Ruby's Rocking Adventures Ep.14
Looking after our mental health
Hi everyone, Ruby here. It was children's mental health week last week but all year round it's important to look after our health. There are many activities you can take part in to keep mental health at its best, here are some ideas to help you.
Art:
Have you heard of Mail Art? Use an envelope and decorate it, place a letter inside and you can post it to a family member or a friend to keep in touch. It is great to receive a hand written letter in the post!
PE:
Physical activity keeps the body strong and healthy and can improve mental health by decreasing symptoms of depression, anxiety, pain and loneliness. Physical activity can also improve focus, school performance, sleep and energy levels. As part of your exercise routine, you can participate in different workouts or even try yoga; there are free videos on YouTube. There is an App to get you moving called Couch to 5k, it's great for beginners.
Check in:
Another way to keep in touch is the simple way of phoning family and friends or set up a video call, where you can play games or quizzes together.
Mindfulness:
If you are stressed and worried about certain things, take time out to calm down and relax. Try this video to comfort you - on You Tube enter Guided Meditation for Positive Energy, Relaxation, Peace. Try the Apps: Calm, MyLife Meditation Mindfulness and an excellent series created by Headspace on Netflix called Guide to Meditation. (check with an adult before downloading)
Olly Flower
Olly has competed in the Panathlon Challenge and represented Team Havering at the London Youth Games on many occasions over the years.
Today, we are incredibly proud to announce that he is the recent recipient of the Jack Petchey Foundation 'Special Recognition' award for dedication as an athlete and for helping others achieve at Panathlon competitions.
Olly attended Redden Court School here in Havering and was due to attend the Boccia England national team trials just before the pandemic hit. He is a true talent.
Congratulations Olly - you are a superstar!
To read the full article please visit: https://panathlon.com/.../jack-petchey-foundation-oliver.../
Ruby's Rocking Adventures Ep.13
Hi everyone, it's me Ruby, I hope you're all keeping safe. If you're looking for a break from the screen, how about reading some great books before we go back to school. I'm part of the Junior Book Club and here are some entertaining books I have read and recommend.
Adventures of the Wishing Chair by Enid Blyton
A creature appears in the children's shed and takes them on magical journeys, which are adventurous and exciting. The special chair transports them to different lands full of imagination. I would rate this book a 4.5/5 stars. Also, this book is a part of three different wishing chair books; there is: The Island of Surprises, The Land of Fairy tales and The Wishing Chair again.
Dark Blue Rising by Terri Terry
This is ideal for 12-15 year olds.
There once was a girl named Holly who preferred to be called by her middle name Tabby and she was being looked after by who she thinks is her mum: Cate.
Sadly, she was hit by a car so had to go to hospital but the girls didn't want to give away any details about themselves to the hospital. To top it off, Cate is arrested and Tabby has a DNA test. Soon after she is reunited with her parents and is back in her bedroom, which she likes to stay in. Tabby then joins a swimming club and wins for her team but in her lesson she starts breathing uncontrollably, what will happen to her? Tabby then goes to the sea when she thinks she has overcome her breathing difficulties but is it still too dangerous for her? I really enjoyed this book because it was surprising and exciting. I also enjoyed it because some parts you didn't know what was going to happen next, it had lots of twists and was telling Tabby's journey and what she was going through. I would rate this 4.5 stars as I didn't really understand the first chapter but overall, it was a great and interesting book. This book is not a part of a series. Just sit back and enjoy reading Tabby's life journey.
Watership Down by Richard Adams
I really enjoyed this book but it was sad at times. I could relate to this book as my special comforter is a bunny and the book is about bunny rabbits so I didn't want anything bad to happen to them.
The story introduces young rabbit named Fiver who could sense danger at their warren (their home) so he told his brother Hazel. Together they discussed the matter with El-Ahraira- the leader of their warren. The El-Ahraira said that there was no need to leave. Fiver still had a strong feeling that something was wrong so together Hazel and Fiver gathered together some other rabbits to leave their warren and go with them. After explaining what Fiver senses, they set off on their adventure to find a new warren. They have trouble, injuries and predators on their journey. Did they find their perfect warren?
This book was very adventurous and quite long, 617 pages so great for keen readers like me. A fantastic read if you prefer longer books. I would rate this book a 4.5/5 stars.
Ruby's Rocking Adventures Ep.12
Hi everyone, Ruby here. I got into photography last summer as I received an iPhone for my birthday; it has a really good camera. My phone has a 12-megapixel f/1.8 wide camera. Have you had a chance to discover your camera phones features?
Nature
When you go out for a walk you can take beautiful photos of the sun and colourful sky. You can also take photos of the plants, flowers and trees. Like me, you can visit Dagnam Park and take pictures of the wild deer close up or photos of family, friends, pets and other wildlife; the possibilities are endless! Don't leave all these beautiful images on your phone, sign up to Free Prints app and you can get 45 prints free every month just pay for delivery. (Ask an adult for permission)
Apps
There are apps you can download to edit your photos. I personally like Adobe Light room; you can adjust the colour and light with simple editing tools. Second is Retouch Al, where you can remove objects out of your photo, which you don't want in the shot and VSCO, where you can take your photography to the next level with 10 VSCO presets. Have a look and discover what you like.
Extras
- A Bluetooth remote is a handy gadget for selfies, also a mini tripod; both are available online for under £10.
- iPhone- Portrait mode is next to the normal camera mode, although you can only take the photo to get the clearest picture at a certain distance.
- If you start a video there is a white button next to the video button, which allows you to take photos during your videos so you never miss a thing.
- If you swipe left on your device on camera mode you can take photo bursts so you can choose your favourite out of many, click onto select to choose.
- I like this trick, on your camera when you zoom in you can get a clearer picture after waiting a few seconds for your camera to focus.
Ruby's Rocking Adventures Ep.11
Hi everyone it's me Ruby, I hope you're keeping well and safe and the home schooling is going ok. I've had a great week, topped off with a signed Declan Rice photo delivered to my door!
Here are some things that have been keeping me entertained.
TV shows
Family Cooking Showdown: This is on Netflix, two families go head-to-head and one of them gets through to the semi-final over a series of three challenges, I'd like to go on this show with my family, some of the recipes have been handed through the generations which I find very inspirational.
Sugar Rush: Four teams of two compete in three challenges and one team will be cut from round one and two, this is a baking competition, great if love sweet treats! Again, on Netflix.
The One & Only Ivan: This is on Disney Plus a film where a silver back gorilla, tries to free the other animals in his circus.
World's Greatest Dogs: This is on Disney plus; dogs from all over the world perform different tricks and are in films doing stunts.
Dancing on Ice: This is on ITV, the series has just started, twelve celebrities take to the ice and they will be leaving the competition through a skate off each week.
The Chase: A quiz show on ITV where people try and beat the chasers who are all very clever to win cash prizes, good to expand your general knowledge.
The Masked Singer: The new series recently started, celebrities sing and are disguised under masks. Have you guessed anyone on there yet?
Playlists
During my virtual 'Zoom' modern dancing class on Saturday my teacher changes the playlists each week. Last week we danced to eighties music and this week it's the nineties! It's good to put on some music and move! You can view playlists and make your own on Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify and on the shuffle mode in Spotify it's free to play, you can open an account and play for free! I love the Norris Nuts songs; you can also view workout music to play whilst you exercise or just to motivate you in the background.
I hope you liked my recommendations. Don't forget to join in with London Youth Games School Games fitness challenges to earn points for Havering. Check it out on www.londonyouthgames.org or @ldnyouthgames on Instagram. Go Team Havering!