What you can do at lunch By: Tim

Most people are bored and don’t know what to do at lunch time. All they do is stay in the cafeteria until the next period. Here is an idea. You could go and exercise like play soccer at the field. Well, sometimes there is a problem because now it often rains really hard and you can’t go out and play. But you can still can go to the gym and play basketball. You actually have lots of choices to do at lunch especially when it is long. You could go to the library and do your work or read. Here is what some people do at lunch time

Christian: I play soccer

Ben: I play basketball at the gym

Steve: I play chess

Nino: I play basketball

Tim.A: I eat until the next period

Ethan: I go play basketball

As you see, there are a lot of other things that you could do instead of staying at the cafeteria so be active and exercise.

American Idol gets revved up with more ‘girl power’- by Grace

Do you enjoy watching some American Idol? Well, you’re not alone. According to a website that sells American Idol tickets, for the week of January 22-28, American Idol airs on Tuesday and Wednesday clinched the top 2 spots for the top 10 shows on television (as rated by their viewership), with 32.6 and 33.87 million TVs tuned in respectively.

And for these millions of people (and you, maybe), there’s cause to be getting excited as American Idol gets fresh new blood on the judging table. You might be a fan of Simon Cowell and his sharp criticisms, or Randy Jackson with his laid-back style, or even Paula Abdul, the lone female in the trio- but soon you might have converted to Kara DioGuardi’s fan base.

Kara who, you may ask. Well, she is the songwriter behind many popular singers’ songs. Stars (some even Grammy-winning) like Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Pink, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Pussycat Dolls, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Natasha Bedingfield, Ashley Tisdale, Katharine McPhee, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Ashlee Simpson, Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue, Enrique Iglesias, Nick Lachey and Marc Anthony (yes, the list is extensive) have recorded and released her songs. And she’s going to join Paula as an AI judge as she helps rev American Idol up with some more girl power.

The executive producer of American Idol, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, revealed that they had originally intended four judges for American Idol, and Simon Fuller (creator and executive producer) was quoted as saying, “We are turning the heat up on Idol this year and are thrilled to welcome Kara to the judges' table… She is a smart, sassy lady, and one of America's most successful songwriters. We know she will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the show.”

Joining her fan base or not will have to wait until the next season of American Idol airs on television, when fans around the world will finally get to see the new judge and how she’s like. Kara herself said she was flattered to think Idol selected her, saying, “I mean, when I got the call, I thought they were calling the wrong person.” She also added, “I'm just gonna have my opinion, be honest and I don't foresee any problems. I'm really excited about this, and up for the challenge.”

Are you up and ready for American Idol’s new judge?

Information taken from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/25/kara-dioguardi-american-i_n_121145.html (picture was taken from here as well), http://www.americanidoltickets.com/idolnews020107.php and http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/?pid=1393.

What do you want to read about on Life in the Middle? By Grace and Shawnie

Have you ever felt that the articles in newspapers and websites are so boring and wished that there could be more articles suited to your interests?

Well, we at Life in the Middle would like to give you the opportunity to give us your ideas and what you want to read about.

First, we asked some of our friends and classmates as well as people like Mrs. Kelsey the librarian and the counselors what they’re interested in reading on an online portal like Life in the Middle.

Student JJ, a 7^th grader, shrugged and said that she wanted to read about “cool stuff” on the blog.

6^th grader Raimy said, “I want to read reviews of magazines.”

Three 8^th graders were approached for comments. One of them, who wants to remain anonymous for this article, said, “I want to read about what good movies are showing now and interesting things, like the biggest and smallest objects.”

Another, J, said, “I want to read about current events and interesting facts,” while Pichaporn mentioned current events, interesting and surprising news about the school and things that we should be aware of but don’t know yet.

Librarian Mrs. Kelsey said, “I want to know what’s happening in ISB middle school and not world news, which I read every day anyway.” She also added that she wanted to read about the impressions and experiences new students at ISB have had.

We then approached the counselors Mr. Estin and Ms Baker what they wanted to read about.

Mr. Estin said, “Well, I would like to know about clubs, activities and Saturday sports updates. Also, as a parent, I would like to read about cyber safety. I would want to read about the results of a survey about the new cafeteria.”

Ms Baker suggested articles about kids’ interests and worries.

When Mr. Straub was approached at the SOAR Center, he said, “I want to know what kids are thinking about and feeling.”

Ms Ulster, who teaches Yearbook and Humanities, says, “I want to know how the first month of school has gone for the students of middle school and what students like- their favorite movies, books and music. I love entertainment!”

If we didn’t get a chance to ask you, or you want to contribute more of your ideas, comment on this post now! Upcoming: watch out for Grace asking middle school students to spill the beans about the weirdest thing that has happened to them or the weirdest thing that they have done. She may ask you…

Picture was taken from Google Images and edited.

Pluto is it a Planet or Not? - Anurag & Vignesh

Everyone in school has learned that Pluto was a planet. Scientists always change their minds about everything—it seems. Let’s see what other people say about Pluto.

