endangered habitats

We need to care about these places because they are homes to many species. It's a very big deal that all the land is being labeled with houses, and other buildings. Government is taking farm land and building houses. How are animals supposed to live. People might as well just make room in their house for their animals, because the back yard is going to have a house in it.

Strange Things Happen

The boys are getting familiar with the routine of the island and are getting to know each other. Once in a while we meet people we doubt we will ever talk with, much less befriend. Tell a story of someone you know personally, or are friends with, who you never would have expected to befriend.

Most people know that I don't get along with girls. I have very few friend that are girls. And one of them is, by far the biggest drama queen I know. I met her through my drug using friends that I used with before I got on probation. I almost got in a fight with her cause she was talking about people I knew. Then it turned out to be true, and I started hanging out with her, and she decided to stay clean and sober with me.

Alone

Simon finds a place on the island where he can be alone after all the chaos that has taken place with the boys.
Do you find value in being alone sometimes? Why or why not? Is it important to be by yourself or is there no real value in it?

My favorite place to be alone is my room. When i want to be alone i like to clean. I don't want to be alone when I'm sad. So most of the time when I am alone, I'm in a good mood. I love to write and draw when I'm alone too. I value the time spend by myself a lot.

Who Needs Rules?

Who needs rules anyway? Let's just do what we want!!! The boys on the island don't all see the need for rules as they begin their stay. What do you think of a society with no rules? Give a paragraph for why we need them or a paragraph for why we don't.
Thanks,
Ron Burkhart

Rules are given to us because we really do need them. They are boundaries set to keep us safe. Then there are consequences for breaking the rules. If there were no rules, we would most likely all end up dead before 18. The decisions we make have to do with the rules and laws that are made by parents and/or government, to only keep us from getting in trouble and getting hurt. Some people have to learn the hard way, or they won't learn at all.

Predictions anyone?

The battle between the hunters and the "fire keepers" is raging! Jack and Ralph are the two natural leaders. Now we are introduced to a "Beast from the Air"! Your blog comments today are to be made about two thoughts:

1. What do you think the beast is that comes from the air? Please explain in detail.

2. Make an educated predicition for the outcome of this story (we are half way through the novel). Please use actual happenings from the book and some common sense to explain your answer.

The beast is an imaginary figure.
I don't know exactly what the outcome will be like. But i think it will have a lesson in life that all kids go through.

Question to Ponder: Should laws be passed to limit gun ownership further?

Background Info: Gun laws vary widely from country to country, so this topic focuses upon arguments for tightening gun laws in principle. Particular debates might center upon different categories of guns (for example automatic weapons, handguns or shotguns), licensing requirements for ownership, the right to carry concealed weapons, or requirements that manufacturers increase the safety features on their weapons. The USA is exceptional in protecting the right to own firearms in the Second Amendment to its Constitution, and gun control has been a major issue in American politics over the last few years, partly due to a series of tragic massacres involving children.

Directions: Please develop an argument FOR or AGAINST the topic of laws to limit gun ownership. Please go to the following LINK for more information to develop your argument.

* I think that laws should stay as they are now. Gun cause a lot of deaths and trauma in families and peoples lives. But if you think about it, people are not making the most wise decisions in life. But most of us with a good head on our shoulders will play life smart and not let stupid decisions that others make bring us down to their level.

The beast within

Our young friend Simon doesn't have alot to say, but when he does say something, it is profound. During the chapter called Beast From the Water, Simon says, "What I mean is....maybe it's only us?" How are the boys the BEAST?

He means that "its just themselves". They are using too much of their imagination. When they get scared, they think of the worst that could happen. Simon thinks about the reality of the scene. When something happens, he stays calm and figures it out, the rest of the boys get scared and worked up for nothing.

The seperation

Jack and Ralph are two boys with different personalities. How can they co-exist on this island? Please use the quote from the novel to explain what has happened to them. See if you can tell me what this quote means and what it could mean to the story:
"So Ralph asserted his chieftanship and could not have chosen a better way if he had thought for days. Against his weapon, so indefinable and so effective, Jack was powerless and raged without knowing why. By the time the pile was built, they were on different sides of a high barrier."

