The question is this:
When Alfred Wegener proposed his Continental Drift Hypothesis, he was not believed partially because he was not a trained geologist. He was actually trained in meteorology. Do you think the scientists were fair when they poinetd out?

Well, I think that it's not fair for Alfred Wegener. Although he was not actually trained in meteorology, he had done researches about the Continental Drift. He found many evidences.
Now, scientists today considered "Continental Drift" as how the continents was formed.

Probably, those who believe in the "baked apple" theory, were just trying to find excuses. Maybe they felt embarrassed? Hah~

To see more about with the Continental Drift, click HERE.

Interviewer: Interviewer 985
To: Serena Ting (Haha~ Just a creative way of writing the blog)
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PART I... And... ACTION!!

Me, the interviewer: Hello! This is interviewer 985... And you're...?
Serena: Oh! Hi~ Serena Ting in Grade 7, HIS.
Me, the interviewer: Can you please tell me what's happening now?
Serena: Well, I'll tell you what happened when this first occurred...

"What's wrong? Why is everyone running and screaming their heads off?"I asked with confusion.
"What happened?" I asked...
"China is attacking us with blobs of chocololate!" yelled someone.
I scanned through the crowd for Mrs. Smith. "Hurry Grade 7s, get into your groups! We gotta make a huge boat enough to carry ALL the students of HIS!" yelled Mrs. Smith at the basketball court.
"But how?" all of us asked.
"Umm... Ah-huh! PAPER!!! We will use paper to make our boats!" exclaimed Mrs. Smith in a desperate tone.
"Paper?" I asked with a weird expression.
"Yes! We only have three paper to build with..." answered Mrs. Smith.
"Anything else?" someone questioned beside me.
"3 Straws and 2 strings of tape" said our teacher excitedly, yet filled with worry.
"Ok... I guess that's the only way out..." I rolled my eyes. (XP)
Me, the interviewer: Thanks for the wonderful explanation.
Serena: You're welcome... =]
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PART II... And... ACTION!!

Me, the interviewer: Umm... What were you doing after the warning?
Serena: I started to brainstorm with my group on what we could do. My group members are Cherine and Sandra. ^^
Me, the interviewer: OK, I guess they are nice friends, that is, your partners. Tell me more about your designs about the boat, please...
Serena: Oh yeah, that! I was thinking at the moment, like:
Should we do this kind? The one we see a lot. I could imagine our boat sailing into the deep blue with all of the HIS student. Can this one hold a lot? Ummm.... Maybe not.




Me, the interviewer: Oh! Those kind! I use to make those too~ Nice to hear and recall my memories!
Serena: We made it so that the main body of the boat is perfect, probably...
Me, the interviewer: Yeah, and?
Serena: Here comes the straws part... Hahah... We could cut them in half and stick them to the bottom of the boat. That way, it may make it float (a bit).
Me, the interviewer: So, you didn't use the tape?
Serena: Yeah, kinda~ We still have some tape left... Umm... Then we came out with the word "water-proof".
Me, the interviewer: Haha~ Great idea, 'water-proof '. So you thought that way, it'll be harder for it to sink?
Serena: That's kinda what I thought... Ha~
Me, the interviewer: So, is this the last step?
Serena: No, not quite. We made a sign with the words: "Escape from the Chocolate Attack! Save the HIS students." I don't think we should add "faculties" too... Nah~ Don't need... No teachers! Joking...
Me, the interviewer: Haha~ That's very thoughtful..
Serena: Yeah! I know, isn't it great? Ha~ Yeah, it's like that. You know, after that step, we're done. I'm like, "Hooray! We're done. We are ready to test it!" Yeah...
Me, the interviewer: I totally understand your feelings.
Serena: Thanks?!? Ha~ All of us, the grade sevens went down to the "moat" to test it, afterward.
Me, the interviewer: So did it work?
Serena: Wait! Don't be impatient... haha~
Me, the interviewer: OK, OK... If you have more...
Serena: Here are the groups:
First group: Patrick, Andrew, and Chris.
Second group: Annchi, Stephanie, and Jazzy.
Thrid group (us!) : Sandra, Cherine and me~~
Fourth group: Jasmine, Tung Erh, and Peter.

