Your Perfect Pet by Sophia Kantor

Are you planning to get a pet but don’t know what to get? Well, this is the perfect article for you! You will be asked questions, which, depending on your answer, will lead you to certain pets! So let’s get into this! DISCLAIMER: This article is not meant to count as research. After choosing your perfect pet with this article, it is required to do further research to be able to provide a healthy and happy life for your future pet.

Starting off, you will need to consider your allergies. Are you allergic to fur or feathers? You may even have an allergy to pet dandruff which means that you won’t be able to keep any mammals or birds. Anyhow, if you have allergies (or believe you may develop some), go down to number 1. If not, go to number two. 

1. Having allergies limits your possible pet options by a lot. Here I will be talking about reptiles, amphibians, insects, and fish. 

• Fish + Aquatic Animals: Fish are one of the easiest pets to take care of. However, it depends, how many you have. I have a 55-gallon fish aquarium, which is costly, needs to be constantly monitored and tested, and requires lots of research. You may want to start with something like a betta fish or a goldfish, which are hardier than most fish. You definitely do not want to start with saltwater tanks. Another good aquatic animal is an axolotl; turtles are also a good option, but are a bit harder to take care of if you are not experienced with reptiles. Also, certain species of turtles are aggressive and may kill other fish you have in your tank; they also take up a lot of space. Axolotls will need to be fed live worms, which are a dealbreaker for some people. Finally, certain types of aquatic frogs can be kept in tanks with your fish, like the African Dwarf Frog, yet you should make sure that they are compatible, as certain fish are aggressive. 

• Insects+Bugs: If you feel fine having creepy crawlies as a pet, then they are a great option. Insects are generally very low maintenance, meaning that they are easy to keep and they don’t occupy too much space. Another plus is that they don’t take up too much space. However, keep in mind that many insects are venomous, such as tarantulas, and if you have sensitive skin, you may have trouble handling your bug. Also, if you are a frequent traveller, some insects may not be for you. It is generally harder to find somebody willing to take care of your insect, and many insects, such as millepedes, require daily misting with water to regulate their humidity. 

• Reptiles+Amphibians: Reptiles are amazingly intelligent pets. There are lots of cool reptiles to choose from depending on your personal preferences. You can have a snake, gecko, lizard, iguana, and more! However, reptiles' diets may be something to set you off. Most snakes (unless you get an egg-eating snake) require frozen mice as food. And most geckos and lizards require live insects. Reptile set-ups can also be costly because of all of their necessities, such as a UVB bulb. If this is all fine with you, then reptiles are an amazing choice!

2. Great, you don’t have allergies! Below are some animals that could be perfect for you

• Birds: Birds are amazing pets; they can talk, sing, and are very intelligent. They are also well known for being sociable and friendly with their owners. However, they take up a lot of space and are not recommended for young children, as they may not know how to handle them properly. They also require daily cleaning and several hours out of their cage in addition to plenty of enrichment. If you can provide all of these things, then a bird is a great choice. 

• Dogs+Cats: I think we all know about dogs and cats; they are the most popular pets! Even though both dogs and cats are amazing pets, they take up a lot of time. So if you don’t have free time to spare, then dogs or cats are probably not for you. Even though cats are more low-maintenance than dogs, they still require a lot of time. And, the costs of a dog or a cat are insane as well.

• Rodents+Ferrets+Bunnies+Sugar Gliders: These are amazing and generally low-maintenance pets. These animals also tend to be cheaper, so if you have a tighter budget, then they are a great option. However, they require fresh fruits and vegetables and have a strong and potent smell that irritates some individuals.

Next, you will need to consider costs, how much money you have, and how much money your family is willing to spend. Here is a list of the types of pets mentioned previously and their average yearly costs.

• Fish+Aquatic Animals: Costs vary and can cost as little as $40 for goldfish, $200 for tropical fish, and even $300 for saltwater tanks. This does not include original costs.

• Insects+Bugs: Some insects and bugs may be more expensive than others, with the lowest costs being around $10 and up to around $40 or more.

• Reptiles+Amphibians: Reptiles and Amphibians original setups can cost $100-$500 or more, and ongoing costs and around $100 a year.

• Birds: Bird costs are quite different and can range from $20 for a finch, to hundreds of dollars for medium-sized birds like conures, thousands of dollars for other large birds like types of macaws like African Grey Parrots. Yearly costs can range from $100 $500 to thousands of dollars, depending on the age and type of bird.

• Dogs+Cats: Dogs and Cats can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars for original purchases, and annual costs can go up to around 3,000 dollars.

• Rodents+Ferrets+Bunnies+Sugar Gliders: Initial costs can be around $50 dollars and go up to 

Finally, you will need to consider how often you travel and if you have somebody to take care of your pets while you are away. You will also need to keep in mind how much time you have to spend with your pet, because certain pets can get depressed if you do not spend enough time with them. Also, personality is a key factor in choosing pets. Do you want a calmer or more active pet, or do you prefer a certain species of animal? And, of course, are there any pets you’re scared of? If so, don’t get them. I hope this helped you decide what pet to get, and I hope you enjoy your future pet!

Types of Students in Middle School by Colin Corcoran

Middle school is a fundamental part of your life. You start to make more friends, shape who you think you want to be, and often, you can see these stereotypes in many schools. You may find yourself in multiple of these groups, which is completely normal. Most people are not defined by a singular group, and there are many that I don’t have time to mention.

I. The Theater Kid

These people are into theater and often try out for musicals and plays. Usually, they are decently nice, some of them think their everyday life is a musical and break into song, and that can be very annoying. Normally, they get decent grades and don’t get into much trouble. These people often do choir as well.

