45 minute inquiry: 02/12/13

Curling is a sport that two teams of four play each other by sliding the heavy polished granite stones down the sheet of ice and try to get it as close as possible to the "House", a circular target marked in the ice.Curling was first thought to be invented in Scotland, by people sliding stones on ice in 1541. There are two paintings both dated 1565. The painting depicts some Dutch peasants playing it on the ice. The word "Curling" first appeared in 1620 in the verses of a poem by Henry Adamson.

45 minute inquiry: 29/11/13

People always see these logs but don't know where they came from, where they are going and why? These logs came from Rotorua by trucks and trains and/or from Asia by ship. These logs are made from pine trees. 

45 minute inquiry: 27/11/2013

1. Totem Pole

Totem Poles are monumental sculptures made from large trees, usually western red cedar, by cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America.

2. Boomerang

The boomerang is thrown tool, typically constructed as a flat aerofoil, that is designed to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of it's flight.

3.  Maori Carving

Carving is the written record of a people who, until the nineteenth century, knew nothing of writing. Carvings preserve much of the history and culture of Maori.

4. Inuit Whaling Boots

During the winter, it was very important for the Inuit to keep their feet warm, so they wore up to four layers of footwear. Typically they wore three layers on their feet: a boot stocking, a sealskin boot (mukluk), and a fur slipper.

The thing they all have in common is that they are all objects of different cultures. Totem poles were made by the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America. The Boomerang came from the aborigines. Maori Carvings came from the Maori. Inuit Whaling Boots came from the Inuits.

Math: patterns

This is a link to my stick pattern.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rE_Cvq5VdsA3lVQy3izXZ9SbQGwbtzpL3XaeJlv1ims/edit?usp=sharing

45 Minute Inquiry: Introduction

Last Saturday Mrs Mills went to Huntly to bow hunt for koi carp. She was hunting them because they are a pest. They eat native fish and their eggs. They pollute the water by stirring up the mud and it kills native trees. Koi carp can grow up to 80cm and can weigh up to 10kg.

Mrs Mills went bow hunting last weekend because the koi carp were spawning (breeding) and they come into the shallows to do this.

Bow hunting is a sport that requires a bow and arrow. You also need a line attached to the arrow so you can retrieve the fish and arrow. You do not need a license in NZ to bow hunt. It has been around since the Victorian era.

Mrs Mills caught 6 koi carp. She didn’t throw them back into the water because you can receive a fine.  She left them on the side of the lake and they were taken by some fishermen.

Which button would you press and why?

In class we were given this picture and were asked the question. We had to explain how or why we would use the power. I choose the grey button because you can use the telekinesis to fly simply by moving yourself. You could go as fast as the speed of sound by putting a force field around yourself made of air that can't be moved.

PE: Tennis

Today we played tennis during PE. We adapted it though so it would be easier. We added under arm serves, faults and double-faults. But we kept the 3 points to win rule. Luke and I partnered up and played about 7 games, we won 5, and lost 2.

Life Ed: Overall

In Life Ed we were taught about the different functions of the brain, they were put into one name to remember them: Mr JM ICE.
Memory
Reason
Judgement
Mechanical skills
Intellect
Concentration
Emotion

We also learn't about the affects on drugs for teens compared with adults, they were simplified into three words: GIB, GAP and Far.
Greater
Impact on
Brain

Greater
Addiction
Potential

Faster
Absorption
Rate

Then we were given nine ways to evade using drugs, they were simplified into two words: REACH WITS.
R-Give a reason
E-Give an excuse
A-Assertive
C-Change the subject
H-Humor

W-Walk away
I-Ignore
T-Tell someone/Toughen up
S-Say no

Waimarino

Yesterday I went to Waimarino with room 41&42. After waiting at the front gate we then went down the stairs to the area where we will be sitting. Jade and Emma were the two instructors, they taught us how to wear the buoyancy aids. Waimarino is a water park, where people go to do water activities. After the briefing we went to the kayaks, put on our gear and paddled out. Down the river we were taught about rafting and "TX" rescues. After we did that we played games like Sharks and Seals. Sharks and Seals is a game where someone starts off as a shark and tries to catch the seal each time a shark catches the seal, the seal becomes a shark too. We then headed back to shore for lunch.

After lunch we did activities like, the high diving board, the Gladiator pole, the Tarzan swing, etc. When we were finished we got changed and headed back to school.

