Grade 8

I only did one day of touring because i had to write a Biology contest the other day, but i think the one day was enough and i learned alot. It went alright for me, it was different because i thought they would all be shy and scared about the big transition but i was taken by surprise when some of them started getting sassy with me and thinking they knew everything and ran the school. I did the tour alright and got them around okay, it was also a scavenger for me a little because some of the questions they had to answer i didn't know and the room numbers had me on my toes. I think the scavenger hunt was well done and it got all of them thinking and took us everywhere around the school. I know its mean but the grade 8 need to know their place in the school when they come here for grade 9, they cant think they run the place like some of them thought as grade 8's. We needed a microphone in the gym when students and teachers were talking in order for everyone to hear and for them to be quite, it would make it alot more organized cause everyone would be able to hear you. Also, if you could go into a few classes and they could see how they work then that may help them see what a classroom looks like and what it will be like for them. And if they could even talk to some grade 9's who made the transition last year then that gives them a sense of what they may go through. But all in all grade 8's have changed and i hope them well in their transition.

Lions, Tigers and Zebras

'One zebra is weak, many are powerful', 'No one can live alone; it is not possible', 'When we come together we are powerful'
These are all statements made in the story about the zebra and i think these are very true and can be related to our own lives. When people want to make a difference they are not heard as much when they try by themselves. They need to get the support from others because people here, when many people speak. Government don't tend to listen to just one person but when you have numbers you are powerful and the government listens. Everyone needs someone in their life, no one can live alone. There are always times when you want someone by your side helping you through hard times. Everyone needs someone who they can turn to and trust. When our community comes together we are powerful, and it also lifts up others around us. Changes can be made when communities and people come together. When we are together then we can live a great life but when we are divided or split up then things will not go so well because no one can get along.

Kim, Mike and Brenda

I admire Kim's story the most because she was just a young girl wanting to make a difference in her world. She was just a normal child who decided to fight for something she felt strongly about. She made a petition against child labour and approached everyone to sign it, she went out and actually did something to fight against it rather than just realizing its happening she actually did something about it. She received 6 thousand signatures and it got recognized by the government. She created more awareness to others and hopefully they took action as well. This story i admired the most and it inspired me, if she can make a difference then i can to, and i shall hope to.

8 Secrets of Success

The 8 secrets to success described were: Serve, Passion, Work, Focus, Persist, Ideas, Good, Push. I after watching this clip really do believe these 8 things can help lead you to success. But success is what you make it. Success is more of a personal thing and for me i would say following these 8 secrets will help me to be successful. You got do all of these things in order to accomplish goals in life and to do what you want to do in your life. I do agree with this man and i think he has done a great job in doing this over a span of 7 years and 500 interviews, he has done some amazing work and has given people a guide to follow in order to be successful.

4 basic skills to become "more we"

Out of the four basic skills that can help us go from a me mentality to more of a we mentality, the one that to me is the most important in doing this is gratitude. Our society is so big on what we have or do is never good enough, we need more more more. This is the me mentality getting more for yourself because you can ad never feel you have enough. You need to take a step back and see what you really do have and how lucky you are than most people. You need to appreciate what you do have and see how much you have to offer. Then if you can have gratitude then maybe next time before you think of buying the newest version Ipod you can think and use that money somewhere else and help out others instead of yourself. This helps you go to more of a we mentality. Instead of buying something you may not need rather take that money and give it to others who can buy necessities of life. People must learn to appreciate what they have and are blessed with and be grateful for that.

Spring Clean Up

I unfourtunatly was unable to do spring clean up because I had volenteered to help out at Oxford's CLeW (some HOBY thing again). It enjoyed the day and i was a leader of one of the groups and i had alot of fun doing it.

Erin Gruwell

Erin teaches us so much in the movie Freedom Writers. Anyone can achieve anything if they have someone who cares for them and recognizes them and their potential. Just because someone comes from a rough life doesn't mean they are not going anywhere in life and have no potential. Usually the most of these people are in these situations because of the family they have grown up in, all they need is for someone to care for them and treat them with dignity and care for them and listen to their story. This is what Erin Gruwell did in this film. She went in to a class room of students who the school system has given up on and left to suffer. She went in and actually cared for these people and did not give up on them. Because of this she recognized their potential and in doing so the students themselves recognized their own potential. Erin was someone who they could turn to and talk to and not be afraid to approach. She gave hope to the students who everyone has labelled hopeless. Its a great example of someone who gave people who were down and out a chance and they took it and made good of it publishing a book. Amazing story of courage hope and respect