I’m designing a house. YOU can too!

We’ve been doing a lot of crafts these past few days at school, winding down before summer break (which is like, a WEEK away, not that I’m counting of course!) and although I don’t MIND doing them, “art” isn’t really my thing—I’m more of a writer.

But this week, my teacher handed out the coolest assignment. I’m designing my future house! Sort of.

The Infill Design Project is a chance for Grade 4-6 students to draw a picture of their ideal infill house. What’s an infill house? Well, it’s a new house that is built in an old neighbourhood to fill an existing space or replace a home that has been damaged by fire, neglect, or old age. Sometimes they’re tall and skinny, but they can be almost ANY design, and architects across Canada are looking for new ideas.

I have a few.

Like I said, I don’t draw very well, but illustrator James Grasdal says I just need to practice. I’m not great with people or animals (I can’t get the face right!), but these houses are perfect—I just have to think about what *I* would like for my dream home.

Big? Skinny? Crazy and creative? (Probably!) Or maybe futuristic, like a space ship? Mine will have a giant walk-in closet for all of my track and field shoes, and a display case for the Gold medals I’m going to win at the Olympics. (Hey, it’s about dreaming big, right?)

I might ask Grandma for advice—she says the kitchen is the most important part, and I do agree. But any dream house I design will have to be big enough for a dog. I really want one.

Anyway. If you want to take part in the Infill Design Project, check out the site here—and then get drawing! Your design could be featured on the website. Keep an eye out for mine…it will probably be canola yellow. <grin>

 Gotta jet!

— Chase Superman Duffy

The mindboggling stats of the Olympics!

We’ve been doing a lot of Olympics-inspired assignments in class this past week—like writing fake biographies on some of the athletes who will be competing in Rio de Janeiro this summer, pinpointing the torch relay on a giant map of Brazil, or brainstorming reasons why some of the Russian athletes might/might not be allowed to compete.

But yesterday, we researched some mindboggling stats (for a neat math lesson) that are so cool I had to share.

Like, did you know that in the sports events alone, the Games will use 400 footballs, 250 golf carts, 54 boats, and about 32,000 tennis balls? And get this: The Olympic village—the largest to date—will house 80,000 chairs, 70,000 tables, 29,000 mattresses and 60,000 clothes hangers. Oh, and 6,000 TV sets. Crazy!

I know math isn’t my best subject, but those numbers impress even me.

Grandpa is always saying it takes a village to grow canola—scientists, mechanics, labourers and so many more professionals!—but I think to put on the Olympics, you need, well, an entire nation.

I don’t know about you, but all these lessons in class are getting me pumped to watch my favourite athletes compete for gold this August. What sport is YOUR favourite? Who will YOU be watching this summer?

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend. And Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there, especially mine.

— Chase Superman Duffy

Gearing up for summer break—with a challenge!

I don’t know what’s happening in YOUR school, but at mine, we have officially launched into “review” mode—and you know what THAT means, right? SUMMER BREAK is just around the corner!

Don’t get me wrong—I like school. But throughout July and August, I get to sleep in (a little), write as much as I want, and read as many books as I can cram in. Not to mention watch movies, binge watch Netflix, help my grandparents on the farm, practice my sprints at ANY time of the day, and…well, you get the picture, I’m sure.

Every year before summer break, I make a list of things I’m going to tackle over the next couple of months. This year, I’m bringing back the usual suspects—like writing a short story, practicing my photography skills with Dad, and running at the farm—but I’m adding a special challenge for myself: READ MORE BOOKS.

I have read a sad number of books this year, and it’s not because I haven’t wanted to! I just haven’t made the TIME.

Well, this summer, I’m blocking off a chunk of EVERY day to read—one page, one chapter, one book…whatever I can get in. By September, I plan to have read 12 books. That’s 6 in July, another 6 in August. Think I can do it?

What about YOU?

Consider this me throwing down the official challenge gauntlet . Be sure to share your “read” books in the comments section of this blog—and I will too. Starting July 1, the challenge begins! (Of course, you should already be reading… this blog post is your (and my) reminder!

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend... reading?

— Chase Superman Duffy