Other schools should go to Waimarino because it is a fun and exciting experience that you will not regret. It also teaches about different kinds of water safety.

People use the "TX" rescue when people and their kayak tip over. They pull the kayak over another kayak (still upside down) and let it drain. Then they tip it upright.

Homework: Drug Webquest

Task 1: Caffeine

1. What purpose does caffeine serve for the living plant containing it?

It acts as a natural pesticide.

2. Caffeine acts on the central nervous system as what class of drug?

Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant.

3. List five other names for caffeine.

Mateine, Guaranine, Trimethylxanthine, Methyltheobromine, Theine.

4. What is the world's primary source of caffeine?

The world's primary source of caffeine is the coffee bean.

5. Why does dark roast coffee have less caffeine than lighter roasts?

If you are buying a cup of coffee and the coffee is measured by weight then dark roast will have slightly more caffeine. BUT if you buy a cup of coffee and it is measured by volume then light roast will be higher in caffeine because you will have more coffee grounds.

6. How much chocolate would you have to eat to get the same amount of caffeine found in two cups of regular coffee?

You would have to eat about 20 chocolate bars to get the same amount of caffeine that two cups of coffee has. 1 chocolate bar has 10mg of caffeine and 1 cup of coffee has 100mg of caffeine.

7. What happens when caffeine is used in combination with other medicines?

It depends on what type of medicine that you are combining the caffeine with. But if it comes down to it the effects can be tragic. Like Heart failure or heart attacks.

8. How fast is caffeine absorbed by the body?

Caffeine is absorbed by the stomach and small intestine within 45 minutes of your first drink. After it is absorbed then it is distributed throughout all the tissue in your body.

One of the metabolic products of caffeine is theobromine what are the two main effects of  theobromine in the body?

The two main effects that theobromine has on the body are that it Dilates your blood vessels and increases your urine volume.

9. What is the minimum lethal dose of caffeine for a human?

The lethal dose of caffeine in a human depends on the weight and height of the person. Also it depends on your Sensitivity. But the estimated amount is about 200mg per kilo of body mass.

10. What are the symptoms of caffeine intoxication?

Symptoms include restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushing of the face, Peeing a lot, muscle twitching, Talking a lot, irritability, rapid heart beat, much larger overdoses include, depression, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, and psychosis

11. Why does a high usage of caffeine lead to peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Because caffeine increases the production of stomach acid.

12. One of the "withdrawal" symptoms from caffeine is a headache. What causes this headache?

stopping daily caffeine consumption produces changes in cerebral blood flow velocity that are related to the caffeine withdrawal symptoms of headache.

13. What are the symptoms of extreme cases of caffeine withdrawal?

Moderate to severe headache, feel depressed, feel sleepy, mood instability, difficulty concentrating, flu symptoms that include nausea or vomiting, muscle pain and stiffness.

14. Why is benzene no longer used to extract caffeine from plants?

Benzene was used for years but for reasons of safety, environmental impact, cost and flavor, it has been superseded.

Task 2: Nicotine

Nicotine is found in the nightshade family of plants. Name two plants in this family.

Alkaloid and Solanaceae.

Why is nicotine used in many insecticides?

It functions as an antiherbivorechemical with particular specificity to insects.

In low doses, nicotine acts like what class of drug?

Stimulants.

In high doses, nicotine acts like what class of drug?

Sedatives.

Nicotine is a carcinogen, but it does not promote the development of cancer in healthy cells. What does it do?

Instead of creating cancerous cells in healthy cells it may create a more favorable environment for cancer to develop.

What effect does nicotine have on heart rate and blood pressure?

It increases your heart rate and your blood pressure.

How much nicotine is considered a lethal dose for humans?

40 to 60mg is the lethal dose of nicotine in an Adult.

Nicotine is physically addictive. What are its withdrawal symptoms?

Tingling in the hands and feet, sweating, cramps, nausea, headache, sore throats, coughing, irritability.

How long do the withdrawal symptoms last?

Withdrawal may take as long as two months before the symptoms really fade, but it usually shouldn't take longer than sixty days. Some luckier people may only experience these symptoms in the first few days or couple of weeks.

How many seconds after entering the body does nicotine reach the brain?

nicotine reaches the brain within 8 seconds after someone inhales tobacco smoke.

