What are Rip Currents

                                                                     

Introduction

Rip currents are when you feel like you are being dragged away by the water. This usually occurs at the beach. When you are in the water, you might feel as if you are being dragged away from the shore and are starting to sink. Well that is a rip current or undertow. Some rip currents can be deadly. To avoid being dragged to sea by a rip tide, you have to swim sideways until you find a place where the tides aren't strong enough to pull you away and then start swimming to shore. The strength of rip currents depend on the location and how the shoreline is shaped.

 

 

 

My Opinion

 

 

In my opinion, rip currents are dangerous. But if you are a strong swimmer or you know how to escape a rip tide, then you will be fine. Rip tides don't scare me that much and they are definitely not going to stop me from swimming in the beach. Rip tides aren't something I really worry about when I go to the beach.

 

 

 

Challenge

 

Have you ever been caught in a rip tide? If so, what happened? Comment your answers down below.

 



 

 

 

 

Can Fortune Cookies Predict the Fututre

 

Introduction

 

Everyone enjoys a fortune cookie after they have finished their main course. But one debate that has been going on for a long time is if fortune cookies can actually predict the future. Sometimes they can be right and often you have no idea what they are saying and it's not true. The fortune is usually found on a slip of paper that is placed inside the cookie. Most people believe that fortune cookies do not predict the future. But it is possible that the lucky numbers could help you win the lottery someday.

 

 

 

My Opinion

 

I think that fortune cookies cannot actually predict the future because it is just a small piece of paper found inside of a cookie. Sometimes it might be lucky that the fortune is true, but that is very rare.

But I still always get  fortune cookies because they still count as "dessert". Many people can believe what they want about the magic of fortune cookies, but this is what I believe to be true.

 

 

 

 

 

                                             Challenge

Have you ever gotten a fortune cookie that has really predicted your future? Comment your answers down below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The 2014 Winter Olympics

                                           Introduction

As many of you might know, the 2014 Winter Olympics are taking place on February 7th to February 23rd. This event includes sports such as snowboarding, many types of skiing, ice hockey, curling, and much more. The Olympics take place every four years and in a different location. This year it is being held in Sochi, Russia.

My Opinion

 

I don't know about you, but I am pretty excited for this year's Winter Olympics. They are hosting the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. I find that a bit inconvenient for people in the US, or any other countries that are far away from Russia, because we won't be able to witness the Winter Olympics live or be close to the action. But I still have a feeling that these Winter Olympics will turn out pretty good.

 

 

 

 

Challenge

 

 

What was your favorite Olympics, whether it be Winter or Summer Olympics? Comment your answers down below.

The Inventor of Basketball

                   Introduction

Basketball is the number one sport in the US right now. But basketball has been around for a very long time. It was invented in 1891 in Massachusetts. Basketball was invented by a physical education teacher named Dr. James Naismith. Naismith was trying to invent a game that could be enjoyed indoors when it got cold outside in Massachusetts. He used a soccer ball and two peach baskets that were placed high in the air. There were nine players in each team and thirteen rules. The first game of basketball was played on December 21st, 1891.

 

 

 

                My Opinion

I think that Dr. James Naismith did a great job on inventing such an enjoyable game, also keeping in mind that he only had two weeks. Basketball is my second favorite sport and is really fun to play in your spare time. The best part is that you can play this game any time of the year because it's played indoors. I am surprised at how much this game has changed and advanced throughout this years. Who would have thought that such a simple game to become the most enjoyed sport in the US.

 

 

 

 

                           Top Ten Basketball Players

1. Michael Jordan 
2. Magic Johnson
3. Bill Russell
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
5. Larry Bird
6. LeBron James
7. Wilt Chamberlin
8. Kobe Bryant
9. Shaquille O' Neil
10. Hakeem Olajuwon

                                            Challenge

Who do you consider to be the greatest basketball player of all time. Or who is your favorite player and why? Comment your answers down below.

How Roads are Built

 

Introduction

          Roads are used in our everyday life. We always see builders building a new road or adding more road. But do we really know how these roads are made? Roads require a lot of people and special equipment. First, you need to plan out how the road is going to formed and where you want the road to go. To actually start to build the road, you need to have earth removing machines. Bulldozers and other big equipment to dig out all the dirt and mud in one area. Then, layers of gravel are placed inside the space provided for the road. Big machines and trucks roll over the gravel to make it smooth and so it will flatten. Once all of that is finished, they start to pave. They pave with asphalt and concrete. The workers melt the asphalt and then pour it on the road. Then the road is finished.

 

 

 

Opinion

 

          I think that roads are an essential part of our lives, whether they are dirt roads or proper asphalt roads that we commonly drive on now. Without any kinds of roads we wouldn't be able to get to the places we need to go to. But I think that roads should be made with some other material that won't wear out or become unusable. But the ideas of roads are great because they are a part of life. I couldn't imagine a life without roads.

