Andre+Blackston

= = =//**__WILKINSBURG NEEDS HELP__**//= = = =__Every day I walk down my street I am jumping over missing parts of the sidewalk, tripping over uneven squares in the sidewalk, seeing abandoned houses, seeing high grass on lawns, and worst of all looking at cars driving down the bumpy, pot hole filled hazardous area that is so called my street. My god mom’s car broke down trying to drive up the mess. I think people need to take more care of the community that we are in by cleaning it up, breaking down abandoned houses and making new houses, and making vacant lots and grass fields into new things.__= =__When you walk around the neighborhood you see trash everywhere and it just does not feel like a good place to be. Even if people were to clean the neighborhood people would just dirty it up again. I have seen it happen many times. Like when some school students and I cleaned up some of our neighborhood with some of the Nine Mile Run crew and it is already litter filled again. I think the city should put more garbage cans on the side of the sidewalk so people will not throw trash on the ground but into the trash cans. That is what I think we could do to stop all the littering and not see a whole trash around Wilkinsburg.__= = = =__I think all the abandoned houses and buildings should be broke down and made into new houses and buildings. They could make it into stuff that helps the neighborhood like stores, barbershops, new houses, group homes, shelters for the homeless people, and many more things. I would like to see this happen because it will make our community look nicer and better. That is what people should do to all the abandoned houses and buildings in Wilkinsburg.__= =__There are so many grass areas in Wilkinsburg that are not being used for anything. They are just sitting there. They should be made into things like parks, basketball courts, football fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, houses etc. It will give those plain grass areas a purpose for being there. It will also give people things to do in their spare time instead of going around town causing trouble. I think this will make Wilkinsburg a better place to be and will help solve problems. That is what i think people should do with all of the plain grass areas around Wilkinsburg.__= = = =__In conclusion people can make Wilkinsburg a better place by cleaning it up, breaking down abandoned houses and making new houses, and making vacant lots and grass fields into new things.__=

Why is it a rule that students are not allowed to listen to their IPods and use their cell phones in school? What if these electronics are for a good cause? Here’s a better question, why can’t we use electronics at certain times during school?It’s unfair and I want to address this issue. I believe that the no electronics including cell phones and IPods or they will be stored out of sight at the start of period one rule should not be one. In my opinion cell phones and IPods shall be used in case of an emergency, calculator and for organizing. IPods shall be used during free time and music helps with concentration. They can at least have a rule saying when you’re in class, your phones better be out of sight and off or at least on vibrate. Electronics should be allowed because of emergencies, organization, concentration, and for educational purposes.

Electronics should be allowed in school because what if there is an emergency. What if the school catches on fire and the teachers can’t reach an adult family member. Then what if you can’t remember your family’s phone number by heart and you lived far away. Then you wouldn’t have anywhere to go. You would be stuck outside of the school until your parents come looking for you. That is a reason why electronics should be allowed in schools.

Electronics should be allowed in school because it can help students be more organized. They can put reminders to do their homework. They can put the homework assignments they have to do in their phone. The can do a lot of things that are not just slacking off. They can also use their phone to take notes. That is another reason why electronics should be allowed in schools.

Electronics should be allowed in school because it can help students concentrate. They should be able to listen to music while the teacher is not talking. They should also be able to listen to music while they are in the hallway or on our down time. Whenever people listen to music while they do their work it blocks out the noise, that lets them be focused. They should let you listen to music as long as you have earphones. If you don’t have earphones you shouldn’t be able to listen to music. It also makes kids stop talking. That is another reason why electronics should be allowed in schools.

Electronics should be allowed in school because it can help students for educational purposes. Like if the teacher doesn’t have a calculator to provide you can use a calculator on your phone. Or what if your teacher says you need to do a 5 minute oral report and they say you need a stopwatch to time yourself reading. What if they don’t have a stopwatch to provide to you? Then you can use a stopwatch on your phone. There are a lot more educational purposes to use your phone for. That is the last reason why electronics should be allowed in school.

Although teachers say that electronic devices are a distraction, they can help students out. Electronic devices can make school fun and entertaining. That is why we should be able to have electronic devices in school. What do you think? **VIDEO GAMES** By: Andre Blackston Jr.