Back to your question... We didn't win though... But we made it through 29... Just a tiny little bit to reach the first.
Me, the interviewer: How many did the first winner put in?
Serena: I think it was 31.
Me, the interviewer: I see... So you guys are at the second pace?
Serena: You caught that! Exactly...
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PART III... And... ACTION!!

Me, the interviewer: Now that you've told us the basic information on this event... Let me ask you a few questions, OK?
Serena: Absolutely.
Me, the interviewer: The first question is... What is "isolating the variable"?
Serena: It means that you eliminate all the differences between to experiments (or as many as you can) except for one... so then you know the difference in results is caused by a certain change you made. That's what Mrs. Smith told us...
Me, the interviewer: Nice explanation, I should say. Ummm... then, how did the activity isolate design as the variable?
Serena: Hmmm.... Isolating... Some of the variables were the materials. Like we were only allowed to use 3 pieces of paper, three straws, and 3 meter tape.
Me, the interviewer: Yeah... I think you sort of mentioned that.
Serena: Yeah, I did... The amount of time was also another thing. And the water volume of whater... Wait, does that count...
Me, the interviewer: Maybe it does. =P
Serena: Ok~ Ha~ Yeah, I think that's about it.
Me, the interviewer: Alright. Can you tell me basically what things you did to keep the same... so that at the end you could say that only the design was being tested?
Serena: We made sure that the straws underneath the boat was about the same and that the base of the boat was totall covered by tape.
Me, the interviewer: Interesting... What variables were not controlled? Explain it well, I'm sure we all want to here... =]
Serena: While we tested the boats, I noticed that the weight was not balanced.
Me, the interviewer: So, the boat was tilting at one side?
Serena: Yeah, that's what I meant. And I think adding the little flag coudl affect the balance.
Me, the iterviewer: Uh huh...
Serena: Yep... And also, Mrs. Smith didn't limit our imaginations too!
Me, the interviewer: That's good. I was wondering if the height and the width matters or not, to this experiment...
Serena: Maybe it does. Haha~
Me, the interviewer: Ha~ I got that joke...
Serena: Yeah... You're suppose to...
Me, the interviewer: But did this affect the outcome?
Serena: Yeah.... Think so... It made the boat unbalanced, sadly...
Someone #1: AHHH!!!!
Me, te interviewer: What's that that I heard?
Serena: Oh yeah! The chocolate is still going on! I forgot about it...
Someone #2: OKOK.... We gotta be quick before we're all covered in chocolate. "Hurry!! The chocolate are about to destroy us. They look like soildiers on cookie-shaped UFO!! Quick! Before more comes...
Me, the interviewer: Whose that again?
Serena: She's are school's principal, Mrs. Lines.
Me, the interviewer: Nice, Cool~
Serena: Sorry. Gotta go!
Me, the interviewer: OK! Thanks for your explanations!
Serena: Yeah~ You're welcome! Bye...

Again, this is Interviewer 985. That's all for today's HIS news... THE CHOCOLATE ATTACK!!
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'The Chocolate Bombs' & 'The Chocolate UFO'

In the last 2 Science classes, we did 2 kinds of puzzle activities. One with just white paper and the other one with a piece of newspaper.

Which one's harder? Which one's easier? Why?
The white paper puzzle is harder than the newspaper one. (Still, our group was the first to finish in two activities~~ XP) The newspaper one was easier because we are able to see the words, fonts, colors, and pictures. Then we will be able to match them up!! Whereas the white paper... It's harder! No pictures or any hints that will make it easier for you~~

In Mrs. Smith's science class today, we had a special day called S.M.A.S.H. day. S.M.A.S.H day represents "Smith's Marvelously Awesome Science Hoopla". We did a similar one with the paper towers (There's a blog post on it). But this time, it's more like a "hoopla"! By looking at the picture, you've probably figured by now, that it was about a yellow submarine!

Talking about the "Yellow Submarine", what is the task? We were to build a periscope... The periscope will have work for us; to see in the box from the floor to the table. The box would be filled with "THINGS" for us to figure out. We were to pair in partners. Lian and I are in one group. We struggled to make it out of ten pieces of paper, tape, and a box for the cardboard. We've got an hour to finish the complete product – the periscope.

