Advent Calender

WALT- Design and create an original Advent calendar.

Feasts of Christmaas

Recognise how Mary was filled with the Holy Spirit and gives birth to God in human form.

Guiding Hinegaro - Conscience

Recognise the importance of using one's hinegaro - conscience. 

From quotesgram.com

The examination of conscience means to look at how we have used your conscience. When we examine (check, look, observe) our conscience how much of a difference it made to our lives. To think about what you’ve done over our lives, to reflect on our decisions and how we have treated others.

Luke 23 : 39-43

Scripture:

WALT : Explain the relationship between the choices people make everyday and life after death.

Luke 23 : 39-43

The scripture is set of the time of Jesus’ crucifixion when Jesus is hanging on the cross with the two criminals. With one saying ‘you are the messiah, save yourself and us’. And the other recognizes and ask ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom’. In his act of reconciliation and repent Jesus ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ This just proves how gentle and forgiving our messiah and God  is.

Invisible Force (Day 2)

New Zealand Celebrates Guy Fawkes

As part of our independent reading program, we use Kiwikidsnews to learn about news in New Zealand (national news) and around the world (international news). Walht:  Read closely to analyze an article and to think critically about the messages within them.

New Zealand celebrates Guy Fawkes

1. Find a quote from the main person in this news article?

The article mentions a statement from the Fire Service last year saying ‘that there have been 418 Guy Fawkes incidents, down from 618 in 2007

2. In your own words describe what happened in this news article.

Thousands of New Zealanders all over the country have celebrated Guy Fawkes by attending local public fireworks displays. There have been displays in Auckland and Christchurch. But Wellington is claiming to have the country’s largest fireworks display.

3. Find out where this event took place and include some information about this place.

In Auckland, in Waitakere Trusts Arena and Orewa Beach. Christchurch a David Bowie - themed fireworks at the New Brighton Pier.  

4. Tell us when this event happened and explain what might happen in the future.

On the 5th of November on Guy Fawkes.  

5. Explain in your own words why this event took place.

To celebrate Guy Fawkes.

Choices, Judgement and Life After Death

WALT : Describe the relationship between the person one becomes in life and one's life after death.

As we live our lives, our choices, and actions are recorded by God. So when we pass away we wait in purgatory as we examine our conscience  and God gives us his judgment on how we lived our life whether we go to heaven or hell. 

Judegment

WALHT - Recognise what is meant by judgment. This wordle is compiled  with words that link directly to the word "Judgement".

Invisible Forces (Day 1)

All Saints Day

St. Mary

St. Mary, known by various names such as Mary, Mother of God, Mother of Christ. She was a 1st century Galilean Jewish woman, was the Mother of Jesus Christ, son of the Father Almighty God. I chose Mary as my saint name because I admire her and what she did. How her faith guided her actions to lead God to chose her to be the Mother Of Christ.

Something Good in Each Day

Survey Response

WALT - 

• Write a survey using google forms.
• Use the feedback to create and display that data in a pie graph
• Analyse the results.

The above data display shows that  more than half of the participants choose Cookies n Cream. The same amount of people choose chocolate and other. And that none of them chose vanilla.

The above data display proves that 5 out of 14 people prefer spaghetti more than chicken and rice. The graph shows that 6 out of 14 of the participants choose to go with different responses.

The above data shows 5 out of 13 people choose other.  4 out of 13 people choose Burger King. And the same amount of people choose KFC and Nando’s.

Waka Ama & High Bars

WALT compare and contrast information from 2 articles to identify similarities and differences.

Courage is just one of many values, these girls showed doing the sports they love. With differences in genre, sport and no. of people playing there are major relations between their behavior and attitude to sports. It's their competitive spirit and perseverance that help them drive themselves to complete their goals. Dedication and determination are a few more values shown as they work to be one of “the best of the best”.

Book Review

 WALT- Write a review for a target audience.

I highly recommend Infinity Ring Divide and Conquer to 11 - 13-year-olds. It’s a time travel, sci -fi and adventure book. About three kids going through time to fix breaks in the past to save the future.

