Athletics

On Friday the 6th our school had Athletics. The school was divided into groups like Y8 TK Girls. We did vortex throw, sprints, long jump, shot put and a few others. My favourite activities were long jump and shot put. My least favourite was the discus because I wasn't that good at it. At the end of the day there were relays and I enjoyed watching and cheering for them. It got really sunny throughout the day, but there was a slight breeze. Over all the day was really fun and exciting. 

Elton John- my Passion Project

Hiroshima Bombing News Article

BOMB DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA KILLS THOUSANDS

Yesterday the 6th of august a new type of bomb was dropped from an american plane (Enola Gay) B-29 over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Leaving tens of thousands instantly dead and almost everyone one else injured.

The President of the United States (Harry S. Truman) confirmed yesterday that there was only one bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Also stating that it was an Atomic bomb costing more than two billion dollars. Truman made it very clear that they were willing to destroy every productive enterprise the Japanese have in any city.

A day after the bomb had been dropped the city smelled terribly of burned skin and rotting bodies. Talking to a survivor of the bomb they mentioned the black rain that fell later that day and the shadows that have been left scattered around city.

As soon as the bomb was dropped the city was engulfed in flame. The fire burned almost everything to the ground, leaving the city covered in rubble.

Short Story

For writing we had 15mins to write anything, but the story had to start with. "I couldn't believe it when..." This is what I can up with.

I couldn’t believe it when… the creature waddled over to puddle and began digging through the mud. I just stood there behind the tree staring at it. What was it? Where did it come from? What was it doing? The rain dripped off the bottom of my huge raincoat. It was like I was paralyzed. I couldn’t decide wether I wanted to run away or go up to it. I mean it didn’t look dangerous apart from those 10cm claws it was using to slash at the gluggy mud, It wasn’t getting any deeper, but the creature seemed determined.  There was a loud Shout from across the park, I turned to see who. I couldn’t quite see who because the lady was wearing a beanie and huge sunglass… Wait those glasses, I knew exactly who it was. My Aunty ran closer and closer. She obviously hadn’t seen the creature yet. For some reason I didn’t want her to like I wanted to keep it for myself. I have no idea why for that split second I felt as if I couldn’t trust her.

Matahiwi Marae Reflection

Today the year eights got a bus ride to Matahiwi Marae for Kohahitanga week. First we assembled out by the buses. Then we were called onto the land by a karanga. Sang by Whaea Edwards and Manaia. After that the powhiri was preformed, We sang our school song. Then we shook hands with some kids from clive school. And did a hongi with Matua Mulligan and Matua Unahi.
When everyone had done that we got into a line and walked inside a huge hall with murals all around the inside wall. We all shared some Kai, A biscuit and a cup of water. Then all the year eights were split up into three groups and went to rotations. My group started inside the hall. Whaea Edwards told us about the mural and why it had been painted. Our next rotation was with Matua Unahi inside the marae and he told us about the decorations around the room and the rules of the marae.
Next we went to Matua Mulligan and showed us the markings on the outside of the marae. He reminded us on the rules of the karanga and powhiri. After that we said thank you and jumped back onto the buses.

Transformation Maths

In class for maths we have been learning about transformations. We are drawing transformation art. Here is my work so far.

High Flyers

High Flyers was a journal that our reading group read. It was about a class that built a model plane for the ad for 'Fair Go' they were making on Richard Pearse. Here are some questions and connections I made with this story.

Questions:
Why is the plane small?

How did they make it the same?

How long did it take?

What did they use?

Did they manage to fly?

Why did it take 6 weeks?

Why were they making an ad?

Why did the students chose Richard Peirce?

What is a Pioneer Aviator?

Why didn’t they have lots of Action?

Why did the student recreate Richards Pearse's first flight?

Connections:

a) In media studies we have been learning about storyboards, just like they were using in the story

b) I’m a year 8 student like some kids in the ad

c) In media studies we have been making ads, just like they are doing.

d) In our ads at media studies we had to use different shots

e) I have read a book about richard Pearse

Sinkholes

Sinkholes was an artical on dogo news that my reading group read. It was about sinkholes around the dead sea causing the sea to reduce every year.

Questions:

a) Where is the dead sea and what makes it unique?

b) Why does it attract so many visitors?

c) What is causing so many sinkholes around the Dead Sea?

d) What is one possible solution to preventing the dead sea from disappearing altogether?

e) Why are environmentalists concerned?