Our building processes was filled with laughter, ripping sounds, cutting of the cardboard, "ouching" sounds, and the scratchy noise of mirrors. We did it in a rush because we had a limit of time to finish it.

We kept on fixing it because it falls apart continuously (I can't even remember how may times). Sometimes we modified it because it's not working, I couldn't see the other side! Each time we had hope to make the best. The way we communicated was first by drawing each ideas on one of the ten pieces of paper. We discussed a little and got to work, until we were getting nervous and about to give up. Once we got a plan in mind, we will get excited and energetic. But we tried to calm each other down. Why we were SO hyper? That's because we've got the idea and it's running out of time!!


If you could give a list of tips and suggestions to someone who is doing this for the first time, what would it be? What would you tell them to help out? --- Mrs. Smith

If you are doing this task like us, I suggest some steps you could follow:

1. Calm down what ever is about to happen.
2. Think that you and your partner are about to finish (plus, win a prize)!
3. If you have a plan in mind, explain fast and let them fully understand your ideas.
4. Draw a draft before you do anything else.
5. Focus and don't mess around!

Research reflection:
For the past month, we have been researching body systems on our own.

One good thing about doing it this way is that, when we research on something, we learn while reading.

One thing I didn't like doing it this way is that, I kind of dislike researching... It's like, you went to a website just to find a simple answer and then you ended up reading this huge lot of article. After you finished reading that article, you found out that it's talking about something else... Plus, we won't know which websites tell the truth. It made happen to be made up! It makes me mad!! Argh!!

I think Mrs. Smith planed it this way in order to make sure we are ready, ready, ready to continue with all the information in our heads. Then we'll find it easier to complete our very hard task. It benefits, the way it works, even though it drives people mad!

But there's one suggestion I have for Mrs. Smith is...
Wait...
I mean...there's 2! Here's the other suggestion I have for Mrs. Smith is...
Let me think what it is...

The MAGIC School Bus:



Today in Science we watched the Magic School Bus about the Digestive System (a field trip in Arnold)...

One thing that is not true in the Magic School Bus was: All of us know that when we digest food, it's a bit longer and not in a short time. I think that, in the large intestine, the waste are suppose to be pushed slowly and slowly into the exit. But it didn't it stayed there. Oh! Another thing... How could Arnold hear the voice coming from his stomach??

But there are some that are true! One thing that is true about that episode was that, every entrance through a different body organ has a valve (whole). And another thing, "Villi does" absorb nutrients and sent them through out the body.

Why do you think they do this?
- So we can feel what it's like to have another grading method.
- For us to easier understand ~ traffic light.
Why do you think this might be important in your learning?
- So we can try something new all the time.
- It may lead to other ideas on grading and report to the teacher.
What do you like about this approach?
- This system makes me have the feeling and eagerness of wanting to turn to bright green all the time!
- It is clear (easy to understand!)
- Makes learning fun.
What do you dislike about this approach?
- I wish that it is better to have both the grades and the color symbols, so then we can see how much we are left till we got to our goals.
THAT'S IT!! OTHER WISE, I LIKE THIS SYSTEM!!! >o<

Question: In math and science, why is it more important to have a clear explanation than to have the "right answer"?

Answer: In math and science, having a clear explanation than the right answer because...
1. You can show what you think.
2. To explain your reasoning.
3. To show that you tried.

You need to understand what you are doing before you even try and get the answer right.

• 
  

Active learner = Yes~ I was ready to learn and see what the steps are needed to be done. No ~ I just sat there, looking tired and staring at the tube for observations that could be written down.
Person of high character = Yes ~ I helped my group members by preparing the goggles and other equipments for them and I also put the things away when our project was finished.
Communicator contributor = Yes ~ I put the things back where they belong after using them. I provided observations I noticed and passed them onto one of my partners, so she can write them down.
Effective communicator = Yeah ~ I communicated with my group to see if we did the right thing and if I missed out something. No ~ When we're about to finish the lab, we just took whatever stuff and put them away, almost not communicating with each other.
Critical thinker = Yes ~ I looked carefully at the tube and see if there's any qualitative observations to write down. I also tried ways on why there was no recording of the temperatures on some people's logger pro. No ~ I didn't think that we need to wear goggles before Ms. Smith told us to because they might harm our eyes.