The Design Squad Website Review

On the Design Squad Website you can register and make up a nickname and create a password. Then, you can make a sketch, make a wish, and make a prototype!

You can play games, such as "Figdit" and "String Thing," and when you're tired of those fun games, you can build things!

The Design Squad Website has a great application that teaches you fun crafts and building challenges, such as a "Rubber Band Car" and a "Hidden Buzzer." Keep a eye on The Hillwood Herald, and you will be able to watch and read about our efforts to do these challenges.

The Design Squad Website is safe and fun to play! Below is a screen grab, or image, from the latest episode about a girl in London growing and driving her own food around her Camden Town neighborhood.

Harry Potter: No Where Is Safe

This new phenomenal Harry Potter film will without a doubt capture the hearts of thousands of viewers. In the beginning, there is an amazing music piece.

In the film, three little eleven-year-old wizards are now young men and women. They start on an epic journey to save the world and are determined to finish it. On this journey, there is no more supervision no more safe Hogwarts and now that Voldemort is back "no where is safe."

There is no turning back now that they have embarked on a dangerous journey to find the many horocruxes (parts of Voldemorts soul) and to kill Lord Voldemort himself.

Will they succeed on this tremendous journey? When they are on this quest all they have is each other.

Post your comments about the film in the comments section after this post.

"Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" and Its Greek Roots

This movie, "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief," is based on the popular first book of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series grounded on the concept that some Greek mythological characters live among us in places like New York City and Las Vegas, and would sometimes train in "Camp Half-Blood."

The main character is Percy Jackson, a demigod, son of Poseidon, born to his human mother. ("Percy" stands for Perseus.) Because Poseidon is the god of water; Percy also has power over water. (In Greek legend, Perseus is actually son of Zeus.) He's played by Logan Lerman.

In the story, gods like Poseidon aren't allowed to see their children, for fear that they might become human. The same holds true for Annabelle, feisty daughter of Athena.

Annabelle helps Percy on his quest to plead Hades for his mother for his kidnapped in mother the depths of Hell, a tunnel in the Hollywood Hills. Her archery and battle skills aid in the journey. Athena, goddess mother of Annabelle, is the goddess most famous for strategy and wisdom. She's acted by Alexandra Daddario

Another key character is Grover, a satyr sent to protect Percy. He is half-human, half-goat, played by Brandon T. Jackson.

Medusa is portrayed as a lonely menace who is slain by Perseus and later used as a weapon in the original Greek myths as well as in the movie's plot.

Furies, minotaurs, centaurs, and other elements of Greek mythology are incorporated into the story.

The movie could be a good source of Greek tales mixed in with its own story. It has gotten mixed reviews, and as always, the book that it is based has different details.

Read Rubina's story to see the movie compares to the original books.

By Brigette W.

Sources: "Percy Jackson & the Olympians : The Lightning Thief", official movie website, Greek myths

A Review: ‘Avatar,’ the Movie

The movie Avatar was the one of the best movies that I have ever seen. If you do not see it in Imax 3D, you have to see it in regular 3D. There was something for everyone in it. It, in my opinion, was James Cameron's best movie yet. This movie is PG-13, so it might not be appropriate for some kids.

This preview (below) is shown on TV, so it should be OK for everybody to view. Still, parents of students in the younger grades may want to watch it first.

The Pigman: A Review

Student Assignment: Rubina and Lance
(Thank Irene for your assignment!)

This assignment should tell Herald readers both about Google Books and the book The Pigman by Paul Zindel. (You may also want to include biographical material about the author, who -- interestingly -- worked as a science teacher.)

First, look at the book on Google Books. Tell readers about the experience -- what is Google Books and how might students use it? Then, write a review about the book. Read this Wikipedia entry about Google Books.