Writing Prompt - Information Bubbles

I don't think that I would enjoy this very much. Way too many private things would be broadcasted out for everyone to see. Especially with moods, as they are rather private things, and you don't always want everyone to know what you're feeling. It would be way too intrusive, especially if you had no control over where your thought roamed. Also, I wouldn't feel comfortable with random people knowing my full name, and where I live.

On the other hand, medical issues and the like would be rather helpful for doctors to know, especially if you were unconscious and injured. I don't really warm to this idea, and would resist if it was compulsory.

Also, the world would be rather safe, as if somebody was thinking about robbing a house or murdering anyone, or even killing themselves, they would quickly be caught by the police and taken to a mental facility or be talked out of doing whatever they were thinking of doing.

Day-to-day life wouldn't change much, the only thing I can think of is people would either try to please you with gifts with the sort of thing you like, or talk about those things... and if everyone did that, those things would become rather boring very fast.

Creative Names

Making and Taking Notes

When the administrators of the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center inProvidence, Rhode Island, adopted six 'therapy' cats from an animal shelter, they had no idea that among them was one that possessed an uncanny sixth sense to predict theimpending death of terminally ill patients.

Oscar the tabby cat's story begins in 2005, when the newly born kitten was placed on third floor of the nursing center, home to patients that are in the last stages of illnesses like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer. The kitten spent the first year lazing around and watching the bustling activity around him. Then, just before his first birthday, Oscar began visiting each of the 41-patients on the floor regularly, just like the doctors and nurses did.

Initially, the hospital staff did not pay much attention to the feline's behavior. However, after some of the people that Oscar was snuggled next to passed away, they began to notice a pattern - the cat only went close to those that were a few hours away from dying. Otherwise, he would curl up on a desk and spend the day sleeping.

To test if it was just a coincidence, the staff tried to place Oscar next to a patient they believed was close to dying. But the paranormal cat refused to stay put an

d decided to snuggle next to someone else. Turns out he was right because 'his' patient died that same evening, while the one whose death the nurses had thought was imminent, lived on for another two days.

Among the biggest believers in Oscar's paranormal powers is Dr. David Dosa, ageriatrician and Assistant Professor at Brown University. He is so convinced of Oscar's unusual 'gift' that he not only published a paper about him in the New England Journal of Medicine, but also wrote a book. Entitled "Making rounds with Oscar: The extraordinary gift of an ordinary cat’, the 2010 publication outlines the various pieces of evidence he has been able to gather about the cat's predicting powers. Also convinced is the hospital staff who has been using Oscar's foretelling abilities to inform family members so they can bid farewell to their loved ones before it's too late.

Of course, not everyone believes that Oscar has a sixth sense. Some feline experts think that his perfect timing may have to do with a certain smell that the cat has come to associate with death. Others speculate it may have to do with the lack of movement in people that are about to die.

Then there are the skeptics who maintain that Oscar's record is not as perfect as it has been made out to be. They think that the hospital staff and Dr. Dosa have simply 'cherry-picked' the occasions when Oscar has been accurate and ignored the ones when he has not. Fortunately, none of this negative chatter has affected nine-year-old Oscar who continues to provide comfort to sick people in their final hours!

Reflection of GC Orientation

Today we, (The Year Eight Girls) went to Girls College for Orientation Day. 

We were shown around the school by four students of the school, two year nines, and two year tens. They were called ambassadors. 

There were only two people I saw whom I recognised. One was Kate Wykes, who is my dad's friend's daughter. Another was Zoe -I don't know her last name- Who I did mariners with, which is a sailing/activities group of girls. They were both ambassadors of the school. 

We firstly walked around the school, until we reached the Drama class. We got given a bag of information about the school, costs, and bus routes. It also held a booklet with a map of the school on it, and a bus behaviour slip. After looking through the items we were given, we had to write on a piece of paper; Our name, the date, three words to describe ourselves, and what we were looking forward to. These pieces of paper are going to be given back to us in year 13, so they're like time capsules. 

