We Got Through It!! (Bugsy Malone)

November 26. Monday. Period 3 and 4. We practised the WHOLE play and miraculously, we got through. At first—especially last week—personally I didn't know what was happening. Everyone was just doing their thing and trying to fit everything all together.

But today, we practised every single thing and all of it definitely made sense. While doing all of it, it felt like we were performing on the actual day. What we still need to practise and keep in mind is 'when are you going to perform and go on the stage'. But for sure  if we practise it more and do it in our own time, I'm going to get it. 

Lastly, while we finished practising all of it, I felt that excitement of performing in front of an audience.

I'm looking forward to it!

3 New Language Features! (Onomatopoeia, Alliteration and Simile)

For the past few days, we've been learning in depth about language features. 

Firstly, Onomatopoeia is used as a language feature is used to give something a characteristic thought.

For example, the trees shook in the wind and hail pattered the tin gutter.

Secondly, Alliteration. Alliteration is a repetition of words and using the first letter of the word.

For example, snake, slithers, slides, slowly, smoothly, silently, smooth, sun, sand, scorched.

Lastly, Similes. A simile is a statement used to describe something by comparing it to something else.

For example, Mike's been busy as a bee.

We are learning these language features in able to use them to our next topic which is creative writing. These language features would help us to make our writing up to level 5 or 6 to prepare ourselves for NCEA next year.

Extreme Natural Event: Learning Outcomes!

For the past few weeks, probably 3-4 weeks. We've been doing this presentation about Extreme Natural Events. For the first week, we searched some Natural Event that had happened for the past 20 years. Those natural events are ranging earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and many more. After me and my partner, Lovely decided what natural even we should do—Hurricane Patricia—we were asked to do a hand-drawn diagram and I did it. It took some time because I wanted it to be neat and clean. After that, we did some writing about the natural characteristics and cultural characteristics of Jalisco that make it vulnerable to hurricanes. 

Miss Handley also asked us to add a world map in order to visualise the path of the hurricane. Next, we wrote some detailed paragraphs about what are the impacts in natural and cultural environment section. Lastly, we added some responses that came from public services, government, and people. 

Reflection:
After doing this research and presentation, we came across with some moderate words such as; vulnerable and susceptible. Doing it and finishing it feels so rewarding. It also gave us an understanding of what we could do next year in NCEA.

What Is A Hurricane? (Writing practises)

Since last week, we've been doing writing practises in order to prepare next year for NCEA. Last week we had Mr. Langley, however this time Mr. Philips taught us this week. Our topic was about Hurricanes. We wrote how this natural event forms and the effects of it.

"There are different kinds of Natural Events, and one of them is Hurricanes. A Hurricane—could cause strong winds up to 270 km/hr—is  a fierce storm that forms over warm bodies of water. Significantly, Hurricanes occur both North and South of the equator but not within 5°. Flooding is the outcome from heavy rainfalls, which could also cause storm surges and storm tides. With these, Hurricanes can be deadly. Homes of locals can be damaged or destroyed by strong winds and floods. People may lose their lives. The Agricultural Industry and Fishing Industry are also affected by these Natural Events as a result, people could also lose their jobs."

Comment:

I really enjoy doing these practises especially the posters we use (in order for us to understand and it makes it easier for us to understand). Personally, I think my writing skills are definitely improving because of this.

Performance Evaluation

What did you performed?

- We performed 'The Only Exception' by Paramore. We performed it with an acoustic guitar and a bass guitar. Me and my partner—Lovely—we had a lot choices before we decided to do this song. We even thought about doing a mush-up of a handful of songs (which are in English and Filipino).

With who? on your own?

- As I said above, I was with Lovely. Lovely has always been my partner since day one. I love working with her because she always listens to your opinions, and would take feed backs and not take it hard or personally.

Why did you chose that song?

