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