Graphs

WALT
 -Use a spreadsheet to enter and display data.
-Analyse and discuss data displays.


Data indicates that this person started with a score of 17. The following week rose to 20 then dropped to 19. Consecutive weeks show marked improvements.



The data shown shows this student scores for 7 basic fact tests. Starting with 60 and consecutively rising to 99 and dropping to 40. And rising to 75, 88 and 90.

Photosynthesis

WALT - Write a factual explanation.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the procedure plants and other photosynthetic organisms use to make food.

First, the  plant or organism captures the energy of the sunlight. In plants, the energy capturing process occurs in the leaves and other green parts of the plant. The chlorophyll in plant cells is what gives plants their green colour. The green colour comes from pigment coloured chemical compounds that absorb light. The pigments capture light energy and use it to power the next part of photosynthesis.

Next, the  plant or organism transfers the light energy into a chemical energy. This chemical energy is then stored as carbohydrate molecules, such as sugar including glucose. Which is made of synthesised 6 CO2 (carbon dioxide ) from our exhaled air and 6 H2O (water) absorb from the ground. This chemical energy is the fat, protein and starch made by plants.

As the plant absorbs CO2 it excretes O (Oxygen) as its waste.

Most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a crucial process ; without it we wouldn't have air or be able to breathe fresh clean air.

Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens

At the Botanic Gardens, we expanded our knowledge about companion planting and learnt about  friends and foes, organic sprays, and the possibilities of using nature to help our garden.  After categorizing, we were surprised what kind of insects could be grouped under the headings ‘Friends and Foes’.

How to make Weet Bix Parfait

How to make Weet Bix Parfait

To make a healthy and easy snack.

Ingredients

• Weet Bix
• Bananas (sliced)
• Yoghurt
• Stewed Apples

Materials

• Cup
• Spoons

Method

Step 1. Scoop stewed apples into the bottom of the cup.

Step 2. Crush weet bix and sprinkle over apples.

Step 3. Scoop a dollop of yoghurt over weet bix.

Step 4. Place banana slices on top of yoghurt.

Step 5. Eat and Enjoy

How to make Apple Crumble

We are learning to use the proper structure of a procedure.

Ingredients

-Apple

• 4 apples
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• Water (enough water to cover bottom of pot)
• Cinnamon Tablespoon (Optional)

-Crumble

• ½ cup flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 3 Tablespoons butter

Materials

• Pot
• Peeler and Knife
• Chopping Board
• Hand blender
• Bowl
• Round Pyrex Dish
• Microwave

Method

-Crumble

Step 1. Blend butter and flour together.

Step 2. Mix in baking powder and sugar into the flour.

-Apple

Step 1. Peel, core and chop apples. Add to pot with water.

Step 2. Put on stove, on high until it boils. Take off heat add sugar and cinnamon.

Step 3. Put back on heat. Stir and let cook until soft.

Step 4. Scoop into a pyrex dish. Sprinkle crumble over.

Step 5. Put in microwave cook for 6-7 minutes.

Step 6. Eat and enjoy.

How to Play Hop Scotch

Walht: Make a procedure on how to play hopscotch in our own way.

Materials

• Chalk    
• Stones
• Friends

Method

Step 1. Draw the picture (on the side) on the ground with chalk.

How to Play

Start with each person with a stone each. The first person tries to throw the stone in the first box. If it rolls or bounces out she/he is also out. When they throw it in they can’t jump on the box with the stone. You jump on the next number. You jump on one leg on each square to the end and back picking up your stone on the way back. And you do that. But once you go past 5 you can buy the squares. So no one but the person that bought it can hop in it.

Worst Holiday Ever

We are learning the proper structure of a recount.

For  most kids a two-week break from school is a vacation, it is a bit like that but it's just time to rest our minds from all the work we've done the past 2 or 3 months at school. But let me tell you my vacation was all work.

In the holidays the only one, that was lucky enough to get  a break was , my mum. She suspects that since we don't have school or homework we should have to take care of Georgia (my little sister). I woke up at the same time as Georgia (which is like 6 or 7 in the morning). Took care, played with and fed her breakfast. Which is much harder when you're half asleep. The only thing on my mind was how she had so much energy.

