tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72190859551928732092024-02-06T21:00:26.337-08:00Nicola's e-PortfolioNicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-74244122095428490872010-08-03T00:26:00.001-07:002010-10-06T22:22:31.025-07:00OVER & OUT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNwhI0WiMN-ItVSIc4lbGcGlLjddvDi6am6Rz0VMUSmpgotQf_OkCyiC5BCBNvbrxLj1y1_bFSLHGAjJwtsrP09DewTLyi8q1uEyt6BANjka8KNk8DfxZWwcueN_Qef3KYsaa5_Ali5U/s1600/Picture+30.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 44px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNwhI0WiMN-ItVSIc4lbGcGlLjddvDi6am6Rz0VMUSmpgotQf_OkCyiC5BCBNvbrxLj1y1_bFSLHGAjJwtsrP09DewTLyi8q1uEyt6BANjka8KNk8DfxZWwcueN_Qef3KYsaa5_Ali5U/s320/Picture+30.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525169882635949890" border="0" /></a>Year 11 will be even more intense than Year 10, and so I may briefly post how my five subjects are going, where I am in my learning, and the occasional grade, but I'll start to wind up on the heavy blogging. It's been enjoyable, and it still doesn't have to end, because this blog will stay here for a long time yet. All the websites I've been involved in, and all the Web 2.0 tools I've experimented with have caused a set of footprints, my footprints, to be traced in the sand everywhere that I went online. And there they'll stay.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.basicchristian.org/footprints_rocks.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 187px;" src="http://www.basicchristian.org/footprints_rocks.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-14174145201548602972010-08-03T00:25:00.003-07:002010-10-06T22:19:47.517-07:00WHAT I'VE LEARNT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigp5H8XOfY7DT5gai4JSyoY0CS5hPeOcLuZczgdTSYdKtSYLRZJ0zPl-cN1ZhiR0TUgHA-L6_yTZAso5T8EiCprLlv4W2AX2URHJQcQ1XuB8i8Un93owjuc9rWjJH6Ro-mRwww11Slwvw/s1600/Picture+29.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 50px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigp5H8XOfY7DT5gai4JSyoY0CS5hPeOcLuZczgdTSYdKtSYLRZJ0zPl-cN1ZhiR0TUgHA-L6_yTZAso5T8EiCprLlv4W2AX2URHJQcQ1XuB8i8Un93owjuc9rWjJH6Ro-mRwww11Slwvw/s320/Picture+29.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525165442430525026" border="0" /></a>I've made this a tradition now, but have discovered that noone ever stops learning if you keep your eyes wide open, as well as your mind.<br /> I've learnt that success must be worked towards and changes to learning made in order to achieve at a higher level. I, for the first time, am starting to have to fight for my good grades and must continue to improve my work ethic before exams and next year. Perhaps what the world needs is a change to learning as well, but a change for the better. A change from old-school to using technology and Web 2.o tools? This could well work. It would equip students with more than what they need and teach them more than they can learn from the current style. I am still for electronic portfolios.<br /> This blog started as an around five week experiment for my school. The others who started with me have long since given up, but I've kept mine going, four years down the track, because I warm to the idea of a big collection, preserved forever online, of all my school work, briefly, since Year 7, since I started going to school, learning to learn, rather than accepting everything I'm taught. With an eportfolio I can be more spontaneous, and that is a good skill to acquire. Perhaps this also shows determination, for I've made a point of keeping the blog going. One year, two years, three ... four.<br /> There really has been no end to all I've learnt from keeping a blog, an electronic portfolio. It provides a good base to inspire from, and to teach from. There's a world of online tools out there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.vdh.state.va.us/distancelearning/images/dl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 198px;" src="http://www.vdh.state.va.us/distancelearning/images/dl.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-59594373486427765122010-08-03T00:25:00.001-07:002010-10-06T21:56:13.848-07:00ACHIEVEMENTS - JUNIOR YEARS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZvroxwxuXP7o1COQfToUbD1xMNbEbvUjWeoJ8vL67BtrPBzrbHWHLBQBuNPJ-laus19hBpo9FCFVgordb8ynP3E4bzklQGNrPaRh5m4sES6UV5kCZaZQzOYmf8YPwCUQYz7MVEk1T68/s1600/Picture+26.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 47px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZvroxwxuXP7o1COQfToUbD1xMNbEbvUjWeoJ8vL67BtrPBzrbHWHLBQBuNPJ-laus19hBpo9FCFVgordb8ynP3E4bzklQGNrPaRh5m4sES6UV5kCZaZQzOYmf8YPwCUQYz7MVEk1T68/s320/Picture+26.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525149576848767570" border="0" /></a>In Year 9, I was involved with House Forum. I represented my tutor group to take part in organizing house events.<br />I was part of the Environmental Council and helped to clean our local stream a couple of times.<br />I joined the Junior Choir. We had 12 Year 9's and we sang some songs the whole year through.<br />I played my flute in the Junior Concert Band made especially for prizegiving.<br />I was part of the Flute Choir and was therefore involved with the annual Spring Concert of musical items.<br />I played tennis for the school in the first term, and later joined the Rockclimbing club (which I'd been waiting to join since Intermediate!). This was the constant highlight of the week. I learned about the grading system NZ uses for rockclimbing and progressed from climbing 16's to scrambling up two 20's.<br />I sat the Australasian Writing paper but had a catastrophe with being over the word limit. New to college, I didn't know word counts don't matter as much as I assumed, so I'm ashamed to say I had problems during that paper and got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Participation</span>.<br />I took part in Athletics Day which was especially for serious athletes. (!) A wee bit scary but I stayed with the younger girls and tried some javelin, 100m sprint, shotput, long jump and am pleased to say that I did better at discus than I thought I could.<br />I swam hard for the annual Swimming Sports day. My friend and I did well in our heats. Neither of us swim competitively. I received a 3rd place in freestyle, a 2nd place in backstroke and a 1st place in breaststroke.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ4S7gUHAvjThJXWHUD52UhBt65oRotk2-bi81jFoQy12PJpSejFyKi3_oIqTtTrcZpgxv4saC_SOLwt3fmIhXelMRiCTRQvWON4vDqQnLndc0cJHlGxEJIxfAy11Xbm-g2GKLoWQ11s/s1600/Picture+27.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ4S7gUHAvjThJXWHUD52UhBt65oRotk2-bi81jFoQy12PJpSejFyKi3_oIqTtTrcZpgxv4saC_SOLwt3fmIhXelMRiCTRQvWON4vDqQnLndc0cJHlGxEJIxfAy11Xbm-g2GKLoWQ11s/s320/Picture+27.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525153087142625810" border="0" /></a><br />This year, in Year 10, I rejoined the Environmental Council and have done a bit of treeplanting in the school horticulture garden. I was accepted into an elite garden renovating group too.<br />I came back to the Junior Choir. Year 9's outnumbered us this year. We sang 'Laudamus Te', 'My Gifts to Keep' and 'I'm a Believer' (as well as a few others, just for fun), for the annual Big Sing competitin in the Town Hall. We were a small amateur choir compared with the more prestigious schools but were awarded a grade one higher than what we expected!<br />This year I properly joined the Concert Band - it has been a lot of fun rehearsing on Friday mornings. We play 'Ash Lawn Echoes', three pieces from 'Sinfonia #4' and four pieces, but primarily two, from the 'Simple Gifts' movement. The really lovely piece in that selection is called 'In Yonder Valley' and, having a lot of flutes in our band, I volunteered for the part of the glockenspiel! I found I really like the glockenspiel, and although a little tricky straightaway, sight reading with everyone watching, a week of determined practicing later, I was away. I played the glockenspiel in the annual KKB Music Festival in the Town Hall. I was a little frightened because it didn't sound so good, but I had never played wih such impressive acoustics before and apparently from further down, where my conductor stood, it sounded beautiful. - Phew! The medal we received was the Silver Medal. We were one point off getting a gold! My conductor is very happy with our award this year, anyhow.<br />I sat a Year 11 Science exam - the National Chemistry Quiz - but haven't received my grade back yet. It was, however, very hard.<br />Again, I took part in Athletics Day, running 400m, 200m, 100m and 1500m (but remained a little daunted by the 3km run) because I had trained over the summer for the annual Round The Bays event and hadn't done it in the end. I also did quite well in long jump, getting shortlisted twice before jumping too short (I can hardly remember now but I think I jumped 1.97m on one of these), and attempted high jump. My friend and I did discus and shotput too. The highlight of the day was placing second in the 1500m - although there were two people from my house - I still received the little red card with number two printed on!<br />I did well in my heats in Swimming Sports again. I got two 2nd places and one 1st place. Virtually no-one wanted to do 30m butterfly, and they needed two from each house, so my friend and I went in for a laugh. I fell behind, but I was against professionals! Surprisingly, the two of us were nominated for the relay as well!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/1/b/d/f/1207432106921685105technical%20rock%20climbing%20white.svg.thumb.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/1/b/d/f/1207432106921685105technical%20rock%20climbing%20white.svg.thumb.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I also kept on rockclimbing this year. I improved hugely in technique when I ws coached by another girl who's very good. I've since climbed a further three grade 20's (and am proud of myself!) and made it up my first 21 ever. I was also selected for an exchange against another high school and put into a team of six. Four of us were at a similar level and two are lead climbers. From the other team of six, their climbers were all lead climbers. It didn't make too much difference. We were all instructed to climb a 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, without racing, without being judged on techniques. We gained points the higher we got. I was excited to spend a day off school - climbing. This was my first competition. Fortunately half the climbs were some of my favourites, and they were all on my favourite stretch of wall. The 16 went well. So did the 17. It was a little nerve-wracking, knowing if we fell off a wall as easy as this there were no second chances. I did the 18, and would've gotten a fair amount of points on the 19. Unfortunately the chosen 19 was one I am starting to loathe because of the hard mantel move at the top. I made it 95% of the way, so it's okay by me, as I've tried for a few weeks to do that 19. It's a funny one how it divides any group in half. Some people can do it, like my climbing partner, and some people are very close but just can't, like me, and two or three of the others. I climbed a little of the 22, but it's beyond me at the moment. I didn't get any points because the competiton was practically over by then; I'm a little disappointed with the 21, which may have been slightly feasible, but it had a hard beginning. As soon as my foot lifted off the ground (a foot high) and was put down again I'd 'fallen'. However, the 20 made me happy. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do the whole thing because it was one of the taller ones, but bit by bit I made it up, and felt relief when I touched the bar at the top. This apparently substantially heped my points. I placed sixth out of the twelve of us, and was the third climber in the ranks from our school's six (just below our two lead climbers), making me pretty pleased that I was exactly midway and had had a good day too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfI0dDXOAbWQ9nWOn5xJ9QK6KvNcj14uW_W_6BLXOOl_lHpyy_ZfpvSZu5KFPpH7dVE-2XCU5nSOAZsjvU-R578dwv99O1a1FaWm6YSgobRgPscnWtmVI3nviSFnLGjDW-kri4sW6bTc/s1600/Picture+28.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfI0dDXOAbWQ9nWOn5xJ9QK6KvNcj14uW_W_6BLXOOl_lHpyy_ZfpvSZu5KFPpH7dVE-2XCU5nSOAZsjvU-R578dwv99O1a1FaWm6YSgobRgPscnWtmVI3nviSFnLGjDW-kri4sW6bTc/s320/Picture+28.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525160275946795202" border="0" /></a><br />Another thing: the overhang I climbed in Year 8 that shocked me is now a very easy warm-up climb. That, I think, is progress, and with progress comes achievement. :)Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-40204870445444228652010-08-03T00:23:00.001-07:002010-10-06T20:58:45.283-07:00GERMAN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMki_xnp40cuM-MuNL4yQj-IqY5Vx9mVhPXu6g8JjWIy2ZrDWjs7pKAu_UymS1PAEyDFuMZ3H_h00wHW6CR6b-ah8iwnQ_pLbSip5wwt2y3ucDh2LKdHBZGXqG5YGeXTTLzy6FOtcBhwM/s1600/Picture+3.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 48px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMki_xnp40cuM-MuNL4yQj-IqY5Vx9mVhPXu6g8JjWIy2ZrDWjs7pKAu_UymS1PAEyDFuMZ3H_h00wHW6CR6b-ah8iwnQ_pLbSip5wwt2y3ucDh2LKdHBZGXqG5YGeXTTLzy6FOtcBhwM/s320/Picture+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509167763090517698" border="0" /></a>German this year has been my second option choice. I'm still enjoying learning the language, although this year has been noticeably harder and more focused on the language structure; also I think I will drop the subject for next year, as I've done a year and a half of German now and have had lots of fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.maps-of-germany.co.uk/images/physical-map-Germany.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 247px;" src="http://www.maps-of-germany.co.uk/images/physical-map-Germany.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Twelve assessments are and were lined up for us this year for German. They're our TBL assessments and although we haven't received grades back, I think I've had quite a good year of tests.<br /><br />First we had to film our small group introducing ourselves and each other; the footage was to be marked. The following extended to us having to talk about our family as well. I put together a movie using technology and programmes I wasn't quite confident with but scrubbed up reasonably well! The third was a supposedly pen-pal response in letter format, telling them all about us. We corresponded back to our teacher, but this was one of my best emails. :)<br />The fourth assessment was a simple MP3 recording done like an interview.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jdZA1TTSxqU/SZ_ptVXvq8I/AAAAAAAAAX4/00ufGc5etVc/s400/family_clipart_300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 138px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jdZA1TTSxqU/SZ_ptVXvq8I/AAAAAAAAAX4/00ufGc5etVc/s400/family_clipart_300.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The following assessment was a Powerpoint of an itinerary and additional information for getting around a German city. I chose Bremen, and will post the Powerpoint up below. I made a twin Powerpoint just like it for Auckland, for the next assessment though, because we needed to do one in German, so the opposite from our last one, about getting around the city.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/kokusai/non_contents/find-new/img/jessica/infonz/Auckland.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 119px;" src="http://www.pref.fukushima.jp/kokusai/non_contents/find-new/img/jessica/infonz/Auckland.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />One big test we did was the Listening and Reading test. I'm quite sure that I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>.<br /><br />In German we use quite a few different types of technology. We are on the computers often and all our assessments have been Powerpoints, MP3 recordings, videos or emails. All our work is stored on a class <a href="https://docs.google.com/">Google Doc</a>, and it is nice using this handy tool again as I hadn't since Year 8! (Please note I cannot link the Doc completely because it is secure but the link will take you through to Google Docs where you have the opportunity to create one if you would like.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://justtoological.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/google-docs-logo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 151px;" src="http://justtoological.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/google-docs-logo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The most recent assessment was a group recorded dialogue of what would be said in a cake shop, ordering things to eat. We got ours done quickly and efficiently.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Bremen Powerpoint (TBL 5):</span><br /></span><span>S</span><span>lides can be enlarged for reading with a single click!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhGC_HDeu9U_DarkypnPByyXPmTVSs3SIqPFPP3gMnxVjKMtDLpVG3HnCI-fmMMFyiQnGjdGLYiWTEKiqdUUuCbOhGwbjGfFgOX6eyHT-2-1yoaH97Kc_pm6NQDxJrfwFPHqv0pDqnMA/s1600/Picture+22.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhGC_HDeu9U_DarkypnPByyXPmTVSs3SIqPFPP3gMnxVjKMtDLpVG3HnCI-fmMMFyiQnGjdGLYiWTEKiqdUUuCbOhGwbjGfFgOX6eyHT-2-1yoaH97Kc_pm6NQDxJrfwFPHqv0pDqnMA/s320/Picture+22.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509186667997900466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTnBKpyFly8FKut4UK58J9Us86uhSrV5FM5lPLFcmlS_8RZEiB-jk0o7erGKvrD9yJqcVHYlwwY2ldMy1bMoVEQZM8BhRogUCIR3N8hnhs-LJ1xy3akZWTKYCPepXxmfR6H_ggYqIIIU/s1600/Picture+23.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTnBKpyFly8FKut4UK58J9Us86uhSrV5FM5lPLFcmlS_8RZEiB-jk0o7erGKvrD9yJqcVHYlwwY2ldMy1bMoVEQZM8BhRogUCIR3N8hnhs-LJ1xy3akZWTKYCPepXxmfR6H_ggYqIIIU/s320/Picture+23.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509186483573960226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG0kgYTO56WLfLu4v0kE9YPOEPEBx3hBamhuibtdjGcSI0xD8Op8E6HVB4D0OvytpmBEtYp-hbBptpZ4kk2YNrHeOZjIfDYGfP-KJrEl_gGsRRXR7NcW-T8EeTPpMLp2qEDeoaM2DDuY/s1600/Picture+24.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG0kgYTO56WLfLu4v0kE9YPOEPEBx3hBamhuibtdjGcSI0xD8Op8E6HVB4D0OvytpmBEtYp-hbBptpZ4kk2YNrHeOZjIfDYGfP-KJrEl_gGsRRXR7NcW-T8EeTPpMLp2qEDeoaM2DDuY/s320/Picture+24.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509186473769243810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS9repuPO6EV1-yOocitaDKd6pX4shZifS_rxRXkZPhzQdccewmbTGdNH6HLPKxPxeY9X9JoAI04KPvJf5l9nqgDDHTYDIbpkOydRjTCqC67EoL8aZG654QwfiYoC-bQJ1heIAGSw4Sw/s1600/Picture+25.png"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dckqgah8GEgcyBi9RXR_Rqc_KVaJw_powG7Ud8Zel6Eb4zMN6cBkI0ARYYcdGGxmli7DaIIkGy-TwOoIg0kpuj8yj95Ml6ufAQfPAOoCYuAJWTCpGkQXhV5j1qfuFNJlxPppQIBlbLQ/s320/Picture+35.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509181818313516050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Auckland Powerpoint (TBL 7):</span><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCYWtdGzamzH468EdJXhznwixmVgJt12tfjsJOXYK0cq7rQQoImSPJwy1EITfljJra0HdlBTZt1q-HMtQErlMuUUFpPRRBpE8zcuEkra9TMY8mQaOf5Hpe6_6n2xOFaJlc-1al4M-Bmo/s1600/Picture+22.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCYWtdGzamzH468EdJXhznwixmVgJt12tfjsJOXYK0cq7rQQoImSPJwy1EITfljJra0HdlBTZt1q-HMtQErlMuUUFpPRRBpE8zcuEkra9TMY8mQaOf5Hpe6_6n2xOFaJlc-1al4M-Bmo/s320/Picture+22.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509191956225518482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoIV0-uz57UzH30xzolGpHxuqNhCwuoFhEnV_FOHGsBlPHhvf1hIXqiZv1xub4tsHbAsVkgr2_7IoVG9rlWFFOeMU1nmZdlslR1IOgm8J0PNvvlGPteY9VD2SoWICIVYFFKicpn51bX8/s1600/Picture+23.png"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95QCpHSzyHNmgyq0NXsworMrbRFB9WDTC45QN0uhxPxd-KN-NilWho9-ERqvXqQ7PBkzBitd5GmFYuTs3BQoq2q0KqW4r4bGJQp5n8xvikyfzUHdHlGeg_9YS-3EiIa6fXAUuAF3TNKM/s320/Picture+29.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509188983444479794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifDcwCR1WEYZDaA8Ndza_t8cHIkpfVuWlpjKjTKGXgMdACioeBSYN9qJ6Y4bwJ4_2EpbWaXF9BwlREH27Rt6ZevbLzLu29RpGD-qPPmtUBhlqN_abXzlTliq3ZODRGKjve_gkQ_fg2v0/s1600/Picture+30.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifDcwCR1WEYZDaA8Ndza_t8cHIkpfVuWlpjKjTKGXgMdACioeBSYN9qJ6Y4bwJ4_2EpbWaXF9BwlREH27Rt6ZevbLzLu29RpGD-qPPmtUBhlqN_abXzlTliq3ZODRGKjve_gkQ_fg2v0/s320/Picture+30.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509188772204310130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvetFzaNjuBEFSKdFO37VK75a26l0-n7UQLvti9prREnVL5SQAvX5DvAQnNrOy8H6SAKo3BCFwzOfi5ZS9HwG_-OiuMsDj0ZEwUhm4oMRoi06_yzPHeEXpGUu8BOGtHqz9I8efRtKaSGA/s1600/Picture+31.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvetFzaNjuBEFSKdFO37VK75a26l0-n7UQLvti9prREnVL5SQAvX5DvAQnNrOy8H6SAKo3BCFwzOfi5ZS9HwG_-OiuMsDj0ZEwUhm4oMRoi06_yzPHeEXpGUu8BOGtHqz9I8efRtKaSGA/s320/Picture+31.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509188764521367234" border="0" /></a><br />Our practice exam was the September assessment. There was a Writing paper persuading a friend to come to New Zealand. We had to write things like "We will take the bus to the beach. You can buy icecreams there," sort of thing. The Listening paper was challenging, but then again, it was a Year 11 exam. I got a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span> overall, and an overall <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span> in the Reading paper too. I'm very happy with that!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWT4cA2rAKLBt7_T8_BtsNYXrcQnafHk59ObTZMcAKNSmafJLQH7aajVi9Nl9D9ipBR4_7Oyuuu-cllA8e-sHoESYIEMUUm6Mt3MHGD3UDSh6lZAArLvPRcaaXu-edV3WoLVQBIEsQKB8/s1600/Picture+25.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 95px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWT4cA2rAKLBt7_T8_BtsNYXrcQnafHk59ObTZMcAKNSmafJLQH7aajVi9Nl9D9ipBR4_7Oyuuu-cllA8e-sHoESYIEMUUm6Mt3MHGD3UDSh6lZAArLvPRcaaXu-edV3WoLVQBIEsQKB8/s320/Picture+25.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525148329950003090" border="0" /></a><br />That brings us up to date for German 2010. We won't be learning much from now on, rather revising for the real exam. That's okay by me, because I have learnt absolutely heaps this year.Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-19312755185394112992010-07-15T23:15:00.000-07:002010-10-06T20:38:58.422-07:00SCIENCE EX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl42XWD1N4a9vrj-3gbXNLWSDGyCiuxvo_6PJAhFQSh82xT2PesjDZpUAjo8LbhlunzzhspkF_xQeSmcNcl9aRIFd7JQO_jyUOM8qi5bpMY6Vvehvqxmx00yixJE2tNvsBu0lP951xkxA/s1600/Picture+2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 53px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl42XWD1N4a9vrj-3gbXNLWSDGyCiuxvo_6PJAhFQSh82xT2PesjDZpUAjo8LbhlunzzhspkF_xQeSmcNcl9aRIFd7JQO_jyUOM8qi5bpMY6Vvehvqxmx00yixJE2tNvsBu0lP951xkxA/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494384177962951394" border="0" /></a>Science could be my second favourite subject this year. Certainly, I really enjoy the subject and have learned heaps in a relatively short space of time. The speed we go at learning things is very fast but the way my teacher teaches allows everyone to understand all the new concepts. Like Social Studies, Science for me is an extension subject this year. Everyone in my class does all the mainstream subjects with me too but we must have been grouped based on our science class because we're all together.We have a lot of fun. I have discovered I love Chemistry, but it is probably Biology I will pursue in the next few years. Taking Year 11 Science in Year 10 gives me the opportunity to fill some of my Year 11 quota of 80 credits (for NCEA) a year early from science tests and suchlike.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.apostle.com.tw/science.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 138px;" src="http://www.apostle.com.tw/science.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I have a big heavy Year 11 Science Workbook which I have managed to keep very neat so far. We used it a lot in Chemistry for various exercises, which was our first topic for the year. It started with atomic structure. This made no sense at all last year but is clearer than crystal now! I can compare protons, electrons and neutrons and describe the atomic number, mass number and possible isotope of an element on the Periodic Table Of Elements. I loved it when we worked out electron configuration of an element based upon the number of protons and the element being neutral, all because it made so much sense. Also, when an element loses an electron, or gains one, (or two, or three..) to make the valence stable and to join up with another element, forming an ion, the neutral status of the element tips and it becomes either positively or negatively charged. Ions got a bit confusing but I understand all that now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://newsjunkiepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/atom2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 128px;" src="http://newsjunkiepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/atom2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our teacher is good at teaching using different methods. Normally we have discussions or he lectures us all the information we need. One day he brought out mini whiteboards for everybody so we could do a true or false quiz. Everyday we have a quick quiz in the back of our books as a refresher, and quite often we watch Youtube or VCR videos, conduct practical experiments, watch the teacher conduct an experiment or we view some of the BrainPop movies and quizzes. We find BrainPop a good site! <a href="http://www.brainpop.com/">http://www.brainpop.com/</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bay.scdsb.on.ca/images/BrainPOP_timmoby.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 64px;" src="http://bay.scdsb.on.ca/images/BrainPOP_timmoby.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Compounds and mixtures were good things to become clear about this year too. We got up to having to balance chemical equations by adding appropriate molecules and evening out numbers of particles, and also had to remember the basic formulae. Metals and oxygen, metals and hydrogen, acids and bases... We learned how to recognize acids and bases, experimented with the Universal Indicator and Litmus papers, and the pH scale. I liked the Universal Indicator, which made our test tubes turn all the colours of the rainbow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.richardanderson.me.uk/keystage3/year7/module5/images/phscale.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 64px;" src="http://www.richardanderson.me.uk/keystage3/year7/module5/images/phscale.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I understood further when we worked with salts. We separated salt from sand and learned that an acid and a base react together to produce salt and water. In the equation we wrote, the latter and first pieces of the base and acid came together to create the salt, and the remainder was H2O! OH is hydroxide and H is hydrogen. They are opposites and H atoms are from acids while OH atoms are from bases; H and OH is what makes H2O!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107/Water/WaterTableSalt.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 131px;" src="http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107/Water/WaterTableSalt.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Biology has been a good unit too. The first part was about Micro-organisms. We studied bacteria and how they move, respire, reproduce, sense, grow, excrete and eat, using MRS GREN as a checklist. (Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, Nutrition.) We applied these life functions to Fungi as well. Through comparing we discovered the similarities and differences between fungi and bacteria.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinpq43lYG_BCHHrngr8pRA17sbbywRCfjgKGaNzMcKCv4Imsi7lWd4kNrCAcgNQ0ukV4OfHM2gmrHMeUObS6hKooOjtLUE4nmJcuJIX-uWJwxh4UzDwUluUJxZ5gFNF1S-7a_v8mNTgQ/s1600/Picture+4.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinpq43lYG_BCHHrngr8pRA17sbbywRCfjgKGaNzMcKCv4Imsi7lWd4kNrCAcgNQ0ukV4OfHM2gmrHMeUObS6hKooOjtLUE4nmJcuJIX-uWJwxh4UzDwUluUJxZ5gFNF1S-7a_v8mNTgQ/s400/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494415592469983250" border="0" /></a>The third microbe we looked at were viruses. These are debated over whether they're living or not, but we looked at these parasites all the same. They are excellent at reproducing, but not at the other life functions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtPgBhDKoHirgg4gAye-gfI5Wt1MKaO1o0_p0JGhe_xk6R8jOBM_84r_zIaf7YM4cJT1s6RFPUnqOvpsYiwL0iGZVYkk2ZI8CBn2quqa8fC3pX_lK3DO_PzEu7BP90edNwAninVsii6s/s400/virusStructure.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtPgBhDKoHirgg4gAye-gfI5Wt1MKaO1o0_p0JGhe_xk6R8jOBM_84r_zIaf7YM4cJT1s6RFPUnqOvpsYiwL0iGZVYkk2ZI8CBn2quqa8fC3pX_lK3DO_PzEu7BP90edNwAninVsii6s/s400/virusStructure.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The second part of Biology was a little more interesting for me, on genetics. There is a wheel we drew in our books with multiple rings, divided in two at the centre, four in the next ring, then 8, and 16 and 32. Specific traits alternated all the way around their ring, and the last ring had numbers 1 to 32 clockwise around. We were able to draw the path out own bodies take and find out how different we were! At the end our teacher called out each number to see who was who. We had four in the same category at most, but nearly everyone was different. I was one of a few people to put my hand up after 16, because I am on the opposite half to may class, being left-handed. This wheel is slightly similar. Click to enlarge!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://library.thinkquest.org/3037/wheel.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 173px;" src="http://library.thinkquest.org/3037/wheel.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />At the centre I ticked the left semicircle (left-handed) then the fourth quarter in the second ring (I have an attached earlobe.). In the third ring I selected the sixth eighth (with a shorter second toe) and then the thirteenth sixteenth in the fourth ring because I have a double jointed thumb. In the fifth ring I used the twenty-sixth piece because I <span style="font-style: italic;">cannot</span> roll my tongue. That made me Number 26! I was the only 26 in my class :)<br /><br />DNA, or DeoxyriboNucleic Acid was looked into closely by us. We copied out magnified drawings of DNA and chromosomes, DNA nucleotides, genes and then the little pictures of Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine matches. The order of these determines alleles, or 'options' of a specific gene.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flascience.org/art/icondna.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 135px;" src="http://www.flascience.org/art/icondna.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />A litte further on we watched videos on, and were taught all about Mitosis and Meiosis. We compared the similarities and difference of these two processes.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/I9X_T-OYK4g&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/I9X_T-OYK4g&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/R_LUJSqeSrI&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/R_LUJSqeSrI&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />I can define genotypes and phenotypes, alleles and genes, homozygote and heterozygote pairs and the differences between dominant and recessive genes. All this made up our next bit of work, involving us learning to draw Punnett Squares (to get down options of a gene for offspring based upon genes of two parents) and extracting information from Pedigree Charts to decide which allele of a gene is recessive and which is dominant.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Autosomal_Recessive_Pedigree_Chart_.svg/600px-Autosomal_Recessive_Pedigree_Chart_.svg.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 211px;" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Autosomal_Recessive_Pedigree_Chart_.svg/600px-Autosomal_Recessive_Pedigree_Chart_.svg.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Just before the term ended we looked at selective breeding and cloning of animals for special traits required or desired.<br /><br />Pedigree charts, bacteria, viruses, cloning, selective breeding and Punnett Squares are the things I had to do in my recent Biology test, for which I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>. In my Chemistry test I had four long writing questions about various things. This test got me <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span> too.<br />We've also just completed an assessment for a few credits. We had to spend two lessons researching either Copper, Titanium or Lead (basically the whole class did copper, including me) and two lessons writing a 2 to 4 A4 page report on the uses of our metal, in relation to its physical and chemical properties. I haven't got my result yet but think I did quite well with three and a bit pages full of information on how copper us used. I linked it all and reasoned it back to the properties of copper and wound up with a bibliography of every site I used. It got handed in with my research, both in my own words and copied straight from various resources, and the only thing I ran out of time for was a quick code in the margins of my report to help the teacher identify when I was comparing or analyzing etc. something. I hope I'll hear how I did (and if I got some more credits!) on Monday. Here is the research I did in preparation on Copper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.diracdelta.co.uk/science/source/c/o/copper/copper-001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 127px;" src="http://www.diracdelta.co.uk/science/source/c/o/copper/copper-001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br />COPPER</span><br /><br />How are the chemical and physical properties of copper considered by people using the metal for specific purposes?<br /><br />-> What are the chemical properties of copper?<br />-> What are the physical properties of copper?<br />-> What purposes does copper serve to people?<br />-> Why is copper used for the purposes it serves?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Background Information of Relevance</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">NCEA Level One | Science Extension | Chemistry 1.2 Resource Booklet</span><br /><br />Copper was known in ancient times and used very long ago to make useful articles for people. Remains have been found in Asia, Europe and Egypt; copper has been found in its pure state as well. Copper has high melting and boiling points. It will only melt at 1083˙ C approximately and it boils at around 2567˙C. Like most metals, copper is quite dense, at 8.9, and has an atomic weight of 63.546. The colour of copper is a brownish red and it is very commonly used for a wide range of projects. On the Periodic Table, copper is a transition element, with an atomic number of 29, and symbol of Cu. In processing copper a lot of focus goes into taking out flaws or impurities. Copper ore is crushed and milled. Following these two steps, the metal enters a flotation chamber and fragments to be disposed of sink, while the concentration, or charge, from<br />the copper floats. Then comes the reverberatory furnace and the copper is made to be more pure, before the smelting stage in which unwanted gases are separated and a molten pool of<br />copper and iron is formed. The impure metal, the slag, at the top gets drained while the copper moves on to a converter. Molten copper is processed by further treatments. Next it is ready to be<br />manufactured and used, commonly for utensils or wires. Copper has good conductivity of electricity, and of heat, resists corrosion, is malleable as well as ductile, and a rather pretty colour, so is preferred for certain products over other metals. Mostly it is used for electrical devices because copper is such a good conductor. (Only silver is better at this.) Being ductile, copper can be stretched into wires as small as those with diameter of 0.025mm! These wires are extremely strong and employed for making outdoor power lines or cables, household wiring systems, electrical cords and electronic machinery like motors, generators and signalling devices.<br />Historically, copper has been used for coins as well, cooking utensils, vats and ornaments. At one point it was used to coat the bottoms of sailing ships too. When copper is smelted it is the ore that undergoes smelting to process molten copper. The ore is crushed, milled, concentrated<br />and heated and 98% pure metallic copper is the result of smelting. Some ores are composed differently, but native copper is crushed and washed before being cast in bars. The carbon reduces the oxides and carbonates in this. Important sulphide ores contain only 1-12% of copper so this is why they must be crushed and concentrated; it is the concentrated copper that is smelted in the furnace in order to obtain purer copper. The metal exists<br />comfortably within the furnace because of its high boiling and melting points.<br />Crude copper is purified further by the process electrolysis, creating copper bars with over 99.9% purity. Pure copper such as this is soft, but to make it hard, copper is worked. Far harder<br />and stronger than pure copper are copper alloys, which also have higher resistance. Thus, copper alloys do not work for electrical jobs. However, their resistance to corrosion is nearly as good as<br />that of pure copper. The metal is commonly alloyed with gold, silver and nickel. Copper forms two chemical compound series, cuprous and cupric. Cuprous compounds can be exposed to air and be oxidized to become cupric stable compounds. Hence, some copper<br />solutions can dissolve cellulose and sometimes copper is used in insecticides.<br />Copper is also mined, being the 25th most plentiful element found in the rocks. Usually it is found mixed with gold, lead or silver, in small specks of rock. However, individual masses of copper have been discovered. Some weigh as much as 420 tonnes! Different ores are found in different parts of the world, but the metal is mined often because of its usefulness to people.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~ <a href="http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cu.htm">http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cu.htm</a> (28/06/10)</span><br /><br />“Copper is a reddish metal with a face-centred cubic crystalline structure. It reflects red and orange light and absorbs other frequencies in the visible spectrum, due to its band structure, so it as a nice reddish colour. It is malleable, ductile, and an extremely good conductor of both heat and electricity. It is softer than iron but harder than zinc and can be polished to a bright finish. It is found in group Ib of the periodic table, together with silver and gold. Copper has low<span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"></span> chemical reactivity. In moist air it slowly forms a greenish surface film called patina; this coating protects the metal from further attack.”