A bell rang, and we left the classroom with the four ambassadors, and the drama teacher. We were given a piece of paper with pictures of the school, and we used the map on the back of the booklet we were given to match the pictures to the places they belonged to. 

I was rather impressed with the size of the school, and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to get lost... a lot. At least we can catch up with our friends at lunchtime, so that we can walk around together! 

It was rather overwhelming, but I'm still excited for next year! Also, pretty nervous, as I hope to get into the accelerant class, and I'm waiting for a letter!  

Movie Challenge Reflection

What your group did well?
I think that our plot-line was pretty realistic. 

What would YOU do differently next time?

I think speak a little louder, the audio was sometimes hard to hear in some points.

Based on the criteria, how would you improve your movie if we gave you time.
We only did normal angles, no shots from above, or clever positions. We could've been a lot more creative with it.

Teamwork: Able to work collaboratively as a team to produce a movie
We should've stayed in the same room together, talked to each other about things so that we were all aware of what is happening, so then we could work together.

Quality of message: Life Ed theme. Shows understanding or learning from Life Ed programme
Show some more REACH WITS, and maybe a flashback to life ed.

Able to use film making conventions: Camera angles, dramatic intention
We didn't really do any creative angles, except for maybe the one were the bus students walk out of the bus. That was still pretty bland, though.

Sound quality: Ability to ensure all dialogue is heard

It was a bit windy in the outside scenes, otherwise it was alright.

How to create a felt rock

Waimarino - Blade of Grass

My light green skin glistened as the rain poured down around me, puddling around my feet. A drop of water slid off my nose, and I shuddered as the wind hassled me, pushing me from side to side. A loud chattering noise filled the air as tall, lanky, things with two legs started to fill the clearing. Oh, not again. They obnoxiously trampled over me, the covers on their feet pressed indents into the ground. They dropped off the heavy objects on their backs, to the white cover away from the cold rain that fell from darkening clouds. After a while of mumbling, they ran over to a protruding board, that stood over the water. The twolegs made a line, and they started to dive into the lake. Screams of shock and excitement echoed around as the water enclosed their bodies. They clambered out, using an object that started underneath the surface of the water, and came out, leading onto the land. The twolegs wrapped their arms around themselves, trying to keep warm -to no avail.- They turned, and started heading back towards me, water running down their bodies, their wet dirty feet making a "Slap"sort of sound as they hit the ground. 

They entered a pool, surrounded by rocks, and submerged themselves, attempting to "shake off the cold." They stayed there for a while, the rain still pounding down around them, then came out, smiles on their faces. They started to spread out, going to various places around my home, Waimarino. 

I watched as one girl backed up from the Slip 'n' Slide, then ran forward and sprawled onto her belly as the water rushed around her, propelling her forwards. She splashed into the water at the bottom and rested there for a while, enjoying the warmth. 

A couple of people were on the water trampoline, struggling to clamber up the ladder. They were grinning as they finally climbed on, and bent their legs, then pushed up, propelling themselves into the air, bouncing. 

Across from that, the blob was being used, a boy sitting at the end of the colourful thing. Another boy jumped, landed. The boy at the end was thrusted into the air, shouting, and did a backflip, then landed with a "Splash" 

My view was blocked from the other activities, but I could her excited laughter and yet more complains about the cold. I wished they would just... leave. Their noise, their footsteps, their food wrappers. It disrupted my home. I sighed. At least they would be gone soon. It wasn't as if I could do anything about it, anyway. 

Life Ed - Addiction

Addiction is when you need a drug to feel normal

FAR = Faster absorption rates

MR JMICE = 

Memory

Reason

Judgement

Mechanical Skills

Concentration

Emotions

REACH WITS = 

Reason

Excuse

Asseritve

Change the Subject

Humor

Walk Away

Ignore

Tell Someone or Toughen Up 

Say no

This shows addiction to drugs and how it takes affect. 

Life Education - Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine

 What is Methamphetamine? Methamphetamine is a highly harmful, illegal drug. It is very addictive, and can cause intense changes to a person's personality. It is also known as meth, P, chalk, ice, and crystal, alone with other slang words. 

