How to avoid distractions (and avoid the Harlem Shake)

Have you ever wonderd how to avoid distractions during class?  Me too!  Here are three steps on how to avoid distractions:

1) When working, if other students are trying to get you off task, ignore what they are doing and continue to do your work in the best way possible.

I once was in formation and we were listening to letters that students had written. There was a moment when everyone was laughing and I sat that quietly and calm, not laughing at what the reader was saying.  Doing the right thing (like not laughing at the joke) will help you have a better checksheet score and overall a much more positive attitude during class. 

You are happier when you make other people happier.  You make the class a better learning enviorment for the others around you.  I say this because I was once a gentleman who payed attention to what others did in class.  Then I had a sudden change where I knew this was wrong and now I have a much more positive outlook on class everyday. When coming into class you won't be able to be distracted because you know that you have work to do and you'll happily do it with a smile.

2) Continue to work no matter the obstacle or distraction.

I didn't have the best grades my 6th grade year, and in my 7th grade year I continued to push and push unti I got the grades that I wanted. This showed me that not only if you work hard you will succeed, but that no matter what stands in your way give it your best shot.

I wasn't good at Social Studies during the 2nd quarter of my 8th grade year. I came into the third quarter telling myself "I have to do better; I have to do better!" I continued to work even on days when class wasnt the best. I ended the quarter out with a 'B'!

3) If things aren't going the way you want it to in a class or at home that is a sign to do great work and don't stop.

I wasnt satisfied with the way that I was treating others around me and at home.  I was in the 6th grade and it was time for recess.  There were younger kids who wanted to play basketball with us but I told them, "No! You all are too young!  Go play somewhere else!" After this they didn't treat me kindly. We were walking down the hall and they started to talk negatively to me. "Why are you such a jerk?" they asked.

This taught me that if you are mean to others, they will treat you the same way.  Being mean was a big distraction to me because it stopped me from showing my true self.  I wanted to be a bigger guy and bully them.  I told myself that this was wrong and it is not the right way to handle things like this.

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Be a good student inside and out of the class because no matter how funny the distraction is.  You will not be happy with yourself in the end. Not being distracted or distracting is good for the class because you make the school a better place, a healthier learning enviorment, and you set a better example for the younger kids (and they won't talk mean about you). This is so much better because God may even bless the class with a pizza party! (;

 

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God will bless you if you don't join in the Harlem Shake:

 

--Terrell M

THE SUPPORT SYSTEM

I always wonderd why there were so many 'X's in the John Hancock building. Here's why there are those 'X's in that building:

 

The reason why this bridge did not fall is because of the triangles. If you look very closely you will see small triangles or 'X's which makes the bridge able to hold up to a 1000 times its weight. If he would have added more weights it most likely would break, but you might say "it look's so small." But it can hold you standing on top of it if you used the 'X's to make it stronger.

The reason the 'X's can hold that much weight is because they are the support system for the building. The reason I know this is because in class last week we made a mini downtown Chicago.

                       

When we made this some people's models did not stay up because they did not have support. But one group tried to put 'X's on their building. The next day we came back to class and all but one model had fallen. But the building that didn't fall was the building with the 'X's.

Now we know why the John Hancock has 'X's,because if there were no 'X's the building will fall over and bye, bye John Hancock!

Tyrone S

Mathematical modeling in a new way!

Here is the map for our architecture field trip Thursday.  This will continue continue our practice with mathematics as modeling of parts of the real world in order to understand them better.
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the language of F

 

The F is here because a student didn't have great efficiency. Students who aren't efficient with their time often end up with F's. Work ethic depends on your time management. If you don't manage your time well you will more than likely end up with lots of missing assignments which will lead you to an F. If you have an F there are many ways to fix it, but first of all you need to learn efficiency skills.

 

--Sherman R                

Dangers Of Credit Cars and How To Overcome Them

Ever thought you had an endless supply or amount of money? You might think it's all fun and games because the only thing you do is swipe a plastic card and it's paid for. But the real answer is that people don't know that they are spending someone else's money, who is the credit card company who gave you the credit card. I want to let you know that you are in danger when you use money that isn't yours. Especially when it's a credit card company's, because they will charge a high interest rate to the money that you spent.

For example: you go to Walgreen's and you purchase a pack of Scooby Doo band aids. It costs $3.20 and you paid with a credit card, and your credit card company sees it show up and gives you a month to pay it off. You don't so they decide to add 20.99 % interest annually until you pay it off. If you decide to not pay it off they will charge you $35 a month. After one month with a $35 fee and the 1.75 % monthly interest rate you will owe $38.87 (the monthly interest rate is the annual rate divided by 12).   After two months of not paying the fee you will owe $75.16; after three months of not paying the fee you will owe $112.09. After one year you will owe your credit card company $431.75.  If this was me , I would want to use that money to by something useful, like an iPad,  but instead you are left using that money to try and pay someone back for using their money to purchase band aids. :(

So now we have learned the dangers of credit cards, now we can be more prepared intellectually with our money. It's your money and you should use your way.

 

 

Here's what you could watch on your iPad if you could afford one:

 

 

--Leon D.

DEBT!!!

OH MY GOSH!!!!YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHAT I FOUND OUT TODAY?!?! I found out about debt.What is it? Debt is when you owe something. I bet I know the first thought that pops in your head when you hear the word debt, and that's money. Not always is debt money.

There are so many different types of debt, for example: money,overdue books homework etc. If you owe someone money and you don't pay them, you are in debt because you didn't pay them! The more you put off paying the other guy his/her money, the more debt you build up. If you owe three books to the library and don't give the books to the library by the due date, you are in debt. You'll have to pay a small fee for each day you put off giving the books to the library and that could grow into a lot of money you'll have to owe.  Debt!!!!!!!!!!                                                                                         

Last is homework. If you don't turn in your homework by the due date, you are in debt. The more you put off doing that homework, the fewer points you earn for that assignment which puts you in more debt than you were in from the beginning. If you don't do your homework, your grade goes down. If your grade goes down, you fail that class. If you fail that class, you get in trouble with your parents and it goes on your record and that's not good when you're getting ready to apply for high school or college. So it would be good to say that it is IMPERATIVE for you to do your homework.

Here is how to stay out of debt.Well with money, just pay when you suppose to pay. Already have that money ready to pay to that person/place you owe.With overdue books, take care and keep up with them so when it is time to get them back to the library you'll have them in tiptop shape and you'll have them on time. With homework, just do it. It is not going to hurt you to do it. It is just going to make you smarter. You're not going to die, get in trouble or none of that sort. It helps you instead of hurts you.

So, all in all this is what I have learned today.  Debt is important, and you should try everything you possibly can to stay out of it.Why? Because it can hurt you badly in the long run.

 

Like you and I, the government can be in debt too. The government can owe money to other countries and people. The video explains how.

Geometric constructions

Check out this page for animations of differnt constructions.

Check out this page for a construction app where you can try some steps on your own.