<br /><br />“Most copper is used for electrical equipment (60%); construction, such as roofing and plumbing (20%); industrial machineri, such as heat exchangers (15%) and alloys (5%). The main long established copper alloys are bronze, brass (a copper-zinc alloy), copper-tin-zinc, which was strong enough to make guns and cannons, and was known as gun metal, copper and nichel, known as cupronickel, which was the preferred metal for low- denomination coins. Copper is ideal for electrical wiring because it is easily worked, can be drawn into fine wire and has a high electrical conductivity.”<br /><br />“Humans widely use copper. For instance it is applied in the industries and in agriculture. The production of copper has lifted over the last decades and due to this copper quantities in the<br />environment have expanded.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chemical Properties</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~ <a href="http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cu.htm">http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cu.htm</a> (28/06/10)</span><br /><br />“Atomic number 29<br />Atomic mass 63.546 g.mol -1<br />Electronegativity according to Pauling 1.9<br />Density 8.9 g.cm-3 at 20°C<br />Melting point 1083 °C<br />Boiling point 2595 °C<br />Vanderwaals radius 0.128 nm<br />Ionic radius 0.096 nm (+1) ; 0.069 nm (+3)<br />Isotopes 6<br />Electronic shell [ Ar ] 3d10 4s1<br />Energy of first ionisation 743.5 kJ.mol -1<br />Energy of second ionisation 1946 kJ.mol -1<br />Standard potential + 0.522 V ( Cu+/ Cu ) ; + 0.345 V (Cu2+/ Cu )”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Physical Properties</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">University of Nevada</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~ <a href="http://www.unr.edu/sb204/geology/props.html">http://www.unr.edu/sb204/geology/props.html</a> (28/06/10)</span><br /><br />“Copper is in column IB of the Periodic Table of the Elements, above Silver (Ag) and Gold (Au). Elements in the same column have some similar properties. Like silver and gold, copper is soft (with a Moh's hardness of 2.5 to 3, that is, harder than a fingernail, but softer than a steel pocket knife). The surface has a metallic lustre. With a specific gravity of 8.2 (based on the density of 8.2 grams per cubic centimetres, g/cm3), it is far denser than water with a specific gravity of 1, or sulfur, with a specific gravity of just over 2, or carbon in the mineral graphite (2.23). Silver, however, is below copper in column IB, and so it is denser (10.5) and gold, even lower, is far denser at 19.”<br /><br />“Like gold and silver, copper is malleable. That is, it can be bent and shaped without cracking, when either hot or cold. It can be rolled into sheets as thin as 1/500 of an inch. Copper also is ductile, that is, it can be drawn out into thin wire. A copper bar 4 inches thick can be heated, rolled, then drawn into a round wire so thin that it is thinner than a human hair. This wire is<br />20 million times longer than the original bar! Industry valued copper for these properties. Copper is second only to silver in its ability to conduct electricity, but silver is too expensive for this sort of use. Bronze and brass, however, do not conduct electricity as well as pure copper. Besides electricity, copper also is an excellent conductor of heat, making it an important metal in cookware, refrigerators, and radiators. Copper is resistant to corrosion, that is, it will not rust. If the air around it often is damp, it will change from its usual reddish orange colour to reddish brown. Eventually, it is coated with a green film called a "patina" that stops all further corrosion.<br />The melting point of copper is 1083.4 degrees Centigrade. Liquid copper boils at 2567 degrees Centigrade.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Uses of Copper</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Wiki Answers</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~ <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_is_copper_used_in_everyday_life">http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_is_copper_used_in_everyday_life</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> (28/06/10)</span><br /><br />“This native element is used in electric cables and wires, switches, plumbing, heating, roofing and building construction, chemical and pharmaceutical machinery, alloys (brass, bronze), electroplated protective coatings and cooking utensils.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reasons as to Why Copper is Used</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Yahoo Answers</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~<a href="http://nz.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070925112658AAmPMa5">http://nz.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070925112658AAmPMa5</a> (28/06/10)</span><br /><br />“Why is copper used for electrical wiring? It's got a lower resistance than any metal other than silver. And it's a lot cheaper.”<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Wiki Answers</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~ <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_copper_used_in_plumbing">http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_copper_used_in_plumbing</a> (28/06/10)</span><br /><br />“Why is copper used in plumbing? Copper is easy to use and work with. The minerals in water generally to not build up on copper as eazily as galinazed steel. After WWII copper was cheap and in great supply so the industry went to it as it standard pipe. Now copper is much more expensive and new materials are being used. Copper is also heat and cold resistant. Copper swells and contracts much less than other materials. Copper also lasts much longer than other materials as copper does not rust or perish easily making it ideal for any climate.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.imimg.com/data2/DQ/NM/MY-1129898/17-hydrochloric-acid-250x250.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 123px;" src="http://2.imimg.com/data2/DQ/NM/MY-1129898/17-hydrochloric-acid-250x250.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We had another internal last term, a practical. For four days we were given our own equipment and I felt like a proper scientist! We had to conduct the experiment entirely by ourselves but the aim was to find out the effect of (either surface area, temperature or concentration; this experiment was on concentration) concentration of hydrochloric acid whilst trying to dissolve pieces of magnesium ribbon. I got a bit overwhelmed and finished up a few minutes behind everyone else in the first two days. I had thought out my quantity ratios of hydrochloric acid and water on the first day but soon discovered that the test tubes given to us were too small, so I had to halve all my amonts but keep the quantity the same, thus keeping the concentration the same. I had a 75% concentrated mixture, a 50% one and a 25% one. We had an hour each day so I had to make sure the reactions wouldn't take too long. I borowed extra stopwatches so that I could conduct two experiments at the same time. The quickest reaction I'd predicted (the most concentrated) I'd left until last, and the actual reaction had to be timed the following day. Fortunately it was only a couple of minutes long and I settled down quickly drawing up a graph and recording results. I wound up with an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Achieved</span>, if I remember correctly. Consolingly, so did a lot of other members of my class. I've since resubmitted the work and I will hopefully improve.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/pixmac-preview/abstract-test-tubes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 125px;" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/pixmac-preview/abstract-test-tubes.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I had a two hour practice exam in September, one paper for Chemistry and one paper for Biology. I did really well in Chemistry and I'm glad I took my precious time to finish it and sacrifice the Biology, because, after a little thought, I think I'm happier with my <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence </span>(for Chemistry)<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Achieved</span> (for Biology) than two Merits. Chemistry was a delight to receive back! Biology didn't get finished because I had nowhere near enough time - so that is my goal for the big exam. The questions I answered scraped me a pass, but they weren't answered very well.<br /><br />I had, during the exam, left the last question in the Chemistry paper so as to give me a further couple of minutes for Biology, as time was running out, but I'm glad I returned to it and did the second part of it, as that whole piece was worth an Achieved, and many of my classmates very-nearly failed because of leaving that question.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.physics-answers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Picture-2.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 229px;" src="http://www.physics-answers.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Picture-2.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>Now we have moved on to Physics and I started hating it, but this last week I have completed homework (at home!) and I've started to understand acceleration, Physics terms, how very much like straight-line graphs (in Maths) this is (and hopefully I'll do well because of that), speed-time graphs and distance-time graphs, and how equations do the working out in Physics. The problem is that I can't quite get my head around the m.s-2 and m.s-1 thing, yet. I guess I will next term, however, and then I will make sure to 'ace' my exam!Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-9883151904335093612010-07-15T22:38:00.000-07:002010-08-24T19:14:45.204-07:00ART<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0lBY05lAPtruHKqB8AVyujX6BZASlI4JlGIFSGfsIVv982fDxskpDkxqj4Hlm3MvHD3SywXXxryL2m3f5d5dIw8A7wmDOZwaD1mlZIVzmhubi-QzfZ-X3I7NgyBlfgXYw6D0pixANLY/s1600/Picture+25.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 74px; height: 46px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0lBY05lAPtruHKqB8AVyujX6BZASlI4JlGIFSGfsIVv982fDxskpDkxqj4Hlm3MvHD3SywXXxryL2m3f5d5dIw8A7wmDOZwaD1mlZIVzmhubi-QzfZ-X3I7NgyBlfgXYw6D0pixANLY/s320/Picture+25.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494374430860978994" border="0" /></a>My absolute favourite subject this year, Visual Art, was one of my two options. My best friend took it too, we had the funniest teacher who was really good-natured and didn't mind us all chatting away as we worked. I was glad I had Art everyday for the whole of the first semester. Now, I've finished the subject until next year (I plan to study it until Year 13 so I can be an Interior Designer) but over these holidays I have been able to take some supplies home! My teacher was all for me taking home a huge slab of clay and so I've had a good time messing around with it. Next term I'll take it back to use the school's kiln. In comparison to last year's Art Diary (my A4 spiral bind full of my work), this year's was more frequently updated by me and I made sure to keep it very neat. Even so, both diaries got me <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence.</span> This year marking was done in more detail, hence my individual <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellences </span>for drawing, understanding tone, painting, sculpture, my woodcut and my bookwork!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fe.stma.k12.mn.us/resources/4th_grade/_image/art-color.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 135px;" src="http://fe.stma.k12.mn.us/resources/4th_grade/_image/art-color.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>We progressed very rapidly through units on tone, tint and shade, shadow, clay vessels, clay impression and Mayan woodcuts. For the most part I was hugely behind the rest of he class with my slow yet careful pace, but my teacher said at Parent Interviews he didn't mind at all because my work was always finished eventually at an outstanding level! :)<br />Towards the end of Term 2 I sped up a little. Even now, in the holidays not all the projects got finished (though I finished all I started, just didn't get around to starting everything!) but my plan is to complete it all eventually because it was such a good curriculum. I loved every project we did and tried more new skills than I thought I would. Some I got the hang of straightaway, and some... will come in time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ranchogordo.com/assets/images/cook_claypots/clay_pots_-035.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 118px;" src="http://www.ranchogordo.com/assets/images/cook_claypots/clay_pots_-035.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />~ <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Tone</span> is a word used in Music, Art and Language to describe the strength or quality of a sound or note, a colour or shade, or a word or expression. In Art, tone refers to the degree of lightness or darkness of an area. Tone varies from bright white through to shades of grey, to deep black shadows. Tone is also used to describe the quality of a colour, often in comparison to an emotion, a temperature or a place. ~<br /><br />~ A <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">shadow</span> is an area where direct light form a light source cannot reach due to an obstruction by an object. It occupies all of the space behind an opaque object with the light in front of it. ~<br /><br />~ In colour theory, a <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">tint</span> is the mixture of a colour with white, which increases lightness. A shade is the mixture of a colour with black which reduces its lightness. ~<br /><br />~ <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Woodcut</span> printing is the oldest form of printing. Relief printing has its origins in China. The first form of printing arrived in Europe in the 15th Century. The first book printed in Europe was the Bible in 1458. ~<br /><br />~ <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Glaze</span> is silica in suspension in water. Glaze is a coating of liquid gas on the surface of a ceramic object. Glaze is coloured by adding oxide. It is fired to over 1100˙C in the kiln. ~<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbzAqmKbrGf82amuNyBcb9MrD77vPjH5XlPLVEnEU_A77Tp3urnoZ4m6-CBK2ZI2DTfTwKEvX_xCHcaHiouzD6mVwVdas90GMWCJdZt2UTdp5EcnC2qlRYoyjSXI9y4-etc-K5ZWeo04/s1600/Picture+23.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbzAqmKbrGf82amuNyBcb9MrD77vPjH5XlPLVEnEU_A77Tp3urnoZ4m6-CBK2ZI2DTfTwKEvX_xCHcaHiouzD6mVwVdas90GMWCJdZt2UTdp5EcnC2qlRYoyjSXI9y4-etc-K5ZWeo04/s320/Picture+23.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161556837704562" border="0" /></a>my art diary cover page<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIhFtkmuWk2RIAaYwYOV1CG_HKXcdwDZQ60t2RlohD8R2h5SobrpZobDen-dr3iJhY2Q66wzXBJsK2hV8-pAwvj_TEFJiNUrlYZU7EGtKg2CBvJogBpMnNKG0xbuII4DgSvls3PniWzk/s1600/Picture+29.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIhFtkmuWk2RIAaYwYOV1CG_HKXcdwDZQ60t2RlohD8R2h5SobrpZobDen-dr3iJhY2Q66wzXBJsK2hV8-pAwvj_TEFJiNUrlYZU7EGtKg2CBvJogBpMnNKG0xbuII4DgSvls3PniWzk/s320/Picture+29.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509162420021356914" border="0" /></a>drawings of spirals and shadows<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zILEFx6R-MjWH2ibCLkGLzYqzzAebSVK2JMty492GlPLFwoaSPhuajDqqL1bHntygt3Uvp-QIDK98D8HDCiPTBjBmba88ZWT-2Cf653sGmkWcZHREHprrBo_z9stC_dx2o0FyDUFzvU/s1600/Picture+28.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zILEFx6R-MjWH2ibCLkGLzYqzzAebSVK2JMty492GlPLFwoaSPhuajDqqL1bHntygt3Uvp-QIDK98D8HDCiPTBjBmba88ZWT-2Cf653sGmkWcZHREHprrBo_z9stC_dx2o0FyDUFzvU/s320/Picture+28.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509162235986273330" border="0" /></a>ROYGEBIV rainbow<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoNC2fcp9LZC9_67r07aTh16Xqmnns6YE01aX8Uf9_VJqsLWbAYxAw0gcGve5Y-WvOc7TWuyB0h4A66xZASB0FmijzQAMYiovBYiP0NyHFmqwBQlpyu592dz3p_I3OtaBTtU7JOasnfs/s1600/Picture+27.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoNC2fcp9LZC9_67r07aTh16Xqmnns6YE01aX8Uf9_VJqsLWbAYxAw0gcGve5Y-WvOc7TWuyB0h4A66xZASB0FmijzQAMYiovBYiP0NyHFmqwBQlpyu592dz3p_I3OtaBTtU7JOasnfs/s320/Picture+27.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509162227681565250" border="0" /></a>element painting: fire and earth<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2UpLpyIyNfsVV-H6KFTBVWHOFpOiYz4y4s3JGzljh3vcMnDGfdKiPK1H1YdnW4k5u4DxSRI7XN3HBvxnNBYjoY_R46OaUNAP5kmLnAp44Dh5djwHEOx_v9BVeqdzFlTKJhJHFXo0cQU/s1600/Picture+26.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2UpLpyIyNfsVV-H6KFTBVWHOFpOiYz4y4s3JGzljh3vcMnDGfdKiPK1H1YdnW4k5u4DxSRI7XN3HBvxnNBYjoY_R46OaUNAP5kmLnAp44Dh5djwHEOx_v9BVeqdzFlTKJhJHFXo0cQU/s320/Picture+26.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161876636865394" border="0" /></a>re-creation of 2D shadow photograph<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk9O12K21x3KJvNkpDMYBFb_Pf_7M4dNWvYIeuSt8gq1F2yCVwaTH5FQBk5QFTcLoCA0MbyFSZFMpu3FTgBvXxCRPc3vdfBwtrl1qqZh_qqwxqoKNCJDtgnXVt_5SqHujeCtmjfZvWK0/s1600/IMG_1964.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk9O12K21x3KJvNkpDMYBFb_Pf_7M4dNWvYIeuSt8gq1F2yCVwaTH5FQBk5QFTcLoCA0MbyFSZFMpu3FTgBvXxCRPc3vdfBwtrl1qqZh_qqwxqoKNCJDtgnXVt_5SqHujeCtmjfZvWK0/s320/IMG_1964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509159585934544658" border="0" /></a>slab pot made after course conclusion at home<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PNM0POf1uM5FCzu7zkYe96sc68tqo4uogK3gCjtDtG3iW-d3HzkbNhMupTSHerwlLHrFL75XA_-TqLQXCEpGz0gOaKZ2eoco6Z3GOKM_L6gKAvBSvodDjtUYSyvMQ9wnxLwJgBg3eVk/s1600/Picture+25.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PNM0POf1uM5FCzu7zkYe96sc68tqo4uogK3gCjtDtG3iW-d3HzkbNhMupTSHerwlLHrFL75XA_-TqLQXCEpGz0gOaKZ2eoco6Z3GOKM_L6gKAvBSvodDjtUYSyvMQ9wnxLwJgBg3eVk/s320/Picture+25.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161867807718322" border="0" /></a>pinch pot to be a vase<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoE4BmCjJezMcQfbgpZiMYkqU-Tt5NAn_9ygSqEuwrHrTHsiOWWuVF2RKrDJLMtSwHIk1bCnt_aR58_T4HGqSPqHN4n_2fO76IgyzVIA44OWgW_a4J9a_hdWG13sQe9lrX74OPy_OIGs/s1600/Picture+24.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoE4BmCjJezMcQfbgpZiMYkqU-Tt5NAn_9ygSqEuwrHrTHsiOWWuVF2RKrDJLMtSwHIk1bCnt_aR58_T4HGqSPqHN4n_2fO76IgyzVIA44OWgW_a4J9a_hdWG13sQe9lrX74OPy_OIGs/s320/Picture+24.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509161685728387602" border="0" /></a>pinch pot clay head - Mrs<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbzAqmKbrGf82amuNyBcb9MrD77vPjH5XlPLVEnEU_A77Tp3urnoZ4m6-CBK2ZI2DTfTwKEvX_xCHcaHiouzD6mVwVdas90GMWCJdZt2UTdp5EcnC2qlRYoyjSXI9y4-etc-K5ZWeo04/s1600/Picture+23.png"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAKe_upGoNbXhV80l9lM0xg_Z7BR0vxiST2bxY1FNdHKWJlmbs3hpOQPhuWrSJA6VGoHj7zg3vk1FEI6UEydSZa6n5iX4Q3evXwqyUcjDB9aE847cJdLE-P2JX6xbOY-Wf1Y7bIYdo10/s1600/Picture+30.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAKe_upGoNbXhV80l9lM0xg_Z7BR0vxiST2bxY1FNdHKWJlmbs3hpOQPhuWrSJA6VGoHj7zg3vk1FEI6UEydSZa6n5iX4Q3evXwqyUcjDB9aE847cJdLE-P2JX6xbOY-Wf1Y7bIYdo10/s320/Picture+30.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509162427910682402" border="0" /></a>pinch pot clay head - Mr<br /></div>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-57382101676194294662010-07-15T22:29:00.000-07:002010-10-06T19:59:04.661-07:00SOCIAL STUDIES EX<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q7PkFl0iYURstJA_0nQbhv24ua4awQaGbVrVc5QOpseOxz0pR71YEgOiVutDh5JJr3GDfDeMqHgBN5EOZc7ZEc4GjhN3yp4Xjjteg8c1tm8evI28awKOuZB0UXmGpB_1ZuRS8fNcOu8/s1600/Picture+24.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 47px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q7PkFl0iYURstJA_0nQbhv24ua4awQaGbVrVc5QOpseOxz0pR71YEgOiVutDh5JJr3GDfDeMqHgBN5EOZc7ZEc4GjhN3yp4Xjjteg8c1tm8evI28awKOuZB0UXmGpB_1ZuRS8fNcOu8/s320/Picture+24.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494372499453518530" border="0" /></a>This year, as a Year 10, I only take Social Studies in Semester 2, the second half of the year. Currently I begin the course next week, having now dropped Visual Art for the more mundane, yet compulsory studies of our world. I do not know what we will learn about yet but I am looking forward to seeing who is in my class. Already I know a few which will make learning more fun and interesting.<br />I was chosen to be in an extension class for Social Studies, and the other students in my class and I will do Social Studies for Year 11 students. I think I'll cope just fine; this also means I will sit an NCEA exam at the end of the year for this subject and have the opportunity to obtain some credits here, a year early, which will help in my required quota of 80 next year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.swprsc.org/pages/uploaded_images/socialstudies.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 151px;" src="http://www.swprsc.org/pages/uploaded_images/socialstudies.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've had two weeks in my Social Studies class and was glad I knew everybody except for four people. We have a nice teacher who is so much like my teacher in Year 8. Our first study is about Terrorism. We've looked at what terrorism is, writing definitions so that we can conclude what acts were and what ones weren't terrorism.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">- terrorism</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">noun</span><br />the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.<br /><br />Of course we have looked at the 9/11 bombings and what makes a fundamentalist. From here we moved on to a study of the Islam religion, including their 5 Pillars and beliefs of Muhammed and the prophets. It has helped me understand a lot! I'm finding it very interesting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuVgpnchkkCOxGVcrcfzfPABg_qaHSMUrUIs2KqGwTayt2htlgMZF6efjWD5lAzXkILIKfeeDPpI2RBGfAnuNkREFzFSiGC2lcZKZ_IUhr9APBBLMVFXavLPUGdFodp2BdM2c1VX1Zpc/s1600/wtc-9-11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuVgpnchkkCOxGVcrcfzfPABg_qaHSMUrUIs2KqGwTayt2htlgMZF6efjWD5lAzXkILIKfeeDPpI2RBGfAnuNkREFzFSiGC2lcZKZ_IUhr9APBBLMVFXavLPUGdFodp2BdM2c1VX1Zpc/s320/wtc-9-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501076643570261634" border="0" /></a><br />The Islam religion cropped up again when we looked at The Crusades, the series of wars for mutual Holy Land around 1096 AD. Crusaders were Christians fighting Muslims for possession of lands such as Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem - places in which Jesus lived.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLM6NzuhXZdqePxdTdkMZIJPBPbHnsfsU0ebStbgcU7-fgswq8fPsYXNx4nBbwa6YBFb6QJWr-m8fSDS0ilEtHK_eDIWqpe4ayLh8QInM9H-TCMy36gLqhhvCyjl7RT3lyOg80kVZNro/s1600/crusades.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLM6NzuhXZdqePxdTdkMZIJPBPbHnsfsU0ebStbgcU7-fgswq8fPsYXNx4nBbwa6YBFb6QJWr-m8fSDS0ilEtHK_eDIWqpe4ayLh8QInM9H-TCMy36gLqhhvCyjl7RT3lyOg80kVZNro/s320/crusades.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501076635716800850" border="0" /></a><br />Today we watched a video of interviewed Muslims and the differences between everyday life for them, following Islam, and the extremists who used violence and terrorism to evangelize.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRBF-5v123D6nQcoZX_aeM0SveVxZBK2_6sl7EDyBhUw1JG2sSefD1WcThu4pUBz0Roq94SJMajRC7Sd2DasDUaNR10qA8iIc1Xa5-4vIZLibFUFZ1i-QSc4g4u5nv2ZfW8ibYIoX9r8/s1600/605islam.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRBF-5v123D6nQcoZX_aeM0SveVxZBK2_6sl7EDyBhUw1JG2sSefD1WcThu4pUBz0Roq94SJMajRC7Sd2DasDUaNR10qA8iIc1Xa5-4vIZLibFUFZ1i-QSc4g4u5nv2ZfW8ibYIoX9r8/s320/605islam.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501076639850046210" border="0" /></a><br />The information kept rolling in, in lectures from our teacher, to videos recorded previously and on the 11th of September this year, to sheets and sheets of exemplars, questions, revision notes and knowledge we had to acquire. The climax was the practice exam that we had, and although we were given only two hours and are getting three in November, I just got all I wanted written down (an essay about how an event - 9/11 - changed society) finishing within the last thirty seconds. I could have written about four times as much as I did, but I think I wrote everything <span style="font-style: italic;">required </span>or what I thought I <span style="font-style: italic;">needed</span>, so I'm happy with my<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Merit +</span> that I was awarded! Bring on the real exam!Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-41738832093216736302010-07-12T16:57:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:28:41.166-07:00ENGLISH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7FMGd7YEKnNsRssknmIRXMkM6texhaYcNHjc9-Jkgcp57P8jNnhOthOnwyjWBNqxlse1wRSbnc8iRU6NFFe5Utm52Dam9i5DOAKCZeufOQc7X-OO2Flhs3ihIIbgUZBaqbuYztZI4IY/s1600/Picture+23.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 56px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7FMGd7YEKnNsRssknmIRXMkM6texhaYcNHjc9-Jkgcp57P8jNnhOthOnwyjWBNqxlse1wRSbnc8iRU6NFFe5Utm52Dam9i5DOAKCZeufOQc7X-OO2Flhs3ihIIbgUZBaqbuYztZI4IY/s320/Picture+23.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493173419516763106" border="0" /></a>I have a good English teacher this year. I especially enjoyed our study in Term 1 of Danse Macabre! This can be translated to mean the Dance of Death. The rules of horror fiction are to drop subtle clues to the horror throughout the story, and not all at once, to add the supernatural and to give the ending a twist.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fleshisgrass.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/danse_macabre.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 148px;" src="http://fleshisgrass.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/danse_macabre.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />We started with Edgar Allen Poe and his poem 'The Raven'. We analyzed it and translated it into modern English, then Twitter posts, verse by verse. It is the longest poem!
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://5minmas.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/quoth_the_raven22wdetail.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 122px;" src="http://5minmas.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/quoth_the_raven22wdetail.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
<br />Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
<br />While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
<br />As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
<br />`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
<br />Only this, and nothing more.'
<br />
<br />Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
<br />And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
<br />Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
<br />From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
<br />For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
<br />Nameless here for evermore.
<br />
<br />And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
<br />Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
<br />So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
<br />`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
<br />Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
<br />This it is, and nothing more,'
<br />
<br />Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
<br />`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
<br />But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
<br />And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
<br />That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -
<br />Darkness there, and nothing more.
<br />
<br />Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
<br />Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
<br />But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
<br />And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'
<br />This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'
<br />Merely this and nothing more.
<br />
<br />Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
<br />Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
<br />`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
<br />Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
<br />Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
<br />'Tis the wind and nothing more!'
<br />
<br />Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
<br />In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
<br />Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
<br />But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
<br />Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
<br />Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
<br />
<br />Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
<br />By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
<br />`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.
<br />Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
<br />Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!'
<br />Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
<br />Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
<br />For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
<br />Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -
<br />Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
<br />With such name as `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
<br />That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
<br />Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -
<br />Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
<br />On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'
<br />Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
<br />`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
<br />Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
<br />Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
<br />Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
<br />Of "Never-nevermore."'
<br />
<br />But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
<br />Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
<br />Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
<br />Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
<br />What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
<br />Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
<br />To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
<br />This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
<br />On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
<br />But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
<br /><i>She</i> shall press, ah, nevermore!
<br />
<br />Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
<br />Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
<br />`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee
<br />Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
<br />Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!'
<br />Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
<br />Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
<br />Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
<br />On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
<br />Is there - <i>is</i> there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!'
<br />Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!
<br />By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
<br />Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
<br />It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
<br />Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?'
<br />Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -
<br />`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
<br />Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
<br />Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door!
<br />Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!'
<br />Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'
<br />
<br />And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
<br />On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
<br />And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
<br />And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
<br />And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
<br />Shall be lifted - nevermore!
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A small group of us took Stanza 12 and made it into a tweet:</span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Have decided to pull up a chair; am <span style="font-size:100%;">now wondering what a raven would mean by 'nevermore.' "</span></span>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2010/06/02/twitter.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 57px;" src="http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2010/06/02/twitter.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As in introduction we all had to research about the Yiddish Golem (magically created beings that grow rapidly and gain strength with each passing day) and gargoyles (grotesque sculptures used in fountains or to scare away evil spirits).
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://icarushasfallen.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/gargoyle-notre_dame.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 132px;" src="http://icarushasfallen.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/gargoyle-notre_dame.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />We studied the story of 'The Monkey's Paw', which chilled us all to the bone. A discarded severed monkey paw is rescued by a man with a wife and grown up son. His friend tells him to burn the talisman, that there are associated stories that it will grant three wishes to three people, and that the first user's third wish was for death, which occurred, and so the paw was given to this man. The family is quite skeptical of the paw's powers, but wish for just enough money to help them pay the mortgage. The monkey's paw shakes and frightens them all but nothing happens so they leave it on a shelf.
<br />One day the housebound wife and son are interrupted by a knock at the door. The visitor breaks the news that their father and husband was mangled in machinery at work and the body ripped to shreds. As consolation he gave them some money - the exact amount they had wished for.
<br />Stricken with grief, the wife uses the second wish to bring the husband back from the dead. She can't see sense and is too desperate for him back, so makes the wish. A loud knock at the door rattles the house and the son is suddenly terrified for his innocent mother who expects her husband at the door in one piece. Knowing better, that just a corpse will greet them, the son protests. With the knocking increasing, the mother runs to unlock the door. In the few seconds she fumbles with the bolt, the son ha enough time to utter the third wish. The front door opens and the mother screams in anguish, for whatever was knocking at the door has vanished.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.paxholley.net/blog/scary_books/monkeys_paw.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 189px;" src="http://images.paxholley.net/blog/scary_books/monkeys_paw.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />We read the story as a class and watched both the old version and the adapted modern version over the internet. Then we listened to the radio play of the story, from the olden days.
<br />Here is the modern version from Youtube:
<br />
<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CeAtbrYVqqs&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CeAtbrYVqqs&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object>
<br />
<br />Roald Dahl's 'The Ratcatcher' story was read to us too, and we looked at how the suspense was built.
<br />
<br />A master of suspense, we watched some of Alfred Hitchcock's films, like 'The Rope', and enjoyed the tension of a dinner party hosted by the murderers, being eaten off a chest containing the body, and the slow, tantalizing realization on who the murderers were (and in fact, that there was a murder at all) from a suspicious close friend.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lella.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/rope.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 198px;" src="http://lella.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/rope.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Flash fiction horrors were really hard for me to write because of the word limit, but here are the unedited drafts of stories I wrote:
<br />
<br />"My muscles groaned in protest as I lowered my son and I deeper into a black hole of nothingness; the mine I worked in to provide income.
<br />It was evening outside. My flickering torch was all the light we'd get.
<br />We passed figures painted on the mine walls on the way down. Painted in animal blood, from ancient times. The figures depicted a series of events involving bloodthirsty goblins and women being murdered in cold blood while warriors fought in vain.
<br />The drawings seemed to come alive. I could hear the cries of the dying, could feel my hair rising. Nicholas shuddered. We both heard the cry of scavenging ravens.
<br />One sketch of a witch frightened even me. Her teeth pulled back, leering; I gazed into her cold eyes and saw them wink at me.
<br />At once we heard her cackle. I noticed a shadow climbing up the wall from the bottom. I felt Nicholas freeze and whimper. Fumbling with the ropes, I jerked on the one that would take us up, away from the horror reaching for the platform. I jerked too hard. Nicholas toppled off.
<br />He and the witch fell to the bottom and I? I sat and sobbed."
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415VN02MJHL._SL500_AA280_.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 164px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415VN02MJHL._SL500_AA280_.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>"At 16, Caroline was on top of the world. She had good grades and eagerly anticipated the future. The icing on the cake was a new job as apprentice chef over the summer holidays. The call had come, and the raspy chef's voice had congratulated her and officially employed her.