Finally,  it was 10. Then I gave her a bath. Splashing water, bubbles everywhere and a baby that's wondering what bubbles taste like is not a good mix. But that was exactly what happened. After I finished covering her with bubbles and trying not to get wet. Then came the hardest part, for me. Washing and making sure she didn't stuff her face with water is easy but washing off all the bubbles is harder than it sounds. Every time a drop of water fell on her head she flapped her arms and jumped up and down like she's a bird while trying to pull you into the tub.

That took about 25 minutes to bathe and clothe her. "You can't go out without pants," was the last thing I said after her bath. Then I thought to myself “did I really just say that out loud". By this time, it would have been  10:30. But to me, it's 30 minutes until I get some rest. Chasing and catching her is quite and by quite I mean very tiring. 11:00 finally came. I changed the channel to something she likes (Dora) and I hugged her until she fell  asleep on the couch.

At 11:16 the little ball of energy, at last, is asleep. I placed her in another room and get Tricia (my sister) to stay with her. So then at 11:45 I have breakfast. Then I bring in the laundry, cook my own brunch, wash the dishes and vacuumed  the whole house. At 12:30 I finally got some rest. I read 2 chapters of 'Marvel Age of Ultron' and followed that with a thirty-minute nap before being able to use the computer.

Then the rest of the day from when Georgia woke up Tricia (my older sister) took her and looked  after her until  8:00pm when my mum put her to sleep for the night.

And that is what I did all 14 days of holiday.

Milk Detergent Experiment

Aim: Observe what the detergent does when you wash the dishes.

Materials:

• 
  Plastic dish
• 200ml Milk (dark blue top)
• Eye dropper
• Food Colouring (Different colours)
• Detergent

Method

Step 1. Pour the 200mls of milk into the dish.

Step 2. Carefully put 5 drops of each food colouring in each corner.

Step 3. Drop detergent into the centre of the dish using the eyedropper.

Step 4. Observe what happens.

Reason: The detergent splits and kills the fat in the milk. Merging and swirling the colours together.

God Strand

For R.E we are learning about God's desire of humanity and Jesus' virtues and his actions.

Bean Propagation

WALHT: Carry out and record a scientific investigation.

Purpose:

To grow a bean from a seed.

You will need:

Push pin, yogurt container, soil, seed of a bean, tea bag, water.

Method:

Step 1: Poke holes into the bottom of the yogurt container and pour water to test if the drainage works.

Step 2: Wet the tea bag slightly, place into container, cover and fill with appropriate amount of soil or ¾.

Step 3: Make an indentation in the soil, place bean in and cover with dirt.

Step 4: Add some water and leave in a dry and sunny place. Water daily.

Hypothesis:

I think that it will grow some roots in a week or two.

The Dragon

The Dragon

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away there was a kingdom called Aotearoa but there was a dragon. Aotearoa was ruled by a fair and noble king called King George the 3rd. George was born royal by King George the 2nd and Queen Bella. George's wife Eve had a baby boy named Mark but, unfortunately, she died a couple of days after Mark's birth. Because of her death, George gave his son to his brother Henry, he had his own kingdom far, far from Aotearoa, to raise him as a knight.

    The dragon, it was the size of a castle and had a fire hot as lava. The nasty and very hungry dragon lived in a cave not far. Anyone that dared to take one step in his cave was instantly eaten in one bite. He stayed there only because long an ago he once terrorized the people but King George stopped him if the villagers would give part of their stock to feed him. But because of the lack of rain, there was hardly any crop. So they stopped feeding him.

    One random day something dreadful happened. "Rrroooaaaarrrr" the dragon flew out of his cave into the clouds landing on the castle, destroying more than half of it. Once on his feet, he stomped on the remaining towers. From the rubble, King George appeared yelling "You will not take my kingdom monster!" And in one bite King George was gone. Darkness covered the land and dark clouds covered the sky. Despair, grief, and fear was in the air. While the dragon picked out George's crown from his teeth.