Khan Academy:

Attitude Assembly

The attitude assembly on tuesday was about kids and their personalities. Dave, the speaker, told us a lot of funny stories and past experiences. Later on he showed us a site that you can test yourself on. This test is a personality test which you are related to a specific animal. Beavers are the smart, hard working people who usually do well in life. Otters are more of the opposite, funny, get bored easily and do things the fun way. Lions are more the kind of person who takes the lead and likes to be in-charge. Golden Retrievers are more caring and want to keep peace.

I am a Golden Retriever

12 Hour Relay

The 12 Hour Relay was very tiring. I woke up at 6:00 am and was at school by 6:30 am. The relay started at 7:00 am and finished at 7:00 pm on friday the 1st of November. Altogether I did 13 laps. Each lap was 600m. By the end of the day everyone was sore and/or tired. The fun run/walk is for the people who aren't in the 12 Hour Relay team. They spend the whole day running/walking  playing activities and watching the talent quest. These are the Spirit Trophy points won for each house.

fun run/walk points - 

Kahikatea (30 + five bonus pts), Manuka (80 pts), Matai (100 + 5 bonus pts), Miro (20 + 5 bonus pts), Totara (70 pts), Kauri (60 + 5 bonus pts), Tawa (40 pts), Rimu (90 + 5 bonus pts), Tanekaha (50 pts), Rata (10 pts).

1st = Matai

2nd = Rimu

3rd = Totara

Alcohol Laws in a new land

Life Ed: Addiction

Addiction - When a person has to take a drug to feel normal.
This graph stands for  the feelings you have when you first take drugs.

As you can see, after you take a drug and feel good you then feel bad after. Also the more you use a drug the more your body adapts and you don't get as much of a high.


MR JM ICE stands for the jobs of the brain.

M - Memory
R - Reason

J - Judgement
M - Mechanical

I - Intellect
C - Concentrate
E - Emotions

Life Ed: Poster

Link to Glog

15 Minute Inquiry: Bees

Today at school a swarm of bees came out of no where. After about ten to fifteen minutes they stopped flying in circles and landed in a rose bush. Straight away it started making a hive. Afterwards my teacher decided to get us to research why they did it. This is why.

A new bee colony is created when the queen bee leaves the colony with a large group of bees, this process is called swarming.

Aims: Enviro Team

On Wednesday the 18th of September, a group of kids and I went to the sevens rugby for the Aims games. Our group spent the whole day picking up rubbish, sorting out the rubbish and putting it away. For lunch we had free Muffins, Filled Rolls and Bananas. Some of us bought money to spend and other things like fizzy or hot chips. At the end of the day we got free chocolate.

Norm Hewitt: SPCA

Today we had a special assembly for the SPCA and they were teaching us about caring for animals. The service was called "One of the family". Norm Hewitt was telling us about the things that happened when he was a child. He was also telling us to treat animals like your family. We need to follow the 5 Freedoms for animals. Shelter, Food and drink, exercise, vet care and love. Norm said "Dreams can come true". As a child he was never good at dancing, but then he won dancing with the stars. He also really wanted to be an All Black and he became won too.

Descriptive Writing: Setting

WALT: describe the setting of a story using ‘show’ not ‘tell’

SC:

- to use descriptive language to help the reader visualise the setting

- to use language that activates the readers’ senses e.g smell and sound (Some)

- to use similes and metaphors to describe the setting

- to use interesting vocab to describe the setting

“It’s a good day… To die hard!”

“Do they always play trailers?”

“I haven’t seen the screens playing anything else.”

“Don’t the staff get bored of them?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“I don’t no. We better pick a movie, my mum’s waiting.”

As the two boys are talking, an armed wrestler walks in and starts stuffing movies into his bag. “What do you think you're doing.” said the man at the counter. “I’m taking these movies, you got a problem."
“Yeah!” Suddenly the man at the counter pulls out a shotgun. The boys ran out from the sound of a Pop! Pop! Pop! The boys found the man at the counter lying on the floor and the wrestler hold a semi auto machine gun...

Comments:

You are at the video store

I think you should have used more interesting words and also you didn’t put all of your senses.

Homework: Design a School

Link to spreadsheet.

Team Jones movie - 26 Hour Movie Challenge

Term 3 Week 1-2 Homework

Basic facts scores:

My Powtoon:

Homework: Care for younger children

When I was at my grandparents house I went over to the game shelf and took down Monopoly. I taught this game to my sisters Jessica and Cassandra. In the first two games I won, but in the third jessica won.