<br />All this ran through her mind as Caroline got off the bus at the door to the restaurant she was to work in.
<br />She entered the kitchen at the back of the restaurant and was greeted formally by Head Chef. She was taken on a tour of the kitchen and put to work on a bench top down the window side.
<br />Time passed quickly. From time to time work got busy.
<br />The cooks had temporarily disappeared when Caroline got back from the rubbish skit outside. The jug, however was boiling and the mirror above the stove had steamed up.
<br />Caroline gasped in horror at the word that an unknown finger had traced in the foggy glass, for her. Racing over, she saw that it read: 'I'm watching! ...'"
<br />
<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Requirements: onomatopoeia, old people, cave setting.</span>
<br />"I woke to the sound of splashing, of sploshing, not unlike the leaky tap at home. I knew I couldn't be at home - my back ached and my toes were numb.
<br />Easing myself up I looked around; peered into the shadows of the cave I found myself in. It was a deep one. Outside the light was glaring, but, as I squinted, a hunched shadow obscured the light. My eyes didn't adjust very well now, and I couldn't see my kidnapper clearly.
<br />I did, however, see the hunting knife he held, and a sharp intake of air made him look over. His eyes were all I could see. The penetrating orbs squinted and I felt a pang of familiarity, then it was gone. Fear took hold as he moved slowly forward, taking little cautious steps. His shaking hand holding the knife, I knew my life was about to end. I prized the weapon out of his childlike grip and delivered a blow. At once, I knew I'd killed him.
<br />Flap flap flap. I spun around and spied a grotesque cave bat. Was that what my perpetrator had been aiming for? Something occurred to me, that my husband had always been deathly afraid of bats. I gasped and dragged the corpse into the light, sweat making me all clammy and frightened.
<br />I turned the aged body over, took his wrinkled old hands in my own, ancient, veiny ones and sobbed. It was Ernie, my husband."
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/foxvalley/images/bat.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 112px;" src="http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/foxvalley/images/bat.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Collaborated Horror, My Piece:</span>
<br />"There was a loud noise and I spun around, my heart hammering, my hands sweating. Sweeping my eyes around the room, I cast them upon the Victorian doorway of the house I was robbing. I swallowed nervously and turned back around slowly..."
<br />
<br />"At two in the morning, the Cobbleton Train Station was completely deserted, all except one lone, solitary black figure waiting motionlessly at the end of the platform.
<br />By day the station was a busy, crowded place, small children clinging desperately to their parents, buffeted by the moving mobs of hurrying businessmen, women traveling to the markets, and fat men in sandwich boards pacing the platform and calling out their ware.
<br />By night, the echoes of bawling babies and frantic fathers reverberated off the walls of the station, fell into the tracks and resounded much further down the line of sleepers and rails, pinging quietly into the distance, at last being swallowed by the entrance to the Minsoonian Tunnel, which was, at this time of day, one, big, black nostril to the noisy dragon that rumbled and stirred every hour.
<br />The silence wafted over the station as it met a rolling fog from the east. The two forces intertwined and became one silent, chilling mass that froze the patient passenger to his very core. He shivered and pulled his coat tighter around his freezing body, and the fog moved on..."
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.venturaweekly.com/images/07/santa-paula-train.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 134px;" src="http://www.venturaweekly.com/images/07/santa-paula-train.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>
<br />Horrors with a surprise ending were our next focus, and our big assessment was to write a horror story with a twist, purely our own, which was fun for me. The night before our first draft was due I sat with no ideas, but started to write anyway, and following three edits, I handed in Digging For Truth.
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">
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The two of us had met in the tavern a month previously, but now it was our last Wednesday at the diggings. We were sitting in Gil’s tent as our dinners were boiling away and between us were my meagre riches. Truth be told, I hadn’t been too <span style="color:black;">fortunate</span>, but neither had Gil, which made me feel a little more appreciative.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> It was probably our lack of gold that invoked us to search further afield the following day. We trekked down to the river and walked parallel to it for about ten minutes, both of us seeking an unpopulated space. We passed clusters of miners on the way, these of which grew more and more scarce as we progressed. One balding man advised us not to carry on alone, for had we not heard of Alistair’s disappearance around the area in the early hours of the morn. We hadn’t. As if to further his point, the bachelor described a haunted part of the river bank, a little way up, beyond the rapids. Gil and I looked at each other, and at once it was decided we’d try <span style="color:black;">there</span><span style="color:red;"> </span>anyway.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> And so we moved on, and arrived at the rapids, which we cautiously crossed. We found ourselves at the entrance to a shallow cave, underneath a chalky, clay outcrop. I peered in and around, but no-one seemed to be present. Hands shoved in pockets, we sauntered in, stooped to half our heights, but there actually wasn’t a lot in the cave, so I turned to climb out again when my eye caught gold, shiny gold, and masses of it, wedged behind a rock.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;">“Gil!” I exclaimed, but I didn’t need to say anything more. In wonder we wistfully lusted for it, but, on hearing my good Christian mother’s disapproval in my mind, I backtracked and stepped back out into the glaring morning sunlight.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> Gilroy’s intake of breath made me glance around, and frozen, we were able to hear a rustling in the forest behind us. Wide-eyed, I motioned for Gil to follow me back across the river and into the bushes there, where we lay in wait, our hearts pounding.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> Sure enough, a few seconds later, we watched a figure approach the cave, lugging an obviously heavy mass; my eyes confirmed it was a body, and I muffled a gasp, concentrating<span style="color:black;">,</span><span style="color:red;"> </span>instead<span style="color:black;">,</span> on normalizing my heart rate, which was twice its normal speed.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style=";font-size:85%;color:black;" lang="EN-US" ><span style=""> </span>For a long moment,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> I thought the man had heard me, because he looked around him <span style="color:black;">for quite a while</span> before dragging the body into the cave.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> Gil and I breathed quietly for a while, then slowly got up and retreated. Thudding and scraping noises were coming from the cave, and I shuddered at the thought of what might be happening in there. Yet the thought of what weapons the murderer might have hidden in his lair drove me faster up the bank to the road.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> Safe<span style="color:black;">ly</span>, a little while later, we discussed all we had seen. Gil somberly urged the two of us to go back and find out more, but I was in two minds. My train of thought was broken, however, when a familiar voice called us outside.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> My tent neighbour, <span style="color:black;">Arthur</span>, told us gravely that another man had gone missing from the same track and no-one was advised to travel home alone, <span style="color:black;">nor</span> at night<span style="color:black;">,</span> anymore.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> Upon this <span style="color:black;">news</span>, Gil and I retrieved our hidden <span style="color:black;">pistols, merely for self defence</span>, and, shoving them in our belts, we sprinted down the track to the gully. We slowed as we neared the rapids, but couldn’t hear any unnatural sounds, so <span style="color:black;">peeped into the cave to check that the interior was all clear - and indeed it was</span>. Puzzled, we set off into the forest…</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> ... I bumped into Gil who’d stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of a human leg tucked under the shrubs. It was fresh, and my hand <span style="color:black;">shot</span> to my mouth. Grimly, Gil grabbed my arm and pulled me in deeper, both of us wary. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> It was I who had the disadvantage of discovering the arm in the hollow of a tree, pale and pointing deeper into the forest, and it was Gil who spotted the torso of a headless man behind a rock. I whimpered at the gory viewing. <span style="color:red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;">“If this was a trail,” I reasoned, “then the murderer…”</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;">“Bert!!” cried Gil. I was too late to hear the <span style="color:black;">warning</span><span style="color:red;"> </span>in his cry <span style="color:black;">until</span> I spun around, pulling out the pistol as I did so, and noticed a silhouette in the sunlight that I ignorantly hadn’t seen before.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> Our quarry, if we weren’t his, I realised with a jolt, sat poised on a stuffed piece of sacking, in what would appear to be a relaxed pose, if it weren’t for the little black pistol in his hand, cocked, and pointing at Gil.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;">“Well done for completing me treasure hunt,” the older man said. Gil made a small noise of surprise, but the man continued,</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;">“I s’pose you’d like the loot?” On seeing our confusion, he incredulously remarked, “You didn’t think I’d forget to take the gold off me victims, did you??”</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-family:verdana;">Holding his pistol, he singlehandedly reached underneath him and produced the sack, which he handed to me. It was heavy. My heart leapt into my mouth. Gold! I dropped my gun hand to peer inside the sack, the contents causing me to shout, for inside the sack was a severed head, and my eyes widened, glued to the horror in the sack</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;color:black;" >.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> I gulped.</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:85%;"> As my attention had been distracted, the man had raised his weapon at me, and Gil, with a bellow, had launched himself between us, his pistol pointing back at the man. I looked up in shock and a cloud passed over the sun.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" lang="EN-US" > On the main road, a lone miner on his way home glanced up to see the sun covered by a cloud. <span style="color:black;">Then a single</span><span style="color:red;"> </span>gunshot brought him back to reality and he galloped his horse away, fear in his heart."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This piece of creative writing scored me a 6+ and a 7-, if I can remember correctly. Take a look at the marking system we use on, in the navigator blog. All assessments so far in English this year have been 6 - 7s! The above Digging For Truth got me an </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Excellence</span><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://likeithateit.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tag-8-pistol.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 162px;" src="http://likeithateit.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tag-8-pistol.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The main study in Danse Macabre was on the book Skeleton Creek, which I enjoyed a lot. The chapters go hand in hand with a website, the book being Ryan's journal and the website (with passwords inside the book for access) of video diaries, being Sarah's. Despite their parents forbidding the two to be together after a serious accident that happened with Ryan, through emails and technology (and Sarah digging around the town for answers) they uncover the mystery of their spooky town, Skeleton Creek. Strange things go on deep in the forest and Sarah eventually helps bedridden Ryan to sneak out when she thinks she has the information she needs, out at night to the woods. They make it all seem rather dramatic, so Sarah wires her video camera up so that all that happens is recorded, just in case. The story leaves you at the crucial points with a password which must be entered on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.sarahfincher.com">sarahfincher.com</a> to find out more. Though there is a sequel I have not yet read, the first book ends with the last video showing a phantom locking Ryan and Sarah in a haunted house on their night out. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For quicker buffering I watched the videos via Youtube. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >We all love the second one:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ExFApoe6fkQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ExFApoe6fkQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bellaonbooks.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/skeletoncreek-746581.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 225px;" src="http://bellaonbooks.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/skeletoncreek-746581.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We have two assessments per unit this year, although I think that our first essay was quite unrelated. Given a few choices of what to write about, I chose to do the one about e-learning in schools! It was, afterall, something I knew lots about and had some ideas and opinions on. Year 9 students at our school (starting only THIS year!) may bring a laptop to school and take some sort of class to support digital learning. It all started this year, and things really are changing. The essay I wrote at the beginning of the year also got me </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Excellence</span><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We have just completed our second unit for the term, called Wrong Side Of The Tracks, all about teenage crime and those who fall off the rails with modern day negative stereotypes against them. We looked at short stories 'The Last Spin' and 'On The Sidewalk Bleeding' which were disturbing! In 'The Last Spin', opposing gang members Danny and Tigo have agreed for their gangs to play Russian Roulettes with the kind of gun that had a bullet in one of six compartments. In turn they shot themselves in the head, all the while talking and coming to realize how stupid they were being. They discovered they were quite similar, and both had girlfriends which they agreed to double date with the following weekend. Wanting nothing but friendship they decided to just stop playing after the next shot each, which had had more bullets put in since. Danny took the last spin but this time it was fatal and it destroyed Danny; destroyed Tigo emotionally too. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">'On the Sidewalk Bleeding' is written through the thoughts of gang member Andy, who had just been stabbed by a rival and was dying unaware of this. He thought of his girlfriend Laura at the party they had just been at and missed her more than anything. Calling to a drunk man he mustered all his strength, but the man thought drunkenly that he was sleeping. He called to an old lady, but she was deaf and didn't hear. Finally, he was found by a member and their girlfriend of another rival gang, but the boy preferred not to risk his status in the gang by helping out a rival gang member. Rival in New York, fellow in the human race; Andy died, but a second previously just managed to free himself of his fancy jacket, throwing it a little away. He'd wanted to die Andy, not a 'Royal'.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">When the police and Laura found Andy, the policeman started to take notes. 'A Royal' he wrote, despite Laura insisting that he was Andy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nelliemuller.com/lastspin.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 215px;" src="http://www.nelliemuller.com/lastspin.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The stories conjured up so many lessons about stereotypes and not judging people by looks. We compared the stories and compared the characters, and apart from being written by the same author, the stories and the messages are very similar indeed. A comparative essay was our assessment; I got </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Excellence</span><span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It introduced us well into our novel study, 'The Outsiders' by S.E Hinton. Having heard it praised immensely last year by my English teacher then, I read it a few weeks before this, out of curiosity. I skimmed it while my class read it and were moved too. It is a strongly recommended book and I back this up. Ponyboy is the dreamiest member of a Greaser gang, who make up the lower-class society and are rivals of the upper-class Socs. He is also the younger brother of Soda and Darry, but they mean he's in the gang at a mere 14 years of age. The seven boys are like family, especially as Darry, Soda and Pony are orphans and timid Johnny is abused at home. At the Drive In one night, Johnny and Pony meet some lovely Soc girls and become friends. Life goes on, but Pony is not happy at home. 20 year old Darry struggles with two jobs and being a solo parent to his brothers, and takes it out on Pony. Trouble starts when he slaps Pony in a rage and Pony grabs Johnny to run away with him. They get chased by a Soc gang though, and to save Pony who is being drowned in the park's fountain by a Soc, Johnny murders a Soc. Everyone flees, Johnny and Pony to rough friend Dally, who provides them with an escape route to the country. They take it and stowaway on the train to the countryside, which changes the boys, and makes them realize what more there is to life than the violence they've grown up in. They stay in a church, which on their return one day is on fire with a few kids playing inside. They become newspaper heroes because they save the children but Johnny is still badly hurt when Pony is released from hospital.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Meanwhile the Socs and Greasers have been organizing a huge rumble that Johnny won't be able to make, but is holding on to life in order to know if Greasers will gain the respect of the Socs. Ponyboy fights, as do all the Greasers; they wind up with a victory. Dally rushes Pony to the hospital to tell Johnny. They get escorted by police because they pretend that Pony's blood nose is their reason for speeding towards the hospital. Pony tells Johnny the good news and he is pleased but so near death. When he breathes his final breath, tough unemotional Dally is overcome with grief and runs off to burgle a shop. Pony goes into shock and more so when Dally calls the gang up to help him hide from the police. They arrive to see Dally pull out a fake gun he told them about earlier and try to defend himself against the cops. The police shoot ... and the gang loses their second friend to suicide, because it had all been planned.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> Ponyboy writes the very story when the book ends with him starting his homework assignment, and trying to commemorate Johnny Cade.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://benavides.wayne.gw.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/profile/365673/10129/Image/The%20Outsiders%20MOVIE.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 206px;" src="http://benavides.wayne.gw.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/profile/365673/10129/Image/The%20Outsiders%20MOVIE.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Again I wrote an essay on 'The Outsiders' and described the recurring theme of the countryside. I discovered a them of gold, a colour connotated with heaven or purity, and wrote about all the times this theme appeared, then identifying how the author emphasized the theme in those fragments of text. I got </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Excellence</span><span style="font-size:85%;">!
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<br />Speeches were to come next but half the class voted for speeches and half to watch and analyze the movie 'Grease'. In the end, as preparation for our upcoming speech assessments, our teacher mixed the two topics and we're doing a new kind of assessment. In threes we are researching an issue that we then branch into three fields. We give individual speeches on this. My group is looking at Religion. More specifically, media's influence into religion and religious oppression; I am covering the whole subject of cults, religious diversity and the freedom of certain religions. It's the holidays and I should be writing my speech for next term!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">- Luckily our presentation went very well, as did my speech, and I received back a <span style="font-weight: bold;">6-!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A couple of weeks ago we watched the documentary 'Growing Up Online' which was quite interesting and all about the overuse of computers by teenagers. Then we saw 'A Class Divided' about a third grade teacher, who, in order to teach the children about racism, split the blue-eyed children and the brown-eyed children into upper and lower class citizens for the day, then swapped them the next day. Half the class was not allowed to play on the playground, had to wear a collar around their necks, missed out on some recess and were treated unfairly. A couple of decades on, the documentary filmed their reunion as adults and they all discussed how that lesson had stuck with them. This lady tried her experiment on a couple of groups of adults after this to teach the same lesson. She's tried it with kids and adults, and my class was divided as to whether it was a worthy method or not. I'm still undecided!
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<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6BrFHq-t2VY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6BrFHq-t2VY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UbNp15zDtE&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0UbNp15zDtE&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XPIxU6_ClIM&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XPIxU6_ClIM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><object style="font-family: verdana;" height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zLEEJuHgnk4&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zLEEJuHgnk4&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Three credits were recently offered to Year 10 English students for a research task and essay report. I am a little ashamed to say I procrastinated too much and am waiting for my Not Achieved. Fortunately, if I do a little these holidays, I'll be ready for the re-submisson and I'll redeem myself here too. I don't normally work like this, but I hope I can pull away with the credits within a couple more weeks.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="verdana" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">At the same time we worked in groups to write individual poems and put them in an anthology. I'm ecstatic that we got our <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>. Here is my poem (which had to be related to a culture of some sort and identified with my group's anthology because of the 'summer' theme). Click on the poem and have a read.</span></span>
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo_VTmxesPia4YxKC-P63SHtK4bdfJMty3zvYgFmDA74ekHNZQRvuDntQOnDYF2QjFCB_5ohdJFSjf6JNKFCiYa5Y487wodbcEmXVQVEnPuVwNA70RVFi6IEVuQTsWMtwYjhDe3lYqAo/s1600/Picture+24.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo_VTmxesPia4YxKC-P63SHtK4bdfJMty3zvYgFmDA74ekHNZQRvuDntQOnDYF2QjFCB_5ohdJFSjf6JNKFCiYa5Y487wodbcEmXVQVEnPuVwNA70RVFi6IEVuQTsWMtwYjhDe3lYqAo/s400/Picture+24.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524753430394590818" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Aside from that, the Year 10 English Exam will soon be coming and I will hopefully do well. After the exam has passed, we won't have very much left to study at all, and I'll become a Year 11 English student!</span></span>
<br /><b style=""><span style="color: rgb(255, 33, 100);font-family:Century;font-size:11pt;" lang="EN-US" ><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Century;font-size:11pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-69224542882899210542010-07-12T16:08:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:15:05.582-07:00MATHS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt_LJu-6rVkPoz8emqKZne1LAVZAHlRREHmw20ITbJlKatbI5MjztRSl0G_hMaSsO-V9xBBikva7McTTOGIUNvWdqHAutKKzbjnqBHctAt2x_UrH-LcfjamgQW5knajnZ5amYflW5icg/s1600/Picture+22.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 53px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpt_LJu-6rVkPoz8emqKZne1LAVZAHlRREHmw20ITbJlKatbI5MjztRSl0G_hMaSsO-V9xBBikva7McTTOGIUNvWdqHAutKKzbjnqBHctAt2x_UrH-LcfjamgQW5knajnZ5amYflW5icg/s320/Picture+22.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493160895237497698" border="0" /></a>In Year 10 Maths we work from big, heavy textbooks that teach us all the required skills to pass our six common tests, scattered throughout the year, which prepare us for end of year exams. Most of it is skills that I learnt last year, but had forgotten. When learnt twice, I find I don't normally forget anything again, after that, though. It is unfortunate that Maths hasn't given me any paper back with Excellence on yet, but for the most part I am content with Merits in this subject, considering over my one and a half years at college I have received only Merits and Excellences. Upon reading my report a week ago, it was a shame to realize that my total Achieved grades for my time here has rocketed up to three; twice in Maths, showing I must work harder if I want to get Merit (and one in English!?!?).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://motivate.maths.org/images/maths.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 136px;" src="http://motivate.maths.org/images/maths.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>In the beginning of the year we learnt things such as significant figures and rounding. Decimal places, followed by fractions; simplifying, multiplying and dividing them. Percentages is where I found new strength in knowing that to find one, I must divide the new amount by the old one and then multiply by 100%! A good exercise from this was to find GST tax, which is 12.5% of a figure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.moveoncheshire.com/images/percentages.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 133px;" src="http://www.moveoncheshire.com/images/percentages.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There have been two algebra units this year. The first on manipulation - simplifying, factorizing and expanding, and we've just completed the bit on linear graphs etc. We wrote lines and lines of algebraic expressions; half I got all correct and half all incorrect, proving that sometimes it is the method that can be wrong. Last year I enjoyed factorizing very much, but excelled at solving expressions, and it was similar this year. Some skills on a Year 10 level were a little harder, but when it came to solving out expressions I found myself gliding through all the work quickly and accurately. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://hsb.iitm.ac.in/%7Ejm/thisissue/article_files/math_article/fig.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 121px;" src="http://hsb.iitm.ac.in/%7Ejm/thisissue/article_files/math_article/fig.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In between Algebra, we covered Measurement. I find it fairly easy to remember all the formulae, which aided me immensely in the common test.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/images/circle.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 138px;" src="http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/images/circle.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Of course it was Geometry I anticipated most eagerly. Translating can be practiced, but I think I've mastered Rotation, Reflection and Enlargement. Here we learnt about mirror lines, and symmetry, and learnt how to construct acute angles, angle bisectors, perpendicular lines, perpendicular bisectors, 60˚ angles and equilateral triangles. I did not enjoy parallel line constructing, simply because my teacher taught us a method that differed from the one in our homework book, and differed again from the one in the textbooks, and a different one again was in our workbooks! Yet after much confusion I was on my way with a method taught through a video. It involves crossing the original line, marking a point and duplicating the angle it creates further up with a compass. This similar video shows the method I now use.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hchk0UkE4BU&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hchk0UkE4BU&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />The second part of Algebra has just finished. We've learnt linear graphs and gradients, y and x intercepts. At first it didn't make sense but I think I have it sufficiently now!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://harmon-middle-school.wikispaces.com/file/view/linear_graph.jpg/30550702/linear_graph.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 141px;" src="https://harmon-middle-school.wikispaces.com/file/view/linear_graph.jpg/30550702/linear_graph.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Apart from two, all my grades so far have been <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merits</span>, about which I'm pleased. I got them in Algebra Manipulation, Number and Measurement.<br /><br />I've just received back an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Achieved</span> on my Geometry test. I also got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Achieved</span> on our recent Algebra test. However, being Year 10, Achieved is all that matters because the Algebra test got me my very first two credits for NCEA Level One, just because I passed, regardless of the grade! <span style="font-style: italic;">My first two!</span> This year I have the opportunity to earn 37, although it's all for next year, when I need 80 to pass Year 11.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beggs.k12.ok.us/beggsps/lib/beggsps/_shared/geometry.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 133px;" src="http://www.beggs.k12.ok.us/beggsps/lib/beggsps/_shared/geometry.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I feel I redeemed myself after our unit on straight line graphs. I got an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> in the common test! Furthermore, I got nothing wrong, earning me a 100% Excellence! Perhaps this is the direction I should take in Maths?<br />A separate assessment was assigned to us on straight line graphs. My teacher wasted no time in telling me how impressed she was with it, and when my peer assessment came back with complete smiley faces I felt sure I had an Excellence in the bag. I am a little gutted I got a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit </span>("sooo close to Excellence", according to my teacher).<br /><br />Year 10's will soon have to undergo the Maths Exam so I hope revision will pay off and I do well regardless of my previous common test grades. From now until November I must digest everything I'm taught.Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-82591844125429745362010-07-11T23:10:00.001-07:002010-10-05T19:09:00.258-07:00HEALTH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5_S_WpjQFspWfQjgIGzQicAq3QeshV5Fq29gHp_fJagrK9Kp1WWM26ev04jMtwSMIvY2v7V8QNVuUiVP9GDyCqBE4TA_0_AMPAOB5vmkWJXHoKUfpGLmB5ziopGW8KxrI5mfCkTXZuE/s1600/Picture+10.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5_S_WpjQFspWfQjgIGzQicAq3QeshV5Fq29gHp_fJagrK9Kp1WWM26ev04jMtwSMIvY2v7V8QNVuUiVP9GDyCqBE4TA_0_AMPAOB5vmkWJXHoKUfpGLmB5ziopGW8KxrI5mfCkTXZuE/s320/Picture+10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492898387817265826" border="0" /></a>Year 10 Health is going well so far. Our first unit was about us and went quickly. In the next, we covered a huge unit on illegal drugs and in groups we presented our research. My group researched Anabolic Steroids and put together a power point which was peer assessed with an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> grade. The presentation went well, considering our improvisation!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKYSbGwuCzyVbKFOTIMl8VaWMHYhxpLQDo0MzBr-_pcAhevjWoUMal2E0whazNfgduROO_JJsCDR62tl4UTNLL5p9Q3ARZWORuzs-iaKqdJ1jjwqXhRcUzQOZpRo_nHQ96qRZ0lypwnE/s1600/Picture+11.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKYSbGwuCzyVbKFOTIMl8VaWMHYhxpLQDo0MzBr-_pcAhevjWoUMal2E0whazNfgduROO_JJsCDR62tl4UTNLL5p9Q3ARZWORuzs-iaKqdJ1jjwqXhRcUzQOZpRo_nHQ96qRZ0lypwnE/s400/Picture+11.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492903020309543906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MI_534UeIFXoZot9i6oODt-W6bLPZNtcYKX8lO8iqPgVvV78mg9y1a7PA5S2s9KBajbLLBg1lfnMAhRsTMVI-02wKJliVUINlJxCpIDP4fwZg5qfS6QykOgBAkYIp3aqtkjQr691j3k/s1600/Picture+12.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MI_534UeIFXoZot9i6oODt-W6bLPZNtcYKX8lO8iqPgVvV78mg9y1a7PA5S2s9KBajbLLBg1lfnMAhRsTMVI-02wKJliVUINlJxCpIDP4fwZg5qfS6QykOgBAkYIp3aqtkjQr691j3k/s400/Picture+12.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492903645089768514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk5am9bILVzMfo24vzMM5sS7RhqfoATbBDS9HkEbTcdd6uLNrBRV-uwbrdSJS54BSdIp56ItPCMpDt14T2CDseApYvihOwdYJ9rAXMvKmAKh5VwzBC0a-yyOzvKzOInO5OdtVcxhO5DE/s1600/Picture+13.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk5am9bILVzMfo24vzMM5sS7RhqfoATbBDS9HkEbTcdd6uLNrBRV-uwbrdSJS54BSdIp56ItPCMpDt14T2CDseApYvihOwdYJ9rAXMvKmAKh5VwzBC0a-yyOzvKzOInO5OdtVcxhO5DE/s400/Picture+13.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492904049806910866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqjwxfDA7skNcKtaJf1PJMNdkx9TBJEtOBandZE8-USJnZnMb4UxtQoeBxDAaLptoi_pxr8u0tLJ01CnT_9cxqFA6w1bS-lvlZZiYSgtBWC5WGqwa9_uaNVrEJnK7HwRXUBPPGctj-m4/s1600/Picture+14.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqjwxfDA7skNcKtaJf1PJMNdkx9TBJEtOBandZE8-USJnZnMb4UxtQoeBxDAaLptoi_pxr8u0tLJ01CnT_9cxqFA6w1bS-lvlZZiYSgtBWC5WGqwa9_uaNVrEJnK7HwRXUBPPGctj-m4/s400/Picture+14.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492904394968764354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6WGob3Mr6djYGHmrusSBJB70DSrHwqku0bJO4jy1QlcLkP7ks6ycbCuNeBLqQ6M2BJYA0krw-SZloyMbSBbP1GIZtTyhMhwhJTtKmgoj1Z5x9eRqGT6qPx31meD4eN_9qnliqD5PBWM/s1600/Picture+15.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6WGob3Mr6djYGHmrusSBJB70DSrHwqku0bJO4jy1QlcLkP7ks6ycbCuNeBLqQ6M2BJYA0krw-SZloyMbSBbP1GIZtTyhMhwhJTtKmgoj1Z5x9eRqGT6qPx31meD4eN_9qnliqD5PBWM/s400/Picture+15.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492904807331489810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio8LmBP4oEHpZss7x0wN8QSQMrxBOBnBLWELj3fHUGtHUCi6ZsNpjF6Tnt-8F0nxUnAzK1CabXYFAG2zDAdBUz0BaEN1moQfnxJsBsKN5wjRKzHRKnnrtqcmJEpQlqnopP3Ws3uhhAVs/s1600/Picture+16.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgio8LmBP4oEHpZss7x0wN8QSQMrxBOBnBLWELj3fHUGtHUCi6ZsNpjF6Tnt-8F0nxUnAzK1CabXYFAG2zDAdBUz0BaEN1moQfnxJsBsKN5wjRKzHRKnnrtqcmJEpQlqnopP3Ws3uhhAVs/s400/Picture+16.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492905141996488034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX-LQcScN580GegNVUKiKLipZISOaFW_sBZznlm1cHFQekxtEyQcqyhINDOXaIPh3i_K0O94lXBVztqDoT6x70YU2uTxdXPeBsJlq_6gh49-jrzBz2ANl8DvnbgsghBnzrl4OkCA7cV0/s1600/Picture+17.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHX-LQcScN580GegNVUKiKLipZISOaFW_sBZznlm1cHFQekxtEyQcqyhINDOXaIPh3i_K0O94lXBVztqDoT6x70YU2uTxdXPeBsJlq_6gh49-jrzBz2ANl8DvnbgsghBnzrl4OkCA7cV0/s400/Picture+17.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492905143414162930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUmz1oCfoEDxClfKX5AsTd4cfRCfXS_LKsMXTNb6MlBOv0wBlldqYEwvdLX_76oeIhDpdqzult7J6nIss4YuxiLFjuwARerai017bvzVRyxfJ0XS-6KzJ0TtDwEYLtpwMyQc5Yq5EN9U/s1600/Picture+18.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUmz1oCfoEDxClfKX5AsTd4cfRCfXS_LKsMXTNb6MlBOv0wBlldqYEwvdLX_76oeIhDpdqzult7J6nIss4YuxiLFjuwARerai017bvzVRyxfJ0XS-6KzJ0TtDwEYLtpwMyQc5Yq5EN9U/s400/Picture+18.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492905780982393458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My original research upon Heroin and Steroids:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1jY-s5bFfk3rY0rpSQOcaDOB1VG97yNin2i8ApTsCD-eQF6H0DO4-lzI9ISvYgLaQoNcOhSUMQ0nxp4Izb0Fh7stgABaOCN3AZhOIAL2GmPI295VZ1zKRm_4M9COE96HpKYMYUyLVj0/s1600/Picture+21.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1jY-s5bFfk3rY0rpSQOcaDOB1VG97yNin2i8ApTsCD-eQF6H0DO4-lzI9ISvYgLaQoNcOhSUMQ0nxp4Izb0Fh7stgABaOCN3AZhOIAL2GmPI295VZ1zKRm_4M9COE96HpKYMYUyLVj0/s400/Picture+21.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492909047039472802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1a9RB3d6KY3hh5oz3mMT63hfdVZgFz0NgFUDzYSDYjN__KEcwh6GyDgSbDneWqUzd2RyXC-jrzICBi4Y_KOjDGyc6DzRDtFIcqW_yo9F96zGJPl5Ww63lxlqpVGq2PuhSSvMuvvNnnU/s1600/Picture+20.