- We chose this song—The Only Exception—because the 'easy version' has just 6 different chords, and it is played with a capo. Significantly, I think it was only me that decided to do this song, but I think Lovely was okay with it too. This song is in a very special place in my heart, I knew this song when I was little.

Were you happy with your performance? Why?

- Yes definitely! Even though we only had 5 lessons to learn this new song, we got through it—especially Lovely, she learned how to play the song on the guitar—we also practiced during after school. When we performed it, I thought I was going to fail the fill in the bass, but luckily and thankfully I got it! (It is my first time playing the bass guitar in front of my class).

If you could perform again, what would you change?

- If I could perform again, I would NOT like to change anything. In the real world of performing, you cannot change after you perform. If you made a mistake, you will just go with the flow, just smile and be confident. For me performing is just all about having fun, enjoyment and entertainment. But yes, you need to do good (for the formal part of it). Performing is boring if you, personally don't enjoy it.

Social Science Writing Practise

In Social Studies, last week, Mr. Langley taught us how to write 12 sentences. This week we were learning how to write proper paragraphs. The topic was about Matariki which is the Maori New Year. He encouraged us to start our sentences with more complex words than the word Matariki, It's and The. This is what I wrote yesterday; 

Extreme Natural Event #5

What went well today?

- We've done a lot of research on responses of the government and people from Hurricane Patricia.

Is there anything you need help with? Who can help you?

- No need for help, because my partner and I are working well together.

What didn't go well today?

- Nothing.

How will you improve on that next lesson?

- Add pictures and paragraph before Monday.

Extreme Natural Event Reflection #4

What went well today?

- We've done a lot of research on the impact of the natural and cultural environment that Hurricane Patricia made to South West of Mexico, particularly Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

Is there anything you need help with? Who can help you?

- No need for help, because my partner is helping me too.

What didn't go well today?

- Nothing.

How will you improve on that next lesson?

- Write the paragraph as fast as I could.

What Makes A Home Earthquake Proof?

Aim: To build the tallest, best-looking earthquake-proof house.

Research: 

1. Check with your local building department. Houses built to today's building codes should be strong enough to keep people safe during an earthquake.
2. Poured perimeter foundations.
3. Unreinforced masonry foundations.
4. Slab foundations.
5. Post-and-pier foundations.

Equipment: 

• 4  pieces of paper
• 4 cotton buds
• 6 think sticks
• 6 popsicle sticks
• 3 small + 1 large cork
• 2 styrofoam cups
• Scissors + tape

Scoring:

1. Was it the tallest?
2. Did it look the best?
3. WAS IT EARTHQUAKE PROOF?

Final Results:

• Was it successful? Why/Why not?

- It was successful with our first try versing to another group. And we reached the second and level with another competing house, and ours fell first. Which makes us 2nd place. For me, it's still successful at some point.

• What do architects do to make super tall buildings safe from disastrous earthquakes

- The taller a structure, the more flexible it is. The more flexible it is, the less energy is required to keep it from toppling or collapsing when the earth's shaking makes it sway. You can feel this same phenomenon while you're riding a bus or subway. It requires less effort to remain standing if you flex your body and flow with the bumps and jolts than if you stiffly try to defy them. Because shorter buildings are stiffer than taller ones, a three-story apartment house is considered more vulnerable to earthquake damage than a 30-story skyscraper. When planning the seismic safety of a building, structural engineers must design the support elements of shorter buildings to withstand greater forces than those of taller buildings.

(Architects also consider the materials that they're going to use to make the building less vulnerable to collapse)

San Francisco's TransAmerica pyramid is famous for its architecture. Diagonal trusses at its base protect it from both horizontal and vertical forces

Source: https://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/damage/building.html

Picture of your building + a really tall cool looking building

The Rock Cycle

Extreme Natural Event #3

What went well today?

- I've finished the first part of the diagram with the small amount of written explanation on how hurricanes form. And I have started the second part.

Is there anything you need help with? Who can help you?

