Kayla Bloom
Bio
Just a writer, teacher, sister, and woman taking things one day at a time in a fast-paced world. Don’t forget to live your dreams.
Stories (35/0)
Illumination Entertainment
I have long been baffled by the films made by the studio Illumination Entertainment. There was nothing immediately obvious as to why I should dislike them. My own niece watched them numerous times and enjoyed them. By all accounts, they were fine. This, however, was before I learned more about the company started by Chris Meledandri. Meledandri received his start back in the early 90’s working at Disney. After that, he moved on to 20th Century Fox and was an executive in their animation department, playing a role in the acquisition of BlueSky Studios. He also produced one of my absolute favorite films, Ever After: A Cinderella Story. Though he found himself the president of Fox animation, he left the company in 2007 to form Illumination Entertainment. They were now a contender and ready to make some money. The studio was shortly thereafter positioned as an entertainment arm of NBCUniversal, retaining all creative control. In April 2016, NBCUniversal announced its acquisition of another competing studio, DreamWorks Animation, for $3.8 billion. It was announced that Meledandri would oversee both Illumination and DreamWorks following the completion of the merger. Such titles from Illumination include the following:
By Kayla Bloom3 years ago in Geeks
The Handmaid's Tale
As we await season 4, which is scheduled to premiere some time in 2021, I have found myself revisiting past seasons of the critically acclaimed series The Handmaid’s Tale. Although production began in 2016 before the election of Donald Trump, it nonetheless became quite clear this was more than an adaptation of a 1985 book by Margaret Atwood, but a relevant commentary on modern society. From the costume choice, the acting, the plotline which extends beyond the book, the series is an exquisite reminder of what we have to lose and issues that currently face us.
By Kayla Bloom3 years ago in The Swamp
Top Simulation Games
Top Simulation Games I have never been much of a typical gamer. Shooting games, racing, or any of the popular consoles never held much interest to me. When I was younger, we only had a Gamecube and played Mario Party 8 over and over, but that was really the extent of gaming until my siblings and I received a Wii for Christmas one year. Computer games was my go-to as a teen, and it was then I discovered an affinity for simulation games – the more realistic, the better.
By Kayla Bloom4 years ago in Gamers
Could Star Wars Come to The Sims 4?
I have been a fan of both the Sims and Star Wars for a long time now, so imagine my surprise when rumors started circulating recently of the possibility of a new Star Wars themed gamepack coming! Let's dive in. So, on April 6th, the Sim Guru team announced a six-month roadmap for new content.
By Kayla Bloom4 years ago in Gamers
The Planet Kumat
Chapter One: The Planet Kumat Surveying the ground through his monitors, Lawn hoovered the ship momentarily as he proceeded to descend vertically into the circular, pit-like dock. Large domed shields disappeared into the sandy foundations of the building as it opened. The setting sun was beginning to impede his sight, and the ship clunked maladroitly to a halt as he swiftly removed his restraints. He flipped off the engine and hastened through the cockpit exit. No matter how many times he has been to Kumat, his palms still perspired.
By Kayla Bloom4 years ago in Futurism
Why are Marvel movies SO much better than DC?
The epic show-down between two giants has long been the topic of debate in my household. And the long-standing conclusion is that Marvel movies have done a considerably better job at bringing comic books to the big screen. But why? What makes them better than DC? Let’s break it down...
By Kayla Bloom4 years ago in Geeks
What to Write First?
This may sound counterintuitive, but I actually started the idea of tips for writers on my very first visit to the Vocal website. I had little idea where to start, what people would find interesting, and if I was even any good at this whole writing thing. And then it hit me. Someday when my fingers ache from typing, eyes burn from the bright glare of the screen, and stomach growls from the neglect of writing excitement, I will look back to this moment. The beginning. Not really the beginning of all of my writing, but just maybe the most important. What is it I would tell that girl eagerly wanting to begin?
By Kayla Bloom4 years ago in Motivation
Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker
Wow.. all I can say is wow! First of all, SPOILER ALERT! You probably already figured that, but just in case you haven’t seen Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker yet and want to, you have been warned. The final ending to the Star Wars saga has come at last. And although the last one left me a little nervous, see my other review at https://vocal.media/futurism/star-wars-the-last-jedi-predictions-and-review, I came away from this movie thoroughly satisfied and there are several reasons. There seemed to be at least one missed opportunity, but let's get started.
By Kayla Bloom4 years ago in Geeks
Multicultural Children's Literacy Collection
It is rather difficult to find suitably diverse books to include in a classroom collection. Many common children’s books are written from a western, Anglo-American point of view. How do we include more diversity into the classroom with this limited variety of resources? How do we encourage more multicultural stories for the future? Like we have talked about in class, providing opportunities for all children to express themselves, tell stories, and facilitate their talents will have a large impact on them as adults in the workforce. When they feel represented in the classroom literature, it shows them that all perspectives are important. Children who are encouraged to read and write freely may feel compelled to write their own books featuring their unique cultural experiences.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Education
The High Cost of Homework
As a future teacher, I want to understand the cognitive, physical, and social toll certain practices have on our students. Homework is a central part of school, at least that’s what we have been led to believe, but young children may suffer unjustifiably in the name of academic success. Particularly during the elementary school years, the young bodies and minds of children under the age of about 10 are not yet equipped developmentally for the sometimes daunting demands of homework. This is the age group I hope to teach someday. Homework has many effects, specifically because it is developmentally inappropriate, it wastes valuable time that could be used for other cognitive and social development, and it produces an educational gap.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Education
Assessment Supports and Accessibility for English Language Learners
Abstract In this research study, the author reviews current elementary academic assessment research for English Language Leaners, and affirms the importance of linguistically accessible, valid, and reliable accommodations. Four main articles were used in the research of this study: Hauck, Wolf, and Mislevy (2016), Kopriva, Thurlow, Perie, Lazarus, and Clark (2016), Shim and Shur (2018), and Lin and Zhang (2013). This research study is based on the following hypotheses. First, that allowing student voice and perspective in the classroom is a prerequisite for student-centered learning. Second, ELLs are most commonly behind their native-English peers in academic achievement and assessment scores, thus, their perspective is crucial for their academic development. Through the framework of theories in George Yule’s (2006) The Study of Language, this research study found that although there are current initiatives in place that attempt to provide valid assessments for English Language Learners (ELL), there are modifications that are not utilized that may facilitate greater achievement. This includes focusing on the learner, engaging in a communicative approach, and understanding cultural competency.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Education
The Irish Potato Famine and Epigenetics
From 1845 to 1852, Ireland experienced one of its most devastating famines. Called the “Great Hunger,” it’s estimated to have killed one million Irish and forced a further two million to emigrate. But the effects have impacted more than the generations who survived. Through epigenetics, it has subsequently impacted the lives and heath of nearly every generation that came afterwards. Epigenetics is the study of the process by which genetic information is translated into the substance and behavior of an organism. Our genes, and the epigenetics that “sit” on them, determine our health, longevity, and dispositions. Not only can these be influenced by biology, but our own actions and experiences as well. Thus, our ancestors’ life experiences have influenced their own epigenetics, which in turn influence our parents’ and finally our own. When examining the Irish Potato Famine, the individual can be understood as the actual individual person experiencing the famine. The group thus becomes the population of Ireland during this time.
By Kayla Bloom5 years ago in Longevity