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1a9RB3d6KY3hh5oz3mMT63hfdVZgFz0NgFUDzYSDYjN__KEcwh6GyDgSbDneWqUzd2RyXC-jrzICBi4Y_KOjDGyc6DzRDtFIcqW_yo9F96zGJPl5Ww63lxlqpVGq2PuhSSvMuvvNnnU/s400/Picture+20.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492909041475906482" border="0" /></a>We have just finished the smallest unit on Disability. For people at our school with a disability, we have a special unit that they learn in, yet they join mainstream students a couple of times a day. We visited these students and played games with them, and the following week we discussed our visit and were shown video clips of ballerina amputees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/6/2/a/9/1194989282626056836disability_sign_james_ki_01.svg.med.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 124px;" src="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/6/2/a/9/1194989282626056836disability_sign_james_ki_01.svg.med.png" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LnLVRQCjh8c&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LnLVRQCjh8c&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Additionally, my homework was to write to our school principal regarding the advantages and disadvantages of facilities for disabled students in our school:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">"</span><span style=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Dear Sir,</span><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="">I am writing to inform you of my opinions upon the facilities our school provides for students with physical and intellectual disabilities. It has come to my attention whilst learning about various disabilities in my Year 10 Health class recently, that, although our school provides many features to help more needy students, many overlooked cases cause the freedom of some students in the school to be limited.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>A lot was taken into consideration while the school was being built, for students in wheelchairs, because our Student Centre, Social Studies block, Languages block, Field prefabs block, Music block, ‘P’ and ‘N’ blocks, and our school gym are all equipped with ramps, so as not to hinder the accessibility for disabled students.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Many blocks in the school are two storey blocks, but for someone in a wheelchair, it makes no difference, for the English block has an elevator that is easy to use, and our old Science block apparently used to have an elevator too. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>However, some top levels in the buildings are inaccessible for a not so mobile pupil. For example, neither storey in the Maths block is an option, and there is no excuse for this, especially as even the lower level has a step of about twenty centimetres. I also think that a closer look should be taken at the ‘A’ and ‘O’ Media Studies and Visual Art blocks, because, although only one storey each, the slight step at all the entrances could set back a wheelchair bound pupil.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>It is an advantage for our college to have a Learning Centre, which greatly supports students of lower learning rates and mild learning disabilities as well as extending the competent. Our supported students have easy ramp access to the Disability unit, and I am in favour of the mixed amount of time that they spend supporting each other and learning in a kind environment, and joining mainstream students for various events or classes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>I think that for those students who have trouble with limb control or have mild forms of arthritis, doorhandles in the school could present problems, as the majority of classrooms open with spherical -twist-doorknobs. It is much easier for anyone to use a push down door handle, and so I implore you to consider making these slight changes for big differences around the school.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Some people unfortunately have skin disorders that force them to refrain from soaking up any Vitamin D, or merely to be in the sunshine at all. Other, autistic students require especially quiet or non-distracting environments to concentrate or function in. It is therefore ideal that we have the ‘P’ bock and the ‘N’ block as shaded areas, and furthermore, the library, which is generally a quiet place also. However, I strongly think that there ought to be more quiet, shaded places for students with developmental disorders to feel safe and happy in, perhaps with tranquil features or an especially beautiful garden.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Our college has far too many seemingly unnecessary poles in its walkways, which present hazards for visually impaired or ultimately, blind, students. I second this with intolerance of uneven paving around the school, and definitely more so behind P7. There are accidents waiting to happen back there. I, myself, have tripped slightly once or twice before, so you can imagine how much harder it would be for a visually impaired student to find their own way around the school, or to classes, can’t you?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Please consider underground wiring because the randomly scattered poles that hold up electrical wires should be removed. Next, I urge you to fix the paving around the school. Perhaps some blindfolded students could be used to test where paving should be smoothed out.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>A specific danger to hearing impaired, or deaf, students in the school is the inability to hear when a car is behind them, for the driveway down the left of the college constantly has moving vehicles. Students generally hear the motors and are warned, but a deaf student would have no way of knowing when to move out of the way. A reflective mirror here could possibly aid these students in being aware.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>It is pleasing to see that smoke detectors are fitted in various bathrooms around our college. These help to reduce the number of smokers around, but more importantly, should help out students with severe asthma. Therefore, I think that something else could also be done for asthmatics, regarding the excessive use of perfumes and sprays by everyone else after PE lessons. It would be wise to provide better ventilation in the PE changing rooms, as often students walk in and gag at the overpowering smell of Cool Charm, Lynx, or Impulse, or all three, and this could easily set off an asthmatic pupil with severe bouts of coughing. This would hinder breathing. If ventilation is not the answer then seclude a changing facility that isn’t exposed to such aromas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Occasionally a student who is smaller than us enrols at the school, so I’d like to make a point that the tuckshop windows and door handle height, e.t.c, need to allow students like this to be safe and content at school, as well as having sufficient opportunity to use the school tuckshop, without craning their necks, or not being able to get themselves back out of the mob that surrounds the tuckshop at lunchtimes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Lastly, I approve of how well the PE department caters for disabled students, both developmental and physical. Teachers are able to look after the students who need attention, efficiently, and are still able to ensure fairness and equality within any class.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>All PE buildings and areas are very accessible and with such a wide range of lessons and games, all students are able to enjoy Physical Education at school.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Please remember my suggestions for needed improvements around the college, for I speak on behalf of some of the most special students in the school, and all because their voices are often drowned out by the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p>Yours Sincerely,<o:p></o:p><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">Nicola"<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I'm grateful for all the things I've learnt in Health lessons because they have equipped me for different times in my life. I have under ten lessons left, so I suppose that concludes Health for the rest of my schooling!<br /></p>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-45246784806801022642010-06-07T00:36:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:06:38.113-07:00P.E<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://maryury.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/girls-softball1.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLm6_n_7dg_Ov0sbpolkLE9N2NaraheVEhgnx1WTJnqKY4v_naaAFaVTkGw4VEU6DcrGYY-zpCJSHyJWiMIxGkV_-mfR3_0FfeZV1HERnRjIe5Wn_ZqVxU6BMOH7VMVDhq6kGJhnrbQs/s1600/Picture+4.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 45px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLm6_n_7dg_Ov0sbpolkLE9N2NaraheVEhgnx1WTJnqKY4v_naaAFaVTkGw4VEU6DcrGYY-zpCJSHyJWiMIxGkV_-mfR3_0FfeZV1HERnRjIe5Wn_ZqVxU6BMOH7VMVDhq6kGJhnrbQs/s320/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479933558297362178" border="0" /></a>This year I have started to look forward to P.E much more than ever before. I have a teacher I know well now and I have a lot of friends within our class so I'm able to flit from being able to work with one lot of people to another. Year 10 P.E started on Adventure Based Learning. We played some games on the field but as we have come to change units many times since and do more interesting things, I have come to anticipate P.E more eagerly than during ABL.<br /><br />Swimming Sports came early on, in March, and I had a fun day with my best friend of similar swimming ability and the same age group as last year, because we are younger than most in our year group (and they competed with older swimmers this year). I am not a club swimmer although I'm fairly confident in the water and I came first in my heat of six for Breaststroke, and second in both Backstroke and Freestyle! My friend and I were actually asked to do the Junior relay for our house too! I swam the second lap, the best I could, although I was against club swimmers. For a laugh, and because virtually no-one volunteered for Butterfly, I did a length of that too. I came last by miles but worked hard and it was a really enjoyable day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.rtusp.lv/en/wp-content/uploads/image/swimming%20pictogram.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.rtusp.lv/en/wp-content/uploads/image/swimming%20pictogram.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I also went out with our most competitive athletes this year to a stadium for athletics day. I did Long Jump and got through a couple of requirements there, and ran 100m, 1500m (in which I got a second placing card because I was one of two people in our age group in the race!), 200m and 400m. I had a small go at High Jump because we had done some in P.E a week previously but I found it quite hard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nepalmalaya.com/img/news/65athletics%2520pictogram.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.nepalmalaya.com/img/news/65athletics%2520pictogram.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Again we ran the Block Run this year. I ran the whole way and we were let out of the school in threes. We were released at the faster end of the middle-speed-group, which I was happy about, and my time was just over 13 minutes - less than twenty seconds slower than the tenth runner back.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://getdynamicresults.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/1136556_silhouette_of_runner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 185px;" src="http://getdynamicresults.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/1136556_silhouette_of_runner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We've just finished our chilly time in our heated school pool, because, of course, it is quite freezing getting out, first thing in the morning! I wasn't very impressed that we were split in to an average, supported and competitive group (I was in average although there wasn't much difference between them all) and were made to swim widths of the pool with the aid of flutterboards. We were categorised by a big race at the beginning of the unit. With no goggles (and a stitich in my leg!) I came in after the top eight, and so this was how we were sorted. However, a drastic positive change in my swimming occurred as soon as the stitch came out and I was my happy water self again. We got a lot of free time this year too, which was great. A few days we lined the mats up across the pool and raced across - it was so fun! I learnt how to straddle entry into a pool without letting my head get wet by straddling before I went under, and we did drills of holding our breaths and underwater swimming, which I had been practicing all summer in our pool!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_210/1195762912i75k29.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 113px;" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_210/1195762912i75k29.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There was a unit recently in which we did endurance tests and similar exercises. Our teacher made us run up the bank 20+ times, forwards, and backwards, and then lunging, and then high kicks, shuttling up and down, up and down, and the pain was so intense! We did sit-ups and push-ups and although I really struggled after a while, and our whole class started dying off, I liked the idea of doing endurance tests like that and didn't mind too much. This unit included the Beep Test too. I got to Level 8 something, and although I felt I could continue, my foot was just short of the line when the beep sounded (which probably didn't matter).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://maryury.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/girls-softball1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 197px;" src="http://maryury.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/girls-softball1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Surprisingly, the Striking and Catching unit we are on at the moment is turning out to be, perhaps, my favourite set of P.E lessons. We've had four sessions. We practiced throwing and catching, then played Softball. I manned Base 2, which is a change from how I used to be in P.E years ago! We've had two cricket lessons, and I've discovered I really love cricket. I bowled a little bit both times, and did some bowling in Rounders too; it's my goal to play a more important role in all our upcoming games and I'm proud of myself for stepping out to take on things like bowling, that I can do!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.topnews.in/sports/files/cricket-logo_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 159px;" src="http://www.topnews.in/sports/files/cricket-logo_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />What I'm really keen for is the Circus unit. I'm teaching myself how to unicycle!! It is incredibly hard but within my four lessons so far (about two hours total at the moment) I have learnt to unicycle fast with one hand trailing the wall. It's very addictive and so will be one of my two tricks that I must learn. (I'll also perform some sort of trick on stilts, because I don't have any trouble with those.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rideafreewheel.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/sun_unicycle.jpg"><img style="cursor: -moz-zoom-in; width: 91px; height: 170px;" alt="http://www.seriousjuggling.com/images/unicycles/torker-unistar-unicycle-cx-se-20-inch-yellow.jpg" src="http://www.seriousjuggling.com/images/unicycles/torker-unistar-unicycle-cx-se-20-inch-yellow.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our last unit before the holidays was Self Defense. I didn't enjoy it as much, but learnt how to throw a good punch and escape armlocks!<br />Next year I am forced to take only five subjects. Originally I was thinking I don't wish to give up PE yet, but as it won't help me in the future I will choose something else. Therefore, I have about ten last weeks of PE, which has taught me a heap for my life.<br /></div></div>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-7502757143592493572010-06-06T02:16:00.000-07:002010-06-06T03:24:19.328-07:00MY HOLIDAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VeIBUoOdWWzzjbiZV9tuDe0d0rEUtbcnEOTmvFspCiQ9pssaTfV1NAc2Du5R4Vjx9XZWy3Rk9K0tvItOAh3_aS0EvwfmAq5PNVsmPypVyMet32U4_5HL-X0JGJMHtP0Py59N0PqxXf4/s1600/Picture+13.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VeIBUoOdWWzzjbiZV9tuDe0d0rEUtbcnEOTmvFspCiQ9pssaTfV1NAc2Du5R4Vjx9XZWy3Rk9K0tvItOAh3_aS0EvwfmAq5PNVsmPypVyMet32U4_5HL-X0JGJMHtP0Py59N0PqxXf4/s320/Picture+13.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479588688587400082" border="0" /></a>Over New Year 2010 my family and I went to Australia. It was my first time overseas! We went to all the theme parks on the Gold Coast, saw the Sunshine Coast, enjoyed the summer days, and then traveled to Sydney to be with family. We were over there for three weeks and I met cousins I had never met before! It was the ultimate holiday and we came home with tonnes of memories and photos!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQme9El5QuTKbUpKIvy-AihzX07SLU2oVypdBKEITZoiDxr3mN5GuzaWVrQFPVyVO7xZppZyoBTNNaKwYdG3RDAOT8TPveoCAWTaRfxBBk0Cm1g8m7O-nyOS9AP5n8ikeg80UWyc2QbTs/s1600/aborigine+hut.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQme9El5QuTKbUpKIvy-AihzX07SLU2oVypdBKEITZoiDxr3mN5GuzaWVrQFPVyVO7xZppZyoBTNNaKwYdG3RDAOT8TPveoCAWTaRfxBBk0Cm1g8m7O-nyOS9AP5n8ikeg80UWyc2QbTs/s320/aborigine+hut.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479593527582127378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUwf0TXk8rlb0ZmE0_MGHhOivXsKTUs2AR_YC4wltJ80cRFDo7FloNvMBlhGggPySFCkxlC78ungykBzWoxBLl-V5U65dM57jhNqcthyphenhyphenLCbN9dxuMtcbihP7eZ6PQCTWnvnK4S3ouTRA/s1600/pelicans.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUwf0TXk8rlb0ZmE0_MGHhOivXsKTUs2AR_YC4wltJ80cRFDo7FloNvMBlhGggPySFCkxlC78ungykBzWoxBLl-V5U65dM57jhNqcthyphenhyphenLCbN9dxuMtcbihP7eZ6PQCTWnvnK4S3ouTRA/s320/pelicans.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479594102086777826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslxgyePLSnOAZKhayVXAsap4U6enccZIFuxdkv294jmYvqUVEKY1lYtWVzmJ-iT2Bitk1E_EChA6AybXNok5rBKFx2FlUjkGBFzC5vssG4jqOtLaJDbpMyvuQPc2QwSsTdw6wfDqTOSo/s1600/beach.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslxgyePLSnOAZKhayVXAsap4U6enccZIFuxdkv294jmYvqUVEKY1lYtWVzmJ-iT2Bitk1E_EChA6AybXNok5rBKFx2FlUjkGBFzC5vssG4jqOtLaJDbpMyvuQPc2QwSsTdw6wfDqTOSo/s320/beach.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479595388651550034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuSr7DOBgKUFdjKlSvgFtF5L3C_VqlkeiSl1-gYD6sxSgMjTweHOFjDjg-BMPFOOACYpkVMfrT5ddDo300Eva8EJDzYSS2SZlTBYialNGRGUvP4oS7ZjvSoD87eoZzBMY9O1kqx8Nz-Y/s1600/camels.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuSr7DOBgKUFdjKlSvgFtF5L3C_VqlkeiSl1-gYD6sxSgMjTweHOFjDjg-BMPFOOACYpkVMfrT5ddDo300Eva8EJDzYSS2SZlTBYialNGRGUvP4oS7ZjvSoD87eoZzBMY9O1kqx8Nz-Y/s320/camels.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479595370368695586" border="0" /></a><br /><div><embed src="http://widget-2d.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="site=widget-2d.slide.com&channel=504403158316141357&cy=be&il=1" name="flashticker" align="middle" height="320" width="426"></embed><div style="width: 426px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=be&at=un&id=504403158316141357&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-2d.slide.com/p1/504403158316141357/be_t011_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=be&at=un&id=504403158316141357&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-2d.slide.com/p2/504403158316141357/be_t011_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a></div></div>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-2308054117669681442010-06-06T02:05:00.000-07:002010-06-06T02:13:45.087-07:00WELCOME TO 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTVwtzvrbVNBqTtQYJJQdt6jjsC9_9YqDsug-piU_YFNgRggqf5fhKEb8GvA5yErjyiglJRXkgjaq_AbR3tOvExE5y_Ur56gZLEepyURnQnoW_AnE-VYnku2bkLXbzQ89iFDzUoBJ6vQ/s1600/Picture+8.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTVwtzvrbVNBqTtQYJJQdt6jjsC9_9YqDsug-piU_YFNgRggqf5fhKEb8GvA5yErjyiglJRXkgjaq_AbR3tOvExE5y_Ur56gZLEepyURnQnoW_AnE-VYnku2bkLXbzQ89iFDzUoBJ6vQ/s320/Picture+8.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479584736701689922" border="0" /></a>I am currently in Year 10, which is so much more fun than Year 9! I am finally updated, regarding this blog, at which I am surprised I am still keeping it going! I was thinking the other day that this was only a months worth experiment back in 2007 but I am finding it extremely useful, having information, a summary, photos and work from just about everything in my school life since Year 7! I like the idea of this, because, truth be told,we didn't do anything before Year 7, in school, anyway! This year I have continued with Visual Art and German, and I was accepted into a Year 11 Social Studies Course and a Year 11 Science Course, which means at the end of the year I will be sitting proper NCEA exams for seniors. NCEA focuses on certain numbers of credits, obtained from good work throughout the year, to get you into each following year, and then, eventually, university. I am still keen on becoming an Interior Designer and am taking all my subjects in my stride. Being a Year 10 is great!Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-71122829752887374272010-06-06T01:32:00.000-07:002010-06-06T01:46:59.388-07:00WHAT I'VE LEARNT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZkSO1Et3wDuPUwC1F85zoYuNbno-hnpz6Gf_yreRn1chEkwkChyphenhyphenqgnK8zxxHRcywurRmaOf7wMDgsVj5nczmMorO4NAkN-XC9LeANaIAiVGoo0SczfLItdCdjb4h9n40Va9Wzc7js-k/s1600/Picture+7.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 47px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZkSO1Et3wDuPUwC1F85zoYuNbno-hnpz6Gf_yreRn1chEkwkChyphenhyphenqgnK8zxxHRcywurRmaOf7wMDgsVj5nczmMorO4NAkN-XC9LeANaIAiVGoo0SczfLItdCdjb4h9n40Va9Wzc7js-k/s320/Picture+7.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479575989129382690" border="0" /></a>One year of college gone and I am still missing Intermediate. I miss the access to internet and Web 2.0 tools! I was warned at Intermediate that college wouldn't use computers nearly as much, but it is still true. I often feel priveliged because I know about e-learning e.t.c now, after being at Intermediate, and a lot of my college peers don't know of such things. At my school we use PC computers, which is a change from Apples that I don't appreciate, and we use computer labs very rarely. I've hardly been on a computer at school all year! Just once or twice for each subject. Even then, internet is only used for access to Google or suchlike, and not to share our learning. I have forgotten many of the tools we used to use and so I am very grateful I blogged it all while it was in my mind last year. Anytime I can log back on to Blogger and refresh my memory of the Web 2.0 tools out there. A few Power Points have been made this year too, but that is about it, so I think that next year I may be able to arrange with my teachers to do any sort of presentation the technological way, so I don't entirely forget the internet, or perhaps swap a Power Point assignment for a Voki, Viddix or Wikispace! There is still a lot of time to use these, and I could boost my grades with some very creative Web 2.0 tools that my teachers, I am sure, wouldn't have even heard of yet! If I can change my learning to fit what I became used to at Intermediate, in the future my teachers may assign complete projects using tools I can teach them, and then, the way of learning really will change.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.personal.psu.edu/aes284/twtc/images/computer.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 167px;" src="http://www.personal.psu.edu/aes284/twtc/images/computer.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-74585127121538271152010-06-05T03:37:00.000-07:002010-06-05T20:27:35.751-07:00FOOD<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm10RYsSb8bCaxg6vxw4ly8KNd7gd04z9lIcbnxLfs_sXDlg3SnlzCRCIKj9qaNalYbZ2WmNlPMk9-YxR3foS4K8Sr0-41xWSz3rcJDFBPaE6Pp12qu7VYbZRv1Qek5Q8P-QDrvL6mvWw/s1600/Picture+5.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 60px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm10RYsSb8bCaxg6vxw4ly8KNd7gd04z9lIcbnxLfs_sXDlg3SnlzCRCIKj9qaNalYbZ2WmNlPMk9-YxR3foS4K8Sr0-41xWSz3rcJDFBPaE6Pp12qu7VYbZRv1Qek5Q8P-QDrvL6mvWw/s320/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479238796594434018" border="0" /></a>Term 2 came and I was taking Food as well. We only cooked about once a week, which was a slight disappointment, but I still enjoyed learning about the theory things of food, and we all enjoyed hands-on cooking! I was in a really good group of four and we worked amazingly well on the days we had to cook, with a time limit pressing down too. Perhaps they were the best group I've ever worked with in terms of efficiency!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HOQBECMnsSVjhKa632gXC1ge73Lqi2hV7ANExquzMLyJyVtdLOC6YZ9kuzAKypmyUe6vTT3ZXrhvci4QuD-oPebrquZiAc_Zj87jSl5opKs5RlWe9eXlK-MSdxU8fsV3PrG74n40OFU/s1600/Montauge.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_HOQBECMnsSVjhKa632gXC1ge73Lqi2hV7ANExquzMLyJyVtdLOC6YZ9kuzAKypmyUe6vTT3ZXrhvci4QuD-oPebrquZiAc_Zj87jSl5opKs5RlWe9eXlK-MSdxU8fsV3PrG74n40OFU/s320/Montauge.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479240042837061922" border="0" /></a><br />Our theme for our assessed cooks was the 2009 movie Monsters Vs Aliens, which we watched one afternoon at the cinema, then we planned individual recipes that we would cook as a group (so they had to be similar to the rest of our group's recipes). All the surrounding information was to be handed in in a booklet, which I did a couple of days late. Still, it came back with an impressed comment stating that my teacher thought it had perhaps been the best one in the class! I was elated, as I had made a rather fat book of information. All the pages are below, in order, so you can read my plans and reflections for yourself, but the weeks spent preparing for the three big cooks we did had us making wedges, scones, pizzas and some other delicious delicacies. Eating was the best part of the class!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://kalafudra.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/monsters_vs_aliens.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 272px;" src="http://kalafudra.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/monsters_vs_aliens.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I achieved a separate assessment with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>, when I had to cook for my family at home. Apparently I had 'good use of my routines and recipes' and I was pleased with how I worked. I made packet creamy chicken soup, a bit of a cheat, but an entreé only, nevertheless, followed by sausage snails, easy and cute, with mounds of mashed potato for the shells. I put in a third course of one of my excellent little green salads, and that was before some potato wedges, spicy and seasoned to perfection. My best dish was my rice pudding for dessert, my first time making it, and eating it, since I was a baby! I cooked for my mum and dad, and they really enjoyed it. Mum gave me a lot of positive feedback!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://peru-recipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/arroz-con-leche-rice-pudding.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 144px;" src="http://peru-recipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/arroz-con-leche-rice-pudding.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Three of my favourite recipes were shortlisted by me as to what I'd cook that fitted the theme of the movie, and I ended up cooking just the one, three times (but due to sickness I only cooked twice). My little book got me <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj4n1l252B4lEhrXcf7bSbVUltVZM8v2D7bmxWHflyDlnNFX_QuBxyVQNRqjw5u9sVvXy0Iw0PgJePcLY-vn7lDb2FhbvbLVMREjVKYs6pWwRXZ9g2sd0P11jA52Ln4wEgr5fCj7oi-0/s1600/Picture+6.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj4n1l252B4lEhrXcf7bSbVUltVZM8v2D7bmxWHflyDlnNFX_QuBxyVQNRqjw5u9sVvXy0Iw0PgJePcLY-vn7lDb2FhbvbLVMREjVKYs6pWwRXZ9g2sd0P11jA52Ln4wEgr5fCj7oi-0/s320/Picture+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479455181416675682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN-qDbxRd5yOLcGNpDWSXGcs6yWNvlvTlvKkwCA4KKgtfPGM0N0XbnfyGvS9c3wnB5n3Gv4pc-VwGgOrlibGAx-6X0sF41V32MoOOCALc1HZNte_Du8qyeO5mx0CQFahQ6_avo45pfEw/s1600/Task+Outline.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN-qDbxRd5yOLcGNpDWSXGcs6yWNvlvTlvKkwCA4KKgtfPGM0N0XbnfyGvS9c3wnB5n3Gv4pc-VwGgOrlibGAx-6X0sF41V32MoOOCALc1HZNte_Du8qyeO5mx0CQFahQ6_avo45pfEw/s320/Task+Outline.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479454406251146386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyk8wjcJBped6Nlg61Fw6_NVKCwzPQfmmTAG8u07Ou-M0jANWzILacbG_LFhbNxBubNBu7A31pVfFfAkdNQV3vRq7j6MkyLvfPw136UQ2L0Aqz50vh9YFn9cYT2YYPjBiIN07UC-ViJI/s1600/Specifications.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyk8wjcJBped6Nlg61Fw6_NVKCwzPQfmmTAG8u07Ou-M0jANWzILacbG_LFhbNxBubNBu7A31pVfFfAkdNQV3vRq7j6MkyLvfPw136UQ2L0Aqz50vh9YFn9cYT2YYPjBiIN07UC-ViJI/s320/Specifications.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479454411782322466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUycjX0ZEK_Y6Donr_RxJtuKSk-_RP52-BfY-A9OVeSYo_Ta-xgViCQjdsPhtr6YQpHvz5wxpP8qc15m6MArvbWmOyaFbpkNsM8FecfY5K14xSU7ttVjPXQVvFD-w1schVOLZy0I9Tk1M/s1600/Team+Brief.png"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU20-pmEhJJ3c5fliarF-CzhztmSv5CY4hVMgnwBuJMsGjVyk8dSPZu723RmPujSe5z8G_kE6fQ6WMR2HBgI-TGnS7ArbtfYX_gP3WmV3XQfW7itWHoEvCXa5Fd3dP2sk4ehPGeRaCCXM/s320/Initial+Research.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479483857813528914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBnJF6DzBu_ZVkrdastNKsPy0Y0JmHfi_1icI1MOLVjM2Vz1v61ZEjGAJ0k9FuCt5FdEENVoJAaBo5xcdd-RwBBrHEqIBZWDImeDfkftyinJepnLSKdppTv-4itRPCzROmWB14LEO4v0/s1600/More+Research.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijBnJF6DzBu_ZVkrdastNKsPy0Y0JmHfi_1icI1MOLVjM2Vz1v61ZEjGAJ0k9FuCt5FdEENVoJAaBo5xcdd-RwBBrHEqIBZWDImeDfkftyinJepnLSKdppTv-4itRPCzROmWB14LEO4v0/s320/More+Research.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479484530049405730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKS8sjZ5ZiTtMTO1OlEGoB249XDbkGDgxoor7ZljvtiLMdwuK3bLYbAIFlI8JvLc12QQt_n-Wos2lSmD7jfWrsT2LD7iZ2rDaUDyT7ianQvs2KKsvKREsizhSp3ghgdcQZzNFd2gUB2o/s1600/Bibliography+:+Resources.png"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXM2n_y8ymYJog5UMCtQ3IRBMToMnooVM9odclcG6hjiIokpa14O0cDTBPZ9eF1OwV3Hlvf9ebs8q4IhYP3j4EU4gcU9ko4mTOA8XhWL3XdA_VQ5gi1tdJovfWtNVxt50Em6QmVOLWBRw/s320/Brief+:+Research.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479484550040758514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAImhOAUN7lbBFQQIfds-Qm-D9qB6BXE_uU3Za-M5Ra_Lm5BCFb0Zk_VMPN9KMXeGW_61sQuQ0pqQdO03ydY9HV3eoDzHJvl003mqNuhbpTR87iiJrIY0qgC_uq_uio5OcXKDucD1hnKc/s1600/Stakeholders+%26+Modifications.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAImhOAUN7lbBFQQIfds-Qm-D9qB6BXE_uU3Za-M5Ra_Lm5BCFb0Zk_VMPN9KMXeGW_61sQuQ0pqQdO03ydY9HV3eoDzHJvl003mqNuhbpTR87iiJrIY0qgC_uq_uio5OcXKDucD1hnKc/s320/Stakeholders+%26+Modifications.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479484560168700050" border="0" /></a>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-30117626613786634292010-06-05T02:49:00.000-07:002010-06-05T03:34:27.510-07:00DRAMA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw0l94s-NTWEy0gb3sT8D6utID38h4o4CJGEw5kPaYKuAPodg2oSYxIONOIFSCz0mTj5i6YFjw1Su7aRl1A3RWe9JT62QqoISl58U2t2NfBtFIrlTa0o9vrS17k5F-gVOsDvEIq8JmIQ/s1600/Picture+4.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 51px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw0l94s-NTWEy0gb3sT8D6utID38h4o4CJGEw5kPaYKuAPodg2oSYxIONOIFSCz0mTj5i6YFjw1Su7aRl1A3RWe9JT62QqoISl58U2t2NfBtFIrlTa0o9vrS17k5F-gVOsDvEIq8JmIQ/s320/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479224777847694178" border="0" /></a>My second art subject in Term 2 was Drama. I enjoyed this class and we covered a lot of things whilst having a heap of fun. We were introduced to movement, body, voice and space, the four drama techniques, and covered mime, scripted plays and various other exercises. One game was to each have a colour that we had to respond to, in order to catch someone else out across the circle. Another was when we had a sound and had to find, blindly, the other person with that sound.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.aledo.k12.tx.us/hstheaterarts/drama_masks.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 158px;" src="http://www.aledo.k12.tx.us/hstheaterarts/drama_masks.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>Miming started with small games in which we had to pretend we were a flower growing e.t.c, and to make up a dance routine. Freeze Framing got us thinking upon how we could make statue poses interesting, which, although I needed to work on this at the beginning, I managed to eventually get.<br />Marcel Marceau was a famous mime artist, so homework early on was to research his life. Something useful I learnt were all the positions onstage, such as centre stage, front stage left, and so on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.esmas.com/galeria/fotos/2007/12/2007142219251197692365.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 191px;" src="http://www.esmas.com/galeria/fotos/2007/12/2007142219251197692365.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Movement brought us into activities making us mime things like milking cows (which I was praised for!) and lawn mowing! The end of the mime unit saw us miming moving furniture out of a house, spontaneously but with brief planning, in groups. This assessment got me <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>, which I was grateful for.<br />We then learnt about voice and vocal cords. It introduced us to theatre sports and we learnt 18 important features of this, such as advancing, blocking, offers when acting, pimping or spontaneity. It also got you improvising, which was fun although I don't feel half as prepared as when we did scripted plays! A small group of us had to improvise a scene where I, as a single mum, announced to her three children that we were to move house. It was a fun character to play!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.children-coloring-pages.com/image/snow-white-coloring-pages.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 213px;" src="http://www.children-coloring-pages.com/image/snow-white-coloring-pages.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />In Snow White, I acted the evil queen, for a change, and we twisted the story into a funny, modern set of scenes. In this unit I also got to play an unimpressed employer and was privately proud of myself for accepting an 'offer'. My employee unexpectedly dropped to her knees begging, and holding onto my ankle, I was able to discreetly move her into centre stage, for she had previously been invisible to the audience because of a big box being in the way. As far as improvisation went the next day, we were to devise short skits about various things in pairs. When asked for one about the 'latest model', my partner and I acted out a model being late for her shoot, and were the only ones to make the brief into a pun; for this we were praised!<br />A few improvised plays later the unit was concluded, and I was keen to start on myths and legends. The big assessment for this part of the course was, in groups of five, to act a scripted play about a myth. We chose Romulus and Remus, and I played the mother wolf. As a secondary role I acted out Numitor, the advice-giving old man, so quite a challenge, but I managed! I took charge of writing out the script and we started rehearsing in our drama lessons, exiting, blocking, entering e.t.c. Sorting our costumes was something I enjoyed, and although a little nervous on the day, our play went very well. I wore an old man pillowcase and cap for my role of Numitor!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://weeklyshocks.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/she-wolf_suckles_romulus_and_remus.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 136px;" src="http://weeklyshocks.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/she-wolf_suckles_romulus_and_remus.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our term wrapped up on the shadow puppet plays of our myths. We all made shadow puppets on skewers of our Romulus and Remus characters and performed, but the live version was far better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.emmamolony.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/shadow-wolf2-300x225.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 137px;" src="http://www.emmamolony.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/shadow-wolf2-300x225.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I enjoyed drama very much, and given enough space for Drama as an option next year, I will take it, but I will have to factor in my other subjects too!Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-32664556845998246312010-06-04T23:30:00.001-07:002010-06-05T00:05:01.205-07:00ART<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1OJtQIWilJ4tiN7rhDLanQ6XLN45Gp6Rc-xG0U4Bbt7UMsjQ_GQCRCem-kANzz3K8ti4Ni1z_eQAYigZaXERlj6ah75lbGMriLT6bw2EQfh7p8GNhC_zIV-FjNECmF2dbJgW02pB5rI/s1600/Picture+9.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 52px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1OJtQIWilJ4tiN7rhDLanQ6XLN45Gp6Rc-xG0U4Bbt7UMsjQ_GQCRCem-kANzz3K8ti4Ni1z_eQAYigZaXERlj6ah75lbGMriLT6bw2EQfh7p8GNhC_zIV-FjNECmF2dbJgW02pB5rI/s320/Picture+9.