II. The Smart Kids

The smart kids are an interesting one. There are a few subcategories. There are the kids who are normal but also smart, they also can help you with things you don’t understand. A nice group, normal but still smart.

III. The “geeks”. These kids are usually talking about an obsession that they have, they have a unique sense of humor, and often do not branch outside of their group of similar friends. Overall not bad people and are interesting if you get to know them.

IV. The “teacher’s pets”. These are the stereotypical smart kids you see in the movies. They remind the teacher they forgot to grade homework, participate in class very often, and correct grammar when people are speaking. These kids may get bullied or even jumped a few times, and don’t have many friends.

V. The “jocks” 

These kids are the type you see in the movies. They play some type of sport like football and basketball, and are bullies to the geeks and teacher’s pets. They are popular and stereotypically not that smart, but some of them are actually pretty smart. 

VI. Popular Kids

These kids are usually the ones who are always dating someone, have a lot of friends (both fake and real), and are the ones that everyone looks up to at school. Most of the time they are mean, but some are actually really  nice.

VII. The troublemakers

These kids always get to the office for some reason, whether it be for talking too much, getting into a fight, or anything under the sun. Honestly, sometimes after they build this reputation, they will get sent to the office for no particular reason just to avoid conflict. They are free spirits, for better or for worse. 

VIII. The Emo Kids (AKA: the “it’s not a phase mom!”™)

A lot of these kids have different-colored hair, black clothing and wear hoodies even in the summer. They are either smart or cut their class and don't do their homework. These are the types of kids to sit in the corner in the middle of a gym class activity. Most of these are either depressed or pretending to be. If you can make friends with them they can be okay. 

IX. The Gamer

These kids either bring their gaming device to school or always play games on their chromebooks. They game after school, causing them to not do their homework and not get good sleep at night. They are often talking about the video game they’re playing or taking a nap in the middle of class. 

X. The relationship chaser (alias: Pick-me girl, simp)

These kids will do anything to be in a relationship. They run down the hallway to ask people to be in a relationship with them, even before they say their name. They think it will boost their “social status”, but it just makes them look desperate. 

To conclude, these are many types of people in middle school. I will definitely make a part 2, and if you don't see any of your personality traits on here (or have multiple), don’t worry! Labels like these don't define people, they are stereotypes.

The Goddesses and Gods (Greek) Part 1 By Maddie Gore and Katrina Dong

Have you heard of Greek and Roman mythology before? Even if you've only seen a book by Uncle Rick (Rick Riordan), that counts! In this article, we will select 20 immortal beings and describe the types of immortality they possess. Now, let us tell you about both gods and goddesses.

1. Apollo (Greek and Roman). Apollo is known for many attributes. He is the god of archery, music, dance, truth, prophecy, healing, diseases, the sun, light, and poetry (though his poetry is not considered the best). He has a twin sister named Artemis. Their parents are Zeus and Leto, and both twins are part of the twelve main Olympian gods. Notably, Apollo also has a Roman counterpart with the same name, which is quite rare. He is often depicted as the most beautiful and youthful of the gods. Both the Roman and Greek cultures worshipped Apollo for his abilities in prophecy and healing. Many of Apollo's children are known to be skilled medics.

2. Artemis (Greek). Artemis is known in many ways. She is the goddess of the wilderness, the hunt, wild animals, the moon, and childbirth. More specifically, she is the protector of young girls and women in labor. As the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo, Artemis is often depicted with her bows and arrows, accompanied by hunting dogs and deer. She is also recognized for her fierce independence and commitment to chastity. Along with her brother, she is one of the twelve main Olympian deities. Artemis created a group called the "Hunters," who swore an oath to remain free from romantic relationships. In return for their loyalty, they received the gift of eternal youth. This group included many females, such as nymphs, mortals, and demigods, who accompanied her on hunts—valuing freedom and independence.

3. Hypnos (Greek). Hypnos is the god of sleep, rest, and peaceful slumber. He is the twin brother of Thanatos, the god of death, and the son of Nyx (Night) and Erebus (Darkness). Hypnos resides in the underworld, near the river Lethe, which is associated with forgetfulness. Drinking from the river Lethe can erase memories. Hypnos is known for bringing peacefulness to those who sleep. He is characterized by his gentle nature and is often shown with wings, along with poppies, which symbolize his ability to induce sleep. He possesses the power of Hypnokinesis, allowing him to manipulate dreams. Typically, Hypnos carries a horn of opium (the milky sap from cuts made in immature opium poppy seeds), a poppy stem, and an inverted torch. The inverted torch symbolizes peaceful rest and gentle slumber.

4. Athena (Greek). Athena is the goddess of wisdom, art/crafts, and strategic warfare. Athena was the daughter of Zeus; her mother was the Titaness of intelligence and prudence(Good decisions), and her name was Metis, who was also Zeus’s first wife. She was famously born fully armored and from Zeus’s head. She was the patron goddess of Athens, symbolizing both wisdom and skillful combat. She is associated with owls, the olive tree, and a structure in Athens named the Parthenon. There is a statue named Athena’s Parthenos that disappeared and was destroyed, but how that happened was never discovered. Her two main symbols are the owl and olive tree; the owl is usually shown on her shoulder, while the olive tree represents her presence. Other symbols, such as snakes and the Gorgoneion, were worn on her shield. Athena took a vow to never have children in the normal way. Some myths say that when Athena gave birth to her children, they came out of her brain/mind.

