A W S D
The Best Literature
on the Block
The BLOB
March 2016
Main Article
by Cloe
Interesting
Facts
By Ellie

Carrots were
originally purple.

A strawberry isn’t a berry but a
banana is.

People who
were born blind
can only dream
using sound,
smell, touch,
and taste.

People who occur in your
dreams you
have seen
sometime in
your life, even if
it was just a
quick glimpse of
someone's face.

Human thigh
bones are
stronger than
concrete.
Who are you? Some would say you are a mixture of emotions
and experiences. Others would describe you as something formed
from evolution and instinct. You are all of these things, but what really makes you, you? What makes you tall or short? What decides if
your hair is red or black? What causes your eyes to be brown or
blue? Well, if you didn't know before, what decides these things are
your genetics. Your genetics decided what you look like, but do they
decide who you will become? Is who you are formed by you growing
and learning or is something preprogrammed into your mind?
First, lets understand exactly what
genetics are. Genetics are the study of
how parents pass some of their physical
characteristics to their children through
genes. Genes are pieces of DNA encoded
with your genetic makeup, so basically the
instruction manual for your body. One example of genetics would be
that, maybe both of your parents have blue eyes and you do too. Or,
maybe, your grandma had bright red hair and so do you. Basically,
it's why you are who you are but the question is, do they decide your
personality? Is there a specific gene that controls your temper or
your preferences? There have been many studies on whether or not
genetics affect your personality. Many of these studies show that,
surprisingly, they do. To a certain extent, at least. One study decided
to focus on the personalities of a group of identical twins and fraternal twins at a young age. The results of the study showed that genes
did impact the twins' behavior. The identical twins showed that their
behaviors were much more similar than those of the fraternal twins.
Scientists have not yet found a specific gene that is responsible personality traits, but are hopeful that they will soon. These findings would explain many things, such as how you and your siblings
may all like crab or how you and your father are both easily angered.
It also shows why many families act so similar. Although the research is promising, scientists are still not sure how genes affect
your personality and are positive that they are not the only aspect. It
is fun and interesting to think that the way you act is caused by one
little gene. But remember genes are not the only thing responsible
for our personality because personalities are complex traits affected by many environmental factors. So, even if genetics affect
your personality, there are many other things that affect who you
become. Everyone is unique, no matter why they become who they
are.
Volume 8, Issue 4
Tip of the Month
By Jazlynne
Do you struggle to get work in
on time? Well, if you do, then
here are some ways to help
you get your schoolwork in on
time. Option One: Buy a binder that has separate sections
to put in papers or classwork.
Make a section dedicated to
missing work or work that
needs to be completed. Option Two: This one is kind of
obvious, but go to lunch study
hall in the Tigerscot Den. It’s
a quiet place to work and if
you have questions about anything, Mrs. Zerba is willing to
help. Option 3: Do your homework! Yes, it is boring to do it
in your free time at home, but
you also have lots of time to
do it. Getting your school
work in on time is a common
problem so hopefully these
tips will help you now and in
the future.
Monthly Poll
By Emma
Volume 8, Issue 4
Page 2
Sports
By Ellie
It’s that time of year again! On March 14, Weston Middle School
started their track and field season. The coaches this year are Mrs.
Munk and Mr. Funderburk. Track and Field is very different from other
sports because it is mostly an individual sport where you compete
with yourself rather than others. You don’t even have to like running
to be a part of the team. Track and Field also includes throwing
events such as javelin, discus, and shot-put. Or if you are into jumping
there is long jump, triple-jump, and the high
jump. It is also a great way to get in shape for
the summer and to enjoy the nice spring
weather. So get down to the office and sign up
for this year’s season of Track and Field.
Dear Bloberta
By ?
Dear Bloberta,
My grades are slowly dropping. I am trying hard to get my assignments
turned in on time, but it’s hard with all of my friends distracting me. I also
don’t get some of the assignments but I am too scared to ask for help.
Sincerely,
Distracted
Dear Distracted,
I know it’s hard to focus with all of your friends distracting you, but there
are a couple ways that will help. Going to study hall will help. It is quiet
which will help you focus. Also, if you’re scared to ask questions in front of
others, you can stay after school and get help from teachers.
Sincerely,
Bloberta