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479173372036798722" border="0" /></a>I took Visual Art in my first term of college and enjoyed keeping a spiral bind sketchbook full of the terms work. We focused on Maori koru, drew kowhaiwhai patterns, drew abstract designs and highlighted hues with white paint and shellac, worked with colour theory and designed, constructed and painted a wakahuia (safekeeping box) in grey tones. Below are a few photos taken from my visual art diary...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU1sj0PEUjIYbq2ToKazdexxCWvHuYioc9L7K6VgzMqz1ufw346_gYEsGNy3n9vbxx6nTxXEAg2R7DSL6dByZBphiUKe4s6n8qDL3TC-TDNlZV4SAVFxwFyLDJ86hRMUAm2pgoYm_818/s1600/Picture+21.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbU1sj0PEUjIYbq2ToKazdexxCWvHuYioc9L7K6VgzMqz1ufw346_gYEsGNy3n9vbxx6nTxXEAg2R7DSL6dByZBphiUKe4s6n8qDL3TC-TDNlZV4SAVFxwFyLDJ86hRMUAm2pgoYm_818/s320/Picture+21.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479179798358218082" border="0" /></a>my art diary koru design cover<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoaj7UlFVEI9MfniGrPOE0MDUWxY6yhiB1GGMuwR4LnUIfKSj2TlTj4jnJzqBESxufCuuyc1_6DQnUpnhmlbjShxxJ8x2rl6V8JBMte51Ag-E7NOcF1MMb1hOGTca979zrZNf7sIJRnM/s1600/Picture+20.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoaj7UlFVEI9MfniGrPOE0MDUWxY6yhiB1GGMuwR4LnUIfKSj2TlTj4jnJzqBESxufCuuyc1_6DQnUpnhmlbjShxxJ8x2rl6V8JBMte51Ag-E7NOcF1MMb1hOGTca979zrZNf7sIJRnM/s320/Picture+20.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479179785535433378" border="0" /></a>colour theory<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xd3stig_RIV2pwqDMep0iPIr2SXhbnpUJuqYjQ3ZP9ZPhqNp312oE_23a18M1v0ikCQVDxneocYO2Zf81OF42HABfseCuV6j2jDGgjh_9Mqj9xlPCctRdcUrsmi5BaR6ZXVmhEhVvG4/s1600/Picture+18.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xd3stig_RIV2pwqDMep0iPIr2SXhbnpUJuqYjQ3ZP9ZPhqNp312oE_23a18M1v0ikCQVDxneocYO2Zf81OF42HABfseCuV6j2jDGgjh_9Mqj9xlPCctRdcUrsmi5BaR6ZXVmhEhVvG4/s320/Picture+18.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479179770767035186" border="0" /></a>mixing colours<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFtFUPWhCrHdHc0lLrKHRXvORR-my8ye5u6G6_fEqow95I-znofbMfMGYzajkroiB4eNdvAbkTBMSQseptE70aKYGdy_-z1ncm8ZV0dZa71RNEhWpXcZdDw3XZd5gjXuJkvxMoWy6VIw/s1600/Picture+17.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFtFUPWhCrHdHc0lLrKHRXvORR-my8ye5u6G6_fEqow95I-znofbMfMGYzajkroiB4eNdvAbkTBMSQseptE70aKYGdy_-z1ncm8ZV0dZa71RNEhWpXcZdDw3XZd5gjXuJkvxMoWy6VIw/s320/Picture+17.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479179757326742258" border="0" /></a>shellac and paint transferal<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzsfzN7tdrPjG5xni63p5AbGQgVM7Uhcy6diExc3bpJB2iQPUCR9JVJTTol5mzSGaylFGlspE8jHW3YV5mKmoQysYdTsTKkEMNEnqZ4jjYm98ZWkwQcua1oGw14BfVikydNWwXm6MzEo/s1600/Picture+16.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzsfzN7tdrPjG5xni63p5AbGQgVM7Uhcy6diExc3bpJB2iQPUCR9JVJTTol5mzSGaylFGlspE8jHW3YV5mKmoQysYdTsTKkEMNEnqZ4jjYm98ZWkwQcua1oGw14BfVikydNWwXm6MzEo/s320/Picture+16.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479179743361488786" border="0" /></a>shellac and paint transferal<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I am sure I'll continue to take Visual Art because since making my Geometry House I am very keen on becoming an architect, or an interior designer. This year my art diary was awarded <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence!</span><br /></div></div>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-42735355986940720372010-06-04T22:04:00.000-07:002010-06-04T23:40:52.835-07:00GRAPHICS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXRimNdWbygVeLWP-EuEVYr8rj1wYsgnc11L4slC7CoQlmQP5iRch7Ll832uWsdpbNEXXClNiRZdeaPRYZfCW4xF-l9MSOB8mRzsu4f2OfuPcoWdC81_SR8pQn7RUbDCcrxft3iAfINI/s1600/Picture+7.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 47px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXRimNdWbygVeLWP-EuEVYr8rj1wYsgnc11L4slC7CoQlmQP5iRch7Ll832uWsdpbNEXXClNiRZdeaPRYZfCW4xF-l9MSOB8mRzsu4f2OfuPcoWdC81_SR8pQn7RUbDCcrxft3iAfINI/s320/Picture+7.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479151862722861586" border="0" /></a>Being quite a visual subject, I'll post some photos below of the graphics work that I did in my first term at college as one of my two Technology choices. The theme for our final piece of work to go in an exhibition with our groups of fours' work from the other branches of Technology as a subject was a specific country. Our group chose Germany, so German recipes were cooked, a German project sewed, a German piece of work made, and I, being from Graphics, constructed a small castle complete with turrets and stonework walls. In preparation we worked through various graphics worksheets that taught us skills required. I learnt how to render (colour in using blending and tone) and draw oblique drawings, isometric drawings, and orthographic projections. (Crooked lines are a result of photography, not poor drawing!!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZhUV_cZpGwc0_b6FCHy_pBlBoV63nwmjPC-qzRDobFOO6bQX0NKdBNSO_mZ3ZRkqcPtBeJTCXn7VSy8PhIjkSc81yKUlZkyICwKTjHVkg6m7GdeKIxRRJN0I4gSIYp8YhkT7pmsoFVU/s1600/Picture+12.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZhUV_cZpGwc0_b6FCHy_pBlBoV63nwmjPC-qzRDobFOO6bQX0NKdBNSO_mZ3ZRkqcPtBeJTCXn7VSy8PhIjkSc81yKUlZkyICwKTjHVkg6m7GdeKIxRRJN0I4gSIYp8YhkT7pmsoFVU/s320/Picture+12.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479168669004955170" border="0" /></a>isometric<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkxGnrQBncAZ9MKGaHnnB1X3QVhupTEM1CLDrVvkyCBQrLSfUhqEOp0mzb7nMbAcPOavvqaCeMjNl3krdpMdzIbSRLvn4GC8dHEEZ2UhTiBQmQbuJbweSVmW87ry_673s2VrgmSV58sM/s1600/Picture+11.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkxGnrQBncAZ9MKGaHnnB1X3QVhupTEM1CLDrVvkyCBQrLSfUhqEOp0mzb7nMbAcPOavvqaCeMjNl3krdpMdzIbSRLvn4GC8dHEEZ2UhTiBQmQbuJbweSVmW87ry_673s2VrgmSV58sM/s320/Picture+11.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479168650979426178" border="0" /></a>isometric<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStRHa3OQguiXrre45kMzNhQ7dsJQeP3c5wcwEKQPgi4pKityoEA4CVpyXxhYJ6N3Ws8valQCGQJCdtEtWgFtAPBYxzyjLNlGK51QBRQXmZayB40NlSk7UXuxDuAIBQWJH20XDcE9EWWs/s1600/Picture+10.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStRHa3OQguiXrre45kMzNhQ7dsJQeP3c5wcwEKQPgi4pKityoEA4CVpyXxhYJ6N3Ws8valQCGQJCdtEtWgFtAPBYxzyjLNlGK51QBRQXmZayB40NlSk7UXuxDuAIBQWJH20XDcE9EWWs/s320/Picture+10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479168632209712610" border="0" /></a>rendering / drawing shadows<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7M45C19ttszbqP_xZXBkMHFcpMf5vJSzNCVo786DcQqc_hSaHmZ98bp8arXkdWBE84VEVKHkTc-iB3YoYV61YwnXhokE0oTQUz45Za4MKuErhpk4MEyP5FE4xcn7xaVzmYPXK9jI8eg/s1600/Picture+9.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7M45C19ttszbqP_xZXBkMHFcpMf5vJSzNCVo786DcQqc_hSaHmZ98bp8arXkdWBE84VEVKHkTc-iB3YoYV61YwnXhokE0oTQUz45Za4MKuErhpk4MEyP5FE4xcn7xaVzmYPXK9jI8eg/s320/Picture+9.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479168611392227442" border="0" /></a>rendering<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowRtwRKYbZvtO6M56FOm5_VVVr0pGYcXdwZ5zka28VYYB4Wca2WOZLalMSSCd_10IoBrwTL-fJsktdg4IxQ7gxQ_2d14iWMSEmVQfRKwQYsk4wUtljFZiOWPE00_BjypZwVpiaConMRo/s1600/Picture+14.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowRtwRKYbZvtO6M56FOm5_VVVr0pGYcXdwZ5zka28VYYB4Wca2WOZLalMSSCd_10IoBrwTL-fJsktdg4IxQ7gxQ_2d14iWMSEmVQfRKwQYsk4wUtljFZiOWPE00_BjypZwVpiaConMRo/s320/Picture+14.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479174767336929570" border="0" /></a>orthographic projections<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJdlJ-pcIEMjPprHik6fqs6S3KYdkjFinoJff_aC79QF7CGCKHGsLR3D0OCaPBav50Lb6cP8-oByi1I1vc_AgnIuYhMwYr_hqfQmMIf6XI2FJxQkgrZyt9PNbEI7DCgob7XqAqu9LBZk/s1600/Picture+13.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJdlJ-pcIEMjPprHik6fqs6S3KYdkjFinoJff_aC79QF7CGCKHGsLR3D0OCaPBav50Lb6cP8-oByi1I1vc_AgnIuYhMwYr_hqfQmMIf6XI2FJxQkgrZyt9PNbEI7DCgob7XqAqu9LBZk/s320/Picture+13.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479174750426916562" border="0" /></a>oblique digital clock<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Bqwku4YnS2eRBl1alUBqSxJ_lId7WhdQueSufSnSZSdH4kNA_pwqYA_1264eWcAz3gDXewysJxoq8953aYT7vJHz4E0lUi0idT32zEOOqwW4CE6s2J2TT2TW79cGi-oRPQhPTA-nkH0/s1600/Picture+15.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Bqwku4YnS2eRBl1alUBqSxJ_lId7WhdQueSufSnSZSdH4kNA_pwqYA_1264eWcAz3gDXewysJxoq8953aYT7vJHz4E0lUi0idT32zEOOqwW4CE6s2J2TT2TW79cGi-oRPQhPTA-nkH0/s320/Picture+15.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479174778788731698" border="0" /></a>my castle<br /><br /></div>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-75120439845548988222010-06-04T20:54:00.000-07:002010-06-04T22:19:46.445-07:00GERMAN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsBXftlunD6GSSOkHmJlvuljM8v1kCBWYXEvyhLnq7DxudBWV7A4UlqUXVxZJSYNtvpj1AYuoNLP40z1SQgUl8TvQ9CRouoCh8WzG0yU4i_pH6vDnLLe040mMm-Nx6yjlziwLwkBTMxY/s1600/Picture+6.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 59px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsBXftlunD6GSSOkHmJlvuljM8v1kCBWYXEvyhLnq7DxudBWV7A4UlqUXVxZJSYNtvpj1AYuoNLP40z1SQgUl8TvQ9CRouoCh8WzG0yU4i_pH6vDnLLe040mMm-Nx6yjlziwLwkBTMxY/s320/Picture+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479133350480088386" border="0" /></a>My choice of language to learn in Year 9 was German. I learnt the basics of the language for six months while we covered greetings, class objects, subjects at school and opinions thereupon, the alphabet, numbers, months, days of the week, colours, hobbies, where one lives, one's family, describing people, describing animals and Christmas, at the end of the year (Weihnachten).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.pre-host.com/porosia/client/images/german-flag.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 115px;" src="http://www.pre-host.com/porosia/client/images/german-flag.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I kept a vocabulary notebook for future reference with all vocab learnt, and enjoyed the language as I found myself getting many <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellences!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fs.huntingdon.edu/jlewis/syl/ircomp/Maps/GermCitiesMapCia.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 181px;" src="http://fs.huntingdon.edu/jlewis/syl/ircomp/Maps/GermCitiesMapCia.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here are the key phrases I learnt, and enough vocabulary to keep you going for a while, although we learnt more than this!<br /><br />To greet, I can say...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hallo</span> - Hello<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Guten Morgen</span> - Good Morning<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Guten Tag</span> - Good Day<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Guten Abend</span> - Good Evening<br /><br />...and when I want to say goodbye I say...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bis Später</span> - See you later<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Auf Wiedersehen</span> - Goodbye<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tschüs</span> - Bye<br /><br />...some handy phrases and questions are...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wie heißt du?</span> - What is your name?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ich heiße...</span> - I am called...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wie geht es Ihnen?</span> - How are you?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mir geht's...</span> - I am (emotionally) ...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wie alt bist du?</span> - How old are you?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ich bin... Jahre alt. - </span>I am... years old.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Was ist dein Lieblingsfach?</span> - What is your favourite subject?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mein Lieblingsfach ist...</span> - My favourite subject is...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wann hast du Geburtstag?</span> - When do you have your birthday?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mein Geburtstag ist am...</span> - My birthday is on the...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wo wohnst du?</span> - Where do you live?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ich wohne in einem...</span> - I live in a...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hast du Geschwister?</span> - Do you have siblings?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ich habe einen Bruder / eine Schwester.</span> - I have a brother / a sister.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hast du ein Haustier?</span> - Do you have a pet?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ich habe...</span> - I have...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hast du Hobbys?</span> - Do you have hobbies?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ich... gern.</span> - I like to...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Woher kommst du?</span> - Where do you come from?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ich komme aus...</span> - I come from...<br /><br />...to say how I feel...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ausgezeichnet</span> - excellent<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">sehr gut</span> - very good<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">soso</span> - okay<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">nicht so gut</span> - not so good<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">schlecht</span> - bad<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">prima</span> - great<br /><br />...objects at school...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">die Schule</span> - the school<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">das Buch</span> - the book<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">der Radiergummi</span> - the eraser<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">der Kuli</span> - the pen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">die Federtasche</span> - the pencil case<br /><br />...subjects, too...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mathe</span> - Maths<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Englisch</span> - English<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sozialkunde</span> - Social Studies<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deutsch</span> - German<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wissenschaften</span> - Science<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Theater</span> - Drama<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kunst</span> - Art<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Technologie</span> - technology<br /><br />...here are the days of the week...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Montag</span> - Monday<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dienstag</span> - Tuesday<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mittwoch</span> - Wednesday<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Donnerstag</span> - Thursday<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Freitag</span> - Friday<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samstag</span> - Saturday<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sonntag</span> - Sunday<br /><br />...and the numbers...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">eins</span> - one<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> zwei</span> - two<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> drei</span> - three<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> vier</span> - four<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> fünf</span> - five<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> sechs</span> - six<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> sieben</span> - seven<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> acht</span> - eight<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> neun</span> - nine<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> zehn</span> - ten<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> elf</span> - eleven<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> zwölf</span> - twelve<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> dreizehn</span> - thirteen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> vierzehn</span> - fourteen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> fünfzehn</span> - fifteen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> sechzehn - </span>sixteen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> siebzehn</span> - seventeen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> achtzehn</span> - eighteen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> nehnzehn</span> - nineteen<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> zwanzig</span> - twenty<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> einundzwanzig</span> - twenty one<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> zweiundzwanzig</span> - twenty two<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> dreiundzwanzig</span> - twenty three<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> vierundzwanzig</span> - twenty four<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> fünfundzwanzig</span> - twenty five<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> sechsundzwanzig</span> - twenty six<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> siebenundzwanzig</span> - twenty seven<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> achtundzwanzig</span> - twenty eight<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> neunundzwanzig</span> - twenty nine<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> dreißig</span> - thirty<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> vierzig</span> - forty<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> fünfzig </span>- fifty<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> sechzig</span> - sixty<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> siebzig</span> - seventy<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> achtzig</span> - eighty<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> neunzig</span> - ninety<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (ein)hundert</span> - a hundred<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (ein)hunderteins</span> - a hundred and one<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (ein)hundertzwei</span> - a hundred and two<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (ein)hundertzwanzig</span> - a hundred and twenty<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (ein)hunderteinundzwanzig</span> - a hundred and twenty one<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (ein)hundertzweiundzwanzig</span> - a hundred and twenty two<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> zweihundert</span> - two hundred<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> dreihundert</span> - three hundred<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (ein)tausend</span> - a thousand<br /><br />...months of the year...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Januar</span> - January<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Februar</span> - February<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">März</span> - March<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April</span> - April<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mai</span> - May<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Juni</span> - June<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Juli</span> - July<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">August</span> - August<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">September</span> - September<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oktober</span> - October<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">November</span> - November<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dezember</span> - December<br /><br />...how I say the alphabet...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ah! Beh! Tseh! Deh! Eh! Eff! Gie! Ha! Ee! Yot! Ka! Ell! Emm! Enn! Oh! Peh! Ku! Err! Ess! Teh! Oo! Fau! Iks! Üpsilon! Tset!</span><br /><br />...places to live...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Haus</span> - house<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wohnung</span> - apartment<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stadt</span> - city<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dorf</span> - village<br /><br />...the colours...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">schwarz</span> - black<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">weiß</span> - white<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rot</span> - red<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">orange</span> - orange<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">gelb</span> - yellow<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">grün</span> - green<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">blau</span> - blue<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">lila</span> - purple<br /><br />...verbs (infinitive form) that if have "I" in front lose the "e"...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">lesen</span> - to read<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">tanzen</span> - to dance<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">rennen</span> - to run<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">gehen</span> - to go<br /><br />...countries...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Japan</span> - Japan<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Italien</span> - Italy<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dänemark</span> - Denmark<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amerika</span> - America<br /><br />...a few members of the family...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mutter</span> - Mother<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vater - </span>Father<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Oma</span> - Grandma<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Opa</span> - Grandpa<br /><br />I really enjoyed German and would like to carry it on in Year 10!<br />A handy website we often used as a German dictionary is <a href="http://www.dict.cc/">http://dict.cc</a><br />Please comment! Try to use some of your new German vocabulary! Wie geht es Ihnen, Leute?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjOZ_B9bTaThXi_56c3DiX3fAZaGUBvPYv_x8s8eeH2F462VxWkWNJab-8qLeG2JJIUaOratwuggwTikwvjYJ0Zo5FqvWoyfgcvg42pJVRvfBwVH7M34wLpigQtKHq78puNrhyk2nFWk/s1600/dreamstime_7879636.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjOZ_B9bTaThXi_56c3DiX3fAZaGUBvPYv_x8s8eeH2F462VxWkWNJab-8qLeG2JJIUaOratwuggwTikwvjYJ0Zo5FqvWoyfgcvg42pJVRvfBwVH7M34wLpigQtKHq78puNrhyk2nFWk/s320/dreamstime_7879636.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479154848285352130" border="0" /></a>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-22516250119546976102010-06-04T20:07:00.000-07:002010-06-04T20:53:24.551-07:00SCIENCE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz6fbrUxuq29_IJ8tJUleuZCrTLcmMlXVkA0nCxAE_95ZHMM1ryauHrfJxBCoOgkmfxnOr5Y2bbaQRLX60qPEECxpNl-MHgOpHqmeBJ-g9jWuK-Oc-qx1biGQt-QNmYGqhxkNQpLT54w/s1600/Picture+5.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 54px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz6fbrUxuq29_IJ8tJUleuZCrTLcmMlXVkA0nCxAE_95ZHMM1ryauHrfJxBCoOgkmfxnOr5Y2bbaQRLX60qPEECxpNl-MHgOpHqmeBJ-g9jWuK-Oc-qx1biGQt-QNmYGqhxkNQpLT54w/s320/Picture+5.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479121569309201970" border="0" /></a>I studied Science in 2009 for the second semester and we briefly covered Chemistry, Biology and Physics, while doing a big unit on Energy and Photosynthesis too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.users.waitrose.com/%7Emikeholland/Images/Science.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 239px;" src="http://www.users.waitrose.com/%7Emikeholland/Images/Science.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Haiku:</span><br />"Working factories<br />Creating sugar and food<br />Photosynthesis."<br /><br />Something is living when it displays the life processes: MRS C GREN or Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Circulation, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion and Nutrition.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.childrensmuseum.org/teachers/unitsofstudy/biotechnology/images/plantcell-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 125px;" src="http://www.childrensmuseum.org/teachers/unitsofstudy/biotechnology/images/plantcell-2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In Chemistry we lit glowing splints to test for oxygen, conducted the pop test to check for hydrogen and used lime chips to experiment with carbon dioxide. We did a lot of fun practicals with the Bunsen Burner and it was good to learn in a hands-on way again!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sciencequiz.net/jcscience/jcchemistry/atmosphere/images/diag29a1.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 185px;" src="http://www.sciencequiz.net/jcscience/jcchemistry/atmosphere/images/diag29a1.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our unit on energy taught us there are different kind of energy, such as Radiant, Kinetic, Gravitational, Sound and Potential!<br /><br />We covered the Water Cycle briefly and all did powerpoints on this. A second powerpoint was created in groups of two about Fireworks ad the chemistry behind them, which taught us some very interesting things!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cd7.e2bn.net/e2bn/leas/c99/schools/cd7/website/images/bp-watercycle3.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 189px;" src="http://cd7.e2bn.net/e2bn/leas/c99/schools/cd7/website/images/bp-watercycle3.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />When water is obtained from its original source, it is screened, thus preventing fish, plants and leaves from dirtying the water.<br />Next, chemicals are mixed into the water; these chemicals kill germs and improve the taste and odor of the water. Solids are settled.<br />Following this, water is put through a process called sedimentation, in which the chemicals are all mixed up to further settle the solids in the water.<br />Filtration takes place and the water is filtered away from any more particles still lingering. In case of any more germs, the water is disinfected.<br />Before flowing into the distribution system, the water is stored,and then, finally, it travels through the pipes to us for our usage.<br /><br />We sat three or four tests with each unit and I got two or three <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellences</span> and one <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span> on Fred's Breakfast. For this we had to insulate tins of hot water with different medias, but I didn't finish the write-up of the two day test.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.source-werbeartikel.com/produkt/x/XDP433612.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 201px;" src="http://www.source-werbeartikel.com/produkt/x/XDP433612.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Year Nine General Science was a good introduction to science at college and I learnt a lot whilst having good fun with the people I sat with!Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-82285993333419962512009-11-21T21:19:00.000-08:002009-12-08T01:11:55.408-08:00MATHS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMheCNkVySPa6TyaP87SQKc-B1SpcsBt4wCakIWXsu9xK1YJBz_qOyJLd2kgTy8R4boLjbaIb8ZPV2iKWw8RcxFlX3oIp96sti79I3jGy5NLiTjue3ug6afK0mFbOJYdYgxIpL7Tn_cBo/s1600/Picture+37.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 70px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMheCNkVySPa6TyaP87SQKc-B1SpcsBt4wCakIWXsu9xK1YJBz_qOyJLd2kgTy8R4boLjbaIb8ZPV2iKWw8RcxFlX3oIp96sti79I3jGy5NLiTjue3ug6afK0mFbOJYdYgxIpL7Tn_cBo/s400/Picture+37.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406794651922315730" border="0" /></a>A brief update on maths this year, scores gotten, e.t.c.<br />In Term 1, I moved class after sitting the first Common Test of the year, Measurement, in which I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>.<br /><br />Common test 2 was Number, and I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>.<br /><br />The third was on Algebra. This got me a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>.<br /><br />We had a quick unit on Statistics, and a quick test, allowing you to get Achieved at the most. I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Achieved</span>, but this doesn't matter so much as I got the best score I could get.<br /><br />Common Test 5 was Probability. My grade was <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>!<br /><br />We just finished the sixth, and final, Common Test on Geometry. Though this is normally one of my strengths, I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>, after a lot of trouble working out the final question on missing angles.<br /><br />My first P.A.T test this year was at the beginning. I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">37 / 42</span>. We have just sat the final one, and though I don't know the result yet, I found it quite easy.<br /><br />Upcoming is The Maths Exam. I should revise this week as it affects next year's classes.<br /><br />Aside from the tests, this year has held a lot of learning in maths for me, especially in Algebra. We started with time and measurement, moved to area and perimeter, followed by ratios and percentages, and decimals and fractions. Perfect numbers, prime numbers, Fibonacci numbers, significant figures and factors were all taught following that.<br />In Algebra, I learnt about x and y terms, expanding, simplifying, factorising, solving algebraic equations and drawing linear graphs.<br />In Statistics we did bar graphs, pie graphs and box and whisker plots. This lead to us having an assignment on a statistical investigation. Here is mine, which got me <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>, but also a pinkie slip (to put me in the draw for a prize) for presentation.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">click to enlarge<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BP-Y-lXI6K50wBVyJV_kdTt2n9BqwAdf40v0-bDB4f6iiRthIZP9hB6pSUBc9nU3f8vBDq7KJ-7Krmlr0cUvW1s4_chXlloveP2_b2wlOIAsBtHOP1n82oHTPOe0IoovTxAMgTjm1Pc/s1600/Picture+41.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BP-Y-lXI6K50wBVyJV_kdTt2n9BqwAdf40v0-bDB4f6iiRthIZP9hB6pSUBc9nU3f8vBDq7KJ-7Krmlr0cUvW1s4_chXlloveP2_b2wlOIAsBtHOP1n82oHTPOe0IoovTxAMgTjm1Pc/s400/Picture+41.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406801131176559666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBoAPVsJXmH8stTSPuaE7-tDp_S84VghXv9Wa781ov-Om41VfuTF7olJKAJ4FnGiA86o4WNhupgK_4vikSJwWCEVxjY8cm9zqBCYB758xAWfqTKchFXip_0tIsSU_qWEJJYoGRsEBVGo/s1600/Picture+40.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBoAPVsJXmH8stTSPuaE7-tDp_S84VghXv9Wa781ov-Om41VfuTF7olJKAJ4FnGiA86o4WNhupgK_4vikSJwWCEVxjY8cm9zqBCYB758xAWfqTKchFXip_0tIsSU_qWEJJYoGRsEBVGo/s400/Picture+40.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406801276351146450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JfGVSn1bacRM1RQfIxVdOBfgdYxjpJ_7Ts_WwcbmL_mCBDwQtX8mka6AZdFJrLMwZGVSkc_rD40zYa1aKT5ij3aD6SZy8wp1eclLl_aASVJjISGBjOBWBmEKmv5JQPr0l3sZ0X1taNA/s1600/Picture+39.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JfGVSn1bacRM1RQfIxVdOBfgdYxjpJ_7Ts_WwcbmL_mCBDwQtX8mka6AZdFJrLMwZGVSkc_rD40zYa1aKT5ij3aD6SZy8wp1eclLl_aASVJjISGBjOBWBmEKmv5JQPr0l3sZ0X1taNA/s400/Picture+39.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406801406464887058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdy-Jm8izPjFiDRUNpu5WRksg_yQsy0rMvDwV4ESSCPhXxeIM4igyfSdTOKGZklbpETi8sbdRoBa7A2pOyjM_jOs0RXZJBJ-axQSp4ZmXVmfAj0g01Kjzqt3KXYoji5zXOPY7AJVllOg/s1600/Picture+38.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdy-Jm8izPjFiDRUNpu5WRksg_yQsy0rMvDwV4ESSCPhXxeIM4igyfSdTOKGZklbpETi8sbdRoBa7A2pOyjM_jOs0RXZJBJ-axQSp4ZmXVmfAj0g01Kjzqt3KXYoji5zXOPY7AJVllOg/s400/Picture+38.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406801542610880034" border="0" /></a><br />The Maths Exam came and went, with me being very satisfied with my results! I finished the 2 hour exam with about 30 seconds left! I was allowed to use one A4 cheat sheet, though...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhQdg7Uxc27HL4n3SLccjH4VBTpo1pH90oJbSAbSaQnV9Cz1bMGFy0fHusruVhseNHJjNej7gEdgCLHuppzcEXUH35pPx7d5SoBdjb7vCDZ-rZAo5FAIWCNaqvUFPBb5nApbBCHzGS_k/s1600-h/cheata+sheet+pik.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhQdg7Uxc27HL4n3SLccjH4VBTpo1pH90oJbSAbSaQnV9Cz1bMGFy0fHusruVhseNHJjNej7gEdgCLHuppzcEXUH35pPx7d5SoBdjb7vCDZ-rZAo5FAIWCNaqvUFPBb5nApbBCHzGS_k/s400/cheata+sheet+pik.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412774593920621106" border="0" /></a><br />Though hard to read, it listed all the basic things I have learned this year. Here is what it says:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;">MEASUREMENT</span><br />1cm cubed = 1mL<br />1000cm cubed = 1L<br />1m cubed = 1KL<br /><br />1000mg = 1g<br />1000g = 1Kg<br />1000kg = 1t<br /><br />10mm = 1cm<br />100cm = 1m<br />1000m = 1km<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">PERCENTAGES</span><br />new amount - original amount / original amount X 100.<br />15% = 1.15<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">AREA</span><br />triangle = b x h / 2<br />parallelogram = b x h<br />trapezium = 1/2 (a+b) x h<br />circumference = πd<br />circle = πr sq<br />prism = base area x h<br />pyramid = 1/3 base area x h<br />cylinder = πr sq x h<br />cone = 1/3 πr sq x h<br />sphere = 4/3 πr cubed<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">TERMS</span><br />1st term (x = 1); what does the pattern go up in? 4? "4n..." 4 to y 1st term... 20? difference = 16; "4n+16".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">BISECTING</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFEj2dyOep6pjM8qKR3pqywT2xlKf3svNHhmMaWta1flon78EXclLm7MbLW7cIwJO_2JH6Kqm6Y3PbGwc_eoYLZSrevqwQAyNoTMwLGi-oA9dGMNcI-8Fbvm4KP402S5QYVjyDChsibI/s1600-h/bisect.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFEj2dyOep6pjM8qKR3pqywT2xlKf3svNHhmMaWta1flon78EXclLm7MbLW7cIwJO_2JH6Kqm6Y3PbGwc_eoYLZSrevqwQAyNoTMwLGi-oA9dGMNcI-8Fbvm4KP402S5QYVjyDChsibI/s400/bisect.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412782694100603906" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">PRIME NUMBERS</span><br />2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">RATIOS</span><br />a:b -> a+b = c. Divide original number by c. (d+e should equal original number.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">RECIPROCAL</span><br />1 over a term. (1 / 2a)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">READ QUESTIONS WELL!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">WATCH THE ROUNDING OF NUMBERS!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">CALCULATE ANSWERS ACCURATELY!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">EXPANDING</span><br />2(x + 3) = 2x + (2 x 3) -> 2x + 6.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">ALGEBRAIC SIMPLIFYING</span><br />Symbols go with the number on their right...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">STATISTICS</span><br />Mode = Most Common Number.<br />Range = Highest - Lowest Number.<br />Median = Number of numbers, +1, /2 (7 maybe), 7th number.<br />Mean = Add all and divide by number of numbers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">FACTORIZING</span><br />10x + 5 (HCF = 5) -> 10x / 5 = 2x; 5/5 = 1 -> "5(2x +1)".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">EQUATIONS</span><br />Start with given letter; i.e, w = ...<br />Not ...+... = w!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">QUARTILES</span><br />Interquartile = Upper quartile - Lower quartile.<br />Median of the median, same method as Median!<br /></div><br />Rather than have one grade, this one tested at least 5 important units of maths. I got one grade each for Algebra, Statistics, Probability, Number and Measurement (however, the order of these have been forgotten!). I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Excellence</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>!<br /><br />We have briefly looked at Pythagoras's Theorem and the rules about finding the area of right angled triangles. I'm finding it a tiny bit challenging, and a tiny bit fun. Next year I will learn a lot more!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYczmkT25rWBSc4hZ1kIx9vgRTsKyMTs96MWtL80ZaGGpVGm5Pnh1ZhKCwcVKU-8DXk7Iq9fYUOQVH_8E7IInTIp_4JtY0YHJmpA5dPJDS_IchWvYwdtw3eKtYUfPKjgH7IE0raYrjq5I/s1600-h/Hypotenuse.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYczmkT25rWBSc4hZ1kIx9vgRTsKyMTs96MWtL80ZaGGpVGm5Pnh1ZhKCwcVKU-8DXk7Iq9fYUOQVH_8E7IInTIp_4JtY0YHJmpA5dPJDS_IchWvYwdtw3eKtYUfPKjgH7IE0raYrjq5I/s400/Hypotenuse.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412790469365872530" border="0" /></a>There is no end to all I have learned in Maths this year, however!Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-59039286714484014112009-10-28T22:23:00.001-07:002010-10-05T18:48:35.166-07:00ENGLISH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1HvH2Lsc0TDKnrj53qDwbodvwc-ZDaYkcydTuohm9YJcFRYXp1T5ijDLvobaMKZVaWuPcs5B4n-5c4k7h3SIYzoRVlsdxOTXR5OzLl-k5gCkHVnHUMEDQFGREkeY0MJhJP0QOhyphenhyphen2xXc/s1600-h/Picture+11.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 58px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1HvH2Lsc0TDKnrj53qDwbodvwc-ZDaYkcydTuohm9YJcFRYXp1T5ijDLvobaMKZVaWuPcs5B4n-5c4k7h3SIYzoRVlsdxOTXR5OzLl-k5gCkHVnHUMEDQFGREkeY0MJhJP0QOhyphenhyphen2xXc/s400/Picture+11.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397888399816545170" border="0" /></a>English this year meant my favourite teacher, my favourite classroom and my favourite subject! We covered lots, including units called ready Steady Read, Fights and Frights, Sub-zero Survival and How deep do you See?. At the beginning of the year we sat a PAT pretest and I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>, which was fine, and my formal text test got me a <span style="font-weight: bold;">4+ Merit</span>!
