1. Info Report or Not?

2. Hernán (or Hernando) Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellín, western Spain. He initially studied law but left university to make his fortune in the Americas. In 1504 he sailed for Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), moving to Cuba in 1511 where he assisted Diego Velázquez in his conquest of the island and made his reputation for courage and daring. In 1518 Cortés persuaded Velázquez, who was now governor, to make him commander of an expedition to Mexico. It had only recently been discovered by Europeans and was rumoured to contain great wealth. Shortly before Cortés set sail, Velázquez, who was now suspicious of his motives, cancelled his commission. Cortés ignored Velázquez and set out. On arrival he established a settlement (now Veracruz) and made local allies.

3. Hernán (or Hernando) Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellín, western Spain. He initially studied law but left university to make his fortune in the Americas. In 1504 he sailed for Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), moving to Cuba in 1511 where he assisted Diego Velázquez in his conquest of the island and made his reputation for courage and daring. In 1518 Cortés persuaded Velázquez, who was now governor, to make him commander of an expedition to Mexico. It had only recently been discovered by Europeans and was rumoured to contain great wealth. Shortly before Cortés set sail, Velázquez, who was now suspicious of his motives, cancelled his commission. Cortés ignored Velázquez and set out. On arrival he established a settlement (now Veracruz) and made local allies.

4. Moving away is not always easy. You will miss your best friend. But do you know what a new place means? A new life! You can change over yourself, just like giving yourself a makeover. For example in your old place you like to wear braids. Now you can cut your hair, and grow out your bangs, or add curls! And you're usually pretty lazy, now you can start a new habit! Remember that you can meet lots of new friends too. Be nice to them. Be HONEST. If you want to keep in touch with your old friend you ca e-mail her everyday, or write snail mails. Of course, it isn't going to be that easy, but if you have the spirit to do it, you CAN do it!

5. Moving away is not always easy. You will miss your best friend. But do you know what a new place means? A new life! You can change over yourself, just like giving yourself a makeover. For example in your old place you like to wear braids. Now you can cut your hair, and grow out your bangs, or add curls! And you're usually pretty lazy, now you can start a new habit! Remember that you can meet lots of new friends too. Be nice to them. Be HONEST. If you want to keep in touch with your old friend you ca e-mail her everyday, or write snail mails. Of course, it isn't going to be that easy, but if you have the spirit to do it, you CAN do it!

6. They’re not exotic and in the European case they’re not even that pretty, but when you have thousands of starlings swooping and wheeling like some kind of hypnotic cloud, they become one of the most mesmerizing sights in nature. These rare flocks, or murmurations, happen just before the birds roost down for the night, and while starling numbers have crashed in the UK, you can still see up to a million birds coming together in these huge swarms in England’s nature reserves or at certain piers such as Brighton Pier, just an hour’s train journey from London. The murmurations are most common in winter, November being the best month.

7. They’re not exotic and in the European case they’re not even that pretty, but when you have thousands of starlings swooping and wheeling like some kind of hypnotic cloud, they become one of the most mesmerizing sights in nature. These rare flocks, or murmurations, happen just before the birds roost down for the night, and while starling numbers have crashed in the UK, you can still see up to a million birds coming together in these huge swarms in England’s nature reserves or at certain piers such as Brighton Pier, just an hour’s train journey from London. The murmurations are most common in winter, November being the best month.

8. This summer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning San Diego Union Tribune, hired a new writer. Her name's Lauren and she's 10. Her column, Ask Lauren, offers advice to kids with kids problems. What qualifies her as an expert? "I'm a kid just like you." She's also more open than most girls on the cusp of fifth grade. "I have been through a lot in my life, like being bullied, changing schools, having my parents divorced, family illnesses, friendship problems, pet deaths and lots of other experiences, some good and some not so good," she explains in her introductory column published in May.

9. This summer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning San Diego Union Tribune, hired a new writer. Her name's Lauren and she's 10. Her column, Ask Lauren, offers advice to kids with kids problems. What qualifies her as an expert? "I'm a kid just like you." She's also more open than most girls on the cusp of fifth grade. "I have been through a lot in my life, like being bullied, changing schools, having my parents divorced, family illnesses, friendship problems, pet deaths and lots of other experiences, some good and some not so good," she explains in her introductory column published in May.

10. Shoud school uniforms be required? Some parents and teachers say that uniforms help students focus on academics instead of fashion. Others believe that kids should have the freedom to choose what they wear to school. After considering both sides of the issue, I strongly believe that uniforms should not be required in school. There will always be distractions. Kids should be encouraged and trusted to focus on their schoolwork, or they will never learn to be responsible. Uniforms also are not free. If families are spending money, they should be able to choose the clothes they buy.

11. Shoud school uniforms be required? Some parents and teachers say that uniforms help students focus on academics instead of fashion. Others believe that kids should have the freedom to choose what they wear to school. After considering both sides of the issue, I strongly believe that uniforms should not be required in school. There will always be distractions. Kids should be encouraged and trusted to focus on their schoolwork, or they will never learn to be responsible. Uniforms also are not free. If families are spending money, they should be able to choose the clothes they buy.