Page 3
March 2016
Top Ten By Emma
Top Ten Legendary Pokémon
Top Ten Books for Teens
1. Rayquaza
1. The Fault in Our Stars
2. Mewtwo
2. Vampire Academy
3. Arceus
3. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
4. Darkrai
4. The Hunger Games
5. Kyogre
5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part
-Time Indian
6. Groudon
7. Deoxys
8. Xerneas
9. Dialga
10. Kyurem-White
6. The Selection
7. Eleanor & Park
8. Looking For Alaska
9. Thirteen Reasons Why
10. Star Girl
Top Ten Most Subscribed
Youtubers
1. PewDiePie
2. HolaSoyGerman
3. Smosh
4. elrubiusOMG
5. nigahiga
6. VanossGaming
7. JennaMarbles
8. TheEllenShow
9. Yuya
10. Fine Brothers Entertainment
Page 4
Top Ten Netflix TV Shows 2015
1. Unbreakable Kimmy
Schmidt
2. House of Cards
3. Orange Is the New
Black
4. Jessica Jones
5. Master of None
6. Bloodline
7. Daredevil
8. Narcos
9. Sense8
10. BoJack Horseman
March 2016
Recipes by Hadden
Shamrock Shake
Makes 24 oz.
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 ¼ cups low fat milk
¼ tsp. mint extract (not
peppermint)
8 drops green food coloring
Put all ingredients in
blender and blend until
smooth
Life Hacks
By Jazlynne
Next time you’re at the movies, connect
your straw to a butter dispenser and
stick it in your popcorn so that the butter distributes evenly.
To keep your popsicle from dripping
all over your hands, use a cupcake
wrapper to catch all of the drips.
Volume 8, Issue 4
Page 5
Calendar By Tenley
April 10th
nd
April 22
Earth Day
National Siblings
Day
Start of Passover
April 23rd
April 2nd
April 1st
Autism Awareness
Day
April Fool’s Day
Page 6
March 2016
Fabulous Faculty
By Cade
Mr. Funderburk teaches 4th, 5th,
and 7th grade electives. Also, he
teaches elementary school P.E. He
is the assistant coach for middle
school and high school track. Mr.
Funderburk has a lot of knowledge
about physical education as well as
teaching. He is very encouraging to
his students and has a great sense
of humor. In addition, he makes
new fun ways for kids to be active. With that, Mr. Funderburk is an athletic, funny teacher that we hope to
have for a long time.
Blast From the Past By Cade
Mrs. Turner as a baby.
Volume 8, Issue 4
Mrs. Turner now.
Page 7
Fact or Fraud
By Cassie
There are a lot of myths that people believe. One myth is that chewing gum takes seven years to digest. This myth is a fraud. Chewing
gum doesn’t stay in your system that long. Actually, it will only stay
in your system for 1 to 2 days. Chewing gum, like other foods, will
go through the process of traveling through your esophagus and
landing in your stomach. As sticky as gum seems outside your body,
it is not sticky on the inside. Even though gum is made of ingredients that are “indigestible,” gum does not linger in the stomach.
Most people spit out their gum because that’s what you’re supposed to do. But for the people who don’t spit out your gum and
swallow it, you now know that it doesn’t stay in your system for seven years. So you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Chew on!
Yay or Nay
By Cassie
School uniforms, yay or nay?
Are school uniforms a good
idea? Would having uniforms
would help improve the learning? Studies give reasons for
yes and no. Professionals say
yes because uniforms require
you to get to actually know people instead of just not talking to
them by what they look like. Also, professionals say that wearing uniforms do help because
you are not focusing on the new
fashion around you, are nicer to
people, and you tend to have
more friends because you aren’t
looking at their clothes.
that having school uniforms
would be a bad thing because
public schools are not a good
setting (which means that he
thinks that we have a lot of kids
parents who wouldn’t agree
with their kids if they had to
wear uniform). He also said that
wearing uniforms would help
improve students learning because the studies show that
schools with uniforms have a
better a learning environment.
Mrs. Salter answered that having school uniforms would be a
bad idea because what we wear
should be a personal and an individual choice on the way we
Professionals say no
express ourselves. She also anbecause wearing uniforms actuswered that in her opinion wearally increase the amount of buling uniforms would not improve
lying, having uniforms increase
the schools learning. Sheridan
the amount of bullying by
B. added that wearing school
12%.Weston middle school staff
uniforms would be a poor
and students sound off about
choice because some kids
school uniforms Mr.Bartron said
Page 8
wouldn’t like them .She thinks
that uniforms would not help
kids learn better because they
are just clothes. Last but not
least, Levie P. believes that having school uniforms here would
be a bad idea because again not
everybody will like them.
Even though a lot of people disagree with uniforms, they
could be a good thing because
they help reduce the amount of
bullying, parents won’t have to
worry about what type of
clothes you will wear, and you
don’t have to spend time deciding what you want to wear. Overall, WMS say no to uniforms,