What does it do to your body? 

Some short term effects include:

- Loss of Appetite
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Disturbed sleep
- Nausea
- Aggressive behaviour
- Hallucinations
- Panic
- Convulsions, seizures, and sometimes death from large amounts

Long term effects include: 

- Permanent damage to blood vessels
- Liver, Kidney, and heart damage
- Destruction of tissues of nose (From sniffing)
- Breathing problems (If smoked)
- Infectious diseases
- Weight loss
- Tooth decay
- Disorientation
- Depression
- Damage to brain

Find before and after images of people to show the difference. 

 

Summarise the facts of a NZ murder case where the defendant was a P addict eg the RSA murders, samurai sword murders, the Masterson girl or any others you can find.

Apparently, NZ is the number one user of Methamphetamine. We use more than Australia and US.

Antonie Dixon, a meth user, murdered a man and used a samurai sword to chop off two girls hands. He was caught and got taken to prison, but killed himself using an "Anti-suicide blanket"

Steve Williams was driving  Coral (6), and Storm (8), after a night of smoking pure methamphetamine. His mother said he had been up close to 5 days without sleep or food. When they arrived at school, it was pouring with rain, and Coral refused to get out. Steve got into a rage and reached into the backseat, holding Coral down while punching her repeatedly. He broke her jaw in two places, her jawbone was protruding from one side of her face. Her blood was everywhere, including on him. When Steve settled down, Coral was unconscious on the floor. Steve drove off in a panic, and when he threw her into a bush she let out a small groan, so he bashed her skull in with a tree branch.

Storybook

Read this free book made on StoryJumper

Homework - Aims

Last week was aims week. I was one of the three people (Along with my teacher, Mrs Mills.) that filmed the sports, made them into videos, then uploaded them to youtube.

Day 2
Multisport
Day 5

These are some of the videos we made. It was a great week, and I had lots of fun!

Homework - Rimu Tree Inq

Link

Dangerous Decibels

Today we (Room 41) went to Dangerous Decibels in the Whare Kai, where we learnt about our ears
and what can hurt them. Toni was our teacher for the session.
Dangerous Decibels is a program which teaches kids about hearing loss and how to avoid it.
We learnt that decibels are a way of measuring sound, just like kilograms are a way of measuring other things.
The amount of Decibels that is safe to be around is 85, where at 90 you can be around the noise for 2 hours. As the amount of decibels go higher, the amount of time you can be around the noise goes shorter.

Toni showed us a chart with three colours. At the bottom was green, then orange, then red. Green was the sounds you could listen to forever, and some of the things on it were; Washing Machine, Food Mixer, Piano Practice, and Rain. The orange was things that are dangerous but can be okay for a period of time. Car Traffic, 8 hours, Lawn mower, 2 hours, Motorcycle, 15 minutes, etc. The red held things that you can't listen too, and things that might instantly kill our ears. Fireworks, A Bass Drum, and a Heavy Metal Concert.

Then we did a few small activities.

Toni asked us to put our fingers in our ears to block out as much sound as possible. We then had to talk to the person beside us to see how it would be like, all day, everyday, to have severe hearing loss.

We then took a tuning fork each and banged it once on the ground. We held it away from our ears a few centimetres and listened to the sound it made. After that we took a ping pong ball on a string and banged the fork on the ground once. We then held that spot to the ping pong ball. The ping pong ball bounced back and forth. We repeated this, but with more bangs on the ground, which made the bounces more violent.

5 volunteers took a hand full  of pipe cleaners. These represented the tiny hairs in your ears that you can damage. They gently brushed their hand over the pipe cleaners, pretending their hand was normal talking. The pipe cleaners popped back. Then they violently hit the pipe cleaners. This was meant to be a heavy metal concert. The pipe cleaners got damaged. The volunteers tried to fix them but it was impossible.

The final activity was where 3 volunteers got given a decibel recording device and were told to stand at different places in the room, pointing the devices at a blender. Toni turned it on. The person closest to the blender got the highest amount of decibels, and the person furthest away got the least.

