The Marlin Planet
Second Edition Spring, 2016
Meet the Marlin Planet Staff:
Duke Butlersports writer Stephanie Caophotographer Brandon Cessnaeditorial writer Muneeza Cheemaeditorial writer Acacia Edmondsports writer Mariam Fatimastaff writer Westin Gonzalezphotographer Maryam Haidariinterviewer Isabelle Lavoie interviewer Noa Mack cartoonist Irene Mazinacartoonist Sarah Phipps photographer Prince Sarsozainterviewer Alara Seeborgcartoonist Anabella Sloancommunity news Jack Solari sports writer Leslie Reyes staff writer Diego Rocha deLeoninterviewer Emrie Ashcraft arts writer
Stay tuned for the third edition of The Marlin Planet that will feature some new staff and many more exciting stories. Questions or comments can be directed to: [email protected] [email protected]
Artwork by Alara Seeborg, Maryam Haidari, and Noa Mack
Community News by Mariam Fatima
Interview with Mrs. Phipps
By Diego Rocha de Leon
DR: Hello,readers! In honor of librarian
appreciation Week, we’re here with the one and
only…… Mrs. Phipps!
DR: What year were you born?
MP: August 5th, 1963
DR: Why did you want to become a librarian?
MP: Because I always wanted to be a teacher.
DR:why did you plan to be a teacher?
MP:I love to work with kids.
DR:When did you meet Mrs. Winborn?
MP:When my daughter and her son met in
basketball in 2009.
DR:Hometown?
MP:Douglas,Wyoming
DR: Thanks, Mrs.Phipps, that was wonderful.
Big News
Marek’’s Marlin Planet, our first ever student newspaper continues its great work! The newspaper staff has been working hard to bring you, the Marek Family, stories that matter to you. 5th grader Joseph Seuss was our first guest editor this year. Check out his fascinating article on the ever popular Rubik’s Cube. Recently, 4th grade students were invited to join the Marlin Planet staff. These students applied and provided work samples to the staff and advisors. New staff will be announced soon. Enjoy the paper! __________________________ The International Festival By:Mariam Fatima, Leslie Reyes, Stephanie Cao
The international festival is a time not to forget. This is where you show and tell about your background. Mary Marek is a melting pot of cultures to represent the diversity that shapes Alvin ISD schools. This school, which perhaps is one of the diverse school in the district which represents over 25 different languages, was the perfect stage for the international festival. The school gym was the place where students and their families were able to showcase their cultures. The international festival helps express the many cultures there are. You celebrate music,dances,and cultures from around the world.Lots of people from around the world celebrate it.Last year Inaya Nomani said “ My parents are both from Pakistan . The dance I performed allowed me to show who I am. I am very thankful for my mom and all the moms of the girls in my dance group because they worked hard to help us in the performance. It took a long time to get together, but practice makes perfect.”
Editorial Section Articles by Muneeza Cheema and Brandon Cessna Student interviews by Anabella Sloan Staff interviews by Brandon Cessna and Muneeza Cheema
Do you think students have enough recess?
Extra Recess By: Brandon Cessna Every kid wants extra recess. However, I have the facts to
back it up. Health.Us News has found that recess improves academic achievement, students listen better after recess, and recess helps in social development. I do not think that the students need a two hour recess, but I believe that we need more than 15 minutes. 30 minutes would be a fantastic time because it is not too short nor too long. I believe that students will come back to class more focused. Some kids begin getting antsy near recess time or near the end of school, but extra recess will prevent them from getting antsy near the end of school. It may also improve behavior because the kids will be pleased coming in from recess. Scholastic.com shows that recess improves academic performance. We were wondering what teachers think about this idea. Ms.Wilson responded: “Yes, I believe children and adults need more brain breaks. At recess it gives a chance for your brain to heal. Like when athletes train, their muscles get stronger on rest days”. I think that 10 or 15 minutes extra would be great for both teachers and students. It would improve the whole school day. Kids would be focused, and teachers could get a bit of a break from their hard and amazing work.
Editorial Section (cont.) Articles by Muneeza Cheema and Brandon Cessna Student interviews by Anabella Sloan Staff interviews by Brandon Cessna and Muneeza Cheema
Bring back Movies By: Muneeza Cheema
If you were at Marek in 20102012 we had movies in the cafeteria. For some apparent reason Marek stopped showing movies while we were eating.They switched from movies to music. The music in the cafeteria is probably supposed to keep us quiet.Nevertheless, kids are yelling across the tables.The newspaper team interviewed some kids around Marek to see what they thought: Alina Bedrosian stated “We shouldn’t have movies in the cafeteria because kids wouldn’t be able to talk with their friends and won’t focus on eating their food.” Jason and Chloe Cao responded, “We should have movies in the cafeteria because they are fun to watch.” However, when we did have movies kids wouldn’t eat any of their food, and their lunch would be wasted. Some kids would want to talk but couldn’t because other people would want to hear the movie. That was an issue because lunch is one of the only places we can talk freely and now that was being taken away from us too! As you can see there are ups and downs of having movies back in the cafeteria. What do you think? Do you want movies back or not?
