April 2013

Welcome to the NAMS Knightly News!

by Colleen O. and Tarangana T., NAMS Knightly News Staff

Spring has finally sprung, and the writers of the NAMS Virtual Newspaper have been busy. In this edition you can enjoy many creative showcases including poetry, interviews, a variety of articles and more. We would like to dedicate this edition to those affected by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. We would like to thank all those who provided help and support.

Thanks for reading and tune in for more to come as the school year wraps up.
 

R.A.I.S.E. CRAZE

Project 351

by Tarangana T., NAMS Knightly News Staff

I was recently chosen as the district ambassador in a statewide program called Project 351, which was started by Governor Patrick three years ago. It brings together 351 young ambassadors from each corner of the Commonwealth, representing the graduating class of middle schools. Project 351 is based on the ethics of service, unity, and through that, leadership.

The first meeting of Project 351 happened in late January in the State House in Boston, MA. All of the 351 ambassadors gathered along with Governor Patrick, Patriot Player Nate Solder, Celtics Player Jared Sullinger, and Bruins Player Andrew Ference. Governor Patrick talked to all of us about the importance and value of service, the day was a reflection on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Then, we got dispatched to several different service sites. I went to an early learning center to create literary packets for kids in kindergarten and first grade, who are less fortunate than we.  We were able to serve over one hundred young children and impact their lives with exposure to the basics of education.

After a day of service, one of the Project coordinators came to me and said, “I have seen you serve today, and I like the way you have done it. Will you speak at the end of the program?” Without preparation, I had to speak at the end of the program. I was asked to speak on what I was able to do that day, my values of service, and why I serve the community. Governor Patrick asked a question to each of the eight of us who got to speak. So, yet again I had to speak on the spot to answer Governor Patrick. Soon, Governor Patrick bid us farewell. We got ready to have dinner, only to be interrupted by a reporter. He pulled me aside for a minute. He said that he was listening to me speaking on the spot, and he was very impressed with the way I spoke. He asked if he could take my interview. I was delighted and very honored. So the reporter took my interview asking questions like, “What does being an ambassador mean to you?” or “What makes you proud to represent your town, North Andover?”

That day was a great opportunity and very memorable for me. I learned the true value of unity and service. I learned that ordinary people, like us, can make a difference and whether it’s big or small, each act of kindness counts.

It is a great experience and extraordinary opportunity to represent North Andover in Project 351.

TECH TRENDS

Technology Strikes the Nation

by Colleen O., NAMS Knightly News Staff

Throughout history technology has rapidly developed. Now, there are a large number of companies that create devices and compete to make the thinnest, fastest, and most powerful smartphone, tablet, and more. As these changes are happening the market for selling these desirable objects has grown, and now there are different sizes, colors, etc. In schools across the world there are a number of districts piloting these new devices because there are many developments showing how this can help students' learning and studying. Some teachers are even letting students use smart phones during class to lead themselves to discussions and take actions themselves. Others are discovering cutting edge applications to use textbooks, note taking, word processor, and study applications with new techniques. As these arise teachers are quickly adjusting with the changing times. Some teachers in NAMS are allowing students to carry iPads, kindles, and other electronic devices.

Many students are adjusting to this new world and numerous flash cards are being made online at sites such as Quizlet, Flash Card Maker, etc. Other applications that I have and others have recommended include PlainText, Penultimate, PaperDesk, Smart Office 2, and Google Drive. Some of these applications can be used like a notebook so you write using your finger, or a stylus, and others are word processors. Some others ways I use a tablet include taking pictures of papers in my binders and using this as a resource so that I don't to fill my backpack with heavy unnecessary tools. Also, when studying something that I find useful is taking pictures then editing them or coloring over them making it possible to see only the definition, Spanish version, etc. Though students are using mobile devices very often at home, people are wondering if they are something that should be used at school. Some reasons discouraging this step are cyber-bullying, distractions, and misuse. Please share your opinion by participating in the survey below.

BOOK AND MOVIE REVIEWS

Michael Crichton

by Colleen O., NAMS Knightly News Staff

The journey of a book is started by the thrill the author brings. Michael Crichton is the author of many top selling books including Micro and Timeline. Both books are somewhat similar, but offer enough of a variety to maintain your interest in this author's books. The part of the book that hooks me right in every time is the drama it starts with; in both there is a criminal drama such as a murder and missing people. Then, once this drama has arisen there is a certain machine that brings the characters to a different setting. This is attention grabbing because it is so suspenseful. The reason I started reading books by this specific author is because both of my parents had enjoyed books by him and had to spread the joy to me. Now, I would like to continue to spread the joy with others because it brings you on a journey that changes your way of thinking. These books have made me question historical and scientific events as well as technology and continue to wonder in my daily life. I highly recommend these two books as well as others by Crichton which include The Lost World, Jurassic Park, Congo, and more.

