The Hillwood Herald is the news blog of Hillwood Academic Day School. Written and published by the school’s upper grades (fifth through eighth), this blog tracks student, staff, and family happenings at the school.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
NY Subway Art
Marine Mammal and the Giants Team Up
You're invited to help celebrate Marine Mammal Day!
What is Marine Mammal Day, You Ask?
You know that the San Francisco Giants mascot is the world famous Lou Seal, but did you know that he has his own favorite charity? It's The Marine Mammal Center, of course! So Marine Mammal Day is Lou Seal's big chance to tell all his friends about how the Center helps out seals (and sea lions, whales and more!).
LOU SEAL reports: Because of my great-grandfather, the original San Francisco minor league baseball team was named the San Francisco Seals. As Grandpa told it, the original owner was walking along Pier 23 trying to think of a name for his team. A burst of wind came and blew his cap off his head and into the Bay. My great-grandfather retrieved it with his nose and gave it back to the man. From that moment on, they were called the San Francisco Seals!
So join us in celebrating marine mammals: buy your tickets for the 8th Annual Marine Mammal Day and help save seals in the process of having fun!
- Watch the San Francisco Giants take on the Baltimore Orioles
- Game Time is 12:45 pm Wednesday, June 16th at AT&T Park
- A portion of ticket sales for this game will be donated to the Center when you purchase your tickets through this special link: click here
So please join us, and help spread the word about Marine Mammal Day! (This is our monthly members-only program for June,and anyone who has a ticket can attend!).
If you have trouble getting to the special link, paste this into your browser: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/ticketing/group_special_events.jsp#mammal
Our Bay: The (Mostly) Good and the Bad

- Read this article on SFGate for background.
- Use the app on this site to see how our beaches compare to others.
Nancy Pelosi: An Update

- Story about the presidents visit to Hillwood's neighborhood
- The New York Times page on Nancy Pelosi
Assignments: May 27
Computer 2 [Ms. Moorhead's Mac 2]
Facebook and Your Privacy: Irene T.
Computer 3 [The Hillwood PC]
Speaker of the House Update (the President in town): Brigette W.
Computer 4 [Zach's Mac]
Howtunes: Zack O.
(If you have time, create an image from this website.)
Computer 5 [Ms. Moorhead's Mac 3]
Oil Disaster Update: Julian F.
(If you have time, create an image from this website.)
Computer 6 [Anya's PC]
Howtunes: Anya
(If you have time, create a new front-door survey and then a Wordle.)
Computer 7 [Anya's PC]
Do Our Local Beaches Make the Grade?: Rubina
(If you have time, create a holiday Worlde.)
Computer 8 [Mr. Grantz's PC]
Meat-eating Plants in SF!: Brandon W.
(If you have time, create an image from this website.)
Computer 9 [Lance's PC]
Facebook and Your Privacy: Lance Y.
(If you have time, create an image from this website.)
Computer 10 [Camryn's PC]
This Friday's Assignments
- Read last year's package around our interview with Mr. Long. (Next week, you will write a story about the interview.)
- Read this Hillwood Herald article about interviewing tips.
- Create one post with both sets of questions (your questions for Mr. Long and your questions for the Speaker of the House).
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Howtunes: How Kids Can Hack Science

Billed as “the world’s greatest DIY comic website,” Howtoons combines the talents of a comic-book artist, inventor, and toy designer to present eye-popping instructions for turning everyday objects into cool contraptions.Science guru Saul Griffith (along with partners Joost Bonsen and Nick and Ingrid Dragotta) makes narrative-driven comic strips that fuse the freewheeling adventure of Inspector Gadget with the nuts-and-bolts fundamentals of Mr. Wizard, teaching kids of all ages how to create homemade devices including speed demons, spring-loaded chopsticks, and robofingers.
Doodle for Google

Binary Code
To decode this weeks # goto: http://www.roubaixinteractive.com/PlayGround/Binary_Conversion/Binary_To_Text.asp
Enter the number in the "Binary to decode..." box and click 'To Text' button at bottom of box.
Kodak 1922 Kodachrome Film Test
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Your Life on the Web
Facebook Apologizes — and Why It Matters

Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Oil Spill Update
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Outdoor Exploratorium
- What happens in Hillwood in June.
- A story about the yearbook (encourage students to buy one)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
President Obama's Kids Book
Monday, January 14, 2008
President Obama Gives His Back-to-School Speech
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama gave his back-to school speech to students. You can read his prepared delivery here, and you can search for the video of his talk here.
Write a story explaining what the president would like American school children to know. Also, who introduced the president this year?
Remember to answer the five W's of a good news story. Also, include images, sources, and -- if possible -- embedded video. Consider linking to web pages about the president, written by The New York Times (such as this timeline). Additionally, include a link to The Herald's 2009 story about the president's speech, written by Brigette.
Add the phrase "yearbook 2009-2010" to the "labels" of this story. Your coverage of the president's speech will almost certainly be included in the yearbook this school year.
Also, you have the top news story of the week — the president's address. As you watch the video, mark down the time of your favorite part or the most important part of the President's speech. You will share this portion with the class, along with your study tips from last week.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Constitution Contest — Here's How to Enter
Today is an important day in U.S. history — the U.S. Constitution was created. To help celebrate the occasion, ConstitutionalFacts.com has a contest open to students. Go to the website, read about the contest, and tell Hillwood Herald readers about it. Answer the five W's: who, what, when, where, and why. Also, how many people entered the contest last year and how many were from California. Ask Ms. Moorhead to help you link to the contest entry form. Also, give at least two ideas for what a student could draw for the contest.
Remember to include links, sources, and images with your blog post.
The Constitution — What Happened on This Day in History?
On September 17 something big happened with the U.S. Constitution. Read this article first, and then watch the video clip below.
For your assignment, write what happened in history today for the U.S. Constitution. Remember to include your sources and to embed the video below. (Ms. Moorhead can show you how to do this.)
Congress Is Back in Session: Go to the Source
Watch the video below and then write an article that explains what "primary" documents students can use to research the start of Congress. Look at some of the primary materials, or documents, that the Library of Congress has scanned for the public to use. Here is another U.S. government resource. Ms. Moorhead will help you understand these in class.
Once you have a good sense of the video and one or two primary documents, write a news story highlighting the video, one or two primary sources, and why primary materials are better then, say, Wikipedia.
Summer Break Ends — for Congress, Too
It's back to school — er, work — for Congress this week. Write a news story announcing that Congress is back at work and what does that mean? You will be answering the W's of a good news story through Congress:
- Who: Congress (and "who" specifically for California?) Use the U.S. government's website for kids to write this story.
- What: Congress — the 111th Congress, second session — is back to work this week. What does that mean? Hint: Read this article on Kids in the House for help in explaining what Congress does.
- When: This week.
- Where: Explain — and show — where. Use both words and pictures to do this.
- Why: Again, use the U.S. government's website for kids to help you answer this portion of your story. What is the job of Congress?
Just for fun, link to this Congressional crossword puzzle on Kids in the House.
Also, embed the following videos:
First the iPad, and Now the Kno
Last week, you played around with the iPad. Now, consider the Kno. While you will not have this device in the classroom (it's not publicly available yet), contemplate what it might mean for the realm of education.
Watch the video clip below, read the company website, and watch additional videos on the site (especially the clips with "student reactions"). Then read this article on TechCrunch, and write a news article about this device and what it might mean for your education. What would you like to see this device do? What features would you want? Think big -- and don't let what you know about today's technology hold you back. What would you do if you were an engineer or developer?
Kno Movie from Kno, Inc. on Vimeo.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Web 2.0: The Machine Is Using Us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Shanghai in San Francisco
Return of the Carnivorous Plants
Animals Near Extinction Photos
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Radio Hillwood — Let's Rock
It’s remarkably easy to set up: Simply sign in, and you can begin picking from Songza’s (rather impressive) 8,000,000 song choices. But if you are feeling a little bit more adventurous and ready to stray from your own playlist, you can collaborate or listen in with friends or co-workers or even strangers. The site suggests other people’s playlists , and, perhaps best of all, you can see what songs are queued up to play next, so unlike regular radio stations, there can be no disappointing surprises. (Source: VSL)
Let's talk about using this service in class -- it is a big responsibility, as we MUST only select music that is appropriate for the Hillwood community. What does that mean? Let's talk in class. You two will be the first two Hillwood DJs.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Hello World! A Lego Printer that Works
Lego felt tip 110″ printer connected to an Apple Mac. This is not a kit you can buy and does not use mindstorms. I designed/built/coded it all from scratch including analog motor electronics, sensors and printer driver, the USB interface uses a “wiring” board.
Flower Power! Flower to the People

Save the Words

Soda? Pop? Or Coke? It Depends Where You Live

- What are infographics? Why are they important to include in our news stories and blog posts?
- What is cartography?
- If you finish early, work with Camryn to create a poll for students that asks how do they refer to soda/pop/coke.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Happy Birthday, Claude

It's hard to believe that just 15 years ago, Claude was a tiny albino alligator poking his head out of an eggshell. From Sept. 8-15, people can visit the Naturalist Center to create an alligator-inspired birthday hat, or design a birthday cake for Claude in a special coloring activity. Then on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 9:30 am, watch as aquarium staff present the reptilian star with cupcakes made of gator chow, and join fellow visitors in a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday."
Free San Francisco Symphony Concert at Justin Herman Plaza

Join the San Francisco Symphony for an afternoon of music across from the Ferry Building at Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco’s financial district. Bring your lunch and enjoy a program of popular works while relaxing by the Bay.
Shakespeare in the Park

- Read the general page about the play
- Historically, what is the play "The Gentlemen of Verona" about?
- Tell us about the author
- Watch a video clip from the page
- Select several photos from this page
- Pick several photos from the
- Include the schedule and directions for the play:
Saturday, Sept 11- 7:30 PMSunday, Sept 12 - 2:30 PM*Saturday, Sept 18 - 7:30 PMSunday, Sept 19 - 2:30 PMSaturday, Sept 25 - 7:30 PMSunday, Sept 26 - 2:30 PM(*Pre-show Family Day activities for kids of all ages start at 1 pm)
September 10: Friday Assignments
- Zach O.: Play with the iPad; report on NASA's new, free app and get ready for your assignments next week: Radio Hillwood and the OK Go Remix Contest
- Rubina H.: How to Study and get ready for your assignment next week: Radio Hillwood
- Anya J.: Sheepherding as an extreme sport
- Camryn P.: Free "Shakespeare in the Park" play this weekend; also, when you finish, please help Faryn create a graphic related to her newstory, Pop, Soda, or Coke? It Depends.... (Here's your assignment for next week.)
- Nikita: Hello World: A Lego Printer
- Angela V.: Happy Birthday, Claude!
- Faryn D.: Pop, Soda, or Coke? It Depends...
- Erion H.: Make a Wordle
- Jay J.: Make a Wordle
- Jennifer L.: Save the Words
- Clara M.: Flower Power
- Alysen S.: Flower Power
Extreme Sheepherding with LED Lights


Play with the iPad: NASA
Student Assignment: How to Study