The boys can use their imagination to co-exist on the island. They have many problems that they don't know how to solve. Jack and Ralph have two totally different personalities that only each other can understand. They need to have more serious and better attitudes about being alone on this island. I think that this book will some how teach me a lesson about life. I will come to find out what it is in the end.

benefits of trees

Trees identify homes. They mean a lot to every living thing. Trees are homes to all animals, and even humans. Bears, birds, insects, and others. There are trees everywhere, in the country and in the city. Different trees are homes to different animals. Trees benefit us, and we benefit trees.

MOLD

1.) Most molds must get their food from the environment, living and feeding on dead organic matter. Outdoors, molds are very important in decomposing organic materials and recycling nutrients.

2.) Dew forms outside when the temperature is at the "dew point".

3.) Around appliances, sinks, and windows.

4.) Illness and other home wrecking crisis.

An Evening With Chris Gardner

1.) Yes there is many things that I felt passionate about and would work hard and do anything to get that one thing. Playing basketball is a big part of life. I told myself my freshman year that I was going to play, not only for me, but for my family. I did a lot to be able able to play for Sprague my freshman year. Brought my Fs up to Cs and better. And I held that 2.00 all season long.

2.) I have always wanted to be an interior designer. I need a G.E.D. or high school diploma. I think that in order to achieve that goal, I will have to stay in school and have a good attitude while I'm in school. I tend to slip and have a hard time doing home work and studying. I want to have an education and go to college. And someday live on my own and be happy for once.

3.) I do understand the reality of achieving dreams. If somebody wants something bad enough, they will do anything and everything to make that dream come true. I have a good attitude about things I want. Although I am very hard headed and stubborn. When I want something I will do what I have to, in order to get it.

The Hierarchy of Friends

In my group of friends, there are 2 girls and 3 guys. We all have our own role in the group. Miya is the goofy one. Tony is the one that makes everyone mad. Anthony is the one that makes all the plans. Chipmonk is the tag along. And ME, I'm the blonde, the stupid one that makes everything fun!!

Ides of March

It's the 15th day of the months, March, May, July, and October. And the 13th day of every other month. Julius Caesar's assassination date in 44BC. If this day wouldn't have happened in the past, we would not be the same. Our ways would be different. A lot of people these days are in the study of Julius Caesar. They're figuring out what would have happened now, if that wouldn't have happened then. History will live on being discovered day by day.

The Worst Vandaliasm

*Setting fire to a school
*Throwing stones onto a railroad
*Damaging a phone box
*Leaving litter o the countryside
*Throwing eggs at cars and homes
*Breaking glass in a bus shelter
*Breaking a park bench
*Painting graffiti on a public building
*Breaking street lighting
*Damaging seats on buses
*Putting dish soap in a fountain

Destruction

Destruction is wrong. There is a reason why you are your own property. Therefore the items that you own belong to you. Stealing is low. Only the best of people get robbed. I have stolen and I have been robbed blind. When you steal someone's property you are taking their life. That's what i have always been taught. When someone steals something from you, you feel like you have been extremely disrespected and betrayed. People that steal, get some kind of sickening pleasure out of hurting others.
It's sad to know that some people can't support themselves, so they steal. Most of the time, they are drug addicts and steal items to sale. Teens and adults that steal are not stealing because they can't afford things, they are stealing because they are too lazy to go out and get a job. Some people aren't responsible enough to have a job, so they think that using drugs and doing harm to others is going to get them by in life. Well, they're wrong. They will never learn. Adults set an example for teens, and they follow.

Children Rule The World

If the children ruled the world, we would have a more relaxing, peaceful government in the U.S. as well as other countries too. The world would be different in many ways. Adults and children would have more freedoms and rights. Laws would only apply in certain countries, to certain people, and they wouldn't be as strict anyways. So it would be harder too break the laws. Rules in schools would be less brutal too, everyone would want to come to school verses now, everyone wants to drop out. Marijuana would be legal, and so would under age drinking. Anyone that used meth and/or other white drugs would be prosecuted. Money would not be an issue. Transportation would be easier. The age for driving would be reduced. And there is so much more that would be different. But never in my wildest dreams would children rule the world. So its all in my head, I'm good at using my imagination.