After these things we talked about ways to protect our hearing and how you can keep yourself -and your ears- safe.

Current Events 10

Why is Bounce Below different from other trampoline parks?

Bounce Below is different from other trampoline parks because it is located in an old slate mining cavern. It is also the biggest underground trampoline park in the world. 

What are some of the things visitors will experience at Bounce Below?

Bounce below is lit up with many lights, making it look beautiful and magical. There is a series of trampolines across 10,000 square feet, all connected by slides. The biggest is a  60-foot plunge. There is also chutes and ladders. For different age groups, the trampolines are set at different heights, so that everyone can enjoy it. For people who like thrills, or trampoline experts, there is a trampoline that lies 180 feet above the cavern floor. For young children there is a trampoline set 20 feet from the ground. 

What are the two ziplines called? What is special about each one?

There are two ziplines at Zipworld, for people who are interested in above-ground activities. They are called Velocity and Titan. They are located 45 minutes within each other. 

The Velocity is a mile long, and is 500 feet above the ground. It is the Northern Hemisphere's longest and fastest zipline, allowing people to travel to speeds exceeding 100mph. 

The Titan is the first zipline in the world has four lines that are side by side, allowing family members or friends to travel along beside each other. The Titan goes at 70mph. 

Zip World is also trying to build the world's first underground zipline. 

https://www.dogonews.com/2014/8/20/mining-cavern-transforms-into-worlds-largest-underground-trampoline-park

Rimu Homework - Do an Artsy afterschool activity

On a Wednesday afternoon after school I go to art classes. We can sculpt, sketch, or paint. I haven't done any sculpting yet. Here is some artwork I have done. The cheetah is an old picture.

Rimu Homework - Complete 3 ICAS

This term I did 3 ICAS. Writing, Spelling, and English. I haven't gotten the results yet but will take a picture of the certificate after they come through. 

I am hoping in at least one of them to get a distinction. (Although probably won't)

Maori Myths and Legends - The Unseen

Homework completed story

The frozen air made my nose burn as I sniffed the ground for a scent. My grey fur kept me warm, though when the wind whipped it, or the rain pelted it, I grew cold, as did my pack.

My family.

I caught a whiff of elk and wagged my tail, signalling for my pack to hunt with me. My cubs were at my side already, and they were excited, as it was their first hunt. My luna was just behind me, keeping the cubs in check with short nips to their hind legs if they lagged.

I ran, following the scent, revelling in the feeling of running free with my pack through the bush. I felt invincible.

I screeched to a halt when the smell of elk was overpowering. The smell danced around my nostrils, luring me in, making me pad closer and closer… down on my stomach now, the cold winter frost freezing my belly; but I didn’t care.

I watched my mate crawl forward, awaiting the signal to join him, when, just as he lunged, I spotted a hunched figure sitting in behind a tree, wielding a gun.

A bright flash of light… A loud bang… a terrified scream… then silence.

My mate lay, sprawled across the ground, sunken into the snow in a puddle of his own blood. His eyes shadowed fear, confusion and pain.

My heart slowly got stomped on, shot at, punched, ripped, shredded, and then fell into little pieces on the floor. Tears streamed down my face, and I herd our cubs into the throng of the pack, ordering them to stay, before running out to him, anger and grief overwhelming my common sense.

I only had time to reach him before a searing pain runs through my chest, and I stumble, falling onto my mate. My blood starts to stain his fur, and the world starts to become darker. I close my eyes, making it easier to go. At least I’ll be free, with my mate, when I’m off the face of the earth. I smile. That’s my last thought before everything goes black.

A few years after my parents… died, I led the pack. My head held high, I ran through the deep snow, and avoided the white-topped trees.  The pack ran behind me, following my every movement, and my brothers and one sister ran at my shoulders. Their tongues lolled out of their mouths and their happiness entered my soul, as we ran, without a care, through the forest. I caught a whiff of rabbit and ran, gleefully, signalling with my tail for the pack to follow. I spotted the rabbit, quivering in fear, it’s leg tied to a tree.

