A Pair Of Shoes

The sun was blinding me as Keelin walked out the door. The sun was as hot as lava. Keelin's toes wriggled around nervously in side me. During our walk to the field I thought to myself " I will not let Keelin down and I will try my hardest ". As we got onto the field we had to wait awhile before we could warm up.  When we were called we warmed up and went strait to the start line. I made shore my laces were tight against me. BANG! the sound vibrated right through me. We ran around the field as fast as we could ( but not to fast otherwise we would be out of breath ). I looked around to see

Oh no, MUD. The mud squished in between my grip but I didn't let a little thing like that let me and Keelin down. We keep running and running and it felt like forever. I could hear all the parents, kids and even the teachers from the other house were cheering me on and that made me feel really good.

As we got to our 2 lap of the field I was feeling like I was going to melt but I could not let myself down or Keelin down. As I got to the finish line I was so out of breath but I was so happy it was done.

Two-Year-Old Peanut Crowned World's Ugliest Dog

How many years has the 'World's Ugliest Dog' contest been around? How many contestants did it attract this year?

On Friday, June 20th, 29 dogs along with their doting owners came to Santa Rosa, Californian to participate in a rather unusual competition. One that seeks out and honours the World's Ugliest Dog'. Now in its 26th years so that means it has been going for 26 years WOW. 

How did this year's winner Peanut get his 'ugly' looks?

The two-year-old shelter dog was badly burnt in a fire which caused him to lose his lips, most of his body hair and eyelids. As a result, his eyes constantly water. Add some sharp teeth to the mix and you get an evil looking dog. I think that that is really sad and he is lucky to be alive. I hope he wasn't badly injured like a broken leg or something from panicking. 

What is the organiser's main purpose for organising this unusual competition?

Before the event to ensure they are healthy, and also has a 'pep' or should we say 'pet' talk to confirm they are happy and well-taken care of.The competition is also a great way to honour these pooches, many of whom owe their unusual looks to human abuse. But most importantly, it raises awareness for their adoption by showing the world that physical detractions do not prevent dogs from becoming loving pets.

Critical Thinking

Do you think this is an appropriate title for the competition? What would you change it to?

I think that maybe it is a bit strong like you wouldn't make a competition for the ugliest person so why make ones for dogs.  Some titles for it could be

• A very unique dog
• Special dogs
• Not the most prettiest dogs
• Interesting dogs 

Word Search 

Australia's Favorite White Humpback Makes A Rare Appearance

What is so special about Migaloo?

The gorgeous 55 ton all white humpback whale was sighted with five other whales as they made their annual migration from the Antarctica to the breeding areas off Queensland Australia. Migaloo, which means 'White Fella' in the native Australian language, was first spotted off Australia's Byron Bay in 1991. Migaloo was the first white humpback whale ever documented. Migaloo follows roughly the same migration path up and down the east coast of Australia, there are many years when he manages to sneak away, without being seen. He has lots of fans.

Cite a few facts from the article that tell you how precious Migaloo is to the people of Australia.

Not surprisingly, he became an instant local darling and was immediately elevated to the status of 'special interest whale'. He might be the only white whale in the world. Over the years, Migaloo's fans have also built several websites dedicated to his every move and even set up an active Facebook page and Twitter account in his honour. While experts believe that Migaloo's colour is caused by a genetic skin condition called albinism, they have been unable to confirm it with scientific evidence. 'Special interest whale'. This means that boats and jet-skis have to keep a distance of at least 500 meters, while airplanes have to be more than 2,000 meters away from the mammal. Anybody caught violating this rule is subject to a fine exceeding $12,500 AUD.

Why is Migaloo known as a 'hypo-pigmented' humpback? is he the only one?

They therefore refer to him as a 'hypo-pigmented' humpback. They call him that because hypo-pigmented means loss of colour and because he is white and normal humpbacks are black its look like he's lost his colour. We never know if he is the only one in the world but I like it would be a great to se such a rare whale. Maybe if the white whale went to breeding areas there might be more white whales but I guess we will never know.

Critical Thinking Challenge:

Do you think Migaloo's special colour helps or hurts him from human predators? Why

I think that it would be quite a bad colour for predators because it doesn't really blend well with the water but I think that the mum and dad would protected him. Because he is so bright the predators might think I want to be the one who captures the whale so I think it will hurt him.

    

  

Who Knew Corn Flakes Could Look So Good?

What cereal does Rosado use to create her portraits?

Decided to pick cereal or to be more precise corn flakes, for her creations. The 30-year-old says that the inspiration to create artist portraits from grains of corn flakes hit her while she was eating breakfast, which comprised of well . . . corn flakes, and listening to oldies and R&B music. She also does some with dirt.