Note: The Lost World, Jurassic Park, Timeline  and several other books by Michael Crichton are available in the NAMS Library!
 

Princess for Hire, by Lindsey Leavitt

Review by Helen S., NAMS Knightly News Staff

The first book is called Princess For Hire, hence the trilogy name. It starts with Desi Bascomb who is in 8th grade and works at Pets Charming, a local pet store. One day at work, Desi wishes on a goldfish for something more exciting in life. And that is why that night, an agent named Meredith pops into Desi’s bathroom to tell her that she has high MP - Magic Potential. Yes, I did say pops because Meredith travels by bubble. Meredith is an agent for the Facade Agency, where princesses go on vacation while somebody with MP subs for them. Desi goes on all kinds of adventures while subbing for princesses. I would rate this book a 9 out of 10 because it is great! You can also check out the series’ website: princessforhire.com

Note: Princess for Hire can be borrowed from the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium through Stevens Memorial Library
 

The Titan's Curse, by Rick Riordan

Review by Mark M., NAMS Knightly News Staff

The Titan's Curse is the third book in the Percy Jackson series. The series revolves around demi-gods named Percy, Annabeth, and Nico. During this book the titan Kronos and his army are threatening to attack Mount Olympus. There is a big problem with the titan Kronos. He possessed Percy's friend Luke. In the last two books a lot has happened. For example, Percy learned he has a cyclops brother named Tyson. Annabeth, Percy's friend does not like the idea of Tyson and Tyson is having problems of his own. As you read this riveting fast paced book you will see the sheer power of the demi-gods, the titans and the gods. You will feel like you are with the characters through their amazing journey. As you read this thrill ride you will feel like you are best friends with all the characters and feel like you're in the story.

Note: The Titan's Curse and all the other books in the Percy Jackson series are available in the NAMS Library.
 

Brave

by Liam O., NAMS Knightly News Staff

Disney-Pixar's Brave is about a girl in Scotland who is being trained to be a princess but just wants to be free. There are four clans with the four brothers as leaders. The princess, Merida is supposed to marry the first born son of one of the three other clans. The sons competed for her hand in marriage, but so does she because she is a first-born as well. Merida wins the competition and then gets yelled at by her mother so she flees the castle to the forest. She then sees a will-o'-the-wisp which leads her to a witch's workshop where she gets a potion to change her fate but ends up turning her mother into a bear. Now she must save her mother and restore peace to her land. Can she do it? Find out more by watching Disney-Pixar's Brave!!

Honestly, this was very different compared to other Disney-Pixar movies. Different, not bad. It was suspenseful and had a different feeling than most movies. I was on the edge of my seat. I really hope there is a sequel or at least more movies like this. Nine out of 10. It is a very well put together movie.

SPORTS

March Madness!

by Charlie J., NAMS Knightly News Staff

March 20: Finally March Madness is here!  The best time of the year.  Some of my favorite teams this year are Miami, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri.  I know people will say I'm crazy, but I have Missouri in the national championship.  The reason I say this is that Missouri is a very dynamic team.  They have everything necessary to win a championship.  We have seen them go far in the tourney before and I have a feeling they will do it again.  The other team I have in the championship is the Indiana Hoosers.  My reason for this is Cody Zeller, starting center.  He can rebound, score, and pass and let's not forget his defense.  He is the biggest physical presence on the court.  Most of the time for big men they have a problem with free throw shooting.  But not for Zeller. 

March 25:  Well it turns out that my bold Mizzou prediction did not work out with them losing to Colorado State University.  But two of my final four teams are still in; Indiana and Michigan.  We have a huge Cinderella story brewing in Florida Gulf Coast University. First they take down #2 Georgetown and then heavily favored SDSU. They will advance to play Florida, one of the best teams in the country left.  Unfortunately I believe that FGCU'S run will come to an end against Florida.  They simply cannot match the skill of Florida. Speaking of upsets, Wichita State is on fire after defeating Pitt and Gonzaga. Gonzaga had the best record in the regular season (31-2) before falling to WSU.  It is a year for upsets and a great one as we enter the Sweet Sixteen.

After the tournament:  This year was a great year in March Madness.  Also a year for upsets with FGCU, WSU, and many more.  Congratulations to Louisville who made a strong comeback and were the ones to cut down the nets.  The Michigan Wolverines weren't the biggest underdogs, but were certainly not expected to make the national championship.  With being a number one seed, Louisville was expected to go far and that they did.  They even achieved it after Kevin Ware's injury which changed the course of the tournament.  I can't wait to see what happens next year and I'm sure you can't either.