Wait… what?

Yes, that’s right. He checked again. It’s leg was tied to the tree. He glanced around, making the pack stop. Under his breath he growled, his tail flicking in apprehension.

His eyes darted around the nearby forestry until his gaze found what he was looking for.

A dark figure sat, holding a gun that rested over a log.

My grow grew in intensity as I realised who this was, and what he had done.

I flicked my tail, and stormed over to the man. When I was a few feet away from him I sprinted, then jumped on him, pinning him down. I put my muzzle my his neck and just let myself breath in his scent, the one that would be all over the forest floor in just a few seconds, in the form of blood.

Just as I bring my head back, to deliver the killing bite, I notice how wide the man’s eyes are, how fear fills them. I falter, and have a thought. If I kill this man, am I just as bad as he is? I can’t bring myself to kill him, so I growl loudly in his face, showing him my sharp canines, my lips peeled back, before jumping off. I stalk over to his gun, and crush it between my teeth, reducing it to rubble.

I turn and give him a stare, before running over to the rabbit and snapping it’s neck. I trot back over to my pack, and start to howl. I think of my parents, and imagine they are watching over me, smiling, happy with my decisions.

That man won’t be killing any more wolves any time soon.

Homework Task

Task One, Post One: Improve your writing skills: Complete a piece of writing and submit it for publishing in a writing competition. 

http://www.schoolforyoungwriters.org/competitions/storyEntry.pdf

Current Events 9

What are androids?

Androids are human-looking robots. They think, talk, and make action like humans do in everyday life. 

Name the three robots Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro has created for the 'Android: What is Human' exhibition? What are their respective roles?

Two females, an adult (Ononaroid), a child (Kodomoroid) , and a small baby-like robot (Telenoid). They can have conversations with people, helping to make them less "creepy." Kodomoroid can recite news articles, and speak several different languages, in different voices ranging from a high pitched girls voice to a low mans voice. Telenoid can hug people and engage in short conversations. 

Why are androids more difficult to build then normal robots?

They have to make everything a human has, for example, the teeth. Then they have to carefully mold and paint the android to look like a normal human. After that they have to program it carefully to make actions like a human, and also think like a human. 

Some people believe android robots are cool. Others think they are a little creepy. What side are you on? Why?

I am kind of a fence sitter. I think it is pretty cool to be able to make a robot that can think like a human, but I also wouldn't want to have a conversation with one of them.  It is unnatural.

http://www.dogonews.com/2014/7/21/japanese-scientist-builds-robots-that-look-eerily-human

Current Events 8

Why did Direct Blinds ask people to post pet pictures on their Facebook page?

Direct Blinds asked people to post naughtiest photos on their facebook page of their pet for a competition. It was about who has the naughtiest, or most mischievous pet.

What title did Yodie win? What did he do to deserve it?

Yodie, a german shepard and keeshond cross won the title Britain's Naughtiest Pet, and his owner got 500 pounds and some free custom blinds. He was left alone at home, and decided to attack all of the pillows in the house, tearing them apart and spreading the contents around the house. 

What are the 2nd and 3rd place winners known to do frequently?

The second place winner, Harry, was known to tear apart newspapers and magazines. The third place winner, Stoops, a black cat, used to get into the fridge to lick the cold milk bottles.

What is the naughtiest thing that you have seen or heard a pet do?

My cat taunts my dog, and then when the dog comes over she attacks it, chasing it around the yard. 

https://www.dogonews.com/2014/7/23/video-of-the-week-british-competition-honors-naughty-pets

Current Events 7

Who was responsible for making Nathan's hot dog contest famous? How many hot dogs did he eat?

In 2001, Takeru Kobashi ate 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes, it gained international fame. 

How many years has Joey Chestnut won the contest prior to this year? What significant event occurred before the contest began?

Joey Chestnut had won seven times before this year. Before the contest started, Joey proposed to his girlfriend. 

What happened in the women's contest?