- I don't need help at the moment, I think I got all the things in under control.

What didn't go well today?

- Nothing.

How will you improve on that next lesson?

- Do the work as fast as I could.

Extreme Natural Event Reflection #2

What went well today?

- I continued working on our diagram for the whole period.

Is there anything you need help with? Who can help you?

- At the moment personally, I do not need any help with our current work.

What didn't go well today?

- I'm really slow on drawing this diagram because I want to make this drawing neat and clean.

How will you improve on that next lesson?

- Get on the work as fast as possible.

Extreme Natural Event Reflection #1

October 17, 2018

What went well today?

- Since I made a rough sketch on how am I going to draw it, I went straight to drawing the actual diagram. So during the whole period, I was drawing.

Is there anything you need help with? Who can help you?

- At the moment personally, I do not need any help with our current work.

What didn't go well today?

- Because I want to make this drawing neat and clean. I'm spending too much time as expected on this diagram. 

How will you improve on that next lesson?

- I would draw during our breaks and free time on other subjects.

Volcanic Research: Mount Ruapehu

A volcano is an opening on the surface of a planet that allows material warmer than its surroundings to escape from its interior. When this material escapes, it causes an eruption. An eruption can be explosive, sending material high into the sky. Or it can be calmer, with gentle flows of material. However, volcanoes are just an opening usually on a mountain in the Earth surface from which gas, hot magma, and ash can escape but volcanoes are formed because of the movement of plates (convergent boundary to be exact).

Mount Ruapehu

Mount Ruapehu is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Recent major eruptions occurred in 1895, 1945, 1995, 1996 and 2006.

The 1945 eruption had far-reaching effects, resulting in the loss of 151 lives on December 24^th, 1953. When the eruption occurred the crater lake was emptied, and the outlet dammed. Over time the crater refilled and the dam collapsed causing a lahar (mudflow and water) in the Whangaehu River. The lahar undermined the Tangiwai railway bridge piers, and the bridge collapsed when an express train crossed it.

Through 1995 and 1996 Mount Ruapehu erupted several times closing the ski fields and occasionally the airports. The possibility of a major lahar occurring again was recognised as the crater lake outlet became blocked once more in 1996 by volcanic ash. Authorities are constantly monitoring the volcano and determining measures of safely controlling the situation, should the dam brake again.

Corrosion: Investigating Rusting

Aim: To investigate the factors that cause in iron.
Equipment: Six test tubes, test tube rack, a bung, four iron nails, boiled water, tap water, salty water, cooking oil, calcium chloride.
Method: 

1. Label four  test tubes A-F and place in a test tube
2. Test tube contents: 

• A - Tap water
• B - Saltwater
• C - Water + oil
• D - Mg (magnesium) ribbon wrapped around it.
• E - Water, calcium chloride, bung
• F - Nail polish

      3. Leave the test tube undisturbed for at least three days.

Nail + Tapwater

Nail + Salt water

Nail + Water + Oil

Nail +  Water + Magnesium

Nail + Water + Calcium chloride + Bung

Nail + Water + Nail polish

Then, we left these nails for three days.

As we can see in the picture, the nail rusted with tap water.
H2O, Oxygen, and Chlorine were the factors why the nail rusted.

 These pictures show what happened to the nails. We observed that some of them rusted and some did not. (I added captions or explanations for each photo).

Because we left it for three days, the salt was probably already
dissolved. However, the nail rusted.
We can't see it clearly in the picture but it did rusted.
H2O, Oxygen, and Sodium chloride were the factors why the nail rusted

With this nail. We've added oil and water to see what could happen.
After three days, what happened was some of the oil formed a bubble
in the test tube and covered the top part of the nail, and because of  this,
the top part didn't corrode. But overall, for the whole body of the nail,
corrosion didn't occurred. However, on the other side of the test tube,
there was marks/stain of rusting.

