This awesome last week of school, we were asked to read a book symbolizing world literature, and then to answer questions.
1. What is the title of your story?
Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees
2. Who is the author?
Franck Prévot
3. Who are the main characters?
Wangari Maathai
4. What is the plot or storyline of the story? (a short summary is fine here)
Wangari becomes educated after being raised in Kenya, and begins a rebellion against President Moi to plant more trees.
5. What role do trees play in the story?
She fights for them.
6. What is the outcome or solution to the conflict?
Wangari succeeds and millions more trees are planted.
7. How are trees used in the story? (main character, prop for action, metaphor or symbol?)
Symbol of people and life, but also as trees.
8. What is the overall message that is conveyed in the story?
To fight for what you believe in and trust, and to keep alive what keeps you alive.
9. What should readers learn from reading this story?
Understand that trees can be fought for and are important.
10. What is the central conflict of the story?
Wangari believes more trees should be grown after the British cut them down.
This and last week, we learned about Smokey Bear, and did some research on our enviorment.
My rewrite of the Smokey Bear story:
Once Upon a Time, a fire was ignited in the hot spring in New Mexico, USA. It spread across the fields there, chasing out some animals and killing others. It wasn’t until a line of officers came and tried to stop the fire, but couldn’t. They were surrounded by it for almost an hour, until it died down and they were saved. Many animals were killed, even the fish from the fallen debris. But hanging on to a tree was a brown bear cub. He was taken to the vet and bandaged up, healed, and was named Smokey.
He became famous after people heard about the news, about how Smokey and other animals were in terrible danger because of one small cigarette. He was seen on television, on the radio, and was even taken to Washington D.C. As he grew up, he let people know his message. To always be safe with fire. He let them know the consequences, what he loses, what everyone loses, and he was forever known as Smokey the Bear, with a short and sweet motto:
Only YOU can stop forest fires!
- Earth carries more than 50,000 species of trees.
- Before trees, historians think that Earth grew fungi instead of trees.
- The Amazon rainforest produces about 20% of Earth’s oxygen.
- Humans use only one percent of the Earth’s available water.
- Earthquakes are apart of the planet’s natural state, and it is incredibly hard to assume when they come.
- The combined weight of ants on Earth make them heavier than all people!
- America is Earth’s #1 trash-producing country.
- Recycling a water bottle saves enough power to work a normal lightbulb for almost four hours.
- The five hottest years recorded have occurred in the last ten years.
- Germany has the highest recycling rate on Earth, followed by Austria, Wales, and South Korea.
We were asked to answer these questions in our blog posts:
Why is it important to learn about trees and forests and the benefits we receive from them?
Who is responsible for conserving forests?
What are you doing to help? (talk about a specific idea or plan).
How can you encourage others to do the same?
- I believe that it’s important to learn about trees and forests because they give us life and water, and it’s good to learn those facts because we wouldn’t be able to live off of these resources.
- I think we are responsible for conserving forests, because we use the trees, and there’s nothing to provide for them.
- I want to help by making posters and making sure that people see how to help the environment and what to do everyday, everywhere.
- By making things they can see all the time that is informative and bright, so they know to do it.
My tree has grown small and weary leaves. It’s bushes have grown more colorful, and full. I’ve decided to name my tree Change because over a span of 3 months, it’s changed to be a big, strong tree. I’ve decided to name the group of ants on my tree the Smalls, since they are so tiny, especially compared to the tree itself.
My name is Jocelyn A.D. Gilmore.
My first name Jocelyn means jovial, meaning happy.
My middle names mean ‘God is my judge’, and ‘Holy’
After seeing my tree again, we started another book called Wishtree, and we were asked to define what an optimist and a pessimist is.
The dictionary describes an optimist as ‘a person who tends to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something’.
Some synonyms are cheerful, buoyant, merry, trusting.
Some antonyms are negative, bleak.
The dictionary definition of a pessimist is ‘tending to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen’.
Some synonyms are negative, downbeat, bleak.
Some antonyms are positive, optimistic.
I believe I can be a mix of the two. An optissimist, if you will. When things are completely senseless or unnecessary, and have never happened before, I can be on the negative side.
For example, my sister once asked me if I could make a cardboard plane out of sheets and cardboard. And if it could hold her, me, and our 60 pound dog. Now, if I had magic, of course, I would’ve been all for it. But I didn’t. I don’t. So I declined her, and I think all those dirty rubber bands she’s been leaving on my side of the sink has been payback.
But the optimist part of me can think of crazy things.
For example, I once thought of the idea to make a strong enough Coke and Mentos explosion to carry a friend’s four year old sister. If we put enough Coke and Mentos in some huge jug of something, it could carry her. But, come on, really?