Three-time defending women's champion Sonya Thomas did not fare as well. She was defeated by Miki Sudo from Las Vegas, who inhaled 34 frankfurters, far outpacing Sonya's mark.

What in your opinion makes food eating contests like these so popular (a) with contestants (b) with viewers?

I think that it's popular because the contestants get to stuff as much food in, and get money for it if they win. I think it's a fairly rewarding contest. 

I think it's interesting for  the viewers to watch this event. 

https://www.dogonews.com/2014/7/7/joey-chestnut-wins-hot-dog-eating-contest-for-eighth-consecutive-year

Bali Inquiry

These baskets that are left all over the streets in Bali are offerings to their gods. They are called Canang Sari. It is a sort of ritual where they give back to the gods what they give to them. They do it for the gratitude of life. Offering apparently pleases spirits, and brings health and prosperity to the giver. There is many different types of offerings, as in if you have had good food, you might leave some food in a basket. Leaving these all over the streets is very natural to the people of Bali, and it is an honour to offer them.

School in Bali starts at a later age than in NZ (7), until the age of 15. School is free for public schools. However, parents must buy books, stationary, uniform, and additional funds for school outings. Religion based, international, and national plus schools are not free. Schools go from Primary (6-12 years) to Secondary (13-15 years) to Higher Education (University, Institute).

The fish are called Garrarufa Fish, or a more common name, Doctor Fish. They eat the bacteria and dead skin off your feet with their gums. They release a substance called Dithlanol. It helps to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis. It also helps with blood circulation and makes your face look healthier and smoother. Doctor Fish is one of the best ways to help you to relax.

Batik is an art that is becoming increasingly more popular. It is made using wax and dye. To make a batik, selected areas of the cloth are blocked out by brushing or drawing hot wax over them, and then dried. The parts covered in wax resist the dye and remain the original colour. This process can be repeated to make a colourful cloth.

The Saraswati Temple in Ubud was made to honour Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and the arts, who has clearly given her blessing to Ubud. This temple is very beautiful and artistic, so many tourists come to see its charm, but some come for purposes of worship. There are weekly dance performances by night; by day painters set up easels.

Term 2 PMI

P: 
I am happy with how my maths is coming along, because I have learnt a lot and am heaps better now.
My literacy is still at high levels, and I am hoping to get into the extension class at Girls College.
I had lots of fun at Science Tech and Electronics Tech.
I finished my Science Fair, and liked how it looked and worked

M:
I didn't participate in the cross country due to my chest infection.
There was no sporting activities that I wanted to do this term, like volleyball.

I:
I enjoyed doing my ICAS tests, and am still anticipating the results.
It was fun when the attitude speaker came and talked to the school about making friends.
I am enjoying the times in class when I get to read and I have finished many over this term.
I didn't get any marks for Science Fair but it was fun.

Current Events 6

Questions

How many years ago were these cavemen alive?

Where did they live?

What was traces of found in the poo?

What type of plants were found in the poo?

Who was one of the students who researched on the study?

In what did they find plant microfossils? 

Who are their close evolutionary cousins? 

Answers

1. 50,000

2. Southern Spain

3. Traces of meat

4. Plants, such as tubers, berries, and nuts.

5. Anaira Sistiaga

6. Neanderthal teeth

7. Homo sapiens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/28001703

Current Events 5

How many years has the 'World's Ugliest Dog' contest been around? How many contestants did it attract this year?

The contest has been running for 26 years in the Sonoma Country Fair in Santa Rosca, and this year 29 dogs came to "The Worlds Ugliest Dog" 

How did this year's winner Peanut get his 'ugly' looks?

Peanut was badly burnt in a fire, causing him to lose his lips, body hair, and eyelids. His eyes constantly water as he can't blink. His teeth and his strange looks cause him to look "Ugly" 

What is the organiser's main purpose for organising this unusual competition?

An animal psychiatrist organised the event, so she can check that the dogs are healthy, well looked after, and happy. The competition is a way to honour the dogs, that are mostly looking strange because of animal abuse. It shows people that you can still love animals that are different, and they can love you back. 