5. Poseidon (Greek). Poseidon is the god of the seas, rivers, storms, floods, earthquakes, and horses. He was known for being strong and for his ill temper. His symbol, the tridant, is used as his main weapon and is used to stir up storms or shatter rocks. With a strike of his trident, he created springs. He was the protector of seafarers and the guardian of many Hellenic cities and colonies. He was regarded as the tamer or father of horses. Poseidon resided in a palace made of gems on the ocean floor, but did spend some time at Mount Olympus. He also had two brothers, Zeus, the king of the gods, and Hades, the god of the underworld. His wife, Amphitrite, is also the queen of the sea. Poseidon had many children, mortal and divine, such as a flying horse, Pegasus, with Medusa, and the giant Polyphemus. Poseidon and Odysseus have beef because Odysseus blinded his son, Polyphemus. Sailors most often prayed to him for safe travels and calm seas, and sometimes made sacrifices of horses.

6. Hades (Greek). Hades is the god of the dead, riches, and the king of the underworld. Hades was the eldest son of Cronus and Rhea. He was one of the three brothers who overthrew the Titans, and the result he got was the underworld. While his brothers, Zeus and Poseidon, took the sky and the sea. Hades was often depicted as a somber but not necessarily an evil figure, since his role was to preside over the afterlife, where all mortals eventually went and got judged. Hades had a wife named Persephone, who was abducted by him, which enraged her mother, Demeter, the goddess of harvest. As a result, Demeter put the world in famine(Extreme scarcity of food). Even when not present, ancient Greeks would not dare to speak his name and called him other names, such as his Roman name, Pluto.

7. Hera (Greek). Hera, the wife and sister of Zeus, the king of all gods, is the goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, and family. Due to both Hera and Zeus being gods, they had children with mortals. Hera did not like having affairs since she was the goddess of marriage, but Zeus thought otherwise. Zeus liked having affairs, and Hera became jealous and vengeful in others' eyes because she often punished his lovers and children who were not hers. She was the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea. She had a sacred animal, which was the peacock.  Some of her children, like Ares and Hephaestus, had also become important gods. She was also the protector of married women. Her sacred animals, the peacock and the cow.

8. Dionysus (Greek). Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, grape cultivation, pleasure, festivity, religious frenzy, fertility, rebirth, and theatre he is known for the dual nature of wine, which brings both happiness and madness. He is the son of Seleme, a mortal princess, and Zeus, the king of all gods, but due the his mother's death, he was born interestingly. Zeus had sewn him in his unborn state to his thigh. Dionysus’ symbols consist of the grapevine, wine cup, ivy, and the thyrsus (a pine-cone-topped staff). The reason he is known as a god of rebirth is because of his own resurrection and his ability to bring his mother back from the underworld. Dionysus had a festival named after him, the City Dionysia festival in Athens, which was held in his honor. They also featured drama competitions. As Dionysus is one of the 12 Olympians, he is the only Olympian with a mortal mother, and is sometimes called a hero or demigod.

9. Hestia (Greek). Hestia is the Greek goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She is the eldest daughter of Rhea and Cronus, which makes her the sister of gods and goddesses such as Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, etc. She was known for being gentle, calm, modest, and staying neutral between conflicts among the gods and goddesses. Her main symbol is a hearth and a flame within it. The flame was a sacred symbol and was meant to never go out. A lot of ancient Greeks worshiped Hestia, burning sacred fires in their homes and public places, and offerings were made for her at the start and end of each meal. Each city-state had a public hearth for her that had a flame that never went out. Hestia swore to never marry like Athena and Artemis. There once was a time when both Poseidon and Apollo sought to marry her, but she rejected them. There was a tradition where newborn babies would be carried around the hearth before being accepted into their family. 

10. Nike (Greek). Nike is the goddess of victory, speed, and strength. Nike can grant any of the three to anyone she wants. She is often shown with wings and usually flying over battlefields to award victors, and symbolizes speed, strength, and divine power. She is the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the river goddess Styx. She has some siblings who are also gods, such as Kratos(Strength), Zelos(Zeal), and Bia(Force). Nike supported Zeus faithfully during the Titanomachy, serving as his divine charioteer. Her influence extended to both military and athletic contests. Some city-states made wingless statues of her to prevent her from flying away from the city, and she is usually made with a palm frond (a powerful symbol of victory) or a wreath symbolizing victory, honor, and distinction. Some historical sculptures that were found were the “Winged Victory of Samothrace” and a famous sculpture made by Paeonius of Mende. Later, the Romans adopted the tradition of worshiping gods and goddesses. The victory goddess of Rome was named Victoria, which was her name in Roman culture.

    That's 10 Greek gods and goddesses that may or may not be popular or well-known. These are just facts, but tune in to learn more about the Roman gods and goddesses.

LGBTQIA+ Definitions By Penelope Baxter

LGBTQIA+ is a large community, but not everyone in the community is “gay”. For some, this is just what they think, but it’s untrue. The A in LGBTQIA stands for Aromantic, Asexual, and Agender. Aromantic and Asexual being little to no attraction to other people romantically. But there are so many aspects to cover, too many in a single article. So here are a few base definitions for some of the most common terms. 

mlm Gay

This is the sexuality compared with the seven-striped blue-through-teal flag. The term encompasses men, male-aligned, and male presenting people attracted to other men, male-alinged, and male presenting people. Examples could be two cis men, a cis man and trans man, a demiboy and a male-presenting non-binary person, etc. 

Lesbian

The flag for this sexuality is pretty infamous, and has seven stripes going from orange to magenta. Lesbian means someone who is female, female-aligned, and female presenting people attracted to other female, female-aligned, and female presenting people. Similar to the mlm gay definition, but with female. So, like mlm gay, two cis women, a cis women and trans women, a demigirl and a female-presenting non-binary person, etc. 