    News of the King’s death spread. Very soon the news of George's death spread to other kingdoms like his brother's. To avenge his brother's death he sent his best knight, Mark (George's son that Henry raises). "Mark, go to my brother's kingdom Aotearoa and slay the dragon and bring me back his head!" Henry ordered.

Mark responded, "Yes your majesty." Mark rode off on his horse followed by a cloud of dust. For days and nights, he rode closer and closer to his destination not knowing it was actually his father's kingdom.

    Slowly entering the once amazing and vast green lands of Aotearoa, but now a dark and abandoned field. Houses turned to ash, markets into charcoal and fields filled with crop now an empty field of dirt.  "Now where is that overgrown lizard." Boom, the burnt market stands still standing fell to the ground. The ground shook anything, not crushed fell to the ground. Rrroooaaarrr, fire shot straight at Mark. "I guess he doesn't like visitors" Mark yelled hiding behind a market stand.

    Mark ran from behind one stand to another making his way to the dragon. Just a couple meters from the dragon, with his sword in his hands, he ran towards the beast pointing at the dragon's neck. The dragon's tall scaly neck. Seconds later Mark's sword ripped through the dragon's neck. Splat the head fell to the ground with liters of slimy and gooey blood dripping from the cut.

    Mark wrapped the dragon's decapitated head and took with him back to Henry's kingdom. A feast was thrown in honor of Mark with the beast's head hanging over the banquet table. Over the following years, Henry and Mark returned Aotearoa to it's vast and lush green lands. The darkness and clouds disappeared and Henry ruled both  and his own kingdom.
WALT use the structure and language features in a narrative.

Seed Propergation

WALHT: Carry out and record a scientific investigation.

Root Hairs

Purpose:

To demonstrate that roots have root hairs.

You will need:

Magnifying glass, blotting paper, large plastic soft-drink bottle, peas, cress seeds.

Method:

Step 1: Cut the top from a used plastic bottle and rinse thoroughly. Place some blotting paper or paper towel around the inside of the bottle, near the bottom.

Step 2: Wedge some cress seeds between the blotting paper and side of the bottle.

Step 3: Add enough water water to fill the bottle to the bottom of the blotting paper. Leave in a warm, light place and watch carefully over a few days for the seeds to germinate.

Step 4: After the seeds have germinated (after 5-7 days), extract one of the plants and place it in a drop or two of water.

Step 5: Examine the root with a magnifying glass.

Hypothesis:

I think that in 2-3 weeks the cress seeds will grow roots and turn green.

Kathleen Hall

In reading this article I have been learning to combine close  reading and inference skills to analyse text to learn more about the qualities of people known as heroes or leaders.

Kathleen Hall was a New Zealand missionary nurse. Her missionary work started in Peking (which is now Beijing) and other large Chinese cities. Yet she knew the people without hospitals in the countryside were the ones that needed the most help. She gained permission to settle into the Hebi mountains near those kind of villages. Kathleen Hall was known as the “barefoot doctor”, because of the way she would walk to the nearby villages to visit and care for the sick.

Kathleen used her neutral citizenship to acquire medical equipment for the Chinese army. At that time it was the most dangerous mission of all. Before being sent back to New Zealand after being caught by the Japanese army, she boarded another ship and joined the Chinese Red Cross.

Miss. Hall believed in helping those in need.  Kathleen believed that even in war people should have the privilege to use medicine. She thought that people lacking medical help are the ones that need most attention. She detested war and the thought of taking sides. This wasn’t  just because she was a missionary.

She was a courageous and brave person. Kathleen showed this in the way she use neutral citizenship to help the Chinese. She was a compassionate person in the way she help and cared for the people in China. She showed perseverance  in the way she kept trying to help the people in need. Kathleen showed this in the way she was a missionary nurse, barefoot doctor, and provided the Chinese army with medical supplies.

Kathleen Hall was someone that put the needs of others in front of her own. She helped people as much as she could. Kathleen didn’t think about what’s in it for them but what more can she do for them. She put their own personal safety in risk to help others.

Kathleen Hall was more than a New Zealand missionary nurse, she was a hero. That’s why there's a marble statue of her in Song Family Village in China.