Camp App Attack

Last week I had camp App Attack. We learned how to make an app using a software called Construct 2.

 

I learnt how to make an app. Here is how we did it:

 

1. First, we tested the game “engine” to get an idea of what the game will do.
2. We planned our game and made blocks and baddies (villains) to go with our plan.
3. Next, we worked on all the art. We made the backgrounds and gave features to our blocks and baddies.
4. Next, we did all the sound effects for our game.
5. Last, we tested the full game. Uh-oh! Mistakes! Fix. Test. Mistakes. Fix. Test. Mistakes. FINALLY… everything looked perfect! Our teacher put our game on a website.

The game I worked on is called “Canshot”.

 

 

 

The game works on a computer and other electronic devices. If you have ever played Angry Birds, the idea is pretty similar. You have to drag the aimer to where you want to hit the target.

 

 

 

Then you click the fire button: ©… and … a chicken pops out! Ha-ha! You use the chicken to hit blocks and either destroy them, or knock them over.

 

 

 

You will find baddies and you have to destroy them to finish the level. There are 10 levels. Each level has its own structure of blocks and baddies.

 

 

 

I know all this sounds so much fun and interesting and it actually was, but unfortunately, for this camp, the kids in my class were not very nice and laughed at me for some reason I did not understand. My partner, who I worked with to make Canshot, was very mean too!

 

On Monday, he did not do anything and just played on his 3DS XL. On Tuesday, he did everything and did not give me a turn on the computer at all. I don’t think I enjoyed working with him. On Wednesday, I told my teacher that I was not learning anything because I was not getting any time on the computer. He helped me a little bit with working with my partner after that.

 

In the beginning of the week he told us that he had a rule: SFL. That means that we should be Safe, have Fun, and Learn. Now, as I said before, I was not learning anything and not having any fun. So, even though the app making by itself was fun and I have downloaded the software at home and I am working on it, the Camp DOES NOT and WILL NOT belong on my Cool Lane.

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Wolf Brother

Title: The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness: Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

Why I Started to Read This Book: Well, it’s really funny. Remember the book, Clone Chronicles? Well, every time I saw a book of Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, I thought it was a book of Clone Chronicles. Then, I found out that it was actually an entirely different series from Clone Chronicles so I finally decided to try it.
  
What is it About? It is about a boy named Torak. He is part of the Wolf Clan. A clan is a group of people that live and hunt together. But his father (who he calls Fa) kept him away from other people - even his own clan. Fa keeps him away from people because he doesn’t want them to know what special thing Torak can do. Fa is attacked by a bear demon and passes away. But before he dies, Torak swears to find the Mountain of the World Spirit. On his adventure, Torak meets his guide - a wolf. Then, he finds out what special thing he can do: He can… talk to wolves! Later on, Torak gives the wolf a name: Wolf. As they continue on their adventure, Torak and Wolf find Renn, who belongs to the Raven Clan. They have an adventure together.

What Did I Like About This Book? Nothing… except, EVERYTHING!

What Didn’t I Like About This Book? Just like Savvy, it was confusing in the beginning but I decided to continue reading anyway. I also didn’t understand some words that Wolf used. Like Tall Tailless. (Can you guess who or what that was?)  WARNING! WARNING!  Only read this if you have completed the book.*

 

Does This Belong On My Cool Lane Or Not? DEFINITELY – I have started reading the second book in the series already!  

*(Answer: Torak)

Theater Camp: The Pearl of the Fire God

These 3 weeks I have Theater Camp with Taubenslag Productions.

 

My camp director’s name is Michael Taubenslag. Joel and Rebecca are always there to help him with everything. He also has a group of amazing counselors to manage the kids in the play. He is a very good actor and director and very kind.

Last week we acted out the story of Pinocchio.

This week we did the story of “The Pearl of the Fire God”. You may not be familiar with this story. It is written by Michael’s dad just for their family and they turned it into a play.

The story takes place on the island of Hakaluka. (This island is fiction.):  

One day the Fire God got very angry and threw smoke and lava. (AHHH!) The people of the island rushed to their boats and rode as fast as they could out to sea. Then the lava stopped and they returned but all was destroyed. On the shore Samatoo found a giant oyster with a pearl inside of it. He was the Chosen One. He was KING!

But Samatoo grew older and eventually passed to the heavens. The pearl was passed to his 1st born child of the king. And the pearl was passed from generation to generation. The present king, King Hulo, was also growing old. Then the evil Pudinas stole the pearl. They made their son Calla throw the pearl into the ocean. Then Maclada’s children went fishing. They saw Calla leaving. Anyway, when they were fishing, they caught the biggest fish in the world! And it was a talking fish! It was the Queen of Fishes. She was choking on the pearl. They got the pearl from the fish and brought it home to Maclada. The guards caught Maclada with the pearl. The family was put in prison. Joshita told the king they were innocent and that Calla threw the pearl in the ocean. The king found out at the end that Calla was guilty! The Pudinas were punished and the Macladas were rewarded!!

I was Joshita in the play. This was the first time I got a role where I had a big part. I found it a little difficult because this was my first time playing an important part, but once I was done, I felt more confident and proud of myself. I loved it and I hope I get more speaking parts in plays.

 

My sister in the play is my actual sister. That was cool too!

 

There is something very interesting about the names in the play. The name Joshita comes from Michael’s son, Josh. The name Maclada comes from Michael. One of Joshita’s sisters is Adama and it comes from Adam who is Josh’s brother. I found all the names in the play very clever.

 

            
And next week we have The Wizard of Oz and I am looking forward to it. 

I have read the book before and I am watching the movie this weekend so that it helps me in the play.

 

I think this definitely belongs on my Cool Lane. What do you think?