NAMS HAPPENINGS

Grease

by Liam O., NAMS Knightly Staff

The play Grease, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, set in the 1950s, based on the times when boys drove cars (without licenses), slicked their hair back with grease (hence the name), stole things, and were just all around wild. The girls did some pretty wild things, too. However, the love story of Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko is quite intriguing. They go through a series of different problems causing both of them to change for each other. Sandy and Danny met in the summer. They then found out they go to the same school. This leads them to get closer to each other, but it becomes too close. The two separate for a period. Then, just as it seems everything's going to fall apart, love prevails and Sandy and Danny are back together once again.

This year's play was a great recreation of the original play, including an original Grease lightning car design. The props were incredible, the actors were amazing, and no mistakes were made. All around, five stars, two thumbs up, and a "Hip, Hip, HOORAY!" to the whole cast and crew.

Thank you to the Tech Crew and Mr. Ando's Stage Crew. Congratulations to Mrs. Liacos and the cast of Grease.

FROM THE PENS OF NAMS STUDENTS

March Poem

by Ipsita K. , NAMS Knightly Staff

March is a peculiar month,
Kids start preparing for MCAS,
And the 4-leaf clovers start sprouting in the grass

March is a peculiar month,
Most sports begin training
And the snow starts melting

March is a peculiar month,
even though MCAS starts here
But its probably the funkiest
month in the year of 2013!!!!!
 

Spring Poem

by Ipsita K. , NAMS Knightly Staff

Once there was a flower
Who was born under a tower
Some say its seed was eaten by a cat
But is safely hidden under the tower's "Welcome" mat.

Moonbeam

by Liam O. , NAMS Knightly Staff

But do I see a star in the sky Nay, but darkness shall appear, in all but one spot, so far I can see Though in this place I see the shape of a woman strolling down the street, And as the birds in the early morn whistle a gentle tune, I hear a humming come from her lips and I notice the stars fly across the sky

ANIMALS OF THE MONTH

Dachshund

by Helen S., NAMS Knightly Staff

Dachshunds are dogs that are low to the ground, and have a long body. The Latin name for Dachshund is Canis Familiaris.These dogs are courageous, smart, extremely stubborn, strong, and protective. Dachshunds are usually aggressive towards strangers because they want to protect their owners. They were originally bred to hunt badgers and rabbits.  The name comes from the German words Dachs and Hund. Dachs means badger and Hund means dog, so therefore they are Badger Dogs.

Dachshunds have three coat types: Long, smooth, and wire. The smooth coat is the most common, and long haired being second. Coat colors are red (brown), black, cream (off white), blue (navy) and dark red (dark brown).

Blacktip Reef Shark

by Mark M., NAMS Knightly Staff

The blacktip reef shark is a strange animal. it can grow to be 6 feet long and can weigh up to 100 pounds. It "...has a short, round snout or nose" (Shedd). It has a dark colored back and a light colored underbelly to make fish think that they are seeing the sky. They live in shallow lagoons and reefs near drop-offs. Blacktip reef shark live in the warm parts of the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. "It eats smaller sharks, rays, octopi, squid, sea snakes, crabs and shrimp" (Shedd). The Blacktip reef shark is a fascinating animal that has a lot of interesting facts about it. 

To learn more go to http://sea.sheddaquarium.org/sea/fact_sheets.asp?id=75

Work Cited: Shedd: The World's Aquarium. Web. 24 April 2013. <http://sea.sheddaquarium.org/sea/fact_sheets.asp?id=75>.

Source: NOAA Photo Library
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/
Department of Commerce)

Brown Pelican

by Helen S., NAMS Knightly News Staff

The Brown Pelican is the state bird of Louisiana. In Latin, it is Pelecanus Occidentalis. Their average weight is 6-11 pounds. Their beaks range from 9-14 inches long with a hooked tip and have a huge pouch. That is their most distinguishing feature. This is the only species of pelican known to be a marine animal, in habitat. They are usually found around shores and beaches. They usually stay within 20 miles of the coast.

PUZZLES

NAMS Word Search

by Ipsita K., NAMS Knightly Staff

We hope that you enjoyed this issue of the NAMS Knightly News, the newspaper by the students, for the students! If you enjoy the NAMS newspaper, tell your friends! Also, if you are interested in writing or drawing something for the NAMS virtual paper, contact Mrs.Bate in the library, or Mrs. Sweetra.

- Matt Y., NAMS Knightly News Staff