<br />Early on we looked at Corporal Punishment and a written letter form a Past Pupil to a very old teacher who had once used Corporal Punishment against him. We wrote a letter supposedly a reply, and here is mine.
<br />
<br />"Dear “Past Pupil”,
<br />It fills me with an unexplainable guilt that you should feel the urge to write to me after all these years, only to remind me of one particular day that obviously has never been erased from your memory. I confess, that day is etched crystal-clear in my mind too, so I thought it prudent to reply with my deepest apologies.
<br />Can you please try to see it from my point of view too? Strapping naughty children was school policy, and, as far as I was concerned, proper punishment to encourage discipline back then. Never did it cross my mind that grey day that you really might have finished your work.
<br />I have changed now. A year ago, I will have you know, I discarded my ancient looking, worn, weathered, now brown-stitched strap. I hoped, at the time, it would wipe the memory you reminded me of from my mind, but it didn’t.
<br />I’m a headmaster now, in a modern school, who wears clothes like other people. I don’t believe in corporal punishment anymore, and you can be sure that I will do all I can to ensure an enjoyable school experience for your son.
<br />I wasn’t happy that day, twenty-five years ago, and I suppose when I saw you out of your seat I “flipped”. I am extremely sorry for what I did. The muck in the gutter must have been hot, yes?
<br />I punished many students over the years and perhaps it was because you never cried that I haven’t been able to rid myself of the dominating guilt that has remained with me ever since. It made me angrier then, but your courage was admirable.
<br />I would like to make peace and thank you for your letter because I no longer live in regret, strange as it may seem. It has put my mind at rest; I hope that you will find the strength to forgive and forget.
<br />With deepest respect,
<br />Yours Sincerely,
<br />Mr Cairney."
<br />
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In formal writing it is important to:</span>
<br />* Address the reader appropriately
<br />* Use an impressive vocabulary
<br />* Avoid contractions and abbreviations
<br />* Lay out your ideas correctly
<br />* Make sure each paragraph only deals with one point
<br />* Edit your work for spellings, pnctuation and grammar.
<br />* Do not use slang or colloquial language
<br />* And use persuasive writing techniquies.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQmohImNN0dv0e3iB4FaVu2759eeGGpIDAHEzJ9TfEgS35taN18CBL2sMv_0x7b3l6IYeffsdi6T9w5aKZBMmMBo1v68wFUBxbY8ocqxWsYo2aNzfrAh2J_r95qBlGHuYLG5mQ_jkReo/s1600-h/writing-color.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQmohImNN0dv0e3iB4FaVu2759eeGGpIDAHEzJ9TfEgS35taN18CBL2sMv_0x7b3l6IYeffsdi6T9w5aKZBMmMBo1v68wFUBxbY8ocqxWsYo2aNzfrAh2J_r95qBlGHuYLG5mQ_jkReo/s400/writing-color.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401986915290435426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Language Techniques:</span>
<br />
<br />Hyperbole, imperative, onomatopeia, jargon, oxymoron, alliteration, rhetorical question, allusion, cliche, euphemism, metaphor, personification, simile, connotation, emotive language, figurative language, colloquialism, stereotype, synonym, pun and listing.
<br />
<br />We all remember the bushfires that raged through Australia this February. It was our job to write a speech, written as though we were the Prime Minister of Australia, comforting the people.
<br />
<br />"I address, in this time of tragedy, the people of Australia and those involved wit the Victorian bushfires.
<br />The nation of Australia suffers from both natural and believed to be man made fires. The land is being swallowed with a sizzle and a pop but we will fight, fellow Australians. We will save our country because it is our home.
<br />I am regrettably forced to announce the death toll, which is approximately 200 at the present time, as well as 7000 homeless families. The horrendous suffering cannot be overlooked and to all those people who have lost someone near and dear to them, I give you my very deepest sympathy and uttermost respect.
<br />To the firefighters out there, sacrificing your lives, you are the bravest people I have known who will not see your Australia burning. You are all heroes in your own right and Australia acknowledges your work and thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.
<br />We believe that arsonists have contributed to some of the fires and we do not thank these incredibly obscene people, for they have done permanent damage to Australia and its people. For such vile acts I hope you are filled with remorse and regret.
<br />Lastly, I would like to say to my fellow Australians that we will come through this together. There is hope and so we must continue to support each other, for we are united and this nightmare is happening to every one of us. Hold onto your dreams; one day this will end.
<br />Thankyou."
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0t_78xOfuQLaZpWnHOn2rp6wh7mmWVnPddgxigYRd6gXjWzS9b0hXUv6Z2PUyCT_fUf70tcLclbUGJCjXydEVeZ7Y1mXNM4wiQ-R9A5HyfOtpwc7vj27Kc2pZK5XUEGzXrRQ4NFmPqk/s1600-h/6a00d83451d02e69e20111685500de970c-800wi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0t_78xOfuQLaZpWnHOn2rp6wh7mmWVnPddgxigYRd6gXjWzS9b0hXUv6Z2PUyCT_fUf70tcLclbUGJCjXydEVeZ7Y1mXNM4wiQ-R9A5HyfOtpwc7vj27Kc2pZK5XUEGzXrRQ4NFmPqk/s400/6a00d83451d02e69e20111685500de970c-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401987547066366002" border="0" /></a>Next we looked at connotations and the stereotypes that go with them. Good and evil characters were developed from this, launching us into our next unit, Fights and Frights. For this, our task was to create a gaming character, a villain and a good main character and storyboard some events. My game was set in an underwater world. The project got me an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>!
<br />
<br />""Wet" Paul Caveitei is a piranha, Wilhelmina Grace, a blue cod, and her blue cod family, Jacob, Jasper and Gertrude Grace. Then there are the Sprat Brats and Mr Mista the swordfish.
<br />
<br />"Meet Paul Caveitei, The Graces, Gertrude, jacob, Jasper and wilhemina, The sprat Brats and Mr Mista and explore this fishy world of good and evil, and of love and hate with this exclusive new electronic game! Limited Stock.
<br />Paul Caveitei looks just like his Mum. They both have sharp teeth they can be proud of; they are both piranhas! Eet Paul was born in the Deep Blue Sea, rumoured to be near Washington. But his childhood consisted of hate, jealousy and failure once he failed Dentist's College. Dentistry was his life's ambition and since, the Wet Ones say he has been jealous of EVERYTHING. The Sprat Brats reckon he has inhuman speed and can make victims tell the truth, detecting lies like a lie detector. Paul lives in a cave and loves revenge as it makes him feel superior, yet he hates his life because he has no friends. Wilhelmina Grace, Paul's neighbour, is the most beautiful, elegant blue cod in history and she has a copper scale that everyone knows Paul will do anything to get. Truth is, Paul's great with kids and would like to be a grandpa someday. Is Paul as tough as he seems? And is Wilhelmina in danger?"
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyj3FA2LI07AK5sBc35lsx_ZLzp_sv0JFIFLBJoBraT_zJnUPED-syZmBFQH6w74P_aEfLnLGvLfTjCpd31GlCXxPkUvPQeFMah57cmv0UOa_FhKSL-r76XE5LsqvlTrj9Gj6GL3NZnk/s1600-h/Picture+12.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyj3FA2LI07AK5sBc35lsx_ZLzp_sv0JFIFLBJoBraT_zJnUPED-syZmBFQH6w74P_aEfLnLGvLfTjCpd31GlCXxPkUvPQeFMah57cmv0UOa_FhKSL-r76XE5LsqvlTrj9Gj6GL3NZnk/s400/Picture+12.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397898260048451698" border="0" /></a>click to enlarge
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">"Paul Caveitei could never have sidekicks because he prefers to operate alone. 'You rely on no-one and no-one relies on you,' he says. Paul thinks having a sidekick would slow you down and you would have to share your loot with them, which he cringes in distaste at the idea of.
<br />Yet Paul's big on enemies. The whole of the Underwater World fears and hates the horrible piranha, but his uttermost rival would have to be Wilhelmina Grace, he says. 'She shows off with her horrid copper scale, which is, by the way, turning green and making her look even uglier, against her blues scales. I hate her.'"
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFD-ZEjxVTrLnGq-s6_aDPsGNOBC-2tHR2SqG2rAZkcoLb0FD4ZiaqMXQ3xZPwduPl1CQXVOUO4H5j9oy7tuEZvRfeOiWYY9pjMbFa3f6oD078bfdmva8fwNsMe6DA7cwr-tKFMSihK6o/s1600-h/Picture+31.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFD-ZEjxVTrLnGq-s6_aDPsGNOBC-2tHR2SqG2rAZkcoLb0FD4ZiaqMXQ3xZPwduPl1CQXVOUO4H5j9oy7tuEZvRfeOiWYY9pjMbFa3f6oD078bfdmva8fwNsMe6DA7cwr-tKFMSihK6o/s400/Picture+31.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401988110156678306" border="0" /></a>
<br />Following this we moved onto Film Techniques. To learn to recognize Wide, Long, Mid, Close Up and Extreme Close Up shots, we got to watch Prince Caspian from the Chronicles of Narnia! I love that movie. Later, I adapted part of the movie, which is based upon the book, into writing again...
<br />
<br />"I woke up feeling refreshed, and suddenly all the burdens of the day before left me. All the feelings of being unbelieved, unhappiness; they all vanished when I opened my eyes to the peaceful green canopy of the forest above me, the sun peeking through to see if I was awake yet. I felt the bracken and fern under me and I got up slowly and quietly, so as not to wake the others, and stretched. I smelled the good sweet scent of the forest and tip toed away to absorb it all, glancing back at Trumpkin, Susan, Edmund and Peter, sleeping peacefully, scattered over the forest floor like spilt breadcrumbs, all curled towards the last embers of the fire we had made, that, on this glorious morning, was no more.
<br />Yet peace was all around me. I advanced, fumbling around, trying to touch every last fern frond. Wet with dew, the plants soaked up the sun around me, breathing ... living.
<br />I turned a corner, feeling no fear, gazing in disbelief and awe as a tree moved and blossom petals of spring and hope fluttered down towards my face. I smiled as an updraught caught them and they assembled faultlessly into the familiar figure of a person I knew so well.
<br />The trees around me creaked and groaned, like bears awakening after a cold, winter's grasp. Imagine what it would be like to hibernate and be aroused ... to this. The beauty of the day was all around me. I listened to the leaves rustling, breathed in the fresh cool air and quietly watched, gratefully, as the trees moved to make way for me, Queen Lucy of Narnia. They bowed down to me and I wandered through the path their formation had created.
<br />Nimbly I clambered up the bank in eagerness to see what I was sure I would see. Excitement made me clumsy. I rounded a huge tree and there in the sunlit clearing I found, the light making his mane even more golden, Aslan. "Aslan! Oh, Aslan," I whispered. He turned towards me and I ran up and gave him a bear hug. We lay and talked for a while, enjoying the morning and then suddenly the atmospere changed.
<br />I snapped my eyes open. It was cold and I was with the others, still sleeping, I noticed. Where was Peter? The sun shone but its face frostily observed us. I got up and made my way where I had been filled with such joy just moments before. It had all been a dream, yet I traced my path, hoping with all my might that I would see Aslan, yet something was wrong. I walked through the forest, stopping at a big tree. Why weren't they dancing? I ran my fingers over the bark. "Please wake up," I breathed."
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz3g-JAiYGD2FKbQmsSlUs51SRg2sAoQjhdV-5CRCNDEv4d1mWylPmthq0fghsm54ur4YB8RWz6Or_gJRZUoObuDxAJAN2wVviG-Dx_-yWckJdm3h4H3OfWJE6GtXirRjxHH1JdvsMIs/s1600-h/prince_caspian_one_sheet_movie_poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz3g-JAiYGD2FKbQmsSlUs51SRg2sAoQjhdV-5CRCNDEv4d1mWylPmthq0fghsm54ur4YB8RWz6Or_gJRZUoObuDxAJAN2wVviG-Dx_-yWckJdm3h4H3OfWJE6GtXirRjxHH1JdvsMIs/s400/prince_caspian_one_sheet_movie_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401988544949723042" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Recipe for Granda's Delicious Conflict Cookies.</span>
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In order to make these truly satsfying fight scene cookies, take:</span>
<br />
<br />A mixture of Griffins goodies and Griffins baddies that are strong and brave,
<br />Dress them in silver armour and glinting, metal weapons,
<br />Give them a sword and shield,
<br />Surround them with supporters and fighters,
<br />Make sure the camera angles are always changing to add interest,
<br />Use a lot of wide shots to emphasize quantity,
<br />write them some dialogue that makes them seem grave and ready to kill,
<br />Direct the actors to release their arrows simultaneously,
<br />Add a dollop of fear,
<br />And a dash of humour,
<br />Mix it all together with some slow motion editing.
<br />Bake in a hot oven then ice with medieval, string music,
<br />And sprinkle with clashing metal sound effects.
<br />Double the recipe and add plenty of icing and sprinkles for a battle scene.
<br />Enjoy!
<br />NB: For a special result, add a dab of blood."
<br />
<br />After this we did a special study on Dracula (the novel by Bram Stoker). We didn't read the whole book, although our teacher summarised it for us and told us about the most important bits. We started at the part when Dracula the vampire writes to the lawyers requesting a visit. We each had to adapt it and write our own letter, hence Task #1.
<br />
<br />"Garlish Residence
<br />Carpathian Mountains
<br />Transylvania
<br />
<br />Tuesday 9 November 1888
<br />
<br />Dear Sirs,
<br />After much thought, I have concluded that it is prudent for me to move to a new country to acquire new tastes and see the world. I am interested in residing in England, and, after hearing of your professional company I decided to propose your most accomplished lawyers an offer.
<br />Over the years I have obtained much money. I require one of your lawyers to come and stay with me to advise me on purchasing some English property. I realise it is a long journey and I apologize, but if I had not discovered your company I'm afraid I may have made a great mistake.
<br />I would be a welcoming host, and you would be more than welcome to hunt on my large estate. I have pheasants and a lot of other wild game. Of course, your company and guidance would be greatly appreciated.
<br />I am looking for a mansion, something secluded, perhaps, and shady. I like to have lots of room for all my spectacular Dracula artefacts!
<br />I would, of course, pay you very well; hundreds of pounds, perhaps, but could you please come and see me in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania? I will be sending my servant to meet you in three weeks at the Slaughtered Lamb Inn.
<br />Hence gratefully waiting,
<br />Count Dracula."
<br />
<br />Next we were told about the part when Jonathan Harker, a lawyer, is sent on his way to Dracula's manor. This is my interpretation.
<br />
<br />"16 September 1886.
<br />Digesting my exquisitely divine supper!
<br />Wrapping my weathered, fur traveling cloak tighter around my shivering body, I stepped out into the frosty night and began my journey.
<br />Eventually I made it to the Slaughtered Lamb Inn and glanced nervously around. The inn was full of drunkards and the bored bartender slowly polished a dirty glass with an even grimier cloth. In the dim light of the lit candles I saw everyone trying to hide their interest in this young English traveler, but I took no notice. Taking a seat, I asked for a goblet of whisky, which I drank without touching the dusty rim to my lips. Thirstily I glugged it down, my parched throat feeling a little better.
<br />I was just about to order a couple more drinks when I stopped myself for two reasons. One, I shouldn't like to be drunk while being introduced to this wealthy Count, and two, at that moment I noticed a well-dressed man step out of the gloom. "Jonathan Harker?" he rasped at me, and cautiously I replied,“Yes?”
<br />“Come with me,” he said, and, nodding to the curious onlookers on both sides, he led me out the door. I glanced back at the people there, but they had lost interest and gone back to their drinking. Their tired eyes above dark circles portrayed their lost flame of love for life; no hope twinkled inside them. And with this, I went out and shut the door.
<br />I climbed into the polished carriage, shiny brass wheels matching the brass décor inside. Making myself comfortable, I moved to the far side, leaning my head against the cool glass and sighing.
<br />A spark of excitement penetrated me then, after all, I was young, engaged and seeing the world, only to be hosted by a wealthy Count! Though I shall not deny the voice in my head that kept telling me something was wrong. I shushed it, persuading myself to believe that it was just the dark, misty night, the full moon and the howls of supposedly wild dogs that I could now hear. My eyelids grew heavy, but I started when I was sure that I had just seen a wolf less than four or five yards away. I shivered involuntarily, and imagined a whole pack joining their alpha in singing to the moon, howling a haunting wail, raising goose bumps on my body and sending a chill up my spine.
<br />We passed tree after tree and soon my brain became too tired, and so I fell asleep.
<br />The next thing I knew was that the carriage had stopped. I peered out the window and saw a breathtaking sight. I gasped at the tall, concrete castle and the lit doorway, in which I could see the silhouette of an aged man. Count Dracula."
<br />
<br />Task #3 was the next diary entry, all of which we later put together to recreate the supposed diary. Here it is.
<br />
<br />"16 September 1886.
<br />Waiting for sleep in my starched green bed.
<br />My eyelids grew heavy as Count Dracula and I stared into the fire. Silently he got up and huskily implied that I should be going to bed.
<br />A silver bell sat on the mantelpiece. The Count rang it and shuffling footsteps made me look at the door, where an ancient man hobbled into view.
<br />In a persuasive whisper, Count Dracula commanded the butler to take me to my room. I felt discombobulated but feigned gratefulness as I retreated, following the old man who looked like he might topple backwards onto me at any moment up the stairs. He told me that under no circumstances was I to leave my room, and with that, he locked me in!
<br />My room smelt musty. The walls were a dark, sap green, causing spooky shadows in all the corners. As I glanced around me, I realized that the room was pentagonal. One side of course, supported the door, the second, old cupboards. The third held a chest of drawers, as long as the wall, and the fourth, a great glass window. Lastly, to my right, lay the large king-sized bed. There was no shortage on luxury, but it wasn't the kind I had always dreamed of as a child.
<br />My traveling bag lay on the bed, so I started unpacking. At least it gave me something to do with my hands, which were shaking, whether from the extreme cold, or fear, I wasn't sure. I had never suffered from claustrophobia before, least of all in a spacious room like this, but perhaps the darkness of the walls made it feel smaller. Or maybe I was just being silly.
<br />And with that, I took my few belongings and placed them in a shallow drawer. The whole chest was coated in dust.
<br />Sneezing, I moved to the creaky cupboards. They were made of oak, two of them. I expected the doors to squeak, but they appeared to be well oiled.
<br />Just then, something fell off its perch and fluttered to the wooden cupboard floor. I suppressed a gasp, realizing it was just a moth. Still, my heart hammered for an eternity before I went to gaze out the window."
<br />
<br />Lastly, Jonathan's exit form the castle.
<br />
<br />"4 October 1886.
<br />Waiting for luncheon in my hospital bed.
<br />My story is dramatic, and I can still feel the fear I felt that night I looked death in the face. I had spent at least two weeks at the castle and could not continue to deny that something was very, very wrong. I was mystified as to where the Count slept each night. I never heard him outside of my locked door. What bothered me most was that I once caught a glimpse of him in the mirror, but he had had no reflection. He had turned his chilling gaze upon me and I had looked away, my face burning. Dracula could not be human. It was time to face the truth. If the Count was some strange beast, I still didn't feel comfortable with him subtly holding me prisoner each night. And when had I ever seen the Count and the butler in the same room? I wanted to go home. I needed to leave, and so, on this frosty, moonlit evening, I packed my traveling case. I decided against taking the whole thing, and opted for a sack I found in the wardrobe, tied with frayed rope. I took a candle stub and some matches, an overcoat, a hunk of cheese saved from supper and a flask of water, tying the rope around my waist, my fingers failing to work properly. I glanced out the window and my breath caught in my throat. I stopped myself from making a noise and turned away to try and control myself. What I had just seen was not real! Holding my breath, I moved to the window and looked down. My stomach swooped because it was so high, and, directly below me, crawling down the castle wall, headfirst, his cape billowing out behind him like the wings of a bat, was Count Dracula. He moved silently and quickly, and what with the full moon and the howling of the wild dogs, things were somewhat eerie. My room no longer felt safe, and I jumped when a cricket moved in the corner.
<br />I tried in vain at the door, which would not yield. My window was too high to jump from, and what with the Count, I couldn't have anyway.
<br />Looking in the wardrobe, I found a wire coat hanger and jiggled the end through the keyhole, successfully picking the lock.
<br />I had not had much of a chance to explore the castle before, but picturing its layout in my head, I worked out that I needed to head to the bottom before I would find an exit at the back. Surely all castles had a fire exit in the kitchen? Praying the chef would be somewhere else, anywhere but the kitchen, I ran down the stairs. It was then I realized I was making funny noises, and stopped immediately in case someone heard me. Taking another careful step onto the landing, the floorboards suddenly gave way beneath me and I fell down to the third floor. My ankle throbbed and in the gloom I saw that a big purple bruise was swelling. It was painful, but I knew that someone would be down here soon, so I used an old creaky table to help myself up. I was in what appeared to be another spare bedroom. It looked like someone had been murdered here. Blood spattered the walls and cockroaches ruled in this kingdom of doom.
<br />Crying in defeat, I wondered if I would ever get out of this hole. It was when I heard a footstep in the hall outside that I froze and my brain kicked into action. I was going to get out of here, and I was never coming back.
<br />The footsteps grew louder, but thankfully, they were slow. Perhaps it was the butler? A shadow appeared in the crack under the big wooden door and I knew that I had to hide, or perhaps my time on earth would expire tonight. I peered into the darkest corner of the room. Was that a box I could see? I tip-toed over, grateful for somewhere to hide, but my blood ran cold when I saw that it was a coffin. The teak lid lay slightly askew, and I could see that the coffin was empty. Why on earth would the Count keep a coffin in his house? Unless… Judging by the crumpled fabric inside, I guessed this was the Count's bed. Ugh! No way did I want to get in there!
<br />A second had passed while I had mulled this over, and the door behind me was now being slowly heaved open a crack. I jumped into the coffin, closing the lid over me. It smelt salty inside, like blood.
<br />My hearing confirmed that it was indeed the butler who had come to say goodnight to the Count, and murmuring his farewell, he left. I forced myself to stay for the time being, until I was absolutely sure that he had gone. And then I pushed at the door myself. It was very heavy. I took a break, picking up a small piece of mirror shard. My eyes were filled with fear and my face was drenched in beads of sweat.
<br />I charged across the room. Shoved the big door open. Squeezed myself through the minute opening I had created. I was in a dark hallway, and down the corridor, yes! The kitchen!
<br />It was light here, but far from cheery. Animal carcasses hung form the ceiling, strung up with barbed wire. Where was the fire exit? It was like a nightmare-slaughter-house. Would my dead body be hanging in here too, tomorrow? I thought, as I caught a glimpse of old-fashioned dressed human bodies. As soon as I thought it I rebuked myself, because I was determined to get out of here at any cost and be with my Mina again. I proceeded, taking in that the walls were thinning and they were now made out of very thin wood. Balsa?
<br />At the end of the kitchen I spied a crack in the weather boards and pulled them apart with bloody fingernails. And then I felt it. Freedom. The cool breeze blew in my face, but fearful that the Count could probably smell me, I sprinted toward the gate. It was a high, wrought iron one, and I had never been one for climbing, but, afraid for my life, I swarmed up the first yard. Hopefully, I moved my left foot for a better position, and that, I think, was when I slipped. It was so cold that my right hand nearly froze to the bar because I was holding on far too tightly, and with two limbs in pain, I had no choice but to let go. I landed in the wet grass on my tailbone, which the doctor says I fractured, and it took me a while to get back up again. By that time, I was shivering violently and soaked to the skin.
<br />I thought then that I might give up. How many obstacles had I faced already? How many more were there to come? And then I saw Mina, heard her voice, changing the question to, “How many obstacles have you overcome?” And it was you, dear Mina, who got me to try again.
<br />I did get over that gate, though how, I just don't know. My hands were blistered and cold when I hit the ground again, but I was on the other side! I hobbled down the lane like an old man, glancing back once, at the darkened castle, at my room, which the Count had put in the highest turret. There was a faint glow, my candle, then a shadow, which flitted over to the window. The butler! I ran faster than I ever had before. Down the lane and through the gorse I moved, anxious and frightened. Surely someone would be after me?
<br />A short while later, I came to a rusty signpost. The words were hand-painted, and hard to make out in the darkness. The left arrow said, “Right Way”, and the right arrow said, “Wrong Way”. I was sure it must be another of Dracula’s tricks, so I chose “Wrong Way”, which must surely be the way of escape. I walked on, pausing only to sip at my flask. But I couldn’t slow my pace yet. I limped on until I realized I was knee-deep in thick, oozy mud. I could feel my eyelids closing and I realized I would die stuck, like a statue. Every part of me hurt very much, but, nevertheless, I lifted one foot after the other, retracing my steps. I took a fall into the mud once, and spluttering I struggled to remember which way I was meant to be going. Almost in a trance, I ploughed on in the only direction I could think of: forwards. Surely the bog must shallow out soon? I thought. And sure enough, it did. Within an hour of escaping I found myself in the forest, and on dry ground, which was such a huge relief that I didn’t realize I was lost for quite some time. I heard the howl of wolves and sat down in despair. At least, I think I did, because all I can remember after that is pitch-black darkness. Nothing at all."
<br />
<br />These pieces of writing, were perhaps, my best for the whole year, if not, my best pieces of writing ever! My one regret is my silly mistake of putting two full moons into the story within the space of only a couple of weeks, but when I realised this was better writing from me than usual, I became very pleased! Reading this, both my mum and my dad were very impressed. My mum didn't pick up at first that I had written it! The highlight of this assignment? My grade. In the English department they mark assignments on a number scale. Up to 6, a 5 is a very good Excellence grade, while a 6 is outstanding, but rarely given out in Year 9. I was awarded a <span style="font-weight: bold;">6+ Excellence!</span> Later, these same pieces of writing were submitted my teacher, getting me a place at a special Achiever's Breakfast. She submitted it for the end of year school magazine too, so I look forward to seeing that in print soon!
<br />
<br />I thought I might as well scan up my drawing of Dracula too!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVte0KrkQqLwS8C_yyS4qzH5TXu6xjHoQusjBFY8vxp4P-4H-IWE88WG9lEbWEaB_V3ms7pzWNFs0903q2wFtx2C2s_-AJZXp4Es56SVTbALGFNJ0Me68laorpTg__J0LSGQ1dZ_eCnI/s1600-h/Picture+15.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVte0KrkQqLwS8C_yyS4qzH5TXu6xjHoQusjBFY8vxp4P-4H-IWE88WG9lEbWEaB_V3ms7pzWNFs0903q2wFtx2C2s_-AJZXp4Es56SVTbALGFNJ0Me68laorpTg__J0LSGQ1dZ_eCnI/s400/Picture+15.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400145149085230274" border="0" /></a>
<br />Last term we watched Edward Scissorhands as an entry to our focus on rejection or differences. It led on to us doing Static Images on this concept. I was pretty happy with mine...
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58NoE2lPa-radIAN-Mq1oxcnqIhMl3A7bLUyB6KqHtwuCQrD3ZijVgNnI1RqmoOVI5PCIl9Bigmenqx2P6u7TH8m-zrgloKH7Xd2a6SBXYPjTJKw4IeXQ54msZjOMH66pBcmos7a-G7w/s1600-h/Picture+16.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58NoE2lPa-radIAN-Mq1oxcnqIhMl3A7bLUyB6KqHtwuCQrD3ZijVgNnI1RqmoOVI5PCIl9Bigmenqx2P6u7TH8m-zrgloKH7Xd2a6SBXYPjTJKw4IeXQ54msZjOMH66pBcmos7a-G7w/s400/Picture+16.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400148246097175650" border="0" /></a>click to enlarge
<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">The static image earned me an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence.</span>
<br />
<br />"Stranded in the Desert" was a piece of writing I wrote with the basic idea given to me, to start us on the unit which would have us reading Holes (by Louis Sachar).
<br />
<br />"The gas exhalants from the back of the ute left me blinded and gagging for breah. Spluttering, I followed, but heat waves wobbled before my eyes. 'They couldn't just leave me here!' I reasoned desperately. I shouted and ran, but the ute rounded the bend and sped up. I gave up, feeling useless. I was stuck in the middle of nowhere. The toxic gas lingered in every particle of my being, and I swallowed a few times to get rid of it.
<br />It was quiet out there. Nothing lived or breathed. Nothing survived out here, apart from the several cacti I could see in the distance. They wouldn't provide much shade for me. It hadn't really sunk in, but I knew I needed to put into action the survival skills I had seen celebrities do on Treasure Island TV programmes.
<br />I was situated between two sand dunes, about 100m apart. The tracks from the ute were very faint; more sand had blown over them. The breath of wind teased my hair; grew stronger, and instantly a stronger wind joined in the contest of power between these forces of nature.
<br />Suddenly all the loose grains of sand were picked up and blown away. Hi-jacked, as I had been.
<br />The sand blew into my eyes and ears and I gasped. Like a feather, I was helplessly blown into a heap on the ground. I curled up and waited for the storm to subside.
<br />When I re-emerged, like a snail from its shell, I was in a completely different setting. I had been in a valley before, and now it seemed as though I was on a hill. Looking down from my mound felt like looking down from a majestic mountain.
<br />A life sized sandcastle was all I was sitting on. Realising I had stayed in the same place, I reasoned out that the sand 'above' me was no longer present, and was now situated below me.
<br />Disorientation overwhelmed me. Where was I?
<br />I didnt know my whereabouts, but I did know the time. Looking at my watch, its digits fading and only just visible in the glare, I found that only two hours had passed since this nightmare began. I thought then of my friends and family, and, as I pined, I decided I'd walk all the way back until I died. It seemed pretty pathetic, but hope was all I had in this dire situation.
<br />There was no time to cry. I just started out on the biggest walk of my life. A walk, its outcome unknown.
<br />Though I tried to see it, there was no beauty here. The sand dunes towered above me, with more experience out here than I. Counting cacti and mumbling thirstily about different ways I could walk to add interest, I plodded, walked, skipped, jogged and grapevined over the sand.
<br />This is not a happy story. I tired within seconds. My body yearned for moisture, water. I had heard about people, who, in desperado, had drunk their own urine to stay alive. The idea repulsed me, but I was getting pretty desperate.
<br />My thoughts were interrupted when I stumbled upon a rock and recieved an overdose of pain in my knee. A scorpion was hanging there, partly stuck into my knee. I hollered, I yelled. I cowered in pain, but no-one came. Wrenching the killer out I threw it as far as I could and limped on. The sun was beating down on my back, an iron on my body.
<br />I had learnt that nature did not give second chances to anybody. Not even me. Whimpering, I cast a final eye over the blue sky and yellow sand, and lay down upon it. My brain shut down. My eyes closed. And then the second sand storm struck.
<br />Sand blew all over me, separating me from a world that I was no longer a part of."
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dI8YphRQH4EBqk_5pVBLsRTpdYulBlxX4dUDFnadHNRzcnJ0nvuxnZ-MwNOwN2xor7wP2OrM9J4NUOvhyphenhyphenHyFRPqPFiZbA8Ski-cvLMPfe873LLyuZDpFzSc0qtVWGuRFOdHlbrIVW5w/s1600-h/desert+cactus+and+joshua+tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dI8YphRQH4EBqk_5pVBLsRTpdYulBlxX4dUDFnadHNRzcnJ0nvuxnZ-MwNOwN2xor7wP2OrM9J4NUOvhyphenhyphenHyFRPqPFiZbA8Ski-cvLMPfe873LLyuZDpFzSc0qtVWGuRFOdHlbrIVW5w/s400/desert+cactus+and+joshua+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401989736023370578" border="0" /></a>
<br />The whole class read "Holes", which I had read in 2006. I read it again because it is such a good book, but finished at a faster speed and moved onto "Noughts and Crosses" by Malorie Blackman, which I really enjoyed. On a roll, I read Whale Rider" too, and took a bit longer with "To Kill A Mockingbird", which, although hard to keep up with, turned out to be a good book. It was about this time that the correct structure of an essay was taught to us to prepare us for our upcoming exams. We practised these.