Bisexual

Three stripes of pink, purple, and blue make up the bisexual flag. A bisexual is someone who is attracted to someone based on gender. Many people think it is someone who is attracted to both boys and girls, but it’s really based on gender. Usually two genders, and usually boys and girls. Bisexual people can have a preference to who they like, but may not. 

Pansexual

Pansexual is an identity under the bisexual umbrella, and is someone attracted to anyone, regardless of gender. Pansexuals also don’t have a preference, instead that would be considered omnisexual. The flag is pink, yellow, and blue, representing attraction to women, non-binary people, and men.

Transgender

Someone who is transgender is someone who through many processes, transitioned from their current gender to another, usually through medical means. Trans-people can go from men to women, women to men, anyone to non-binary, etc. This is the pink, blue, and white flag.

Non-Binary

Non-binary, or enby, is someone who doesn’t feel their gender fits with the usual female or male genders. It’s a large umbrella, covering genderfluid to agender. 

Aromantic

An aromantic, or aro, person is someone who feels little to no romantic attraction. This does mean they can still feel sexual and tertiary attraction (Sensual, platonic, aesthetic, emotional, etc). Aromantic is a spectrum, and has microlabels for some who feel aromantic under certain circumstances. For example demiromantic (needing to get to know someone before feeling romantic attraction).

Asexual

Nearly the complete opposite of aromantic, but with many similarities. It is also a spectrum, with most of the same prefixes as the aromantic one. Asexual is little to no sexual attraction, but can still feel romantic and tertiary attraction. 

LGBTQIA+ has many more genders and sexualities, but there are way to many to count. So that is it for now.

5 MORE Tips and Tricks for Being a Good Teacher By Adelyn Butler

I recently wrote an article titled "5 Tips and Tricks for Being a Good Teacher". This article is an add-on to that, and the tips (again, more like goals) included in here are no more or less important than the ones in that:

TALK TIME: One frequent problem teachers run into world-wide is the students talking too much. Chitter chatter, talk talk, what did you have for breakfast today. Many teachers try to solve the issue by strictly limiting the amount of time students can talk. However, there is a more effective solution: Give them more time to talk, or at least a set time to talk. When there isn't any time to talk during class, students will get impatient and talk when they aren't supposed to be. Often, teachers who give very little to no time to talk in class often end up with more talking problems. Try giving a few minutes of talk time in intervals throughout the period. Students can often also talk and work at the same time, for tasks that, to be bland, don't really require a lot of brainpower. For example, solving the same kind of problem repetitively in math. There are exceptions, but it usually works out better to give students time to talk. But what if they keep talking? What if they talk when allowed and when not? Take away the time they have, right? Wrong. Do the best you can to find a solution that will work with that specific group of students. If you can, talk with them to find it. Present the talking as a problem that needs to be solved, but not as an issue that can easily be corrected. Bring awareness to it, but don't openly criticize the students. Just remember, talking more can become talking less.

LESS WORK, PLEASE: Sometimes in class, the goal isn't for the students to have fun. Often, even. But what do you do when the goal is to help students learn to enjoy something? Engineering, reading, teamwork, all the stuff that they'll have to do in the future. Bring the least work into it as possible. Or, to rephrase, the least grading as possible. Or, to rephrase yet again, the least grading on performance. Good teachers grade on effort over performance as much as possible. You can't do it on every assignment, but it's good practice. Why? Because when a student associates work and stress with a specific task, such as reading, they will associate work and stress with reading for years to come. What students learn in their life before adulthood really influences their future life. So, if you can, less work, more fun.

JOKES, JOKES, AND JOKES: There's a few classic teacher stereotypes. One of them, one that exists in real life, is the teacher who makes jokes that nobody understands or aren't funny. There's also the teacher that makes lots of dad jokes. Or the teacher that makes no jokes at all, one who is deadly serious. Every teacher has their own unique style on this standpoint, but sometimes it's hard to find a good balance. But sometimes, they can degrade from your teaching. Don't make too many jokes, don't make too many bad jokes, and don't make jokes (particularly sarcastic jokes) that the student might interpret in a bad way. As with using student slang, you can do it, just don't overuse it. Humor can help, but too much, or a bad usage of it, does the opposite. Just be careful.

KEEP TECH SIMPLE: Nowadays, tech is everywhere. You can't avoid using it in your classroom. But there's a lot of right ways to do this and a lot of wrong ways. Most of the right ways focus on making whatever tech you use simple and easy for the students to use and understand. Not just for you, but for the students as well. If a program is hard to navigate on the student's view or necessary parts of it are hidden, they are less likely to complete the assignments in it. When you do a presentation, keep it simple. When you do an online survey or quiz, keep it simple. When you use Schoology, Google Classroom, or Powerschool, keep it simple. This tip sounds super easy, but I find it surprising how many teachers can ignore it. All you need to know: keep tech simple, but not boring.

MUTUAL RESPECT: Are you not in the same school? Do you not both have challenges in your life? When you teach, give each of your students the respect they deserve. Treat them like a friend or partner you're teaching. While you do technically have more power, students don't like it when you use it more than you have to. How do you do this? For example, when you have a classroom discussion, sit down with the students. It shows the students that you are equal, like them, wanting to improve their classroom experience. Think about it like this: You're on a seesaw with your students, and lots of teachers will tip the scale so they rise up and push the students down, because it makes the 'seesaw' less wobbly. However, this makes it so the student is lower in what they actually learn. On the other hand, if you push yourself down too much, the students don't respect you and become too rowdy in class. In the balance of the seesaw, which is hard to maintain, both sides benefit equally from the teaching, but neither of you is better than the other. If that happens, less happens.  Good teaching is all about maintaining a good balance and relationship with your students. Again, there's no set of rules to help you with this, but it really helps the students learn and engage if you treat and respect them like an equal.