With this nail, we ribbon wrapped around a small strip
of magnesium. What happened with this nail was, the top part
of the nail rusted but for the part that was covered with the
magnesium, there was no rusting. For instance, the magnesium
stopped the rusting.

Drypoint Printmaking

Year 10 Art

Name: Alyana

Drypoint printmaking reflection

Use the following questions to prompt your written reflection. When you have written your reflection, post it on your blog. Use the notes I shared with you, “Drypoint Worksheet” and research “Drypoint” to help write your reflection.

1. What kind of printmaking is drypoint?
1. Relief (Woodblock and Lino-block)
2. Stencil (Silkscreen)
3. Lithography
4. Intaglio
2. How is the drypoint line created? - It is created using sharp tools—except knives—but in school, we use these really long and sharpened nails
3. What kind of lines does it produce? Are they all the same? - It depends on how hard you push or rub the sharp tools onto your plexiglass, for instance, it produces fine lines.
4. How do you hold the needle? - I think there is no rule or the exact thing to do when you're using it. But personally, I hold it like a pen or pencil.
5. What does the angle of the needle determine? - It determines the burr, larger on opposite side.
6. The greater the pressure the deeper the deeper the lines.
7. Will all marks on the surface of the plexiglass print? - Yes.
8. How do you create different tones (gradations of light and dark?) - I personally did it by not wiping all the ink on the plate and doing lines in different directions.
9. What do we wipe the ink off the plate with? - We use a rightful amount of cooking oil and rub it to the plate using paper towels or rugs.
10. What do we use to put ink onto the plate? - We use hard cardboard that is cut into pieces to spread the ink within the plate.
11. What pressure do we use when applying the ink - We should use a right amount of pressure when applying ink because too much pressure might damage the burr.
12. Compare and Contrast the two different kinds of printmaking: lino-block printmaking or drypoint. Which did you prefer? Why? - Lino printing is a relief kind of printmaking then drypoint is an intaglio. But the most noticeable difference between lino and drypoint is the materials that we use, for example, the way we cut the plates and such. In lino printing, we use a lino-block, it's a hard material. However, in drypoint we use plexiglass—soft and smooth—the lines and burr are very fragile too. Personally, I prefer doing drypoints. I felt confident doing them compared to lino, because if you made a mistake in drypoint, you could find a way to get around it and fix it unlike in lino prints. You also need some skill if you're applying ink on lino.

The right amount of ink

Over-inked

Under-inked

Observing Convection I and II

Aim: To observe convection in a liquid.

Equipment: 200mL beaker, water, tweezers, a crystal of potassium permanganate, drinking straws, Bunsen burner, heat mat, tripod, and gauze mat.

Method:

1. Set up a bunsen burner on a heatproof mat. Put the gauze mat on the tripod but leave it just to one side of the Bunsen Burner.

2. Fill a 200 mL beaker with 150 mL of cold water.

3. Place the beaker on top of the tripod and gauze and allow it to settle for a few minutes.

4. Carefully insert a drinking straw down one side of the beaker, ensuring the straw is touching the bottom of the beaker. Be careful as you do not want to disturb the water too much.

5. Using tweezers, drop a crystal of potassium permanganate down the inside of the straw. Wait for the crystal to settle on the bottom of the beaker.

6. Very gently, so to not disturb the water, remove the straw.

7. Light the Bunsen and slide it under the tripod so that you are only hearing the outside of the beaker were the crystal is. Observe.

Observation: The potassium permanganate the colour of it—which is purple—spread out faster to the hot part where the Bunsen burner was put on below the beaker. Lastly, the potassium permanganate went to a spiral direction when we've put it in the beaker and heated

Explanation/Conclusion:

When the water particles rise, space increases. Which makes this part of the water inside the beaker becomes less dense. For instance, cold water—and denser—comes in or flows in order to replace the water particles that rose; or what we call convection current.

Observing Convection II

Aim: To observe convection in Gas.