Why does it take so long to create each masterpiece?

Because she draws a picture hand made of the people then begins the painstaking process of crushing the cereal to the right size.  Once that is done, she uses a pin to carefully shape the nose, eyes and mouth so they look realistic . It takes her 4 Hours to do.

Name some celebrities that have featured in her cereal art series. What kind of art did Rosando unveil in 2013.

Michel Jackson ( king of pop ), Alicia Keys, Bob Marley John Lennon. I think she picked these people because they are very famous and lots of people know them. She also did a art work of a girl swinging on a chair thats connected to the tree. It is a beautiful piece of art work and it would have taken her forever to do because if she moves her hand the dirt it would smudge.

Critical Thinking 

Why do you think that artist picked Corn Flakes and not any other cereal? 

She got inspiration to create artist portraits from grains of corn flakes hit her while she was eating breakfast, which comprised of well . . . corn flakes, and listening to oldies and R&B music.

Can you think of any other everyday food that could be used to create art?

It would be really cool if she used chocolate, Marshmallows, Coloured Pencil shavings and Rice

114-Foot Tower In Budapest Is The World's Tallest Lego Structure!!!

Where was the most recent tallest Lego structure built? Who built it?

In front of Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest. The tower that exceeded the previous record holder by about 2 feet was made using 450,000 Lego bricks - 50,000 less than used in the tower built by the US students. The builders secured the structure with wires during construction to ensure that the hundreds of spectators that gathered to watch each day, were not in any danger.

What are the two requirements imposed by the Guinness World Records before a Lego tower can be eligible for inclusion?

The wires were removed, once the tower was ready. But that or the fact that it had been built using no adhesives (another requirement), did not seem to be an issue. Unfortunately, all the hard work has to be undone on May 26th, the day after the tower was officially named the World's tallest Lego structure. But given that this record was broken three times in 2012 alone, there are bound to be other even taller contenders sprouting up soon!

Why does the author believe that a new Lego tower record will be attempted soon?

Because lots of people would like to be in the Guinness Book of Records and it would be quite fun do do. The thing is that you would need a lot of lego to do that. Another thing to do is to bet the time they did in you quicker than a week. Maybe even the author would like to do it.

Critical Thinking

What in your opinion makes building 'the world's tallest Lego structure' so popular?

Because they way they make the lego is just amazing and because of how tall it is people see it so they want to get a closer look. Because once one person has seen it they tell everybody else about it and they all want to go have a look.

Vegetarian Crocodiles? You better believe it!

1. What is unusual about the reptiles that live at Nyanyana crocodile farm?
The Nyanyana crocodiles are unusual because they are vegetarian. This is very unusual because other crocodiles like the Australian Saltwater crocodiles eat meat and live in the wild and these crocodiles eat pellets that are made of protein concentrate, minerals, vitamins, maize meal and water. There skin is mellower and other crocodile skins are strong and hard and the Nyanyana are bred for there skin. Nyanyana crocodiles also sleep throw a great bulk of the day.

2. How did they turn this way?

In 2006 Zimbabwe went throw an economic crises and the company found it impossible to find affordable meat for all 16400 crocodiles that were being raised in the farm. Desperate they had to mix meat and vegetables together to make little pellets. After noticing the change in the crocodiles diet it did not seem to bother or discouraged the growth in the crocodiles. Then they gradually toke out the meat of the pellets and now they are completely vegetarian. They are now saving a lot more money.

3. What are the crocodiles being bred for?

The Nyanyana crocodiles are known for there mellower skin. That's because the reptiles are bred for their skin, which is sold to European tanneries where it is transformed into leather and sold to fashion houses like Hermes and Gucci to make expensive handbags, shoes and belts. I think personally that this is very cruel to the animal but then again people like that kind of thing and I don't so it really just depends on if you like crocodile skin or not.



Words I didn't understand ( then researched them )

• deter -  discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences
• comprises - consist of; be made up
• mellower - pleasantly smooth or soft
• tanneries - a place where animal hides are tanned; the workshop of a tanner.

Critical Thinking Challenge 

How do you feel about the crocodiles being bred for their skin? 

I really don't like the idea of breeding for there skin because the crocodiles didn't do anything to deserve to get this done to them. I think that there is no difference for either there skin. They are living creatures and they have feeling to.

Is it different from breeding cows or chickens that are killed for meat?

Yes we all have to eat meat to stay strong but at least let them be free range so that they have a happy life instead of caged animals that never get to see light or go outside. Imagine if you never say the light or got to go outside in the sun and play on the playground or any of that, how would you feel?