By following these tips, I suspect you'll find your classroom engagement improved. You can't do them perfectly (sometimes you just can't do it), but doing your best can often result in a lot of good things too. Good luck!

5 Tips and Tricks for Being a Great Teacher By Adelyn Butler

We all know there are good ways and bad ways to teach. Ways that are too strict, not strict enough, ways that make the students want to cringe, and ways when the students don't actually learn anything. I've been paying attention to different ideas and styles in teaching, along with students' complaints and excitements regarding it. Using this unofficial data, here are a few tips (or rather goals) that can really improve your teaching:

LESS IS MORE: We all know how it sounds when someone keeps talking and talking and talking and talking. Sometimes it IS necessary: there's just a lot of info. But repeating that info? Going off on a tangent? It's usually just not helpful. Students really appreciate it when you summarize information that isn't essential, particularly if it doesn't appear on a test. Situations when it can be necessary to talk a lot include teaching on a complex topic, explaining expectations, and more. However, you almost never need to repeat that  information in detail. If you have to repeat, summarize big time. Just because you're teaching something, it doesn't mean that you need to ramble off-topic. When you're explaining expectations, you don't need to go over each rule in too specific detail. So do your best to shorten things up. I can not stress this enough. This sounds simple, but there is a surprisingly high number of teachers who don't pay attention to this. Again, less is more.

YOU MIGHT BE WRONG: Just like everyone else, you're human. You make mistakes. While most PFMS teachers are great at following this tip, sometimes, especially when something is concerning the subject you teach, you can assume that you're right. It's not necessarily bad- everyone does it! But whatever you do, try not to assume that you know more about a particular subject or detail than everyone, at least when someone tries to correct you. Of course, it's a definite possibility that you are more knowledgeable on a particular subject than everyone else in the room. Very very probable, even. But you can't know everything, and when you quickly dismiss a student, it doesn't help their confidence, and it can even decrease the chance that they'll raise their hand next time. To reword this, just make sure you aren't degrading your students when you dismiss them and their theories.

PACING: It's hard to find a balance between going too fast and too slow. As many students know, teachers often can unwelcomely intrude into both areas of bad pacing. If you can, be sure to stick to 'fun stuff' and 'essential stuff'. To be blunt, students do not appreciate it when a teacher rambles on for half an hour about something a) they already know or b) is not essential. But it can stress people out if a teacher crams in one too many lessons into one block. I can't give you a strict set of rules to follow to make sure you're doing this right, but generally, if the students are laying their heads down on their desks or talking more than average (yes, this can be a sign too), you should probably vary your pacing.

READ THE ROOM: Different classes have different mindsets. Some are quieter. Some are larger. Some just have a tired atmosphere. Some are just plain chaotic. Lots of teachers don't do anything between classes. The only difference in what they do is giving more reminders to the rowdy classes and rewarding some of the quieter ones. What's the problem with this? Theoretically, nothing. For the average teaching standpoint, nothing. But from a higher standpoint? Everything. The mood of the room, or rather the way you react to the mood of the room, governs how much the students learn. If you can, try to plan small variations in your curriculum to help them absorb as much as possible.

WHO'S TEACHING?: Short answer: you are. However, who governs what the students actually absorb? Them. Effective teaching helps students learn things for themselves. You just point the way, asking questions and giving them pieces of information and helping them through projects you know will teach them. If you just state the answer to the question, how likely is it that the student is going to actually remember it? It's pretty low. But what if the student sees the info and recognizes a pattern? What if they learn from ungraded trial and error? There's a lot of ways to do this. Just don't make it too difficult or too boring, if you can. Some ways you can do this are assigning more independently governed projects, doing Kahoots, and asking questions instead of providing students with answers. Just keep the mindset that the students are the ones teaching themselves, and you are teaching them how to teach and learn.

In conclusion, I can't really know which tips are good or bad. I can't know which ones are obvious. I'm not a teacher. However, just try them out. Even for just one block. Compare and contrast. If you can, try it a few times in a few different ways with a few different classes, to make sure. If something doesn't work, then it doesn't work. However, I hope these tips have given you a fresh new perspective on teaching. Just do your best. Good luck!

TOP 10 BEST DUO COSTUMES THIS YEAR By Faraday Szefi

It is already October and time is moving so fast! I love Halloween, so here are the Top 10 Halloween costumes for 2 people. (In my opinion!!)

10. Six and Seven

We all know the viral Six Seven. This would be a hilarious costume!

9. Lorax and the Once-Ler

This is such an iconic duo! 

8. Hunter and a Deer

This would be so cute as a couples/friends costume!

7. Woody and Bo Peep

Again a very iconic and cute duo!

6. Gru and a Minion

This is the funniest costume ever.

5. Soap and Sponge

This is also a really cute duo!

4. Glinda and Elphaba

This would be a good dynamic duo, and it is also good because there is a new Wicked movie coming in November!

3. Elmo and Cookie Monster

Such a cute duo for either couples or friends!

2. Shrek and Fiona

I love this duo because it is also such a good dynamic duo and really funny.

1. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

This one is a good one because on the first day of school, they got engaged and Taylor Swift just released The Life Of A Showgirl.

Messages of Doom: Lanyard Expert Ola Al Lawati Reveals Her Theory On Why We Have to Wear Lanyards By Adelyn Butler

As many of you know, the hall pass system was recently revoked, after a change from lanyards to cones. But why? Some suspect that the staff of PFMS decided to change to lanyards for safety reasons. While this may be true in part, it likely is not the only reason. 