Did you know that billions of people all over the world play a lot of video games? There are plenty games out in the world. The games I like the best is any games that start off with "Call Of Duty." One time I almost killed my brother because of a Call Of Duty game. Video games are a great free time because they help kids stay out of trouble, help kids build friendships with their peers, and help kids learn.

First of all, video games can help lots of kids stay out of trouble. The reason it does because if a kid is playing a game, they are pretty much hypnotized and don’t want to stop. Another reason it does is because most games are addicting and make you want to keep playing because you want to beat it very bad. The last reason is because playing video games is just a fun free time. That is how video games can help kids stay out of trouble.

Second of all, video games help kids build friendships as they play with their peers. A reason it does is because it can help each of the kids learn more about each other. The second reason is because some video games have online settings that let you communicate with lots of people all over the world. The last reason is because they can learn if their friend over reacts or doesn’t really care if they win or lose. That is how video games help kids build friendships as they play with their peers.

Lastly, video games can help kids learn. The reason it can help kids learn is because there can be educational games. Another reason is because there are educational games like “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader”, “Jeopardy”, etc. The last reason is because games can help you learn that sitting around all day is unhealthy for you. That is how video games can help kids learn.

As you can see video games can help kids learn. They can also help kids build friendships as they play with their peers. Some video games can even help kids learn. That is why playing video games are a great use of free time. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = THE REACTION =

"Has there ever been a day you wished that you took your time with something?" I rushed to cook my brother something to eat and that is when it all happened.

It was a sunny day and I had the blinds open. I was supposed to be taking care of my brother while my mom was sleep for work. My brother Marcus is 6 years old and can be very annoying at times. I sat on my comfy bed and played my Xbox 360. I was playing Call of Duty Black Ops and the score was 6900 to 3500. I was so close to getting a kill for my kill streak and my brother screamed very loudly "Can I get something to eat!" I said "Wait until the game is over." "Ok", my brother said. About 2 minutes later I was one kill away from winning the game and my brother again screams "Can I get something to eat now!" Then I got killed and the game was over. "See what you did. You distracted me and made me get killed", I said. "Noooow I will get you some food", I said.

I ran to the kitchen and snatched the chicken nuggets out of the refrigerator. Then I ran to the oven and preheated it on 450°ᶠ. Next I spread 8 chicken nuggets on a cookie sheet. After I did that I threw them in the oven. About an hour later I ran back downstairs to get the nuggets. I turned off the oven. Next I put on an oven mitt. Then I took out the nuggets and put them on a plate. I reached into the cupboard and grabbed the ketchup. I squirted some onto his plate. When I put everything away I yelled “Marcus, come get your food!” He came down and got his food and that’s when it got really ugly.

I was in the room with my brother sitting behind me. I started another Call of Duty Black Ops game. Around 15 minutes into the game I heard heavy breathing. “Stop breathing so hard Marcus, you’re messing me up,” I said. The heavy breathing stopped for a moment. Then the breathing started again. My brother wheezed very hardly and loudly. I was so annoyed because this was the second time he messed me up. I turned around to see what the problem was and I saw my brother’s face as red as an apple and swelled up like a balloon.

“Mooooom,” I yelled as loud as I could. She came running into the room and asked “What is wrong?” “Something is wrong with Marcus” I wailed. She looked at his red, puffy face. “Hurry, go call 9-1-1,” my mom said. I ran to her room and grabbed the phone. I dialed 9-1-1 and gave her the phone. She asked them for an ambulance. Moments later an ambulance appeared in front of our house. We opened up the door for them as they rushed in. We gave them my brother and they took him to the ambulance. Me and my mom got dressed and went to see him at the hospital. The doctor told us he had an allergic reaction to milk. He told us that my brother is allergic to dairy products, eggs, peanuts, and butter. That’s when he gave my mom an epi-pen for us to use whenever he has an allergic reaction to something.