Homework: Visit an elderly person eight times

I have been going to my grandparents house about every 3 weeks. I go more often in the holidays because both my parents work. At our grandparents we watch "Sky" and play games. Sometimes we gon down to the beach. If we go to the beach in the morning we would usually go for a walk. I like going to my grandparent's house. This is me at Waipuna Park with my granddad.

A Most Triumphant Tale

A Most Triumphant Tale, was put together by Tauranga Intermediate School. This school production is about two rival bands competing against each other in a "battle of the bands". But One Dimension are frauds and lip sing, all they need to do is smile and look good. In the future all stage performers lip sing  and instruments become a thing of the past, all because of One Dimension. Star man traveled from the future to present time in his Time Travel Express to help stop them. Phil and Edd (in the band Labyrinth) used the Time Travel Express to travel through time and get famous musicians to help them in their band. First they stopped at Woodstock, 1969 and convenced Jimi Hendrix to come with them. Their next stop was an accident and they landed in Swan Lake, 1976. They then make another accidental stop and found themselves where John Lennon and Paul McArtney first met. They soon found Mozart in 1780 and collected him for the band. They then came to present time and competed in the band battle.

Homework: Design your own challenge

I have been involved in Young Designers since the beginning of the year. Last year I went to the Founders Theatre in Hamilton. I entered dress into almost a costume contest with my friend. We made it into the finals, but didn't win.

Homework: Design your own challenge

I have been doing 50 sit ups a day for a whole week. They were tiring, after the first twenty it starts to really hurt. Here is an image of proof.

Cross Country

Today I had cross country. My feet were frozen at the starting line. All the year 8 boys were huddled together. Bang! The herd sprinted as fast as they could, pushing and shoving everyone in their way. Some people were get tired as we run to the slope. Down the hill we went trying to pass the people in front of us. Once we got to the bottom we had to go up a short, but steep, hill. It was a killer. We jogged around the playground and started to regain our speed. Around the hall and behind Rata, where  run up the low slope. Behind the bikes and back in front of the class rooms. Some people managed a sprint. As we came out from Manuka we could all hear the cheers. We did the same thing again, trying to keep our pace but get a few people ahead. I was almost out of breath as I did the last sprint. The teacher at the finish line gave me an orange card with number 108. I was proud, I didn't expect a score as low as that.

How to make a paper decoration

At school each person in our class had to make a how to video and this is mine.

P: Went for a good length of time.  M: There was some noise in the background.  I: I have never done a video like that, but I think it was good.

SC: I think I achieved the SC.

What would I do differently: Find a room all by myself and record there.

Homework: Book Responses Term 2

For homework we have to write three book responses each term and these are mine
Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Twits
Fantastic Mr Fox

Homework: Learn an instrument

I have been playing Keyboard for over three years. I started in year five. I have also been playing Drums for over a year. I started in year seven.

This is a picture of me playing the keyboard

SketchUp

Today in block 2 I was helping a person from Manuka house with her homework. She was designing a blue pen, red pen, and pencil, all in one on Google SketchUp.

Camp graph

WALT: create data displays using appropriate tools on the computer.

I had to make a graph showing what was the favourite camp breakfast.


SC:

-Title
-Space between bars
-Labels of X and Y axis
-Whole numbers in the Y axis
-Key

Do you think I completed the SC?

Camp Happenings

Camp Happenings

The funniest happening on camp was when we went on the burma trail because all the girls would scream every time they heard a noise. I thought it was funny because they would scream when there was nothing scary.

The biggest challenge on camp was making it up the climbing wall because my arms got so tired and sore from burning up my muscle. Eventually I made it up.

.

The scariest happening on camp was running and jumping off the beam, because I fell really fast. Mrs Shepherd was in charge and said I was “overconfident” and made me run on the beam.

The most exhausting moment was kayaking in the time trial because I had to move the paddle through the water really fast. It took a bit of time to get around the rock downstream.

The most embarrassing moment was when the boys were told to put on “The Box” at paintball because us boys had to turn away when we put it on.

The most dangerous moment was when I drove down the huge hill on the bike because the handle were rattling heaps. I thought I was going to fall off because of the loss of control.

3 things I learnt

That being outside in the bush alone isn’t scary, Camping in the bush is fun and that there are lots of different plants in the bush.

2 things I was surprised about

The best sleep I had at camp was the night I slept in the bush.

We got our whole activity group up the vertical playpen.

I question I still have

Where did the old flying fox lead to?