Brett: Pluto is not a planet, it is an ice ball.

Andrea: Yes it is a planet.

Ms.Watts: No, I don’t believe it is a planet. My students say that it is not.

Zack: it is a small planet.

James: It a meteor.

Mr. Straub: It is a planet but the definition keeps on changing.

Ms. Kelsey: It is a planet that’s what we learned in school.

George: Pluto is a moon.

Daniel: Pluto is a planet and I don’t care about it!

Grace: I don’t know I think it is a planet.

Mr. Souza: Pluto is not a planet. It is just an Icy rock.

Mrs. Roong: It is a planet it just keeps changing.

Khun Kaew: It is that’s what we learned in school.

Mrs. Salli Baker: it has been changed .No it is not a planet.

Sally: it is a planet.

Paul: it is a planet.

Nino: It is not a planet. That’s all I know

After reading what 17 people said, only 7 people said it is not a planet. In fact, IT IS NOT A PLANET ANYMORE. You know what this means? It means all the books in the library will have to be changed. It is a big loss for I.S.B. So do not check out any book about Pluto from the library.

What is the weirdest thing middle school students at ISB have done? By Grace

Ever wondered what’s the weirdest thing a middle school student at ISB has ever done? Well, some students have agreed to spill the beans about their deep, dark, weird actions.

6^th grader M revealed that she threw up while watching the movie The Incredible Hulk (poor Hulk).

Raimy, also from 6^th grade, said that she took the Yearbook into the bathtub, and Oda said, “I said ‘the lurrrrve’ with my front teeth out.”

Oda was also caught laughing till she cried when she heard that 7^th grader S screamed in the middle of a Disney on Ice show (when she thought it was time for an interval). Anurag, also from 7^th grade, answered coolly that answering this question (“What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done?”) was the weirdest thing he’d done.

7^th grader Sasha slapped another student when she asked him if he was from the 6^th grade, and said that was the weirdest thing he’d done- while Win said he hadn’t done anything weird. Several students said they didn’t know.

Khun Ed admitted that she once walked into the wrong class and stayed there for the entire period. The weirdest thing I’ve done is probably walking into a locker room full of high school students when I thought PE was the next period (needless to say, it wasn’t).

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done?

Picture from Microsoft Clip Art.`

Disney’s Cruise Line by Shawnie

Do you need a good place for a vacation? Well, you can go to Disney’s Cruise Line for a 3 day trip on the sea. The boat will be headed for Disney’s private island, “Castaway Cay” in the Bahamas. This island is filled with things you can do with your family: riding on a banana boat, snorkeling with the fish, or just lying on the beach and getting a tan. During your trip to this paradise island, you can enjoy yourself on this amazing cruise line. There’s an indoor movie theater showing all of Disney’s latest movies, a kid’s club were little children can play games, draw and do specific activities. There’s also teenagers lounge where you can hang out and meet new friends. For the parents, there’s a SPA and a fitness center on the top floor. When it’s time to blow the horn, Disney’s horn isn’t just a simple ‘Whaaa’!!! It is a seven note melody to the song “When You Wish upon a Star.” This is a great place to have a vacation. Ask your parents to take you on this once in a life time trip.

Upcoming Movies to Watch- by Grace

Do you feel like you’re sick and tired of school homework and you’re just longing for a break? Well, you can look forward to the week-long October Break which stretches from the 18^th to the 26^th of October. In fact, you might already be planning things to do during this break.

One of the things you might want to do is catch a few movies that come out in October. Here are a few you might want to check out.

On October the 3^rd, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, a Walt Disney Pictures film, will be released. It’s about a Chihuahua, Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore), from Beverly Hills who lives the high life and doesn’t even notice Papi, a fellow Chihuahua who’s “head over paws” in love with her, until she gets lost in Mexico and Papi sets out to find her. Sounds like an Elementary/Middle School-aged romance-cum-adventure lover’s catch!

For those who love adventure and fantasy, here’s City of Ember, about a city where people live in a seemingly endless world of glittery lights. However, the city’s once-powerful generator of light is beginning to fail, and two teenagers must search Ember as fast as possible to unlock the mystery behind the city’s existence, and help the people to escape before they are all thrown into eternal darkness. This film stars Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan, and Tim Robbins, amongst others. Adventure seekers and fantasy lovers out there, this is a film for you!

Last but not least there’s something more people might have heard about- High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which is slated to come out on the 24^th of October. Join Zac, Vanessa, Ashley, Lucas, Corbin, Monique and the rest of the HSM cast in the third (and allegedly final) installment of the Disney phenomenon, where a basketball championship, prom and spring musical take place. If you liked the first two movies in the series, why not check this out?

With this plethora of upcoming movies available for you on the Internet, you can be more than ready when October Break swings around…

All information and pictures from upcoming films are taken from http://www.comingsoon.net/movies.php.