When we got home my mom told me to watch what I feed to my brother. I felt bad that it was mostly my fault that he was in the hospital and almost died. I would have never thought that chicken nuggets had milk in them. I thought he wouldn't forgive me for a long time. At that moment I realized that I can count on my mother to help me when I need it the most. I learned to take my time with things even if I really don’t want to. That is the time I found out who I can count on. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = MY DAD =

My dad is a very cool person. Me and my dad would always play around together. My dad has really big hands. When I was a baby my dad would hold me in the air with one hand. The best time I had with my dad was going to a Pirates game. It was very fun. It was a very beautiful day. It was a hot and it was the Pirates versus the Astros. I had so much food I thought my stomach would explode. I loved the smell of the fresh grass. The sun was reflecting off of a guys bald head that was in front of me. The big, swirly, puffy cotton candy had my mouth watering like Beaver Dam just broke. The salty peanuts had me full for a while until I smelled the cheesy, gooey, greasy bacon and cheese fries. I also had the most sweetest, thirst quenching, ice cold lemonade. I had took my black and white striped shirt off around the 7th inning because I got hot.

My dad is very tall. He is about 6'8". His voice is as deep as the bass in his car. He is darkskin with black curly hair. He kind of has big eyes, sort of like Jordan's. He is muscular and also has big feet. His feet are so big he wears a size 16. He always wears a plain colored T-shirt. He also wears a new balance shoes. I always see my dad at home. At home it smells like apples and cinnamon. It also smells like the lavender pine-sol that I mop with. The dishes smell like the lemon scented dawn that I wash dishes with.

My dad is very funny at times. Every once in a while me and my dad play fight. Even though I claim I can beat him he always beats me down. We play football in the backyard too. He always hits me in the head with the football when I'm not paying attention. When he does that I attack him and jump on his big muscular back. Then we fall down and start wrestling each other. At a time he was spinning me around and accidentally threw me into me into the fence.

Even though he sounds nice and fun he is also mean sometimes. He can be emotional in certain predicaments. He can lose his temper like it is a half a meter fuse already lit. One day he found out I got suspended for the third time. He was about to beat me, but that's when I bolted to my room. He busted into my room and swung the belt at me.He missed so I started to run around my room in circles. He was just swinging so frantically and that's when it happened. When he swung the belt it struck me in the face and knocked me down. Then that's when he left the room. Later on he came back and apologized for hitting me in the face. But, then he said I deserved it. After that I haven't got suspended as much.

So that is all about my awesome dad and things we do together. I hope now you can visualize him in your mind.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = **BOXING** =

Boxing is a popular sport around the world. There are many different ways to compete in boxing. Boxing is an interesting sport that includes both a rich history and exciting modern-day competition.

The history of boxing began between the Greeks and Romans Empires in 4000 B.C. Boxing used to be a fight till the death, aided by the brutal use of metal studs and spikes. In 1888 it became an organized sport, olympic style or amatuer boxing. The earliest evidence for fist fighting with any kind of gloves can be found on Minoan Crete. Amatuer boxing has enjoyed a rich tradition of excellence in the United States. Amatuer boxing is practised at the collegiate level. They wear protective headgear and gloves with a white strip across the knuckle. Points can be awarded by landing a punch on the head or torso with the white strip. you cannot land low blows or else you will be disqualified. There can be 4 at the most ways that a referee can stop the match.

Records of classical boxing activity disappeared after the fall of the Western Roman Empire when the wearing of weapons became common once again and interest in fighting with the fists waned. Fights occur in a 24 feet (7.3 m) -square ring surrounded by ropes. If a fighter is knocked down, he has to rise within 30 seconds under his own power to be allowed to continue. Biting, headbutting, and hitting below the belt are declared fouls. A boxing match typically consists of a determined number of 3 minute rounds, a total up to 12 rounds.

That is my report about boxing. That is also why I think boxing is an interesting sport that includes both a rich history and exciting modern-day competition.

Here is everything I know about boxing. I know that Muhammed Ali was a famous boxer. I know that my god brother Montay is a boxer. I know that boxing is a sport. I know that lots of people like boxing. I know that boxing matches has rounds in it. I know that Mike Tyson was a famous boxer. Zaire used to box. You have to be in good shape to box. Boxing can get you in good shape.

5 questions about Boxing

 * How do you win a boxing match without a knockout or forfeit?
 * How many rounds are there actually in a boxing match?
 * How many parts of protective gear are there in boxing?
 * What is the time limit of the rounds in the boxing matches?
 * Where did boxing originate?