<br />My assessment for Holes was to write a review. Mine is in the form of a fictional online chat.
<br />
<br />"Holes
<br />An interview with Louis Sachar…
<br />
<br />Face-booking one night, I discovered that Louis Sachar, author of the astoundingly good novel “Holes”, was online. Eagerly tapping away, I messaged him an interview and this is what he said…
<br />
<br />Me: Hi, my name is Nicola and I am a keen reader of your book “Holes”. You are the author of this book, right?
<br />LS: Hi there, that’s me, alright. Did you enjoy my book?
<br />Me: I LOVED your book. The plot was soooo original and captivating!
<br />LS: Hehe - - That’s good to hear. Who was your favourite character?
<br />Me: I cannot help but like the Warden. I love it when she says, “Excuse me!” Wbu?
<br />LS: Sorry?
<br />Me: Oops - text language! What about you? Who was your favourite character and why?
<br />LS: Oh, right! You got me! I personally love Stanley’s personality and I got close to him in writing so much about him and his heritage. Secondly……….no, actually I like them all! But I do have a soft spot for Sam and Mr Sir. Mr Sir had a hard life, as did Sam. Giving up smoking is one thing, but being threatened to be hanged is completely different.
<br />Me: I see. Yeah, I like Mr Sir too! Did you have much of a role in making the movie?
<br />LS: Unfortunately the director told me to keep off the set. I spent two days listening to the actors, but I had no authority in what they changed. It was good though, wasn’t it?
<br />Me: Sure was. Why did you use so many plots?
<br />LS: Umm, well, firstly, I don’t think when I‘m writing, I just…write. It came out like that and when I re-read and it was far too confusing, I split the three stories into a main plot and two sub plots. Secondly, it makes it really interesting for the reader, I think, to get an idea of what happened all those years ago, so that the end of the story is understood better and is far more satisfying. Subplots, two in my case, were the perfect masks for what was really going to happen.
<br />Me: Masks????
<br />LS: Yes. That’s my term for disguising the conclusion of the story, allowing the reader to have a go at predicting the end but proving them wrong by writing a completely original conclusion.
<br />Me: Did a possible childhood passion for digging influence your story?
<br />(Posted by You at 2:55)
<br />Me: Hullo? Are you there?
<br />LS: I’m sorry – that’s a hard question. I never really dug as a child, but once at the beach I dug a hole and found an oyster with the pearl in and I suppose that could have inspired the storyline of the book.
<br />Me: You found a-!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oops - I’m getting sidetracked! Did you have a least favourite character?
<br />LS: A least favourite????? Weeellll, I’ll confess... I don’t really like Zero much! I was going to kill him off but he was an essential part of the plot and one of the only ways to get the treasure.
<br />Me: ZERO!!!!!!!!!!?????????
<br />LS: Yes.
<br />Me: So………. We read your book as a class because we were focusing on labels and discrimination of people. Why did you include such concepts in your story?
<br />LS: Racism and stereotyping is a big issue in our community.
<br />Me: Could you elaborate on that, please?
<br />LS: At primary school when I was a boy I would often see people getting discriminated against. And there was one boy in Grade 3 that the teacher picked on a lot because of his dyslexia. He wasn’t able to read, write or spell, but he drew pictures. A picture can say a thousand words, so I didn’t think this was fair and it motivated me to write a story in which the character with lack of reading skill – Zero – was smarter than everybody thought he was, for example, Mr Pendanski.
<br />Me: Recently I read “Noughts And Crosses” by Malorie Blackman. Have you read it?
<br />LS: Noughts and Crosses………that does ring a bell….
<br />Me: About discrimination against whites instead of blacks?
<br />LS: Oh yes, now I remember!
<br />Me: Malorie wove the discrimination theme excellently into her book, too.
<br />LS: Yes, I remember it clearly now. It was a really well written novel with great insight into a completely different point of view…
<br />Me: Yep. What it brought to mind, as did “Holes”, is how it seems that some high schools can be more discriminating than intermediate and primary schools.
<br />LS: Yes, I can see where you’re coming from. Though on a lower scale, discrimination is all around us, isn’t it? I remember from my high school days when ‘groups’ were formed overnight and became really different from each other. The moral of these stories is simply that we’re all unique. Difference makes life interesting. Diversity broadens our limited way of thinking….
<br />Me: Well said. It seems so obvious, but I think it is important that once in a while a really good author (YOU!) will come along and touch our hearts and remind us of this valuable lesson.
<br />LS: Malorie Blackman definitely wrote her book well. The theme of discrimination is very clear and strong. How do you think she does it?
<br />Me: I reckon it’s because she writes from two people’s points of view: Callum and Sephy, white and black, nought and cross, boy and girl. At first it’s confusing to keep swapping points of view, but when you get your head around that, it’s a really powerful… different tool.
<br />LS: Indeed. And I would elaborate on that: Malorie gets the discrimination theme into our minds, too, by including so many examples. On a low scale, Sephy and Callum’s minor arguments are often related to racism. Then there’s the whole school that’s turned against white people, and ultimately, violence, bombs, secret organizations and death are introduced.
<br />Me: Oh okay…yeah, that makes sense.
<br />Me: What intrigued me were the names of all the boys at Camp Green Lake. I daresay it was fun to make them up? How did you think of them?
<br />LS: I had a lot of fun with these names. Zero, of course, represented that everybody thought of him as nothing, and that his surname is Zeroni. There are some explanations I’ve included in the book. Barf Bag, Caveman, X-Ray, Armpit, Magnet…ah. Is that the time?
<br />Me: Do you have to go now?
<br />LS: I’m afraid I do-
<br />LS: Nicola.
<br />Me: Oh well. Thank you soooo much! That was really interesting!
<br />LS: Hey - don’t mention it. Not a problem; that was fun! I’m sorry I have to go now and drive over to the publishers of “Holes”. I’m thinking of writing a sequel.
<br />Me: Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!! Well, thank you! Bye!
<br />LS: Ciao.
<br />(Louis Sachar Is Offline)."
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij753xKc7sEas-VK-wCobyiyWVv2q3mwveMsC3uC03j75j2QelkjrVdgbMi_CQbLdXj0AYj8b7uRhnJGBGBwWT_8OMNTryg12mDDEjP8XNYnRl-fEF6C7-_QrXsLTZQng1VS93xm0_lS0/s1600-h/holes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij753xKc7sEas-VK-wCobyiyWVv2q3mwveMsC3uC03j75j2QelkjrVdgbMi_CQbLdXj0AYj8b7uRhnJGBGBwWT_8OMNTryg12mDDEjP8XNYnRl-fEF6C7-_QrXsLTZQng1VS93xm0_lS0/s400/holes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401990061931156306" border="0" /></a>
<br />This piece of writing was a harder genre to write in, but got me an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>, nevertheless!
<br />
<br />Speeches arrived, too, and, having to talk this year about an issue of some kind, I looked into the poor farming of pigs and wrote this (quite long!) speech...
<br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >
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margin:28.4pt 28.0pt 49.65pt 1.0cm; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-columns:3 even 35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/froud4/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;} @page Section1 {size:595.0pt 842.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">"Picture this.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">In one of the numerous pig farms dotted all over New Zealand live up to 200 or more unhappy pigs, crying for freedom. Stressed and bored, they scream, hoping that YOU’LL understand their predicament. Hoping that you won’t be like all the other powerful humans that cruelly condemned them to a life in the dark of misery and depression. A life spent waiting for death. Their eyes pleading, they chew the bars of their despicably tiny crates.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">This is what many pigs in New Zealand suffer for the majority of their short lives. At least, that’s what we’ve seen in the media lately. But is all this just hogwash? Who’s telling the porkies here? Like any issue, there are two sides to this story, and so I went for a surf on the net. In order to form an opinion, I needed to investigate.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">And so here I stand before you, the pig farmers and the government, with my case.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">I think that in order for this issue to be settled, you pig farmers must be willing to change your ways, and politicians, you must see the sense in granting these pigs a little more luxury.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">In piggeries all over New Zealand, 29% of pig farmers use dry sow stalls. Pregnant sows carry their piglets for 16 weeks, and most are confined for the whole four months in a tiny, metal, barred box. Due to narrowness, the sow cannot turn around or exercise AT ALL. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">Sow stalls are 60 cm across by 2 metres, and what with the cold, concrete bottomed prison, she is also more prone to foot problems, leg ailments, and even lameness. The stalls are actually banned in the U.K and Sweden, and if they can do it, why can’t we?</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">After these four, long, torturous months, the pigs give birth in a farrowing crate. Bare and cold, the mother is deprived of being able to make a nest for her babies because there is no straw. And then, on top of that, the piglets are taken from their mum at one month old. </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">The poor sow stresses and grieves, and grieves and stresses, then is forced through it all again with another litter of piglets she will never see grow up. A much larger 67% of pig farmers allow this abuse to go on, and in some ways, it is worse, because the piglets are put through it too.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">As for the younger pigs, they wait their lives out in fattening pens for the day that they will be killed. Butchery claims a whopping 800,000 pigs a year. They wallow in depression and urine; stress even leading to cannibalism between the pigs.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">I popped onto the SAFE website, wondering if the pigs actually suffer. Though I feel the pigs should not be kept like this, I noticed that the way SAFE presented its ideas was quite biased, using very emotive language such as depression, boredom and apathy. They declared that pigs are extremely intelligent animals, so it is even crueler to coop them up like this.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">The NZ Pork Board takes a different opinion, stating that as the Levin piggery break-in featuring Mike King occurred at 4:00 in the morning, the pigs were taken by surprise by the arrival of humans with bright flashlights. They also think that the pigs were simply hungry, and squealing in anticipation of being fed.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">The Pork Board felt that all the articles in favour of the pigs after this uproar against factory-farming were one sided, and wanted the public to know that sow stalls are necessary as pregnant sows can be quite aggressive. They managed to excuse just about all the evidence that the opposing parties gave, putting the bar-biting down to hunger too.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">So can we be reassured that the pigs are OK after hearing this? Who's wrong? Who's right? Though I can truly understand where the Pork Board is coming from, I am inclined to think that the crated pigs should still have a little upgrading to first-class boxes. I wonder if there are any other ways of housing pigs, or perhaps if it could be done in smaller groups of pigs? </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">Sow stalls may be necessary, but the lack of comfort is not, and the SPCA sides with me here as they also call for a ban on sow stalls. The SPCA National Chief Executive, Robyn Kippenburger, said that "the pig farmers are hiding behind the Animal Welfare code, which disapproves of the cages, but does not ban them."</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">Mr Kay, the Levin Piggery farmer, also had some things to say on the matter. Clearly disagreeing, he insists that the way he farms is pigs is entirely legal. Mr Taylor decided to back him up also, saying, "Pigs bite bars the same way dogs chew on bones." What are we left to think? However, you cannot deny the evident changes (portrayed through the web) in a true-life story about a pig called Piggy Sue who has experienced both sides of the crate.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt; text-indent: 8pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">She was purchased recently by Mrs Press McKenzie, who says that the changes have been HUGE and that she couldn't walk well at the beginning, but now happily runs outside and jumps in the rain. And I think: This cannot be wrong. This is how it is meant to be.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;" lang="EN-US">So I encourage you: pig-out on this food for thought. " </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="" lang="EN-US"></span></span><span style=";font-family:Helvetica;font-size:9.5pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span> The September holidays were coming up and I was thrilled to find out we would look at "Hamlet"! Again we did not read the whole book, nor see the whole movie, but watched and read pieces.
<br />
<br />For those of you who are familiar with the story of Hamlet, we looked at the bit in which Ophelia drowns and I wrote this poem as I scrutinized the postcard picture scene, painted of Ophelia's Demise.
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvFpNKFD35p_PM1QiS3QXVeS8oP3TiyT14Vui2PWNyQm5Ay-DghoCsMK6R1HjzxXvqGf2FoHyxt9EnASELAyZJ5cjbZDS4PbfhPgezRYFnqWgN2b5MfLtML1tj3CzJ9jjDE8M8mb-a8I/s1600-h/1196412-3-ophelias-demise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvFpNKFD35p_PM1QiS3QXVeS8oP3TiyT14Vui2PWNyQm5Ay-DghoCsMK6R1HjzxXvqGf2FoHyxt9EnASELAyZJ5cjbZDS4PbfhPgezRYFnqWgN2b5MfLtML1tj3CzJ9jjDE8M8mb-a8I/s400/1196412-3-ophelias-demise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401990592527401618" border="0" /></a>
<br />"Ophelia's Demise.
<br />
<br />Pale in death
<br />Yet as pure as an angel
<br />She floats downriver
<br />As does the multitude of coloured flowers
<br />That guard her lifeless body.
<br />
<br />Face upturned
<br />The reeds she bypasses
<br />Caress her face
<br />And bow to the maiden
<br />Superior, even in death.
<br />
<br />The rainbow of flowers
<br />Stay with her body
<br />But the trees and the bushes
<br />Pay their respects and weep;
<br />Ophelia lost to the bottom.
<br />
<br />Curious daisies like shiny eyes
<br />Sullenly watch
<br />Her burial in mud;
<br />The greenery darkens
<br />Sage green plants wilt.
<br />
<br />The crowflowers avert their eyes
<br />Return to the gloom of the day
<br />Her dress, her lifeline, betrays her
<br />As it pulls her onto the river bed;
<br />Still her face looks up.
<br />
<br />Her eyes closed
<br />For the final time
<br />Her lips parted, her body cold
<br />Ophelia, angel of the brook
<br />Lured to her demise."
<br />
<br />On this note we read about the fight scene at the end and made plays about it, performing to the class on the second to last day of term. We performed on the outdoor stage! I was Hamlet's mother, who died of poison.
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<br />In Term 4 we got a new teacher who is extremely funny. Though the work is easy again, as are the spelling words, it's OK as we only have a few weeks left. For weeks we've been on Sub Zero Survival; survival in the desert and in the Antarctic or Arctic. We started off with some creative stories about a lost in a blizzard experience. Mine is a collaboration, or at least written like one, but I never finished. If I do, I will post up the rest.
<br />
<br />"Lost In A Blizzard.
<br />collaborated by Nicola, Thomas, Gary and Nicole.
<br />
<br />NICOLA
<br />Sitting in my heated study writing this, remembering, makes me think for the millionth time how lucky we all are, that is, Nicole, Thomas, Gary and I. Two weeks ago, I had been delighted to hear of an offer for me, and one of my best buds, Nicole, as a journalist, to travel with some global warming scientists to Antarctica! My expertise was required for a new base camp the government wished to set up near Weddell Sea. Nicole was asked to recount the whole adventure, and ecstaticly we jumped up and down and started counting the days. Tommo and Gary had been friends since university, and we all got along amazingly well.
<br />On the twelfth we were flown down, all of us bundled up tightly in hoodies and coats. Gary was always cracking jokes.
<br />Anyway, when we go to Antarctica, the first thing I saw was a catepillar wheeled vehicle, kind of like the Hagguland Ride I had been on at the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, years ago.
<br />We were driven to some temporary huts, and, as we had left that morning while it was stil dark, we pulled on more layers and stepped outside to the dazzling snow. We plodded four abreast for 3 kilometres and stopped to have some lunch. This is when the trouble began.
<br />
<br />THOMAS
<br />Hey guys, Tommo here. I was outvoted so I ended up writing the bit when ~ oops, sorry guys.
<br />All of a sudden, Gary slipped on the ice and skidded down the shelf we were near. Gravity betrayed us as kinetic energy hurtled him down. We realised with a jolt that crevices were down there and I yelled out, feeling sick to my stomach..."
<br />
<br />We watched Touching The Void, a true survival story of a guy who was climbing a mountain, fell and broke his leg, was lowered down by his partner (except the rope went down too far and he couldn't get his weight off the rope, a.k.a the signal) and who's climbing buddy cut the rope, assuming he had died. He then fell down the mountain, and additionally down intoa deep crevice, where he spent a cold, claustrophobic night. By then he thought his climbing buddy had died too, and pulled the rope down to use him as an anchor. However, the rope came down at a cut end and extinguished his hopes for getting out. He lowered himself deeper into the already deep crevice, wating to die, except he hit the bottom of the crevice and spied light, the mountainside, but much, much further down. With his broken leg he climbed out and over all the other crevices, back down to the bottom, surviving to tell his amazing story today. It was a really good movie, leaving me shivery!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jDjt2dg8XsY5MvgwCzX3mu12oFb0VPvyywsY8qzd3DiRDTICTpyYxBuSct-y78L-EMjLS72nHNVnJXnjcvfx65QXHtSiRA0uVr4oVeJXlMwGM3iTbQGUZaERtGpbMruzzKaD0x4v8lw/s1600-h/touching_the_void_verdvd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jDjt2dg8XsY5MvgwCzX3mu12oFb0VPvyywsY8qzd3DiRDTICTpyYxBuSct-y78L-EMjLS72nHNVnJXnjcvfx65QXHtSiRA0uVr4oVeJXlMwGM3iTbQGUZaERtGpbMruzzKaD0x4v8lw/s400/touching_the_void_verdvd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401990977117128178" border="0" /></a>
<br />We also watched the beginning of Into The Wild, the movie of a real life man who gave up society to live on his own in the mountains. We discussed the necesssary motives for this.
<br />
<br />Lately we've done a lot of reading comprehension and language technique activities and questions. Last week ofr so we read about the race to the South Pole between Scott and Amundsen, and the difference both teams had.
<br />
<br />Not to mention long talks about polar bears, and reading a story about a near miss with a polar bear attack. They are really quite scary!!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDmUKCujhPt98GUzN8CHDfA7WpzhFRW8-n095MvsMpr7jbdjNjNIlWMqAH25HB9ZiMBpkZ0RQVOf0MtbSPvXGOzcQ9j-ktgOZXgEkyVhyhtUsAvAfFOHsvYV6Y1SixH6Gy26PP3HSdGQ/s1600-h/polar-bear-tongue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDmUKCujhPt98GUzN8CHDfA7WpzhFRW8-n095MvsMpr7jbdjNjNIlWMqAH25HB9ZiMBpkZ0RQVOf0MtbSPvXGOzcQ9j-ktgOZXgEkyVhyhtUsAvAfFOHsvYV6Y1SixH6Gy26PP3HSdGQ/s400/polar-bear-tongue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401991240641599426" border="0" /></a>
<br />Following this we did a lesson on puns (some were quite dry) to prepare us for yet more static images! They're due this week, either a book cover for a survival story or an Antarctica expedition poster.
<br />My Static Image:
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQYNaOK0AwSL-2_6u1NiTiZ5P1T8jN9rMPgX3olXmMKFpIojmGi4TD-LO4f-DHWWbc8jb67WjxRvOdmCViJ5jrcLJrB37oLW4L8Z4QJu6B8trjFPxoyWntERDrDR-ABCiuJZxMLP15nA/s1600/English+09+Static+Image.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQYNaOK0AwSL-2_6u1NiTiZ5P1T8jN9rMPgX3olXmMKFpIojmGi4TD-LO4f-DHWWbc8jb67WjxRvOdmCViJ5jrcLJrB37oLW4L8Z4QJu6B8trjFPxoyWntERDrDR-ABCiuJZxMLP15nA/s400/English+09+Static+Image.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460614708784568594" border="0" /></a>
<br />More recently we have been working on persuasive writing.
<br />
<br />As for our spelling tests, I've gotten 21/21, 20/20 and 24/25.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio91-Q5XCOG1Z6jUkgLEt4EWRPx_fk7Hv4iDmJvw9GzKJuWd6EtGkYJeD2QsV_zDXHx3XLeVKI8pz5LJCfMjn6frx3XyNquLoWuQozvQAKX_B9aiq8b90HwkNK0X-OOYYGYmSyE2lzIyg/s1600-h/Picture+30.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio91-Q5XCOG1Z6jUkgLEt4EWRPx_fk7Hv4iDmJvw9GzKJuWd6EtGkYJeD2QsV_zDXHx3XLeVKI8pz5LJCfMjn6frx3XyNquLoWuQozvQAKX_B9aiq8b90HwkNK0X-OOYYGYmSyE2lzIyg/s400/Picture+30.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401986438079375586" border="0" /></a>In preparation for our exam we have been looking at poems and analyzing them. And so came the poetry test, on which I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>! Next we have to revise essays this week as our exam is on Friday!!!
<br />
<br />I recently got my exam results back and I'm really pleased! Section A was to write about an aspect of "Holes", and was very, very strictly marked. I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>!
<br />Section B had questions about a poem, and then questions about a static image. For both of these, I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>!
<br />Section C was a piece of formal writing, and I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> again!
<br />
<br />English this year had brought me many successes and it has been a really good start to college English! I've thoroughly enjoyed the writing we did!
<br />
<br />Comments hugely appreciated!
<br /></div></div>Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-46465153014620564592009-09-18T19:30:00.000-07:002009-12-08T01:14:10.276-08:00SOCIAL STUDIES<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3fjIZG3fwKD_n1tf9sag4AuJFsRB3ogGUhSmQAVagYA5VHg0Z1LV8uo3ZMS3tVMuApyiI-Ne0Ot_CsV34hIN_7ij5KMZ43eSJC6xupBPVe7Os1Zo0a_FlRICjM34_pNfeIjGcXqrqAE/s1600-h/Picture+18.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 46px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3fjIZG3fwKD_n1tf9sag4AuJFsRB3ogGUhSmQAVagYA5VHg0Z1LV8uo3ZMS3tVMuApyiI-Ne0Ot_CsV34hIN_7ij5KMZ43eSJC6xupBPVe7Os1Zo0a_FlRICjM34_pNfeIjGcXqrqAE/s320/Picture+18.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383000688802015522" border="0" /></a>It's been a great year in Social Studies and we've covered a lot of things. My teacher gets a lot of discussions going in class and we've been learning through a variety of resources, such as videos, books, text, verbal discussions, graphs and maps.<br />We learnt to do maps and graphs using <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FACKTS</span>. Frame, arrow, colour, key, title, scale.<br /><br />Early on, in February, we did New <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Zealand's</span> flag.<br />"New <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Zealand's</span> flag compromises of a plain, blue background. The cross in the top-left corner is a Union Jack. This is here because New Zealand used to be a colony of Great Britain.<br />The four stars on the right form the four stars of the Southern Cross, a constellation in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.<br />The current flag first came into use around 1900 and was made the official flag of the country in 1902, replacing the Union Jack."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjTgKldmMhT00nTakhGOY65wFZVqjwj02QrNimM-S7sACGSJ935PS9b8MVKkq-13ebLvIz4xXmDEMZqcja6H6K-OCzkmDPOJoMXWxcDWC0JLnQ1ZQJYCy1zqhEN8ewxIiktXywIyevOs/s1600-h/nz-flag.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjTgKldmMhT00nTakhGOY65wFZVqjwj02QrNimM-S7sACGSJ935PS9b8MVKkq-13ebLvIz4xXmDEMZqcja6H6K-OCzkmDPOJoMXWxcDWC0JLnQ1ZQJYCy1zqhEN8ewxIiktXywIyevOs/s400/nz-flag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401993562899311282" border="0" /></a><br />I scored a<span style="font-weight: bold;"> 5/5 </span>for this piece of writing:<br />"My special item is my Millennium Box. It was made for me in 2000 at the time of the new year. It's a gorgeous box, with photos of me carefully stuck on the lid. Inside are all the little souvenirs from our holiday over the new year. Grass from the hill where we sat and watched the fireworks, sand in a sealed container... the many, many treasures take me back to when I was four."<br /><br />Our next unit was about Migration. The first wave of migration to New Zealand were the Early Polynesians, from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hawaiki</span>. They arrived centuries ago in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">waka</span> and came with the prospect of starting a new life in a new land.<br />The second wave of migration to New Zealand were the Europeans. They came from Italy, England, France, Ireland, Scotland and many other countries. This happened in the mid 1800's and they came on ships. Push factors, making them leave, were overcrowding and unemployment but they came to NZ because there were less people and higher living standards.<br />Next came the Pacific Islanders, from Tonga, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Niue</span>, Samoa, Cook Islands, e.t.c. They came in the 1950's to 1970's on aeroplanes. They left because of the poor schooling and no universities and came for the opportunity to go to school and have an education.<br />Lastly came the people from Asia. That is, from China, Korea, Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and various other places. They too came on aeroplanes because their homelands were unstable and governed in discriminatory ways. NZ had a stable government, cheaper houses, a lower crime rate, a clean environment, good <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">healthcare</span> and schooling, so the arrived in the 1980's to the 1990's.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFevjYxXCBXcMf9703Xpu67cJrt_WiUIym77vi-ESTgF77_MvfZM2o1Mo4PefSx308IfWPoQXmcRGrxxnVxOTakWwpTBCyw83_iJoG9iD40m7WBtknoh9dzqAYUn7avnpz-RXjWNxN0Q/s1600-h/aeroplane.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFevjYxXCBXcMf9703Xpu67cJrt_WiUIym77vi-ESTgF77_MvfZM2o1Mo4PefSx308IfWPoQXmcRGrxxnVxOTakWwpTBCyw83_iJoG9iD40m7WBtknoh9dzqAYUn7avnpz-RXjWNxN0Q/s400/aeroplane.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401994007373084930" border="0" /></a><br />In March, we had to write a This Is Your Life about one of our relatives. I wrote heaps after an exclusive phone interview with my Grandma. (Later in the year I took it down to her and she enjoyed reading it.) My teacher was very impressed with presentation and content: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> for me!<br /><br />We moved on as did the year and came to study "Am I King Of My Castle?", which was about all the different councils and the authority they have.<br />"Householders can't make all their decisions in NZ because they might not have enough knowledge, end up doing something illegal, or end up destroying their houses, which wouldn't please the neighbours."<br />"Councils plan ahead so they know what's happening, what they're doing and when, thus preparing them for any changes in laws, rules or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">legislations</span>."<br /><br />And then we covered amenity values in our school, and what makes a certain area nicer. We went for a walk in our school and as a class concluded that<br />"The amenity vales at the front gate, tennis courts, library and Rhubarb Square are very good. However, the amenity values at areas by the noisy road and the tuck shop, e.t.c are low. Personally, I think Rhubarb Square and the outdoor stage have higher amenity values and the traffic noise was atrocious for teaching in."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3xMc8MiAc6TxQFKZA2hBXCSwmY2_TVqKHSE3A3NUceT53tmKHARyt-x6VXAST3AcdNovUJyL9tZuGtEmSkP-PK4BMZ1ZnEfDRdpdkkVG0MmqK1SpRPyJV6MgUW8tjDl1jf4hU0FiBQ8/s1600-h/logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3xMc8MiAc6TxQFKZA2hBXCSwmY2_TVqKHSE3A3NUceT53tmKHARyt-x6VXAST3AcdNovUJyL9tZuGtEmSkP-PK4BMZ1ZnEfDRdpdkkVG0MmqK1SpRPyJV6MgUW8tjDl1jf4hU0FiBQ8/s400/logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401995363464188466" border="0" /></a><br />Topography means the shape of the land. The source of a river is where is starts, and the location is where it is found, while the course is where it goes. We have an urban stream nearby, so we did a big study on it. This was our first major assessment for the year and I got a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span> (where that was the highest possible grade) and an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> from my peers and teacher. I think the booklet that I completed was handed back in, but I too, was very pleased with the presentation. It is on black paper with a Stream Study definition dangling from a luggage tag on every page and all documents are in blue or with blue decorations. It contains my opinions on the stream and amenity values, definitions of Stream Study words, a map of the stream drawn by me, a sketch of the stream drawn by me, and answers to all the given questions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayTe21gfCXiW7dNNRZ2CRVrt-ht5uMZfnIkjRPbSCUi4tCe_RtRrOVnPSS3hVYVUZVkrLNW6Z0vgMey-s49ExLchA9JD3lMZiWcZ29-L2tlwdxWxEtO8qnRS2AilfM1KebwJwLn-ugRg/s1600-h/Picture+19.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayTe21gfCXiW7dNNRZ2CRVrt-ht5uMZfnIkjRPbSCUi4tCe_RtRrOVnPSS3hVYVUZVkrLNW6Z0vgMey-s49ExLchA9JD3lMZiWcZ29-L2tlwdxWxEtO8qnRS2AilfM1KebwJwLn-ugRg/s400/Picture+19.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383325304803695794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCVks91cv0_dB0vJUHmOgcSyolTt7dAdLsgTjr8bHIjBd6LUnrJNoI3rLte-LxNDQxIBTxaUCqFLsTEs5fNoe6cW-QXXYnSKkP1Mv9OrDJyYjqSF9OrVfrdzuGuVCpjBJgzeCmRb6sIM/s1600-h/Picture+20.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCVks91cv0_dB0vJUHmOgcSyolTt7dAdLsgTjr8bHIjBd6LUnrJNoI3rLte-LxNDQxIBTxaUCqFLsTEs5fNoe6cW-QXXYnSKkP1Mv9OrDJyYjqSF9OrVfrdzuGuVCpjBJgzeCmRb6sIM/s400/Picture+20.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383325194221634434" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhUqKpdh0T3xVlIq2-cuMEpG8c0jrz5jQ47EY6ue71RwUyeH4bJpAE9W-AI_Iu5cWoVTb8q5SyRl10_gpnG04M5GSsQvMUpTqBGvAw-SqFTVpTfjYj-nBVfpVSfptqk93GNsRtrTQo9g/s1600-h/Picture+21.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhUqKpdh0T3xVlIq2-cuMEpG8c0jrz5jQ47EY6ue71RwUyeH4bJpAE9W-AI_Iu5cWoVTb8q5SyRl10_gpnG04M5GSsQvMUpTqBGvAw-SqFTVpTfjYj-nBVfpVSfptqk93GNsRtrTQo9g/s400/Picture+21.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383325064273572162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCd85RRTkuPya-k0KFeXm9p9zcoK3SBm2lCqyaBh_-LC5bMobb0vlc2XryZVeA9tDOjU7Wy5Y6BacYO_Wkab3uk6uFcfmyIGkJqvKY0ELnVBotDXIaHv7WPdm3u5MQu8yT66ELwX5aBY/s1600-h/Picture+23.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCd85RRTkuPya-k0KFeXm9p9zcoK3SBm2lCqyaBh_-LC5bMobb0vlc2XryZVeA9tDOjU7Wy5Y6BacYO_Wkab3uk6uFcfmyIGkJqvKY0ELnVBotDXIaHv7WPdm3u5MQu8yT66ELwX5aBY/s400/Picture+23.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383324949152797330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw03FQTqogAGHwr1nfPrwksoes04awNAZ-RyrYYY4J0u34etPMRePd9Qff2chHKYxau_uB5HrSqcIZDJQpFFVthI1O3Hi6ZMbV-yWmnBgAHqF6liTu_TkdcoBGO3hpUKv_bdB64tAEs8/s1600-h/Picture+25.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKw03FQTqogAGHwr1nfPrwksoes04awNAZ-RyrYYY4J0u34etPMRePd9Qff2chHKYxau_uB5HrSqcIZDJQpFFVthI1O3Hi6ZMbV-yWmnBgAHqF6liTu_TkdcoBGO3hpUKv_bdB64tAEs8/s400/Picture+25.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383324685768827858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRR_C_BRh7DsN4sILCGi8WsegkLtcrR1m1w_cRmMliS8w2FkkFnyN_AfEmaVZmgXPRWpwhtjWJ7T6kEpnbtWMTAW-yBLrLaXNKjZHYLrlBT3uiqcySbGTPEE24cRAkvBG0xuXbxcB1EA/s1600-h/Picture+26.