Equipment: Scissors, paper spiral pattern, string, a source of heat (boiling water, radiator, etc.)

Method: 

1. Cut out the spiral pattern.
2. Punch a hole in the middle.
3. Add string.
4. Ready a source of heat to use.

Observation:
The spiral pattern that we cut out, moved to a spiral direction when we put it 30cm above the fire.

Explanation:
Heating air causes the air molecules to travel farther apart, thereby making the air less dense. Less dense air will always rise above dense air.  As the warm, lighter, air rises upwards the paper spiral begins to spin. This process keeps working because the cooler air surrounding air keeps coming towards the fire and warms up.

Persuasive Writing (Essay writing as a class)

What did I learn?

- I learned different persuasive language features. I also learned how to write a better essay by not repeating words but instead, we could use the synonyms of words. Mr Aitken also taught us to use the Catch 'em, Thesis and List of points.

Why did we do it as a class?

- To get from opinions and perspective. If we did it individually it would take us days or even a week.

What will I do better next time?

- I would add more persuasive language features in my writing to make it enjoyable and presentable to read.

What questions do I still have?

- How do we choose our own topic—if ever we ran out of topics in the slides that Mr provided us. A topic that everyone would love to read about.

Persuasive Writing: "Logging the Giant Sequoia Forest Should Be Permitted"

August 22, 2018

I chose a topic from the Natural Environment (Plants and Animals) section, and it’s about Logging the Giant Sequoia Forest Should Be Permitted.

“Logging the Giant Sequoia Forest Should Be Permitted”

Trees and its wood is one of the most important and useful resources in human history. Trees are also one of the most abundant resources currently, but if we continue our selfish desires and not planning our future, we could run out of this resource. However trees are not just a resource, trees also help us from preventing floods and landslides. It also helps the food chains of animals.

Wood is one of the most important and useful resources in human history. Humans have probably used wood for thousands of year ago. If we ran out of this resource, there would be a worldwide panic of where these trees went. Especially this tree called the Giant Sequoia. But what makes this tree special? The giant sequoia tree is one of the worlds hardest tree, it’s thick bark makes them flame resistant, as well as to fungal root and wood beetles. Giant sequoias are the third longest tree longest-living tree species on the planet which makes them very special and in need of care.

Trees are also helpful for us, not just they give us shade but they also prevent floods and landslides that might occur most of the time because of the threat of climate change. Climate change is the consequence of our selfish way that started 50-60 years ago like gas emissions, cutting down trees legal or illegal that makes our mountains bald, the usage of resources, and many more.

Trees and its wood is one of the most important and useful resources in human history. Trees are also one of the most abundant resources currently, but if we continue our selfish desires and not planning our future, we could run out of this resource. Did you know that giant sequoia trees never stop growing until they die? No wonder why these trees are called ‘giants’.

A Lino Print Went Missing: Reward is up to $50,000 (Art Blog Post)

The Precious One print went missing that was exhibited in the Hornby High School Art Department. Yesterday HHS opened the exhibit to the public and suddenly 2 print went missing! And one of them was The Precious One lino print;

The description of The Precious One;

The painting was printed in black in white.
It's printed in an A3 paper.
The model of this print was a girl.
The person in the print was wearing a hat.
The person in the print is wearing eyeglasses.
The background of the print consists of a bunch of thin lines.
The person had her both hands on her chin.
The person's jacket sleeve has buttons.
The emotion of the person in this print is kind of serious in a way.

Composition Techniques!

What have you learned about composing so far? (Film, advertising, Christmas songs, etc.)

- I learned some different and other techniques on how to make music. For example, if you are composing a song the more simple the notes/chords are, the easier it is for the composer. For advertisement music, I learned that the song needs to be catchy, and colourful.

What is your favourite technique that you have tried and why?

- Trying different chords and notes on the electric piano that I could change to different instruments too. I feel so amused when I do this.

Which type of composition do you want to try for your assessment and why?