 

 

 

Challenge

If the choice was yours, what material would you want to make the road out of, or would you want to keep it the same? Why? Comment your answers down below.



 



Why we eat Turkey on Thanksgiving

Introduction

          Have you ever wondered why we eat turkey on Thanksgiving? Why turkey, why not chicken or fish? I find this topic really interesting and something that is important for someone to know. One theory that historians have is that we eat turkey because turkey is a native bird of North America. That made the turkey more suitable as the national bird for the United States . Another theory about this topic is that during the 16th century, a fleet of Spanish ships sunk on their way to England. Queen Elizabeth received this news while eating dinner. So to celebrate, she ordered another goose to be served. However, they roasted a turkey instead of a goose. The last theory about this topic is that the pilgrims sat down to dine with the Wampanoag Indians and they had beef and fowl on the menu. But before the feast they went on a turkey hunting trip and this would be known as the first Thanksgiving. This topic relates to Thanksgiving because it is about why we eat turkey on Thanksgiving and not any other dish.

My Opinion 

       
            My opinion about this topic is that it is essential for someone to know about. Wouldn't you want to know why you eat turkey and not chicken or beef on thanksgiving? There are a lot of reasonable theories about why we eat turkey; but I honestly think that the most reasonable one is that the Wampanoag Indians and the pilgrims went turkey hunting and added turkey to the menu.


                         
                                                           Top Ten List 
                            Top Ten Foods we Eat on Thanksgiving

1. Turkey
2. Stuffing
3. Corn Bread
4. Pie (for dessert)
5. Sweet Potatoes
6. Ham
7. Mashed Potatoes
8. Green Been Casserole
9. Gravy
10. Cranberry Sauce

Challenge

 



 What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Comment your answers below.

                        

Why is it Called Black Friday

Introduction

          Everyone in the US love Black Friday. This is the day where people can get everything they have dreamed of for half off. Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving and is when consumers swarm the malls and stores around the country. But how did the name Black Friday come to be? Some historians believe that the name came from Philadelphia, where bus drivers and police used to refer to the heavy traffic and clogged streets, that occurred the day after Thanksgiving, as Black Friday. Another myth of how this name came to be is when businesses did not appreciate the negative tone that the meaning of Black Friday had. So later, they made it so that it was Black Friday because business men usually used black ink to show profits that they made. So they called it Black Friday to symbolize that businesses would make profits on that day. There are also many other myths to how Black Friday had got its name. 

My Opinion

          I honestly think that Black Friday should be called something else besides Black Friday. They should use a name that symbolizes what Black Friday is and what happens on this day. But leaving aside the name, i think that the idea of Black Friday and what the holiday is is a great idea. It helps people get what they need and what and save tons of money. It is also placed at a great date because it is around two weeks before Christmas. That is useful because many people can finish their Christmas shopping early and save a lot of 

money too.

Top Ten Stores on Black Friday

1. Game Stop- Many kids might want to get a new system that has come out or new games 
2. Costco- Has everything a man needs and wants
3. Walmart
4. Target
5. Radio Shack- Older kids might ask for new phones or any electronic devices 
6. Toys R Us- Kids can buy all the toys that they want
7. Best Buy- To buy video games and movies that you want.
8. Apple Store- To buy any Apple products
9. Kmart
10. Khols- To fulfill all your clothes and shoes needs.

Challenge

         What would you name this day if it were up to you, or would you want to just leave it the way it is? Why?

Into the New Year

Introduction

          There were many memorable and devastating events that occurred in 2013. For example, the Connecticut shooting left me in a state of shock. But a memorable moment was the release of Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

News Events of 2013

          The news events I will remember are Typhoon Haiyan, the Connecticut shooting, the government shutdown, the Boston Bombing, and the deaths of Nelson Mandela and Paul Walker. All of these events affected people in the United States or other places in the world. Typhoon Haiyan affected many people in the United States emotionally, but it affected people in the Philippines emotionally and physically. However, the government shutdown only affected the people in the United States.

Pop Culture of 2013

          Some movies and songs are hits and some are flops. An example of a hit movie in 2013 would be Hunger Games Catching Fire. Catching Fire was released November 22, 2013. It made $795 million. It stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. One popular song was What Does the Fox Say. It was made by tvnorge. Ylvis  and his partner made this song so they had something to talk about on a talk show they were going to be on.

    My Opinion

          There were many ups and downs in 2013. But we conquered them by staying strong and being positive. One moment I will not forget is the Typhoon Haiyan because this was a very tragic moment and has left many people in the Philippines homeless. But everyone is still staying strong and keeping positive. That is why this is one moment I will not forget.

                                              Challenge

          What is one positive thing that has happened to you in the year 2013 that you do not want forget? Comment your answers below.