A rumor is circling the school, a rumor in which conspiracy theory expert and lanyard expert Ola Al Lawati has theoretically proven true. It speculates the involvement of messages traveling across hall passes. The hall passes would reveal text on themselves, specifying a particular place in the school that the student must go to, or a task they must complete before returning to class. If they did not do so, the hall pass would disappear when the student looked away, causing them a referral when a teacher saw them. Reported phrases include:

• "Give a random student a historical tour of the library."

• "Carry the 50-pound package in front of the school to the auditorium for safety inspection."

• "Go to Mr. Toney's room and hang up a 'Beware Falling Coconuts' sign."

• "Compliment someone you don't know about a hairstyle they don't have."

• "Pretend to be a botanist and interview your choice of plant about its feelings on photosynthesis."

• "Be still as a statue for 3 minutes."

• "As you go to your chosen destination, recite at least 4 paragraphs of the school code of conduct to every person you pass."

As more and more reports came to the teachers and students, they supposedly began to fear the messages that moved across hall passes without pattern. They attempted to swap to a system of cones, but soon the messages began to appear on those as well.

Only one true method of ridding yourself of the possibility of being targeted has been found: receiving coconut-biased coconut-induced amnesia. "The elimination of all other former memories might erase the fear of being left in the hallway without a pass, causing the so-called pass spirit to find no amusement in disappearing," explains hall pass manufacturer Elle Knight. The messages traveled on the lanyards, then they traveled on the cones. Watch out, they might appear on the Student IDs next.

What Comes Next?: The Numbers, Their Meaning, and Their Origin By Adelyn Butler

I doubt that anyone in this school has not heard two particular numbers almost echoing throughout the school. One of the first things any teacher dreads is accidentally saying the words, though a few embrace it, using the words as a reward or as a way to teach students numbers in another language. However, other teachers ban the saying in their classroom, and honestly, they can't really be blamed. But where did this viral saying begin?

Their origin dates back to the ancient times of 2024 A.D. It began as a part of the lyrics to Skrilla's song "Doot Doot (6 7)", which does swear. Then it was related to the height of NBA player LaMelo Ball (6' 7"). The phrase became viral on social meda, primarily on Tik Tok, and is now used abundantly by many teens and young adults.

But what does it mean in the first place? According to PFMS 7th grader Ola Al Lawati, "It means nothing. Literally nothing." While others use it to mean 'so-so' or 'go away', Knight's theory is most popular and most reasonable. However, not only does it mean 'nothing', it can also mean anything, ranging from simple phrases like "I don't know" to "Beware the coconuts". According to PFMS 6th grader and possible Coconut Cult member Adelaide Lenkey, "’67’ can be used as a way to translate to your fellow memb-… friends,  that coconuts are coming for them and planning to give them amnesia, though many I know would consider it a gift from the coconut spirits. Always remember, the coconuts are the lords of the universe. Bwa ha ha ha ha!" Though many meanings are found for these 2 simple numbers, it usually just means nothing. Completely nonsensical and meaningless.

In conclusion, when someone says the words "6, 7" or makes the hand motions, don't feel like you're left out or that you're just playing along without knowing what it actually means. Similar to slang such as "sigma" and "skibidi", there aren't any true meanings. So choose a side: dedicated, repulsed, or neutral. To be honest, nobody really cares.

Top Candies by State by Sylvie Schef

Information Source: World Population Review

Cats VS Dogs: The Battle of Pets by Emmelina Caswell

People wonder: which animal is better, a cat or dog?

Some people would say a cat.

Others would say a dog.

And here are the reasons why:

Let’s start with dogs: Tameable, fuzzy, adorable. Many people love them because they are loyal creatures. Some go into training to become certified service dogs. Others go into training to become certified in emotional support. Maybe to become hearing dogs, sight helpers, or mobility assistants? There are many other types of these special and loyal dogs, and they train hard to help people with everyday life. These dogs are valued, and that’s probably why when people ask others, “Which is better?” They answer dogs, because dogs are life savers. They also promote exercise and excitement in playtime or walk time.

House cats: NOT to be undermined because of the specialities that dogs have. These furry felines are friendly to humans (Mostly), and will meow for their humans. They’re cute and loving at heart, and they sometimes get undermined because they don’t normally do much with their owner. But, given some catnip, they go crazy, offering entertainment and laughs. They are easier to clean up after and require less attention and tend to be more independent. Some cats are average, where they require the normal amount of attention, like petting them for ten minutes at a time, and there are some cats who are really skittish. Some are grumpy if it’s not perfect. And then you have your needy housecat. This housecat is overly loving, and requires almost 24/7 attention.

Although many more people like dogs, others would argue for cats. People have mixed opinions about it, or maybe they’re a diehard fan of either of the two.

If you had to pick, who would you choose?

Bear News. It’s The Middle of September. Time For Halloween! Effects of Fall. by Asher Szefi

It’s The Middle of September. Time For Halloween! Effects of Fall.

That’s right, even though it is the middle of September. It’s Halloween time!

