid. I always want to learn more about everything. That makes me an INQUIERER. I am also nice and polite to everybody. I’m always caring to others around me. 

I always like to play board games and listen to music. Of course I love napping at home and sometimes doing homework. That’s all folks!

Posted by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura's Class

Pack it Light, Wear it Right!

Pack it Light, Wear it Right!

Parents take note!

When back to school shopping this year, there is one essential item that requires very special attention: your child's backpack-who knew?!

Backpack weight is becoming an increasing problem, and studies show that heavy backpacks can lead to both back pain and poor posture, noted the American Chiropractic Association. In fact, in 2001, backpacks were the cause of 7,000 emergency room visits and countless complaints of muscle spasms, neck and shoulder pain.

6^th graders had the wonderful opportunity to learn more about this topic by Lynn Sialana, who is an Occupational Therapist. An Occupational is someone who treats patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help these patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working.

Mrs. Sialana came to H102 and taught a fabulous lesson on backpacks, their weight, and the correct way to wear them. She first asked the kids to weigh themselves with their backpacks on, then had them find out the percentage weight of the backpack by dividing their weight. It incorporated a lot of complicated math!

She even spoke about purses—I’m sure a lot of the teachers at Keone’ula would learn a lot about this topic!

Thankfully, backpacks have undergone a radical evolution in recent years and now many are designed to be ergonomic while remaining fashionable.

Backpack Buying Tips:

-Make sure your child's backpack weighs no more than 15 percent of his or her body weight. A heavier backpack will cause your child to stoop forward in an attempt to support the additional weight.

-The backpack should never hang more than 4 inches below the waistline. A backpack that hangs too low increases the weight on the shoulders, causing your child to lean forward when walking.

-A backpack with individualized compartments helps position the contents most effectively. Make sure that pointy or bulky objects are packed away from the area that will rest on your child's back, and try to place the heaviest items closet to the body.

-Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack, the more your child will carry and the heavier the backpack will be.

-Urge your child to wear both shoulder straps. Lugging the backpack around by one strap can cause a disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.

-Wide, padded straps are very important. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable, and can dig into your child's shoulders.

-The shoulder straps should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to your child's body. Straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and pain.

-Please read the informational handout (webpage) given by Mrs. Sialana and take care of your body---it will thank you later on in life!

Thank you very much Mrs. Sialana! We are APPRECIATIVE for your KNOWLEDGE!

Written by Grade 6

http://www.promoteot.org/documents/BKParents04.pdf

Posted by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura's Class

Why is Fundraising so important?

There are many benefits of fundraising for schools!

School fundraisers aim to instill one major valuable lesson into the minds of the student body; when you want something you need---you have to work for it!

This lesson is carried through all age groups--from elementary school straight up to college fundraising. The message is the same because it carries through into the real world.

Schools generally undertake fundraising efforts to financially support sports teams, bands, school trips, or even to pay for new structures and buildings to expand the school's compound.

The Benefits

The major benefit of carrying on fundraising efforts in schools is the promotion of an admirable work ethic. Other benefits are commonly derived as well. These benefits may be ascribed to three distinct elements; the students, the parents and the school itself.

Benefits for the Students

Improved Selling Skills. Fundraising has advanced way beyond the old methods of tossing up lemonade stands. Schools now run and take part in elaborate ideas to raise money for specific causes. From hosting our Fall Festival and to partnering with large companies to sell personalized products at a reduced cost, school fundraising has stepped up its game. The children involved inevitably pick up valuable selling and marketing skills that can transcend the school yard.

The Ability to Work in Teams

Working with others toward a common goal is an important part of school fundraising. It teaches kids to be able to compromise in group situations and also to be able to act appropriately in both leadership and subordinate roles. These lessons are also able to serve them well in their adult lives. We can all be COMMUNICATORS!

Instilling the Importance of Community and Charity

Children must be taught to care about others and to consider the concept of improving their surroundings for the benefit of the entire school body. Their fundraising efforts may be able to put systems or structures in place that can last long after they leave the institution and this helps to teach young people about the value of community and charity. Doing something for the benefit of others and not to be self-serving is also a major part of school fundraising. It relates to the IB Learner Profile; Caring!

Encourages Creativity

School fundraisers also challenge youngsters to be imaginative and to think outside the box. Several school fundraising ventures are the product of the students' imagination and drive so this should not go unnoticed.

Benefits to the Parents-More Active Role in Children's Lives

Parents can use fundraising efforts as an opportunity to bond with their children and become involved in the school dynamic.

Benefits to the School-Better Facilities

Of course, the physical benefits of fundraising for schools cannot be denied. If not for some school fundraisers several initiatives would never have come off the ground, so the improvement of the physical environment is also a great benefit.

Regardless of the benefits of fundraising for schools, the efforts need to be well organized and focused in order to be successful. Each fundraiser must be tied to a specific goal and the initiatives must be closely monitored to ensure that they are put across in the best possible way. Most importantly, the children and parents involved must be kept informed of the progress so they can continue to be motivated to assist.

Thank you for your kind heart, giving spirit, and beautiful soul!

Written by H102 Grade 6

Posted by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura's Class

Who LOVES Playing Capture the Flag???!!!

 Who LOVES Playing Capture the Flag???!! 6^th graders do!

Mrs. A. Matsuura, Ms. K. Souza, and Mrs. N. Pittman had a blast coordinating fun, sweaty, & sticky P.E. games this week!

It was great physical exercise, good team strategizing, and plain old 6th grade bonding! 

Capture the flag, commonly abbreviated as CTF, is a traditional outdoor game where two teams each have a flag (or other markers-we used bean bags) and the object is to capture the other team's flag, located at the team's "base", and bring it safely back to their own base. Enemy players can be "tagged" by players in their home territory. These players are then sent to jail until freed by a member of their own team.

The main goal was to have fun, save team members, and showcase the IB Learner Profile: CARING.

What a great day!

Written by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura 

Posted by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura's Class

We LOVE Japanese! :)

Do you know another Language besides English? 

Well, the kids at Keone’ula Elementary do!  We are learning Japanese through Sensei Akama and Sensei Takako-it’s been very interesting! Through songs, stories, and writing Japanese characters, the kids have really grown to better understand the Japanese language and culture.

We had a fun song in last week’s lesson—a Japanese version of “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”.

The words to the song are pretty simple:

頭 = atama = head
肩 = kata = shoulder or shoulders
膝 = hiza = knee or knees
足 = ashi = foot or feet

目 = me = eye or eyes
耳 = mimi = ear or ears
口 = kuchi = mouth
鼻 = hana = nose

Japanese “Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”

Atama kata hiza ashi hiza ashi
hiza ashi hiza ashi
(repeat above)
** Different body parts-me mimi kuchi hana kuchi hana kuchi hana
(repeat)

Written by Mrs. Aimee Matsuura