Do you think this is an appropriate title for the competition? What would you change it to?

I think it alright. It suits the occasion, but may be a little bit mean for the dogs, even if it its true. I would change it to something like Special, or Unique. Different. Just something I little less mean. 

Current Events 4

What cereal does Rosado use to make her portraits? 

Cornflakes, as she was listening to R 'n' B music whilst eating cornflakes and then the idea came to her.

Why does it take so long to create each masterpiece?

Firstly she has to sketch the face of the person she's about to draw and then crush the cornflakes to the right size. She shapes the eyes, nose, and lips with a pin.

Name some celebrities that have featured in her cereal art series. What kind of art did Rosando unveil in 2013? 

Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Alicia Keys, and John Lennon. In 2013 she unveiled a piece made entirely of dirt. It was a kid on a swing that hung from a tree.

Why do you think that artist picked Corn Flakes and not any other cereal? Can you think of any other everyday food that could be used to create art? 

I think that Cornflakes was a good choice because it easy to crush and it has a colour a little bit brighter than skin tone, which is good for her portraits. I think that ricies and coco pops could also work, as they are skin tones as well, and they are easy to crush, just like Cornflakes.

Current Events 3

Where was the most recent tallest lego structure built? Who built it?

The most recent tallest lego structure built was in Budapest, outside St. Stevens Basilica. Budapest Elementary students built it with the help and assistance of an official lego builders team from Denmark.

What are the two requirements imposed by the Guinness World Records before a Lego tower can be eligible for inclusion?

They must remove wires if they have used them during the construction of the building and they aren't allowed to use adhesive, so the blocks can be unassembled and nothing falls off.

Why does the author believe that a new Lego tower record will be broken soon?

The author believes it because it will be broken because it was broken three times in 2012.

What in your opinion makes building 'the world's tallest lego structure' so important? 

I really don't care at all for anything like this. I don't really enjoy constructing things, lego or not. I think it's just the good feeling for breaking a record that would be enjoyable. I used to play with lego but as I got older I slowly got detached from it, moving to reading and computers.

https://www.dogonews.com/2014/6/5/114-foot-tower-in-budapest-is-the-worlds-tallest-lego-structure

Current Events 2

What is unusual about the reptiles at Nyanyana farm? 

The crocodiles at Nyanyana farm are vegetarians. They are a lot mellower than crocodiles raised on meat, making it easier for people to clean their enclosure, and sleep a large portion of the day.  They might not attack animals, since they are being raised on vegetables. They also have very soft skin, which is good to sell. 

How did they turn this way?

They turned this way when Zimbabwe was having an economic crisis, and couldn't afford enough meat for the 164,000 crocodiles to eat. They started to create pellets made of meat and vegetables, and after a while they realised that the diet did not harm the crocodiles, so slowly they weaned the amount of meat in the pellets. After a while the crocodiles were on a 100% diet of vegetables. 

What are the crocodiles being bred for? 

They are being bred for their skin, which is also associated with their diet, because it makes their skin a lot softer than crocodiles who eat meat. Their skin is sold to European Tanneries, where it is changed into leather and shipped to well known fashion companies like Gucci and Hermes. 

How do you feel about the crocodiles being bred for their skin? Is it different from breeding cows or chickens that are killed for their meat? Why? 

It is unnecessary for crocodiles to be killed just so we can have clothing items. We don't need leather handbags or belts. It's just selfish. I mean, I understand cows and chickens, we need food to eat. But if it is cage farming, i'm against it, as the animals should be able to walk around and reproduce. If we were in great need of clothing or someone in your family was sick and there was a cure with animal skins involves, I think it would be alright as it is necessary. 

https://www.dogonews.com/2014/5/23/vegetarian-crocodiles-you-better-believe-it

Current Events

1. What did Malavath do? Why does the author believe it is so admirable?

Malavath was the youngest girl to ever reach the top of Mount Everest. The Author thinks it is admirable because she is only 13 and it is very hard to climb and because she got altitude sickness and she had to go back down, but she went up again and persevered until she got to the top. They also had to do the harder side of the mountain because the government of Nepal does not allow anyone under 16 to scale the mountain. 