Answers:

a) In Israel because it has more salt and you can float easily on the water

b) Because it is an relaxing place and fun, also people might go for the mud

c) Because the water level shrinks which causes the salt to melt away, when they do it leaves behind large empty spaces below the ground. Eventually there isn’t enough minerals and the ground collapses

d) To let the Jordan river to flow freely.

e) Because mixing waters from different habitats has unknown results

If you were a geologist what might you try to solve this problem?

I would put a limit on the mining companies, because we might need to use some of the things they make with the materials from the dead sea.

How To Brush Your Teeth

For writing we are learning to write procceders. Here is my procceder writing on how to brush your teeth.

To start brushing your teeth you first need to get your toothbrush and toothpaste  out of your holder. Open the lid of your toothpaste and squeeze a pea sized dollop of paste onto the bristles of your toothbrush. Now put the lid back on the toothpaste and place it back into your holder. Turn on the cold tap and place your toothpaste under the water. Turn off the tap to save water. Open your mouth as wide as you can and place your brush onto the top of your teeth and brush thoroughly. Now you can spit into the sink and start brushing the bottom.

After that you can put your brush right on the front of your teeth and scrub right across. Now you can spit in the sink and turn on the cold tap. Rinse your mouth out with the water and after rinse your toothbrush. Turn off your tap to save water. Then place your toothbrush back into the holder. Now you have brushed your teeth!!

Treemendous

For treemendous our whole class planted our own plants. We had heaps of fun planting in the treemendous area.

What Makes A Good Friend

In class we have been learning how to write persuisive writing. This is my argument on what makes a good friend.

My name is Courtney and my argument is what makes a good friend.  I will be sharing with you what I personally look for when finding and keeping a friend. Also If you need to be a better friend here are some tips on how.

One of the most important things in a good friend is honesty.  Honesty is something that every good friendship needs. Sometimes good friends will tell you things you don’t want to hear, but it might be something that you need to hear. Like, if you have bad BO a good friend would tell you. You would probably not want to hear that, but if your friend hadn’t you could get embarrassed. Also a good friend will give you honest advice, just like telling you that you that you need to wear deodorant. You don’t always have to take your friends advice, but a good friend will always give advice that they think will help you.

A good friend will always respect your choices and will also encourage you to make good decisions. Maybe as a good friend you might not like the choices your friend makes, but you will still have to respect them. That is just what being a good friend means. Also good friends will respect each others property when they use it.

Good friends need to support each other especially when one of you is upset or just going through something rough. When you're upset you’re going to need someone there to talk to and a good friend will be what you need. Also you might need support when you aren't sure of what to do. You might just need some advice.

Good friends are need to be honest, respectful and supportive. Most importantly good friends are meant to make you feel happy when you see them and they lift you higher with compliments, great advice and support.  I personally want my good friends to show all these qualities because then I know they care for me as much as I care for them.

Earthquake: Plan

Planning:

How do you know it is a Earthquake? The Ground Shakes

Why does the ground shake? Because of the Seismic Waves

Where does the seismic waves come from? Rocks/Plates breaking

Why does the rock/plates Break? From the pressure they have built up

Why is there so much pressure? Because the rocks push against each

Why do the rocks push against each other? Because the plates expanded

Why do the plates expand? Because of the heat inside earth

How? Plan:

Earthquakes are most likely caused when two underground tectonic plates break apart and begin moving against each other. That causes seismic waves which makes the ground shake. When two tectonic plates are rubbing together they don’t just move smoothly, but catch on each other. The plates still push against each other, but without movement. Soon after, the plates break because of all the force they built up, this is the when the earthquake occurs.

While the earthquake is still going and afterwards, the plates continue to move until they catch on each other again. Underground where the plates break is called the focus of the earthquake, the place above the ground is called the epicenter.

Skiing

Alex glanced over at me and smiled, “Go” she yelled over the buzzing of the Ski Lift. I pushed off the metal stand, The seat swung around the corner and I reached backwards for the side and pulled myself on. Slowly it lifted Alex and I further and further away from the ground. It was a beautiful bluebird day. Down below me I could see people whizzing down the slope. We were lifted higher and higher into the air. Alex turned to look at me, “Ready” she asked. I nodded unsure of what she was going to do.  She pulled the bar over our heads and straightened her skis, I did the same. I took a deep breath in and prepared myself to slide off.

ANZAC Tagul

For our inquiry we have been learning more about ANZAC because ANZAC Day is coming up, We all made a tagul on what we think it would have been like living in the trenches.