though like everything, they
have both pros and cons.
March 2016
Student of the Month — March
By Trinity
Helen
4th Grade
Kyren
5th Grade
Skyla
6th Grade
Samantha
7th Grade
Volume 8, Issue 4
Trinity
8th Grade
Page 9
Did You Know
By Jazlynne
We all love Netflix and watching several seasons of your favorite TV.
show all at once can be fun, right? Not only is it fun, but did you know that
if you’re watching on your phone, it’s bad for your health? Studies show
that because of the smaller screen, your eyes have to focus harder and
that can cause more eyestrain than if you were watching it on a TV.
It doesn’t just affect your eyes. It also can make you gain more
weight. While watching Netflix for a long time, you’ll start to get hungry
and want a snack. So about an hour later, you realize that you’ve finished
your whole bag of chips, which obviously is very unhealthy. Also, sitting for
a long period of time makes your body stop burning calories, plus electrical activity in your leg muscles shuts down which can cause your body to
retain water.
Next time you sit down on your couch, telling yourself you’re only going to watch one more episode, actually follow through with that statement because now you know the risks of watching more than just a couple.
What happened on this day in history?
March 1, just another day, right?
In some aspects, yes. However, on
March 1, 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps.
What is the Peace Corps, you ask? The
Peace Corps is a program run by the
United States government. The volunteers are American citizens who usually have a college degree. After three
months of training, the volunteers
spend two years abroad, usually in
third-world countries. The training includes a homestay, where volunteers
learn about the county, culture, and
language, and a job shadow of an older/more experienced volunteer. The
volunteers typically work with schools,
governments, non-profit organizations,
and entrepreneurs. In other words,
most of the work Peace Corps volunPage 10
By Tessa
teers do is related development in the
social and economic areas. Over the
past 55 years almost, 220,000 American Peace Corps Volunteers have
helped people in 140 countries. So,
what happened on March 1 in history?
President Kennedy among others
founded a program that has helped
people all over the globe called the
Peace Corps.
March 2016
Collage
By Trinity
Volume 8, Issue 4
Page 11
Wacky Laws
By Emma
Georgia edition
 Donkeys may not be kept in bathtubs.
 No one may carry an ice cream cone in
their back pocket if it is Sunday.
 Persons under the age of 16 may not
play pinball after 11:00 PM in the Athens-Clarke County.
Student’s Choice By Hadden
It’s basketball season and many students wanted to know what is going
on in the season. Currently in the National
Basketball Association, the number one
ranked team is the Golden State Warriors.
Right behind the Golden State Warriors,
are the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Golden State Warriors
hold the third longest winning streak in
one regular season and hold the first longest winning streak over two seasons. The
Milwaukee Bucks ended the Golden State
Warriors streak on December 12, 2015,
making their record 24-1.
March Madness is where the college basketball teams play for the championship. Currently the final four teams in March Madness are Oklahoma, Syracuse, North Carolina and Villanova.
Which two teams do you think will prove themselves and come
out on top this season?
Page 12
March 2016
Word Games
By Tenley
Volume 8, Issue 4
Page 13
Captain Obvious
By Jade
-
If you step on your shoe lace, you will trip.
- If you wear eye glasses, you don’t have good vision.
- If you eat a poisonous animal, you will get sick or die.
- If you have kids, you’re a parent.
Athlete of the Month By Trinity
Emma 8th Grade
Blair 8th Grade
Volume 8, Issue 4
Page 14
Advertisements
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Volume 8, Issue 4
Page 15
BLOB Staff
2 01 5 - 2 01 6
Jazlynne
Cassie
Cloe
Jade
Cade
Te n l e y
Te s s a
Kaeleh
Emma
Hadden
Ellie
Tr i n i t y
Brain Teasers
http://wms.ath
west.k12.or.us
Sponsor: Mrs.
Turner
Editor:
Kaeleh
By Tenley
1. Three men are sitting down to dinner. The waiter comes over and the three men order
their meals. The waiter informs them that the total is $15, so the three men decide to
each pay $5. The waiter takes the money to the cash register, only to find out the
meal was actually supposed to be $10. He takes a $5 back to give it to them, but decides splitting a $5 into three is too hard, so he decides to keep $2 for himself and
splits the other $3 between the three men. That means that each man paid $4, which
totals $12, while the waiter has $2, making $14. However, there was initially $15.
Where did the last dollar go?
1 Answer: The riddle adds the wrong totals
together. Instead of adding those totals,
it should be adding the $10 in the cash
machine, the $2 in the waiter’s hand,
and the $1 in the pockets of each man
who ordered dinner. That totals to $15.
2. What always ends everything?
2 Answer: The letter G