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRR_C_BRh7DsN4sILCGi8WsegkLtcrR1m1w_cRmMliS8w2FkkFnyN_AfEmaVZmgXPRWpwhtjWJ7T6kEpnbtWMTAW-yBLrLaXNKjZHYLrlBT3uiqcySbGTPEE24cRAkvBG0xuXbxcB1EA/s400/Picture+26.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383324575904274962" border="0" /></a><br />"I, too, think that it is important for the local government to take responsibility in making decisions for the public good of that community. I think that in a local community where many people spend the majority of their time, it is beneficial for someone to take charge. In any decisions made today as big as community-wide, a lot of thought, planning and debating is involved. If any local government is to change something, their only hope of succeeding is if they have justifiable evidence, and persuasive, appropriate reasons. Thus, any local change made is expected to be for the good of the public and to make the community a better place. If no-one were to take charge then there wold be no rules and laws, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">everyone's</span> safety would be jeopardised. I understand that some people may perceive their community as a 'pretty good' one and not needing even a minor adjustment, let alone a local government, but I assure you that in the long run it is definitely essential that a community have a government to create laws that will ensure a beautiful and safe place to live.<br />In relation to our local stream, if someone had not seen a possible urgency for engineering to be done, then the stream would still be quite flat and flooding frequently. The stream would be a lot more dirty, if it were to flow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">unwindingly</span>, thus slower flowing, causing it to become clogged with offcuts from trees and bushes. Erosion, too, may have occurred, and generally, a far more polluted stream would have had dramatic outcomes, such as no stream-life. I personally think that it is a relief to us all and a weight of our minds that someone else can govern and see what needs doing so that all we have to do is follow suit of the people doing some good in the community and saving the planet."<br /><br />"In our community we have our local stream. The local government plays a very important role. They must organize what is going to happen to the stream. They were in charge of all the engineering work that changed the stream and they had to plan with the engineers so that the sides were steepened, the stream straightened and the base concreted. This, of course, would change the natural look of the stream, but they had to weigh all that against erosion, stream clutter, pollution and flooding.<br />Amongst major changes to the stream, the local government and similar associations are left with the decisions of if and where to erect a sign, how people are going to cross the stream and all the ideas or complaints from the community have to have something done about them. The local government has a big job."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Stream Project Evaluation:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What did I do well?</span> My presentation was effective, my sketch didn't turn out too badly, I made a glossary, I had a colour scheme, I numbered the activities, I added a bibliography, I fully justified my statement response and my map turned out OK!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What I need to improve on: </span>I undermined the amenity values, I had trouble fitting everything into the booklet, the marking sheet looked out of place, I did too many geographic ideas, I could have extended my geographic ideas, I cut the edges on the picture a tiny bit wonky, I could have coloured in my sketch, I had too much space at the top of my back page, I forgot the Maori Perception article, I wouldn't have been able to fit it in anyway and I could have improved my title page!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Term 2 Goals</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and Reflections</span><br /><br />1. Keep my bookwork neat.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My bookwork must improve some more next term.</span><br /><br />2. Achieve Merits or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Excellences</span> only!<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So far, so good.</span><br /><br />3. Make Social Studies one of my best subjects.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm getting there! I'll try and improve.</span><br /><br />In Term 2 we looked at One World and the Divided World. This covered early explorers and their ideas about the earth's shape. Later on in the unit we learnt about the first contact with the Maoris and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Pakeha</span>, Aborigines and Europeans, and finally, the African-American slaves.<br /><br />"It was the height of the hot season, when, in the early hours of the morning I crept out into the cool bush without waking the others. Heading onto the beach I dug my toes into the golden sand, alight with the first rays of the sun. I took some deep breaths and gazed out at the horizon, as I always did, when I noticed a dark silhouette out at sea. I was in awe, but frightened. What was it? Why was it here? I ran through the bush to find the tribal elders. Waking my brothers, a group of us ran back down to the beach. The ... thing ... was much closer and I could make out deathly spikes and big, powerful looking shapes. We woke up the others and grabbed our spears, lining up on the shore to face our opponents. When the big thing was 300 yards from the shore, it stopped. For a while, nothing happened. Then all of a sudden, we saw some more things, smaller than a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">waka</span>, be lowered down with people in them. They didn't seem too scary but they were so pale! Were they foreign <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">taniwha</span>? And their ... cloaks ... covered their whole bodies and they were all matching. They looked very intelligent. Maybe they knew what they were doing? I felt like I should have put some fine garment on for the occasion.<br />The next thing I saw was the strangest of all. My brothers gasped as the human forms advanced upon us, pushing forwards yet travelling backwards. Perhaps they could see in two directions! We raised our spears a littler higher and waited their arrival in awe.<br />And then the chief did a very brave thing. He paddled out to the people on the sea with my cousin, his father and ten other warriors to stop them coming ashore. We on the beach squinted against the glare to see the white ones show them some weapons. After this I was so relieved to see our people come back."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J4MBuvuNJOtTAU7i1zzzWv_zgfPidMVc8GGbc6usEP7-9HbYO387x4Rck1HN1tY_G_dJKKZI1WWm8Av181E0o8iNC0fQhqQxB399yc7vSyeOXGMVkc0fOpIDfegbN49MnHmej7p7wIk/s1600-h/new-zealand-map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J4MBuvuNJOtTAU7i1zzzWv_zgfPidMVc8GGbc6usEP7-9HbYO387x4Rck1HN1tY_G_dJKKZI1WWm8Av181E0o8iNC0fQhqQxB399yc7vSyeOXGMVkc0fOpIDfegbN49MnHmej7p7wIk/s400/new-zealand-map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401995725647239618" border="0" /></a><br />In particular, we heard a song about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Parihaka</span> in New Zealand. We heard the song by Neil Finn and had a go at writing one ourselves! Here's mine.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Parihaka</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Parihaka</span><br />Happiness reigned here<br />"But if we don't fight<br />The land will disappear!"<br /><br />You see<br />Catastrophe<br />When the white men came.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Parihaka</span><br />Gone darker<br />Life was not the same.<br /><br />Feuds in the land<br />Battles in the sand<br />Imprisonment<br />Captivity<br />Still God held us in His hand.<br /><br />And so on.<br /><br />I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">glogged</span> this concept and although I had a bit of trouble fitting it on this blog, please view it through the link!<br /><a href="http://nikkinoo.glogster.com/Parihaka/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Parihaka</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Glog</span></a><br /><br />Our next unit of study drew our attention to the Australian Aborigines. We looked at population statistics and watched a video to help us understand the chaos that came with the white people.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf46MHH661bmhol9XEM2xhQhQCddgenImTSMDqBOAiue-8Ro_sZu8Mqbx6jPIAjpN85Ayof_GY7pg5GS0Yd7UART56V__x54hO_PHjBXlGBvlAeJLP9djLcKUkXWWxesw7A71VuYnBcM/s1600-h/aboriginal-flag.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHf46MHH661bmhol9XEM2xhQhQCddgenImTSMDqBOAiue-8Ro_sZu8Mqbx6jPIAjpN85Ayof_GY7pg5GS0Yd7UART56V__x54hO_PHjBXlGBvlAeJLP9djLcKUkXWWxesw7A71VuYnBcM/s400/aboriginal-flag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401996112199706882" border="0" /></a><br />We learnt about Push and Pull factors, a recap from our Migration unit, and applied the appropriate ones for South Africa, Dalmatia, Germany, India, China, Samoa and Tonga.<br /><br />And also <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Chloropleth</span> maps were taught to us so we could map the areas of Africa from which people were taken as slaves. Most were taken form the Congo, Gabon and Angola.<br /><br />Term 3, and we covered Making A Difference. The types of governments we learnt: Dictatorship, Revolutionary Government, Regional or Local, Monarchy, Republic, Federal, Anarchy, Capitalist, Communist, Democracy, Transitional and Totalitarian State. Democracy started in Athens and comes from the Greek word "demos", meaning people.<br /><br />In New <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Zealand's</span> democracy, to create a law, it must first be suggested, by anyone, then drafted, then read in parliament, then studied by the Select Committee, then reread in Parliament and voted for, then voted upon clause by clause, then reread to Parliament and voted on again, then signed by the Governor General. Phew!<br /><br />To wrap this part of the unit up, we had to form our own political parties and have an election! I was the leader of my party; we were the CLAM party. CLAM stands for the Circle Of Liberty and Multiculturalism. Our slogan was "Surpass Your Limitations", and our logo was an albatross, to support our concept of freedom. Our colours were dark blue and silver, and I was also the Minister Of Foreign Affairs! We made business cards, a poster and our pamphlet, which is below. Please click to enlarge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmkV41EsPUY5Gz0NoeVHHxtL3BPOnrrHj5XuwuWiPhCirQhnASaaOMPqp7iJwkBPz6yUl73UGTA516hBOxyxLXNQIZW11BaWVOucYcaFNAk7rds5GQCeiRbQvPjYLiu1J20hy_nE3wzg/s1600-h/Picture+7.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmkV41EsPUY5Gz0NoeVHHxtL3BPOnrrHj5XuwuWiPhCirQhnASaaOMPqp7iJwkBPz6yUl73UGTA516hBOxyxLXNQIZW11BaWVOucYcaFNAk7rds5GQCeiRbQvPjYLiu1J20hy_nE3wzg/s400/Picture+7.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396422670138199218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt2vN6U9Rzqq7sA5-AA5hVBs7MRXz0EfwGPRcIyYshJc4XfBgN9_Z5T_a658wZHWS09-dbsW9A3uRws53dwohPvIMR2dnF-gBtK4_2oaMriFOHKpaUxcIXd71hNPiUt1ZTGQG34XlROk/s1600-h/Picture+8.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYt2vN6U9Rzqq7sA5-AA5hVBs7MRXz0EfwGPRcIyYshJc4XfBgN9_Z5T_a658wZHWS09-dbsW9A3uRws53dwohPvIMR2dnF-gBtK4_2oaMriFOHKpaUxcIXd71hNPiUt1ZTGQG34XlROk/s400/Picture+8.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396422820870535874" border="0" /></a><br />Then the election was held. My party won this with an overwhelming number of votes and out of all the party leaders, I won the electorate vote by one point!<br /><br />We have just finished up on our assessment of a DVD called The Wave. We originally watched it last term. It was a true story set in California, years ago, about a teacher's experiment with dictatorship and discipline in order to answer a question about Nazi Germany. The class followed and it soon all started to snowball out of control. The whole school was eventually pulled along in a movement called The Wave by what they thought was right. For many, it was a harsh pull back to reality to realise that they had been tricked and sucked into the movement too easily. Our assessment was to write a detailed, pre-structured essay; I'm very pleased with mine!<br /><br />We did focus hugely on Nazi Germany and the early life of Adolf Hitler. The Nazi beliefs, propaganda, the movement, the Hitler Youth, the racism, the "Final Solution" and the devastating consequences, shown to us in a horrifying video.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGXptv-x5CvHi9TNAZkNWbGaCyZNUFPF-jQvqsUlRO7ZaFRRw7acWwz5QAIjt16bhsxqR9vi4adYVq-0CPnk6W4R_9t0ELZ55495aP7eFQCgICBh3wNaXEFDZPWjArF72fBBNpFvjNNQ/s1600-h/Picture+9.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGXptv-x5CvHi9TNAZkNWbGaCyZNUFPF-jQvqsUlRO7ZaFRRw7acWwz5QAIjt16bhsxqR9vi4adYVq-0CPnk6W4R_9t0ELZ55495aP7eFQCgICBh3wNaXEFDZPWjArF72fBBNpFvjNNQ/s400/Picture+9.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396427085842133922" border="0" /></a>My Current Events Alphabet<br />February 2009<br /><br />Australia suffering form <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">bushfires</span>, floods and monsoons.<br />Both heat and snow disadvantaging many.<br />Chaos and snow delivered to England.<br />Disruption in New Zealand as temperatures soar.<br />Extreme temperatures both here and in the United Kingdom.<br />Fishermen stranded on ice floe due to warmer weather.<br />Global warming affecting puzzling weather.<br />Homes lost as Australian fires rage.<br />Ice floes melting due to extremely hot conditions.<br />Jammed traffic in Paris because of thick snow.<br />Kangaroos fleeing, bounding away from fatal flames.<br />Lives in jeopardy in Australia.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Meteorologists</span> discovering the effect of monsoons.<br />New Zealand sends <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">firefighters</span> to help in Australia.<br />Ozone layer hole requiring New <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Zealanders</span> to slip, slop, slap and wrap.<br />People in despair / Pollution in Asia affecting funny weather.<br />Queensland deals with floods.<br />Rapidly rising death toll in Australia from fires.<br />Snow and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">slush</span> currently in the Northern <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Hemisphere</span>.<br />Transport disrupted because of snow in European countries.<br />Uncontrollable fires wiping out Australian towns.<br />Violent blizzards uncontrollably whip through the United Kingdom.<br />Weather creating catastrophe worldwide.<br />Xeric conditions break temperature records.<br />Young people enjoying the snow in France.<br />Zero degrees and below as Europe freezes.<br /><br />Again, this term, we touched on Human Rights and looked at Amnesty International. We each had to choose one article from The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights and make a poster; I chose the right to shelter. This is my draft copy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFsKmqeauaaJ9pTzVmK-XsXcoxaGp4z9_xbHb2QJa367c4iNcoEP5fr77JpYgVpcFbNNgqtpbzSABhCl5EqEI_lgcBWVIwfJ-zi0mXi4dlCz8dWIF2tZ4090UDyltENPZSkFJzyENtnE/s1600-h/Picture+10.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFsKmqeauaaJ9pTzVmK-XsXcoxaGp4z9_xbHb2QJa367c4iNcoEP5fr77JpYgVpcFbNNgqtpbzSABhCl5EqEI_lgcBWVIwfJ-zi0mXi4dlCz8dWIF2tZ4090UDyltENPZSkFJzyENtnE/s400/Picture+10.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396434822001821650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Term 3 Goals </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Reflections</span><br /><br />1. I am immensely pleased with the new, tidy standard of my bookwork.<br /><br />2. Social Studies, now more enjoyable, could be one of my best subjects.<br /><br />3. My CAT "The Wave" essay got me an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence!</span> I am so happy!<br /><br />And our final unit is Money Talks. We've defined an enterprising character, with characteristics such as assertiveness, creativity, courage, boldness, integrity, adventurous, initiative, leadership, determined, persevering, motivated, e.t.c.<br />We looked at various businesses, like Nike, McDonalds and Facebook, and found out when they started up, who by, and how. Google was made in a garage!<br /><br />Our homework was to do the same for a New Zealand business.<br />AJ Hackett Bungy began in the 1980's by AJ Hackett. The business describes themselves as the Home of Bungy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlhx-neVJpUqhOIpjRmG-LaJIt-2vWNKJvo1ibm6-846L9nnyeVvo4mNKUZijyLRvFVqyob42_oA1gLa2nU74OoOcR7MkMe2EbVo-HvjaDH87h6nLHwhfZDtzlTHDdtj2fbk4V1NqmDM/s1600-h/ajlogo1.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlhx-neVJpUqhOIpjRmG-LaJIt-2vWNKJvo1ibm6-846L9nnyeVvo4mNKUZijyLRvFVqyob42_oA1gLa2nU74OoOcR7MkMe2EbVo-HvjaDH87h6nLHwhfZDtzlTHDdtj2fbk4V1NqmDM/s400/ajlogo1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401997032640494178" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of days ago we watched Doherty's Jam, about an enterprising boy who made his own brand of jam and his road to success. It was a successful story.<br />Again, we watched 3 short clips about New Zealand businesses, Minx, BloKart and Dawn Raid Entertainment. These were started by 2 sisters, 2 friends, and a father and son. So far it's fairly interesting, even more so as of Friday, when we played Business Tycoon, which is similar to Monopoly! I won the lottery twice and everyone else's cash at one point, making me win the game! Yay!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2iM2d-b7FM3YHZXpRWnXfeGMHyB5s65b9wwxTazmf3VV9s9byGCDQgstrGz_X3G08Kvi45PoK2fXota5YraHRU1Zf34WhKBFtgMY3LeDC85wT06VqZRGervGKn8cjXgbC43KogoZD1c/s1600-h/Money+stacks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2iM2d-b7FM3YHZXpRWnXfeGMHyB5s65b9wwxTazmf3VV9s9byGCDQgstrGz_X3G08Kvi45PoK2fXota5YraHRU1Zf34WhKBFtgMY3LeDC85wT06VqZRGervGKn8cjXgbC43KogoZD1c/s400/Money+stacks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401997426275802018" border="0" /></a><br />We have just completed our fourth Common Assessment Task, which I found easy, but ran out of time for the last two questions. Today we did the test on graphs, cartoons, text interpretations and current events. Hopefully I did as well as I think I did, but I am grateful that the tests are over; now I have exams and that will be Social Studies finished for the year!<br /><br />The two tests got me an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> and a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Merit</span>! I'm very happy with that.Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-28634462935674062892009-09-18T19:09:00.000-07:002009-12-08T01:16:06.551-08:00HEALTH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-l-gahiXvT4dbNBiwy8ugV0TNDNbJ2pXYnaONRIq6CRDm7SpNLarw283hyphenhyphenhLPdCS0OaIoZTWD1_98yIWBwpIGDmjb9-5hzSYXaoF-qxQmomfNMDsvmIWqRqVzzoPeSZEDryJFv1s6YI/s1600-h/Picture+17.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 57px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-l-gahiXvT4dbNBiwy8ugV0TNDNbJ2pXYnaONRIq6CRDm7SpNLarw283hyphenhyphenhLPdCS0OaIoZTWD1_98yIWBwpIGDmjb9-5hzSYXaoF-qxQmomfNMDsvmIWqRqVzzoPeSZEDryJFv1s6YI/s320/Picture+17.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382995907182973458" border="0" /></a>We had a change of health teacher form Term 2 onwards but both have been very good. The main topics here have been Smoking and Bullying. We covered this in the first semester of the year. Our very first test was a colouring in one and I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>.<br />For smoking we had to design a pamphlet and again, I got <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span>. Here it is. (Images can be enlarged to be read by clicking on them once.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaZcKsGl7nJ088PHr07HPpE812KmK1gajc65XVWdLxMtE9Nly8__xUL0opXs6epZMwNEkoAP6ciTWcxy_-FxcG_qwLZvW328MxCZmG_v-QYFVT8-30Vw3AATteOsK_TXSwo5S_E7sB_0/s1600-h/Health+Pamphlet+4.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaZcKsGl7nJ088PHr07HPpE812KmK1gajc65XVWdLxMtE9Nly8__xUL0opXs6epZMwNEkoAP6ciTWcxy_-FxcG_qwLZvW328MxCZmG_v-QYFVT8-30Vw3AATteOsK_TXSwo5S_E7sB_0/s400/Health+Pamphlet+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382998160133847346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pM0SRc98PJTU5waSwni5TuErlZyaNX41N5BCSykaxRAYYLQZ6PJUervMhMNvP9YUGroJqKazLoNw_tHgK1KenBntqhtgTVxM_LmVPo-VLSgqKDHZ8XiTwVE8HJwKwLRozlH2LSg4Z3k/s1600-h/Health+Pamphlet+1.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pM0SRc98PJTU5waSwni5TuErlZyaNX41N5BCSykaxRAYYLQZ6PJUervMhMNvP9YUGroJqKazLoNw_tHgK1KenBntqhtgTVxM_LmVPo-VLSgqKDHZ8XiTwVE8HJwKwLRozlH2LSg4Z3k/s400/Health+Pamphlet+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382998320112537234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs70yoWxb9QQ10bmvDhc1z6RAXGpxcn_KazZqDgOOx0bfdZwdHqRLkntLgZ-uAWB1LCbJGfUCDr9r4IVkfRP4K61Yr5gqoPHMaZHwrAC5nUa8MzXCGbCFkqvVDzOLwQpCxm1PPm7aeH0/s1600-h/Health+Pamphlet+2.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs70yoWxb9QQ10bmvDhc1z6RAXGpxcn_KazZqDgOOx0bfdZwdHqRLkntLgZ-uAWB1LCbJGfUCDr9r4IVkfRP4K61Yr5gqoPHMaZHwrAC5nUa8MzXCGbCFkqvVDzOLwQpCxm1PPm7aeH0/s400/Health+Pamphlet+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382999542549120626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBQLfRj7U4lxc4pGmFU63YagvHGGcWQ13VpQzMH56S17FQp6vRr282jPDOiHEpKdu0eKSfjuGQgYcjSF6QSnbYzZh7IgD_0L99SRAscOt6Yh3ZbfYi8Qz5x8HI97IM53VGCK-kaTH598/s1600-h/Health+Pamphlet+3.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBQLfRj7U4lxc4pGmFU63YagvHGGcWQ13VpQzMH56S17FQp6vRr282jPDOiHEpKdu0eKSfjuGQgYcjSF6QSnbYzZh7IgD_0L99SRAscOt6Yh3ZbfYi8Qz5x8HI97IM53VGCK-kaTH598/s400/Health+Pamphlet+3.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382998596022572802" border="0" /></a><br />I received an <span style="font-weight: bold;">Excellence</span> on my little book about alcohol that I did by hand. It listed effects of excessive alcohol drinking on the body and reasons why to, and why not to drink.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMT5iAav7HxMava1D0wvGn1kob-_n-sFA0C8vqck_KuhL02MHLpjtCqc_gOkXPP_dol6ioZj1JMsbGB5RkF1_Uvei6bT0_GsPcW0iMShCN_8fExj7_3ZuodCiA27JbY4OFE9KWcrQGQo/s1600/alcohol.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMT5iAav7HxMava1D0wvGn1kob-_n-sFA0C8vqck_KuhL02MHLpjtCqc_gOkXPP_dol6ioZj1JMsbGB5RkF1_Uvei6bT0_GsPcW0iMShCN_8fExj7_3ZuodCiA27JbY4OFE9KWcrQGQo/s400/alcohol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407178900789000738" border="0" /></a><br />I've had a successful year in Health and I have definitely learned a lot.Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219085955192873209.post-1316255830506052832009-09-17T23:15:00.000-07:002009-12-08T01:27:47.103-08:00P.E<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmbHe8doMMpg3T90sibhIynV2uR68RPo9FiD6vlh-YkhGl-0aqemZEpDACoMvakkdMO6lC1A7zgSS9TWVg-jXmf-qoIgZhSDEAjSOilH1ObQi5AK1OkRy59ZnA-yaAMMZu8K5jJoG7Kc/s1600-h/Picture+14.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 44px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmbHe8doMMpg3T90sibhIynV2uR68RPo9FiD6vlh-YkhGl-0aqemZEpDACoMvakkdMO6lC1A7zgSS9TWVg-jXmf-qoIgZhSDEAjSOilH1ObQi5AK1OkRy59ZnA-yaAMMZu8K5jJoG7Kc/s320/Picture+14.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382687422791715250" border="0" /></a>I have a fantastic teacher for P.E and am now enjoying the subject more than ever before. Our first unit was called Adventure Based Learning which was all about summer ball sports, e.t.c. A lot of it was playing softball, and although I enjoy the game, it was a big breakthrough for me when I caught the ball during one game as a fielder!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsdnu5_63lFMQldGWPoQj0zO_ce7-D3ZgxA-nMN7zfAJnPiwUq6frXUjWDPaMtRxi1bEq2sG0bl6wqGfCgJ8CtE4oqdQi0bKFs5Wqdaz6AWsvsH5tuyZjoJfrehQXqf95-UyeoCa1cxI/s1600-h/running4.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsdnu5_63lFMQldGWPoQj0zO_ce7-D3ZgxA-nMN7zfAJnPiwUq6frXUjWDPaMtRxi1bEq2sG0bl6wqGfCgJ8CtE4oqdQi0bKFs5Wqdaz6AWsvsH5tuyZjoJfrehQXqf95-UyeoCa1cxI/s320/running4.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382993613646007426" border="0" /></a>In March we did Get Active. It was all about getting the heart pumping and we did pulse counts before and after energetic lessons when we weren't allowed to stop moving for the whole lesson! We had to run around the block, which was 2 km. I enjoyed the practice run <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> the real thing and finished in good time.<br /><br />A good first term of P.E earned me a small certificate for 100% attendance, effort and uniform! -<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgm799t_5VlrWMD4KQ_h9NYheabiwszEFxvvyNbSWxldOmopw_gUhaLzkvt5KKDbZk3u81LmjtYTMg916CdcYrT8Lq3xcoI3Fm_gvnIhkQ3ZeqyQt3V_m9o5gOVWvceceor0NYFJVlXA/s1600-h/Picture+15.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgm799t_5VlrWMD4KQ_h9NYheabiwszEFxvvyNbSWxldOmopw_gUhaLzkvt5KKDbZk3u81LmjtYTMg916CdcYrT8Lq3xcoI3Fm_gvnIhkQ3ZeqyQt3V_m9o5gOVWvceceor0NYFJVlXA/s320/Picture+15.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382982035531972482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJyyGUtplvwRAlPsWcUxsJ76J6TcY3lMxXS8pgHUv3EQYFFwh7NzV8VqrzLJw20L_XWKp9aH_aT-Zd3DEJrDL6ulGVAV4fT5h_xynIQOCts4C238kiDaVPHtEad50kTkl0E-0OuPMWBw/s1600-h/Picture+16.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJyyGUtplvwRAlPsWcUxsJ76J6TcY3lMxXS8pgHUv3EQYFFwh7NzV8VqrzLJw20L_XWKp9aH_aT-Zd3DEJrDL6ulGVAV4fT5h_xynIQOCts4C238kiDaVPHtEad50kTkl0E-0OuPMWBw/s320/Picture+16.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382982417631607314" border="0" /></a><br />As the chill of Winter approached in Term 2, we were in our (heated) school pool doing our Splash Out unit. It was by far my favourite unit, and, although we had a lot of free time to play in the pool with noodles, inflatables and mats, we also did some challenges like transporting one of our team members across the pool on a plank and our teacher on a foam mat. In order to pass we had to make sure she didn't get wet! We passed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgpKTnhmQ_YIICepx96dx4dhW7L99InbSQ7Y1CQpPfoPKtGZCUQ8JHgdyJBpjVOWAYAPwQHDL60aqWmsTmPJLVerYYyfOysdTG2B-rB5L5q4_t9nKgahvErEiBmg6DDT2NS8VzUSq9pM/s1600-h/Swimming_11.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgpKTnhmQ_YIICepx96dx4dhW7L99InbSQ7Y1CQpPfoPKtGZCUQ8JHgdyJBpjVOWAYAPwQHDL60aqWmsTmPJLVerYYyfOysdTG2B-rB5L5q4_t9nKgahvErEiBmg6DDT2NS8VzUSq9pM/s320/Swimming_11.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382993740124929474" border="0" /></a><br />For the rest of the term we spent a bit of time in the Gym and played with the Moonball. We covered Dodgeball and some games involving big balls. It was short and sweet.<br /><br />Our next unit was about Throwing and Catching something or other. We touched on Cricket, Ultimate Frisbee and one other game and the class voted out Cricket (which would have been fun to do) but I enjoyed Ultimate Frisbee the same. We became pros!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZdQfLYNGTXo5x6MhuUJwzWotOtDkP3mXlxU-KwiltpZ2xUmgJM13_v26R8M2BvuP0_jSB34-qe-H42iN0PgVbyiv3yU5T0En0u5peub35_thEc6xsBtDyuJY9sMstFDtszyYmJ84Bso/s1600-h/skybacherultimate.f0zear814gocwkog4os8cos80.dyvz4sut4lc04scss800sgw48.th.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZdQfLYNGTXo5x6MhuUJwzWotOtDkP3mXlxU-KwiltpZ2xUmgJM13_v26R8M2BvuP0_jSB34-qe-H42iN0PgVbyiv3yU5T0En0u5peub35_thEc6xsBtDyuJY9sMstFDtszyYmJ84Bso/s320/skybacherultimate.f0zear814gocwkog4os8cos80.dyvz4sut4lc04scss800sgw48.th.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382994452602681890" border="0" /></a>We've just finished Move It, which was a variety of things. We covered Te Reo and had to make up a haka in groups and present it to the class. We also did the Maori stick rhythm activity. Following that we all learnt Folk dance, Disco and Rock 'n' Roll! We just did basic choreography but I already knew the step of Rock 'n' Roll!<br />We had to do a lot of dances in groups and present them to the class. Some were with props, some with specifications. It was our final one that was our assessment, and though I don't know my grade, we all passed.<br />Oh, and we did Yoga and Jump-jam! Yoga made us all feel so silly and inflexible!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoVylI20ye2mN5wEEjtaBfOgzD1lORzZqvE1DKIbIANOuyX5QPGPZnQa3Ua22pHLg2RYoU1yXLnNG4AAm-QaTIiaIF-9dqb_gy_A_bnpLx5PkD0aAczhl_SN1POU9X1kBOJESWhH2qZY/s1600-h/yoga_may20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoVylI20ye2mN5wEEjtaBfOgzD1lORzZqvE1DKIbIANOuyX5QPGPZnQa3Ua22pHLg2RYoU1yXLnNG4AAm-QaTIiaIF-9dqb_gy_A_bnpLx5PkD0aAczhl_SN1POU9X1kBOJESWhH2qZY/s320/yoga_may20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382993819632580306" border="0" /></a><br />Now we're doing Invasion games. We started out with Basketball and two people taught the class for a lesson as part of an option in Academic Week. I did so the following day and brought my whistle! It was very cool to be the teacher and blow the whistle lots, although I am not as good a basketball player as my peers. Yet I managed to get them all doing a wide variety of drills from my netball training and we finished off with a game. Personally, I was most pleased with how I used the time and the different things I coached them in. I covered shooting, dribbling and passing, and my teacher was pleased with me too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq65Wa0kPY0A6TqryVOyb1pRzPj9rMh6ATqtWvQheGd1pb4vt_A16JcXGZ1wso1UijcTJlHmcrr9s_pBKSVB88Mq2CLFODM7zLZ7qCse4PaLbxmNTQVOAUCQsvH4yPa_K4eiGKMSvvNQc/s1600-h/basketball3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq65Wa0kPY0A6TqryVOyb1pRzPj9rMh6ATqtWvQheGd1pb4vt_A16JcXGZ1wso1UijcTJlHmcrr9s_pBKSVB88Mq2CLFODM7zLZ7qCse4PaLbxmNTQVOAUCQsvH4yPa_K4eiGKMSvvNQc/s320/basketball3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382993046413221490" border="0" /></a>Then we did Netball, and my teacher resumed her position. I was good at this bit because I played for 3 years. It was a good chance to revise on my knowledge of rules and skills, and in the final assessment, I played Goal Keep, which I played in 2008 sometimes. I like that position!<br />We have just finished our Tchouck Ball assessment, which is probably one of my favourite sports now. It was new to all of us but I picked it up quickly because it is just like Netball except the way you get points is different. Rather than shooting goals you must bounce the ball off the rebounder from outside the goal circle without it getting intercepted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQn5Kklk4W2fLbL3v7Aesq3JtcZgsdAmX7R5-NQ8Y1WJCKCQpLEkg1n4xfhY3uU1fDy8UOvPRQW_YBmOUah8ar939IizQeInW8CkkjGXDZYnx4SooOCnhifcJh-TL89OGMMB5W6TXWvo/s1600/rugbyball.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQn5Kklk4W2fLbL3v7Aesq3JtcZgsdAmX7R5-NQ8Y1WJCKCQpLEkg1n4xfhY3uU1fDy8UOvPRQW_YBmOUah8ar939IizQeInW8CkkjGXDZYnx4SooOCnhifcJh-TL89OGMMB5W6TXWvo/s400/rugbyball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407176828727388978" border="0" /></a>There are now two weeks of school left and we are on our final unit of Team Games. We started with Touch Rugby and I hadn't played a serious game before so I was intent on picking up the rules of the games, which I did. I came to enjoy it and came close to scoring a try, but over the summer I might play a bit more.<br />We're doing soccer at the moment and I am more familiar with the rules. I had a lot of fun playing it today and made myself useful, hopefully, to our striker!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkIPKbB7xgtp5A1iP3_IIBzQTaXEcCqWzpzY6_tPv83nal7XFPQq0NYChZyArSdbbzLHVSqxQNp9EqP66dHf3Aiosu-vBgWyDPL_gr72_lICB_7LFcl1hN6YP-VBSHNqF9zoFeFP1IKA/s1600/soccer-ball.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkIPKbB7xgtp5A1iP3_IIBzQTaXEcCqWzpzY6_tPv83nal7XFPQq0NYChZyArSdbbzLHVSqxQNp9EqP66dHf3Aiosu-vBgWyDPL_gr72_lICB_7LFcl1hN6YP-VBSHNqF9zoFeFP1IKA/s400/soccer-ball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407176991874182162" border="0" /></a>Yesterday we went on a clue hunt and answered questions by following a map of the school around. It led us all over and was so much fun! Today we had a massive 3 class game of dodgeball. Our side won the first game. They won the second. The third had a 6 minute time limit and they freed their whole team in the last 30 seconds. We freed our whole team in the last 3 seconds, so I think we tied!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqSTmsPPr_KVl4A5gLT28xHdaoAqd5TeMM4lKuluPjzY1kEuZdUy1H2oJXxB-DBLZZLeVcWEDe0YAY3RTkwZ9YMDZt7DArCVhZcJnbBrfNKJtwqMOfG7JnTj4jfktjQ0NedIS1L4WoLA/s1600-h/compass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqSTmsPPr_KVl4A5gLT28xHdaoAqd5TeMM4lKuluPjzY1kEuZdUy1H2oJXxB-DBLZZLeVcWEDe0YAY3RTkwZ9YMDZt7DArCVhZcJnbBrfNKJtwqMOfG7JnTj4jfktjQ0NedIS1L4WoLA/s400/compass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412793811158946066" border="0" /></a>That concludes P.E 2009. I've come to enjoy sport a lot more this year and I'll work really hard in 2010.Nicola Harviehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06286044153533812484noreply@blogger.com0