Camp tally and frequency charts

1. I found that for lunch most people preferred american hotdogs.
2. Most people liked hamburgers for their dinner.
3. Most people liked spaghetti and toast for breakfast.
4. The statistics show there were more girls at camp than boys.
5. Only one person preferred the lunch they had on monday.

Math

This term I have learn't a lot more about math including the order of operations and multiplying numbers easily. As proof of my work I have added an image a multiplication equation. I can multiply 1 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers and I can multiply 2 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers.

Homework/Sport: Compete in a sport

I have been playing football since I was four, I go to the Waipuna football club. They have just picked the teams. Social is the lowest, Reserve is in the middle and Premiere is the highest. I am in the top Reserve team, I almost got into the Premiere team.

Homework: Book Responses

Each term my class and I have to do three book responses as part of our homework. These are mine. Hunger Games
Hunger Pains
BFG

Not Really Homework: Church

I have been going to church since all I can Remember. My faith in God has gotten stronger over the years. My church group has been a great influence on me. With my church group I have gone to E-Camp. E-Camp is a camp that goes over easter, about ten different Baptist churches come every year. To celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Student Lead Conferences

Yesterday, thursday 4th of april, I had student led conferences. What I disliked at first was having to talk about my school work to my parents for half an hour when there were other people in the the room. But at the end it wasn't that bad. My parents commented on my scores in math, reading and writing. In conclusion I did better than them at mathematics.

If there were something I would change it would be our parents instead of commenting in my math book they could comment on my blog/learning journal.

The plastic free guide

The plastic free guide is about trying to get people to not use plastic, because plastic is very bad for the environment.
Link to page

These are the ten ways I could/would do to help reduce plastic waste:

1. Carry reusable shopping bags
2. Say no to plastic produce bags
3. Give up bottled water
4. Give up chewing gum
5. Say no to the little plastic "table" in the middle of the pizza box
6. Treat myself to an ice cream cone
7.
8.
9.
10.

Swimming Sports

My house and I went to Memorial pools on Friday and competed in Swimming sports. I did six events: Doggy Paddle, Breaststroke, underwater, freestyle, backstroke and dolphin dive.

Homework: The Trophy (Design my own challenge)

Every wednesday my class has a math problem solving challenge. Every team has their own color and the team who wins gets their colored peg put on a mannequin. But now we are going to use the 3D printer to create a trophy. The kids do their design and the best one gets created.

Homework: The Egg (Design my own challenge)

Hi my name is Larry, I am an egg. I like to play, crack up my friends and roll around. My human friend keeps me in a small blue container so I don't get hurt. Every day this week I have been going around different places including Waipuna Park, Tauranga Intermediate and Piano Lessons.

Today was my very first time going on a bus, it was weird, everyone was talking and making loud noises. Some people would stand and others would sit. It's very strange.

At Waipuna Park my human friend took care of me as we played football and went biking. Luckily my friend made my case tight but not tight, just enough so I wouldn't shake.

P.S. I'm playing the Piano.

Care for the environment

Feel free to Donate! or Contact! him.

Homework: Research Rimu Tree

Where do you find Rimu? Rimu grows all around New Zealand. But mainly in the west coast of the south island.

Why is it important to the Maori? Maoris used it to craft all kinds of things, especially spears to hunt with. They would sometimes use Rimu to craft Wakas as well.

What uses does it have? The inner bark from the towering tree can be used to treat injuries such as cuts, scraps and burns.

I think Rimu is the best house in the school because we stand up tall, help others when they are hurt and carve great futures, as we paddle to the other side.

The little tent that cried

321 Reflection:

I learnt that condensation is when a gas turns into a liquid.
I learnt how to export a keynote onto youtube.
I learnt how to turn an animated slideshow into a video.

The benefits of having partners is being able to share ideas and teach each other new skills.

I didn't know how to upload a video to youtube, but with a little bit of help I figured it out.

My Homework Choices

Cook a three course meal for family.

Visit Gran and Poppa 8 times

Compete in a sport

Walk around Mount three times

Instrument

Make recycled art

Make an underwater themed costume

Teach games to my sisters

Design community challenge

Make a math activity

Research Rimu

My first month at school

In my first month at school I have gone to Young Designers and have been learning how to use patterns. In maths I have been learning about BEDMAS. School this year is a lot different than last year because, I get taught how to use things on my computer and I get to choose my inquiry studies