Savvy

Title: Savvy by Ingrid Law

Why I Started to Read This Book: My library has a “Dig Into Reading” 2013 Summer Reading Club. If I read different kinds of books, I’ll get a raffle ticket. If they pick my name out, I get a Nintendo DS! One of the types of books I was supposed to read was a Garden State Book Award (GSBA) nominee book. And this book is a GSBA nominee.
  
What is it About? It is about a girl named Mibs Beaumont turning 13.You are thinking “Yeah. So what?” But, when a Beaumont turns 13, they get a super power called a “Savvy”.
Mibs’ grandpa shakes the ground. One of her brothers makes electricity. Her other brother causes hurricanes. You might be wondering what power she got. Find out for yourself after reading the book!!  

What Did I Like About This Book? I like that Mibs risked her life to save her dad. Oh right. I forgot to tell you. Her dad had an accident and is in the hospital.
 
What Didn’t I Like About This Book? Honestly, I found the beginning too boring and confusing.

Does This Belong On My Cool Lane Or Not? I have to admit, I first thought that if it was found on my Cool Lane, it would be arrested immediately by a cop. But I continued to read because I wanted to enter it for a raffle ticket. After I read a couple chapters, I decided that it should belong on my cool lane after all.  Now that I think about it, it is hard to find a fantasy book that I don't like!

101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher

NEVER TRY THIS AT HOME...Or should I say, at SCHOOL. If you think that you will, well then, STOP READING RIGHT NOW!!!

 Title: 101 Ways to Bug Your Teacher by Lee Wardlaw

Why I Started to Read This Book: I just found this book at the library. My second grade teacher’s name is Miss Cooper. Since she is really nice, the nicest teacher I have ever had and I would not do any of these things with her.
And anyway if I did anything bad to any teacher, I would be in BIG trouble.
                 
What is it About? It is about a kid inventor named (hmm… what was it? You know he was the one narrating, so they didn’t tell his name a lot. I think it's) Steve. He did a lot of naughty things. But, his most famous invention (and my favorite) was the “Nice Alarm”. Instead of buzzing or ringing noisily, it gently taps you on your shoulder awake.

What Did I Like About This Book? Well, the main thing is, that it is funny!! I am pretty sure that there is another book called 101 Ways to Bug Your Parents and I really want it. But I could not find it at the library.

Out of the 101 things mentioned in the book, I want to share three of my favorite ones with you.
1. When the teacher says, “Pay attention”... ask, “Pay how much?”
2. When the teacher says, “Take a seat”... ask, “Take it where?”
3. If you aren’t good at singing, and the teacher asks you to sing a song, play it with your armpit.

There were so many more throughout the book but I don't want to mention them all and ruin the excitement in the book. You have to read the book yourself to enjoy it.

What Didn’t I Like About This Book? Zip Zilch Nada Nothin'

Does This Belong On My Cool Lane Or Not?  This DEFINITELY belongs on my Cool Lane!!

Camp Solar Power

This week I have Solar Power Camp.

My teacher’s name is Mr. Matt. He is the BEST summer camp teacher I’ve ever had. I had him for two other camps last year! He was my teacher for Electricity and Robots in 2012.
 
This week, we learned about the sun. Here are some cool facts that I learnt…

• Did you know that Aphelion is when the Earth is farthest from the sun than it will be all year? This date is July 2nd.
• Perihelion is when the Earth is closest to the sun than it will be all year. This date is January 2nd.
• Did you know that helium was named after the sun? The Greeks called the sun Helios. Since someone discovered helium in the sun, they called that gas "helium".
• The average distance between the Earth and the sun is 93,026,724 miles (or 1 Astronomical Unit).
• The sun’s core can get up to 10 to 22.5 million degrees F.
• DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN FOR LONG!! It can blind you.
• The sun is about 4.5 BILLION years old! (and according to Mr. Matt, that’s how old he is!)

Everyone in the class got to make a vehicle that used solar power to run it. We used a kit called Solar Power Plus Kit. During the week it was rainy but fortunately, it was sunny outside on Friday and I got to build a car and try it out. My car was yellow and black. When it gets direct sunlight, it runs. On mine, I put number 43 on it and my initials “AD”.

I’m going to let you guess if it belongs on my Cool Lane or not.
(Here is a hint: I LOVED Camp Solar Power!)       

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling

Why I Started to Read This Book: Every summer I like to read one Harry Potter book. This way, I get older as Harry gets older. This summer I am reading the 3rd book.
I would like to suggest that you should read the 1st and 2nd Harry Potter book before this one.

What is it About? It is about a person named Sirius Black. He escaped the prison of Azkaban. To stop him from getting into Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore put soul-sucking Dementors outside every entrance of Hogwarts. Join Harry, Ron, Hermione and their friends(and maybe enemies) on their 3rd adventure.
 

What Did I Like About This Book? I like the new spells. My favorite one is Riddikulus - it is so funny.
I also liked reading about Quidditch games, the Patronus(which is a defense against Dementors), Firebolt(which is a REALLY FAST broom...whoosh), and Buckbeak, the hippogriff.
The end was a little bit confusing. (Not a lot, though.)

What Didn’t I Like About This Book?  I almost loved everything BUT...but...but, I didn’t really like the end because I had to read it a couple of times to get what was happening.

Does This Belong On My Cool Lane Or Not? Well, IT BELONGS ON MY COOL LANE because I couldn’t stop reading it and loved it but I wish it was less confusing for me at the end. Once I am slightly older, I might understand that interesting end part better! I really look forward to reading the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th book.

Mischief Managed!
(I REALLY don’t want to tell you what this means because I want to build up the suspense.)