You need to get your candy before it sells out! Let’s face it, as soon as October starts there is going to be no candy. Also, as you may have noticed fall is hitting hard! Trees are already preparing for winter. Early fall is also a great time to go outside! Amazing weather, (when it isn’t still 80 degrees) not too hot, not too cold. As for later fall, grab a basket and ALL of your begging skills and be ready for Halloween! The costumes this year are going to be… questionable? With all the new memes and 67. It pains me to say that. At Park Forest a lot of club signups are active, so don’t forget to sign up for the clubs you want. As we head into October we look back at how weird September was. We have a robot in the making, an alien rock, and all of the Roblox/Schlep drama. Also if you are a gamer, this is the prime time of the year. All of the games are releasing their halloween updates which, let's be honest, you’ve been waiting for all year. Also some Fortnite news, Fortnite has hit rock bottom. If you don’t know, Fortnite always has over 1,000,000 players. In September, they got below 1,000,000 people. Which is really bad for Fortnite. But they are currently planning the biggest Halloween update ever so we can still have hope. By the way, in December, after two years, the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie is releasing. On December 5, 2025, log on Disney+ and witness Diary of a Wimpy Kid the Last Straw animated edition. I’m personally excited for it. Speaking of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the new book ‘Party Pooper’ releases October 21st. Well that’s it folks. Log on to Bear News next time for more Halloween news and everything else!

Why Do People Say “Bless You” After You Sneeze? by Abigail Cao

Oftentimes, people say things without really knowing what they mean or why we say them, but just because it’s a super common phrase. For example, after someone sneezes, why do we tell them “bless you”? Today we’re going to uncover the myths and superstitions behind this expression. 

The term “bless you” has many varying origins. One such belief originated in Rome, when the bubonic plague was sweeping through Europe. Symptoms of the plague included coughing and sneezing, so Pope Gregory I suggested that saying “God bless you” after someone sneezed might protect them from an almost certain death from the plague.

People used to believe that the soul resided in one’s head, and could possibly be expelled from the body when you sneezed. Saying “bless you” was a prayer that they thought could prevent your soul from escaping or being captured by evil spirits.  

Historians also say that this phrase could’ve also come from ancient cultures that thought that sneezing could force evil spirits out of your body, which might endanger others because then the spirit could enter their body. The blessing was said to protect the person who sneezed and those around them. 

All of these beliefs combined have turned the phrase “bless you” into more of a reflex or plain politeness than protection against evil. And the next time someone says “bless you” after you sneeze, you can reply with “Thank you! Now we’re all protected from that evil spirit I just dispelled!” Chances are, they’ll have no idea what you’re talking about.

Sources:

https://www.loc.gov/everyday-mysteries/biology-and-human-anatomy/item/does-your-heart-stop-when-you-sneeze/

https://iso.mit.edu/americanisms/why-americans-say-bless-you-when-they-hear-someone-sneeze/

Transphobia: What it is, and what you need to know. By Penelope Baxter

Homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, lesbiphobia, aphobia. These are all different terms of discrimination within the LGBTQIA+ community. In recent years, homophobia has decreased a little, but the big new discrimination is about people who are transgender or transphobia. 

So what exactly is transgender to begin with? Well, people who are transgender, or just trans, are people who, through multiple different processes, have transitioned to another gender. It’s not always the other gender like with transmasc and transfemme, but transgender is an umbrella term under which there are several subcategories. It also encompasses non-binary, agender, and xenogender identities.

Transphobia is discrimination against these people under the transgender umbrella.  Transphobia often follows a “key idea”. The idea goes that people will transition to assault children, and turn them transgender too. There is no evidence to support this claim. 

Transgender is just a way of showing one’s self in a way that is different from their assigned gender at birth. People who are transgender may be targeted by others because they are different, not because they are a danger to children. In short, they are being scapegoated. 

‘What is a scapegoat?’ You may ask. It’s what the innocent women were in the Salem Witch Trials, the Jewish people during WW2. People are blamed for something they did not do or did not cause, because they are different. 

And it’s happening again in our society via transphobia. Hopefully, we will see a more tolerant world in the future. 

How to… 101 Rice Krispie Treats by Emily Gilbert

Most people have eaten a Rice Krispie treat. Some people want to recreate these desserts but don’t know how. In this article, I will show you how to make Rice Krispie Treats at home.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of butter

• 8 ounces of marshmallows

• A large bowl

• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Step #1

Add the marshmallows and butter into a large bowl ( you are going to want the bowl to be big because the marshmallows do grow quite big in the microwave!).

Step #2

Put the bowl in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. You may need more or less time depending on the microwave.

Step #3

Once the marshmallows turn into a liquid when you stir them with a spatula or spoon, you are ready for the cereal. Add 6 cups into the mixture and stir until all of it is combined. It will seem like a lot, but it balances out in the end.

Step #4

Spray down a baking dish with non-stick spray. (This will get really sticky, and you will thank yourself later if you do this step.) 

Step #5

Scoop out the marshmallows into the dish and spread them into all of the corners.

Step #6

Wait for them to cool, cut them into the size you want, and enjoy!

Variations

I made a peanut butter version of this recipe, and it turned out really good. All you have to do is add peanut butter to the marshmallows ( you can add as much as you want) then follow all of the steps. After they cool, put some more peanut butter on top. This next part is optional, but it still tastes good: pour some melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter.

The Terrible Truth: Phone and Tablet Usage by Nadia K. Adkins

Tell me…

Imagine you walk onto the bus, excited for the school day ahead. You pick a seat beside your best friend. The bus is like any other, kids laughing and most likely saying a new meme. You also most likely imagined those kids with a phone or a tablet.

Phone and tablet use has greatly grown over the past few years. Every time I sit down on the bus, every kid that has one is on their phone. Using your phone or any other device is not bad, but sometimes we overdo it.  That’s why we need to learn how to look away from our screen before we get addicted.

The Real Numbers…

I didn’t want to use outdated information, nor did I want to get an AI response that was completely wrong. So, how did I know how much screen time an average middle schooler spends a day? I asked you guys, the very core of this article. Even though I only spoke to 6th graders, I looked on my bus and found that the majority of children using their phone were in that certain grade. After asking 10 people, I found that the average amount of screen time most of you spend is around 3 1/2  hours a day. I was very surprised to find out that the numbers were so large.