As an optissimist, it can definitely be hard to decline an amazing idea, especially if the idea is my own. 
This week, we got back our tree books. We got back the work we did, the time unincluded, and it was a weird feeling. The process, unfortunately, was uncomfortable, especially for me. I recall silk screening, painting that random paper blue, and stealing my brayer from the partner across from me (hehe). I remember cutting out the top of the tree and trying to be aesthetically pleasing, but it failed horribly. I remember trying to write nice things about my family members and trying not to sprinkle in a tiny bit of attitude. And the Elmer’s Glue. The creamy, white, stickly, annoying, peely-offy piece of garbage that always seemed to leak out of the recycled yogurt containers. Thanks to Peg Gignoux(https://gignouxart.com/), and her awesome teaching, I was able to create what my sister would call a masterpiece.
Below are the essays we had to write, the ‘Branches, Reaching Towards the Sky’, and my ‘Salute to my Roots’. Thanks for reading.
SALUTE TO MY ROOTS!
Jocelyn Gilmore
- My Mom has been with me through thick and thin, through pandemics and more. She is always hard-working, keeping up with my siblings and me, taking care of us, and keeping us safe. That’s all anyone could ever ask for in a parent. She’s taught me to do my part, be myself, and put effort into any and everything. I will forever be grateful and I will forever be in her debt. I love her, I pray I have given her the life she deserves.
- My Dad has always looked out for me and watched me grow. He has stood by me, and given me advice that I will never forget. He has changed my view of things, showed me truth and honesty. He has forgiven me, taught me, changed me for the better. He is dutiful and kind. I love him, and hope he remembers that forever.
- My aunt is kind and will always be there for me, and I’ll be there for her. I can always talk to her when I need to, and I am thankful for that. She’s accepted me for who I am, and been there for me at various different times just because. She is so special to me and I’ll always care and love for her.
- My grandmother is what I know as half of the start of my roots. She’s sweet and thoughtful, and welcoming and happy. I will always remember her telling me to go for things and stay focused even when it’s hard. She’s inspirational, helpful and understanding. She’ll be with me always.
- My Nannah has always believed in me. She’s taught me to believe in myself, and never give up. She’s a role model, someone I’ll always look up to and remember. She’s confident, and supporting. She’s loving and appreciative. And I love her too.
Branches, Reaching Toward the Sky
My Wish Tree
Jocelyn Gilmore
Essay ‘Branches, Reaching Toward the Sky’ my Wish Tree
My Life List:
- To leave the continent at least 5 times
I’ve always wanted to travel the world, and I believe it’s good to learn and experience new cultures. America has raised me to be myself and taught me to be safe, but there’s more to life than what’s just around me.
- To donate over $600 dollars to Children’s Hospitals
Doctors could use the money to help end Cancer
Children deserve the help and money
- To publish 2 books
I have so many ideas,
If I do publish at least two, then I can publish more.
- To graduate
I can’t go out and see the world without a full education, and
Staying near my family will get aggravating.
- To go to all 50 states
When you start, why finish?
I’d like to visit more diverse states in America.
- To go to DisneyLand and DisneyWorld
It sounds fun and
It’d be a good getaway.
- To never be too stressed
It will take me away from doing things I love and
It will also take me away from people I care about.
- To be open to people
If I’m too closed off, I won’t get ideas and
I won’t invest in people.
- To own a house
It will keep me safe and
I will have a hub to live in.
- To question everything possible
It’s better to question things than to let them slide and forever be confused.
I can learn more to give me knowledge and help me with problems.
The world is such a full and beautiful place, and I wish these five things for it…
I wish we overcome discrimination and hatred for others. We all deserve to be ourselves and free. I wish we all had a safe place to stay, to grow, to love. I wish for justice, especially for those who need it. I wish for answers, for no more secrets or untold stories. I wish for alliance, maybe even friendship for us all. I wish we could finally hold hands and understand that even though we’ve had our differences, we’re all special, we’re all unique and outstanding. These are my wishes for our world.
Last week in Language Arts, my class got the weird opportunity to figure out which fingerprint we had. It was pretty cool, I’ll admit. I learned about the (at least ten) different kinds of fingerprints, and that I didn’t have much difference in my fingers. I, of course, can’t describe my fingerprints to you because, well, I could end up a fugitive, and I don’t need a mole knowing about me. Here are eight facts I learned about fingerprints later after the project:
1. Koalas have fingerprints as well! No one knows exactly why, especially since the koalas’ shared their last common ancestor with humans over 100 million years ago
2. Identical twins have different fingerprints. This is weird, but true. A baby’s fingerprint forms in its pattern based on the environment of the womb. So if one baby is on one side and the other baby is on the other side, different fingerprints will form.