Legalize Marijuana!!!

In my opinion Marijuana SHOULD be legalized. They say teens start out smoking cigarettes and drinking. That sooner or later ends up leading to smoking Marijuana. Then ends at the top of the line with, crystal meth, cocaine, crack, and many others. People don't understand that the only reason why every teen wants to do drugs is because adults and government say not to. If Marijuana was legal, nobody would want to use meth, cocaine, and all the other hard core drugs. They would just stick to the legal one. At least thats my opinion. Marijuana the only so called drug that i would be okay with being legalized. It's not anything that should be legal. It's not cooked and it's not bad for you. It grows from the ground for Christ sake.

Talking Animals

If animals could talk, this world would be so much different. We could save animals that were dying, and becoming extinct. If their environment was in danger, we could help. But, there is a bad side to animals being able to talk. Hunting for instance, elk, deer, and other animals we hunt to eat would be able to make a person feel bad enough not to kill them. Squirrels would here a group of people talking about another group, and go tell. There would be secrets. Then there's a cool thing about animals talking. I would ask a bird how they fly, and what it's like to be so high. I would ask horses what makes them mad, why do they kick, and why they would to buck someone off. I would tell them stuff too. Animals would be more interesting to talk to. If I was having a bad day I would talk to my horse or whatever animal was closest to me. It would be kinda cool if they talked, but i think its cool that they don't.

Space Living

If everyone lived in space, everything would be in slow motion. Earth would not be known. People would live in houses made out of floating walls. They would wear clothes made with lite material. There wouldn't be any gravitational pull, so no wind, cold, or heat. It would be perfect temperature. Everyone would eat regular food, but never feel any more fat, it's like everyone would weigh the same. No one would need a car or bike, they would just float everywhere. Space would be FUN to live in.

United States Imperialism

I feel that we are imperialist. In my opinion the U.S. has gone too far, we have spread to many places. And i think thats why certain countries, like Iraq are trying to stop us. I personally think that Bush is not very wise and does not know how he has effected our country. We could be using money for other goods instead of bombs to blow up helpless people in Iraq.

When I Die

I will be remembered as i very loud, outgoing, rebel. I will have accomplished many tasks that have to do with my horses, basketball, and other things i LOVE. I will be liked and disliked. I'm sure i will mess up between now and then. Usually when you learn from mistakes you are hurting yourself and others. Hopefully more liked rather than disliked though. I will do way more contributing as i become more of an adult, but now, as a teen i am all about myself. My number one thing in my life is my HORSES! They mean the world to me. I will give anything for them. I didn't sit around and wait for things to happen, I made things happen. I am a REBEL and very proud of it. I did everything I loved and lived for. My life will be perfect no matter what happens. And only a perfect person could live a messed up life.

Censorship

I do not support censorship. I think everyone should hear the same words, listen to the same music and respect that music is a type of art as well as people's languages are too. People get offended by words, and not so much the actions that happen in the real world. Movies aren't real. Either is music. Its a way of expressing yourself. If that is bad, then everyone is a fake person.
censorship is not a way of solving foul language and violence.

Parental Consent for Abortion

Abortion is killing a living thing. A parent or parents should take responsibility of their child if she were pregnant, whether they like it or not. Parents should have the consent for everything in their children's life. You raise your child your way. If you raise your kids to not have sex, they won't. It doesn't always happen that way but, if you have an open, close relationship with your kids they will communicate with you and you could be given the chance to prevent them from getting pregnant. Your daughter could tell you that she is having sex and you can take her to get birth control. It's not all about telling your kids not to, it's about teaching them self respect and control over themselves.

Genetically Modified Children

I would go along with this experiment. I wound want my kids to have all the traits that are given. Very attractive, extremely intelligent, and amazing athletes. I would want them to have very bright blue eyes, tan skin. If it is a girl, long blonde hair. If it is a boy dark brown.
My children would have great personalities, they would make friends easily. They would be very happy, with a sense or humor. They would never get in trouble and have good grades in school. My children would play sports at the best school, on the highest team. Boys would play football, basketball and baseball. And girls would play basketball and softball. They would go the the best of the best colleges.
My children would be perfect!