Rubik’s Cube...Toy Or Not? By Joseph Suess
Have you seen someone trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube? The famous Rubik's Cube has been around since 1974, and it was made by a Hungarian architect named Erno Rubik. The main objective of the Rubik’s Cube is to solve all the sides correctly. Most adults think of Rubik's Cube as a toy, but it can be educational. Learning how to solve a Rubik’s Cube improves memory, reasoning skills, and problem solving. There is a teacher who uses the Rubik's Cube to teach problem solving [1]. He bought 100 new Rubik's Cubes, one for each of his students, to help them become better problem solvers. He even gives them quizzes and times his students! Reasoning skills can be improved by trying to solve a cube. One example of this is when kids make up silly patterns and challenge one another to return it to solved position. Some kids even make up their own combination of moves to solve a cube. These combinations are what cubers call an algorithm. An algorithm is a set of moves that solves something on a cube. Algorithms are also used in science and mathematics. Cubers use algorithms to help one another out so that they can share information. Trying to solve the Rubik's Cube also improves cooperative learning. Cooperative learning is when people get in groups and learn together. Not only is this improving group work, but this is more productive because information is easily shared. If someone needs help with an algorithm, others can help out with different solutions. These solutions might create smaller algorithms. Solving a cube also helps improve memory skills. Every time you memorize an algorithm, you improve your memory. You can also improve your reasoning and memory by foreseeing where each piece will move. Some of the fastest speedcubers can see several moves in advance. By reducing the number of moves (algorithms), you get faster times. In order to do this, you must memorize more algorithms. What I like about the Rubik's Cube is the challenge of solving it, and I’m sure you will too. Solving a Rubik's Cube requires a lot of concentration and patience. The next time you see a Rubik's Cube, don't let this brainteaser frustrate you. Ask a friend for help because most cubers like to share their methods. If you are interested in solving the cube, but you don't have a cube, I recommend asking a friend to loan you one during recess. There are many websites where you can learn Rubik’s Cube algorithms. If you are interested, visit http://www.youcandothecube.com/secretunlocked/ to begin improving your memory and reasoning skills.
1.Rohrig, Brian. "Puzzling Science: Using the Rubik's Cube to Teach Problem Solving." Science Teacher 1 Dec. 2010: 5456. Web.
Sports News Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise!
Remember the Super Bowl! Panthers’
Surprising Loss
BY: Jack Solari People are still talking about the amazing Super Bowl
game. On Super Bowl 50 the Carolina Panthers were going up against the Denver Broncos. The first half was a low scoring half. The Broncos were leading 107. When the second half started the Broncos got an interception. Then on the next drive for the Broncos the Panthers got an interception. But when things were looking up for the panthers they fumbled. The Broncos offense scored a touchdown leaving the score 177. On the Panthers last drive before the third quarter was about to end, the Panthers missed a field goal. When the fourth quarter started the Panthers led the
broncos to a three and out. So they were forced to punt. Sadly for the panthers they only got a field goal out of that drive, leaving the score 1710. When the Broncos got the ball they marched down the field and scored a touchdown. They also went for two but they failed to convert. But wait the Referee just called a penalty on cornerback Josh Norman. So then the Broncos kicked the extra point and made it leaving the score 2410 Now here comes the panthers offense. On the first play of the drive quarterback Cam newton is striped by outside linebacker Von Miller. Now the Broncos have the ball and they just ran the clock out. So now the Broncos have just won Super Bowl 50. The MVP is Von Miller.
Sporting Greats
Knowledge will give you power,
but character respect. Bruce Lee
More at Marek
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Introducing Poetry by Emrie Ashcraft
Playing in the freshly cut grass. Letting the wind blow through my hair. Amazed at the sight of everyone rolling down the hill. Racing my friends down the hill. Kindly waiting on the bus until we go to school. I hear a honkit’s time to go.
Marek is celebrating National Poetry month in April.
Lighter Backpacks By Anabella Sloan
Today, students’ backpacks are super heavy with
books, binders, and much more. People are dragging their backpacks all around school because their backpacks are so heavy.
See kids are dragging their backpacks everywhere. But I can tell you some stuff to help you make your backpack lighter. Lots of the weight is from your binder. Get 1-2 nice folders for your class or classes. If your teacher says you need a binder, then try getting a smaller binder.
Since we all have lockers let's make a good use of them by putting all of your textbooks and heavy items in there. You can also visit your locker during the passing of classes or after lunch if you have time. For some people your backpack can get cluttered with all kinds of stuff. Go through all of your old assignments, trash, and anything else you don’t need to carry around. You probably don’t need to carry so many supplies. You should probably carry a spare pen and pencil and anything else you need for the day.
You should clean it out maybe once every 1 or 2 months.Leave all of your heavy stuff at home like textbooks and heavy stuff unless you need it for the day. You should carry some of your books,notebooks to lighten the weight. I hope some of these tips, or maybe all of them, help you.
What’s Happening at Marek? Photographs by Westin Gonzalez, Sarah Phipps, and Stephanie Cao
Marlin Movers at the Marek Fine Arts Night!!
Marek Robotics Tournament
THE FUNNY PAGE Comics by Alara Seeborg, Irene Mazina, and Noah
Mack