2. What did she have to do to get selected for the Mount Everest climb? What happened when Malavath reached the advanced base camp?

She was at a boarding school, and she got selected for training with 20 other people. She wowed her coach, and out of the two people that were chosen, she was one of them. When she reached the advanced base camp she got altitude sickness and had to go back down, but later persevered and went back up, this time reaching the top. 

3. How long did it take the team to get to the summit? What does Malavath hope her achievement will do to help other people?

It took 52 days. The young girl hopes that her achievements will inspire underprivileged people and girls all over the world, to try achieve their dreams.

http://www.dogonews.com/2014/6/14/13-year-old-indian-girl-becomes-the-youngest-female-to-conquer-the-everest

Homework

Willie Apiata and Jerry Mateparae

Willie Apiata is a soldier who helped a wounded comrade under fire. He is no longer in the army, because he wants to spend more time with his family, who mean everything to him. He won many awards, including the Victorian Cross, and donated them all to New Zealand.

Jerry Mateparae is New Zealand's 20th Governor General. He is also New Zealand's second Maori Governor. He enlisted as a soldier in to the New Zealand Army 1972, and graduated to the officer Cadet School. He served battalions RNZIR, and New Zealand Special Air Service. He commanded the Truce Monitoring Group during Operation Belisi in 1988. He was made an Additional Officer of New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999. He was on the New Zealand honours list. 

Khan Academy 5000

Homework

Student LED recount

How did it go? 
It went really well, and I was really pleased with my results. 

What was it like having them in class? 
It was fine, but it was a little uncomfortable talking. I mean, I had to make sure I was saying the right thing.

What did they like about the process? 
Raewyn liked how we used slides, as it made things a lot easier.

What did you like? 
I liked sharing my writing and reading...yep. Strengths. 

What would you/they like to do differently next time? 
Well, more time to talk about things. We only got about seven minutes speaking, and never got to finish talking about everything she wanted to.

Homework Wk 8

Swimming Sports Recount

  

I stood in a small line of girls, and gazed down the length of it at my competitors. My heart leapt in my throat, and blood rushed through my body, adrenaline at its side. Clap! The race in front of me started to swim through the clear water, doing the doggy paddle. It was over in seconds, and I was walking up to the starting line.

On your marks… I slid into the water, small droplets now covering my olive skin.

Get set… I positioned myself against the wall so I could push myself off for a powerful start.

Clap! I started, legs kicking furiously, arms stretching out in great bounds, my head bobbing quickly across the water.

I taste the bitterness of chlorine enter my mouth. Behind me, I hear girls still struggling. I triumphantly keep going, hearing the crowd shout my name. Droplets cover my eyes, and I blink them out, shaking my head. I see the blue wall coming closer, and I push myself hard.

Get a placing! Get a placing! I think to myself.

Two girls hit the wall before me as I hurtle in, and I reach out my hand, desperate to touch the wall.

The cold, smooth, concrete reaches out to my fingers, and I grasp it. I fumble for a yellow piece of foam. Third Place! I congratulate myself and I glide underneath the water to reach the ladder. I place down the soft piece of foam on Mrs Mills desk. Droplets ran off my body, leaving streaks as I walked back to the bleachers. I grab my towel, wrap it around my waist, and sit down, enjoying the soft feeling and warmth of it.

This had been a great race, and it was just the beginning!

I sure will have a great time telling my parents about this eventful day!  

Technology Report

Monday: We sketched objects we saw in front of us and then made a small print by using polystyrene.

Tuesday: We put other colours over our original print by cutting out shapes in the polystyrene. We used the lightest colour (yellow) First, then red, then black.

Wednesday: We sketched what we were going to carve.

Thursday: We started to draw on and carve our wood print.

Friday: We finished our wood print.

I learnt how to printmake as we never did anything like this at primary.

Reboot

Number One, Two, and Three.