Should Middle Schools have Recess?

There have been many debates about whether or not middle schools should make recess part of the students day. There are many good reasons why it can go either way. For example, kids should have recess because research shows that students brains function better if they have a break during the day. Also, it makes them intake the information better. One reason, students should not have recess is because parents notice their children get injured a lot outside at recess. They like it better when their kids come home with no injuries.

I personally think that middle schools should make recess part of a student’s day. I believe this because recess is a time where you can see your friends that you don’t typically see throughout the day.  Also, it gives you the time to regroup yourself if you have been having a rough day. Another reason is, you should always be exercising everyday. For some people it is hard to do that so, this is time of the day when you can get that exercise. What do you think, should middle schools have recess or not?

~Erica

Styling the Hunger Games

Ok, So I’m sure most of you have heard of the Hunger Games. I mean, it’s everywhere, especially with the second movie coming out in less than a month. But for those who need a quick refresher, the Hunger Games is about a futuristic world that is ruled by a corrupt government that forces two children, a boy and a girl, from each of the twelve surrounding districts to go into an arena to fight to the death until one remains. Katniss Everdeen is the female tribute from district twelve. The story follows her as she fights to make it home again. Now, the plot itself is great, but my absolute favorite part of the movie is the costumes. Judianna Makovsky, the costume designer for the movie, says she was focusing on color. In the districts the main colors were grey and blue, to keep it with the coal mining theme. But in the capitol the colors were bold and bright. She would use white powder on the actor’s faces’ to give them ghostly, haunted look.

Judianna Makovsky did an amazing job with the costumes. Her costumes really showed how, in this one civilization, there are such different cultures and lifestyles. The extravagant dresses from the capitol would never be worn by the hard working, poor people from district twelve. The bold colors show how confident and proud the people from the capital are. She also covers the capital dresses in poofs, flowers, and frills. As we learn from the book, looks are very important to these people. They have to have the latest style. When Katniss and Peeta, the male tribute from district 12, reach the capitol, they have to wear clothes from the capitol. These clothes are stunning.  The sleek black leather outfit that they both wear for the tribute parade is amazing to begin with. Its sharp look makes the two look powerful. Then when a fake fire is added, the outfit is amazing. However, my favorite outfit in the movie is Katniss’s interview dress. The red dress is absolutely beautiful, complete with the glitter and her shoulder and a ruffled bottom. And, of course, what dress is complete without fire. When she spins, sparks fly from the bottom of her dress. The overall look is perfect. There’s no other way to describe it. The Hunger Games really lives up to its good reviews, especially where  fashion is concerned.

~Seneca