Remember, this Brainrot…

We all know what this means, but we still may see it differently. “Brainrot” can define Fortnite, Tiktok, Clicker games, memes, and Roblox. Yep, all of the popular stuff everybody loves these days. Now, all of these games do not have to be unhealthy and addictive. We just have to adjust the time we spend on screens and do something more productive. Though it’s not an easy doing. We can stop by minimizing certain types of brainrot activities, like memes or Clicker games. These two things are something we don’t really need, and in both of them we mindlessly click on something over and over again. Then, gradually, we can set reasonable limits to our devices (1 hour a day, 30 minutes on tablet, 30 minutes on phone, etc.). This may not be you, but if it is, let’s brainstorm ways to minimize that amount.

How to be Heathier…

To have a healthier relationship with phones and tablets, limit screen time by disabling unused  notifications and creating device-free zones, like the bedroom or dining table. Another option is to have screen free days, like a few families choose to do. It’s always good to also take a break once in a while and enjoy all nature has to offer instead of looking at new text messages. Stay super!

Ranking Every Month by Weather by Aidan Murphy

12. February

Not snowy enough to have fun, not warm enough to go outside. Just enough ice to make this the worst month for weather.

11. March

A bit better since there is the occasional warm, sunny day. However, this also means one day it’ll be raining, the next pleasantly hot and another snowing.

10. November

All of the leaves on the trees have died and fallen, so it’s just kinda depressing alongside the chilly weather.

9. April

Obviously it’s very rainy and there’s not enough warmth for this month to be ranked any higher.

8. July

Probably the hottest month of the year and while I don’t mind it being hot, sometimes it’s a bit too much for my liking.

7. August

This and July are sort of interchangeable. The only reason this one is higher is because sometimes I’d say it’s a bit cooler here and there during this month compared to July.

6. December

Pretty overrated since there’s not a lot of snow in this month like everyone says there is. So, for the most part it’s just days with dead trees and unenjoyable coldness.

5. September

Still pretty warm most of the time, but it’s not too hot and just casually going outside is very nice.

4. January

This is what December wants to be. It’s snowy and beautiful.

3. June

Perfect summer weather. It’s balmy and it’s too bad the rest of it is scorching hot all the time.

2. October

Still a bit warm so you’re not freezing, but also just the perfect amount of chill. The scenery is beautiful too.

1. May

The best weather without a doubt in my opinion. Warm, sunny days, the leaves are grown back, and it’s overall incredible.

An Interview with My Father by Vivian Hartzell

Interview of Christopher Hartzell

Guys, the person I chose to interview is pretty interesting and after you’ve read this article then I think you’ll think so too. This person helped bring me into this world. This man is an Army Veteran, he’s designed playgrounds, he’s a Canada native, and he currently works at Benner Township prison. This man is no other than my father, Christopher Hartzell. 

What's something about your childhood that you’ve never told me?

“When I was in 5th grade I won 2nd place in the spelling bee. Not because I was good at spelling- I just raised the most money.”

What are some things that you did for fun when you were younger?

“Skateboarding, road bikes with buddies, went to the swimming hole, played in the woods.”

What was your favorite thing about the Army?

“My buddies. ”

What is your #1 rule in life?

“Try your best.”

How did you meet my mother?

“Used to skateboard past her house to get to my house. ”

What's your biggest regret in life?

“No regrets.”

What was the best concert you’ve ever been to?

• “2013 Blind Owl Band Blain Pennsylvania,

• Devil Makes Three Penns Peak, February 2020,

• Bassnectar 2010 Earth Day, Asheville North Carolina. ”

What’s your weakness?

“I have have no weaknesses, I procrastinate”

What was your favorite job you’ve ever had?

“I like most of my jobs for different reasons, but probably my current job.”

What's your favorite sports team

“Pirates”

Ranking School Lunch Ice Cream Options by Aidan Murphy

Ranking the ice creams at school

Hey, do you like ice cream? Well since the school serves ice cream in the snack line, I figured I would rank them to help others know which is the best.

6. Ice Cream Cup

This one’s still pretty good, but there’s not enough ice cream and the flavors are chocolate and vanilla, kinda bland.

5. Fudge Bar

Again, it’s purely chocolate so it’s a little boring. But, since it’s a bar you don’t need a spoon which is convenient.

4. Ice Cream Sandwich

While it is only chocolate and vanilla, the fact that it's a sandwich and the “buns” are like cookies makes it fun to eat.

3. Chocolate Shortcake

This one’s great. The crumbly stuff on the outside gives it a great texture and it also tastes really good.

2. Strawberry Shortcake

It’s basically a chocolate shortcake but strawberry. I think it makes the flavor a lot more interesting.

1. Orange Creamsicle

The orange and cream flavors go together so well. Everything about this is perfect.

Top Summer International Travel Destinations by Sloan Wagner

Whether you go down the road or all the way around the world, almost everyone travels every summer. Some of the most popular destinations according to Generali Global Assistance are…

1. Canada

 With its snow-capped mountains and picturesque sights, I’m not surprised that this is one of the top destinations.

2. Italy 

Italy’s history and stunning landscapes attract tourists from all around the world.

3. France

This country’s beauty and natural romantic feel are some of the reasons travellers love it.

4. Mexico

With its rich culture, captivating sights and culinary traditions, Mexico is a very popular travel destination.

5. Japan

                     Japan’s modern style and ancient traditions make it a perfect destination for summer travels.