3. Fingerprints actually are helpful in your daily life. They help you get a grip on things with the ridges.
4. Some people are born without fingerprints! This just sometimes happens! No one can explain this phenomenon.
5. British Police once requested all males in one town send in their fingerprints to find a murderer. After scanning more than 40,000 fingerprints, they found him and he was persecuted.
6. People can figure out what drugs you’ve been taking based on your fingerprints. Technology has definitely evolved into this amazing fact, and remember, try not to take drugs anyways.
These facts are weird, but again, true. I hope you all have a fantastic week!
Hello, all. In this post, I’ll be explaining my choices in the Stock Market Game.
Why: We’re playing this game because Turtle Wexler, character in the Westing Game, the book we’re reading, is obsessed and totally interested in stocks.
What is in the chart: Six stocks of our choice
My Stock Company Name: JIBI (Jocelyn Is the Best Industries)
My Stock choices and why:
Disney: DisneyWorld and Land is now opening, cash flow.
Netflix: It’s just a great app. And everyone else agrees, cash flow.
Amazon: People want stuff, cash flow.
Microsoft: We use Teams and Outlook everyday. Cash flow.
Target: My mom’s an addict. Cash flow.
Apple: Don’t tell me you don’t think about wanting those new headphones they just came out with.. cash flow.
Hi. In class last week, we were supposed to read, Lady or the Tiger by Frank Stockton. You’ll notice the author didn’t exactly add an ending, so we added our own. The link is below, along with my ending and a picture of my cover. Enjoy
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http://pshs.psd202.org/documents/kmahoney/1504223790.pdf
The man slowly reached for the door, and when he opened it, the princess was there, a beautiful smile across her happy face. The king gasped. He turned to the princess’s seat. The first princess in his sitting box ripped off her face and it was the lady that was supposed to be in the door! It was a delicate fabric sewn mask.The barbaric king yelled angrily and said, “Apiam the tiger!!!” A man across the arena pulled a rope, and the tiger’s door opened. The ferocious orange and black tiger took off after the couple. “Father!” the princess screamed. “Stop!” But the tiger chased them across the arena, until they were trapped and breathing like a bird after it hit a stone wall. The king grinned as the tiger closed in on them. The tiger licked its black and red musnisk lips. “No, father, no!” the princess grabbed the man’s hand, and all of a sudden, a rope fell from the sky. The king stood up as the man and princess climbed up the mysterious long rope. “How?!” the juskayn king shouted. The princess and man approached the ropes’ home and it was a helicopter. “What?” The princess was very juskayn. The driver put the machine on autopilot and stepped out of his seat. “Ello, mates. I’m Kerran Richards, and I’m from 5000 years in the future.” The princess fainted
Well, ello folx, and today, I’ll be talking about food.
Specifically, unpopular food I love.
(Pickles) Look, I know to you pickles aren’t good unless they’re in a hamburger, but I disagree. They’re good anytime, especially at 9 at night and in a Wendy’s hamburger.
(Pineapples) Frankly, I don’t know what y’all don’t like about this stuff.. is it sour or something?
(Cucumbers) Yeah, these are un-fried pickles. They just as good as pickles, though. Especially in salt and pepper in a bowl. Ahh.
Well, that’s all I got for y’all’s today. Have a good holiday. Peace.
Hello. I already posted about Thanksgiving, but today, I’ll be talking about what I’m thankful for. Those are two different things, thank you very much.
- I’m thankful for my family and them sticking with me in tough times.
- I’m thankful for this school, for giving me good education.
- I’m thankful for food, because, well, it’s good.
- I’m thankful for books, because I finally have something to do when I’m bored.
- I’m thankful for my dog, because she’s mine.
- I’m thankful for my memory, so I can remember when this stupid Coronavirus wasn’t in control of my life.
- I’m thankful for the future, because we’re eventually going to get through this.
- I’m thankful for a comfy bed, because as I still can’t sleep well, it’s there.
- I’m thankful for my own room (siblings are annoying).
- And finally, I’m thankful for weekends, because school takes a lot outta me.
This was Jocelyn with your monthly post, see ya.
Photo by Me
Hi. It’s December 1, so happy December. How was your Thanksgiving. Mine wasn’t that different, maybe unlike yours. My aunt, uncle, and cousins came over like usual. Both our families got a dog, and mine was barking the entire time.. so yeah, that’s new. Nothing else, though. I made mac and cheese and fish with the older cousin, and my little sister made brownies with the younger one. It was fun, I guess. But I could feel in the moment it wasn’t the same. Like a new vibe or something. But, I ate well. So that’s good. If your Thanksgiving wasn’t the same, I’m sorry and I hope you ate some good food though. If your Thanksgiving was the same.. then I hope you ate well too.