- I would love to try the advertisement assessment because I love music and photography. I would try to combine those and film an actual footage that I took for my advert.

Wind Racers

Aim: To build the fastest wind racing sails.

Equipment: 

• Trolley
• Cardboard
• Strings
• Tape
• Scissors
• Pole
• Thin papers.

Method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUpCuwf3JEg

1. We cut the cardboard to do the triangular part on the trolley.
2. Then we tapped it together to the trolley
3. We added the pole for the trolley.
4. We cut the paper sail correctly and mathematically like the other one bigger and one was smaller.
5. We taped a cardboard below the sail to make it stronger.
6. Lastly, we properly taped the paper sail to the pole.

Research:

How do sailboats work?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4CQ4T_K8Hw

How do sails work?

http://www.boatsafe.com/kids/033199kidsques.htm

Conclusion: Our wind racer went to a distance of 5 metres, time of 8 seconds and the speed of 0.625.

Persuasive Writing: "Motorsports Add No Value In The Society"

August 17, 2018

I chose a topic from the Sports and Recreation, and it’s about Motorsports add no value in the society.

“Motorsports Add No Value In The Society”

Have you ever wondered on how much money your favourite sport spend for the whole season? Do you think they spend it wisely? Or they’re just being wasteful? It’s okay to be a fan of something like a singer, actress, players, sports, and etc. but have you ever thought that if we never did this and just do a different thing that everyone could enjoy, do we make the world a better place? Because for me, yes.

I’ll take motorsports as an example, let’s just imagine how much materials they use in order to make just one race car, then let’s imagine the process on how these materials are made in order to make a race car which adds gas emissions that affects our climate.

Do you think we are finished? Uhh, no. Instead of using the large amount of land mass that motorsports use to build mega race tracks for them to use and race, we could use it to build more houses for those people in need, we could use it to plant more crops to fight food shortage, or to help other countries who are also in need.

Humans are born with selfish desires, even though we want to control our not so good decisions that make it harder for others, we would pick the choice just for ourselves. I am not saying that all of you would start a hate group with motorsports, but I made this to be an eye-opener for all of us. Did you know that since 2011-2017, the worldwide sponsorship spend is up to about $36.94 Billion? If you want some thrill, just go to your local bungee jump instead of buying tickets for a motorsports championship

CARR Licences

CARR Licences is an experimental system in the English department. Once you've leveled up, you'll get better privileges at school. And I think it's a really cool idea.

Persuasive Writing: Summer Is The Best Season Of The Year

August 10, 2018

I chose a topic from the Community section Part 1, and it’s about Summer is the best season of the year.

“Summer Is The Best Season Of The Year”

Do you remember the times when you were a child and summer was your favourite season of the year? For me, it’s a yes! Because summer is everyone’s favourite season. Especially for the children who want to play forever at the playground or parks. But summer is not just for humans, it’s also for the animals! We can’t determine what’s going in an animal brain, but they must have like it because they could spend much more time at the park and beaches!





Summer was great when you were still a child because you didn’t mind about anything! No responsibilities, no stress, but the only problem you had was how to tie your shoelaces. It’s is indeed my favourite season of the year because everyone could go outside freely without stressing out about raining or storms. One of the coolest things to do in summer is probably hanging out with your family at the park for a picnic.





Summer is not just for humans, it’s also for animals too! Since house animals, such as dogs, loves going outside to have a walk or run for once in a while.





But, since time really does pass by quick, our climate had also changed. Summer was different from 10-20 years ago. Because of climate change, our planet is getting hotter and hotter. Summer is not just sunny anymore. In some cases even though earlier it was 30-35°C, later there’s going to be a storm! During the summer season, nowadays heat stroke is a really big problem, not just for the children, animals, but especially for the older ones.





The hottest temperature in New Zealand was 42°C. This was in Rangiora, Canterbury.


Are you ready to put in your swimming trunks?

Migration

In social studies, we've been learning about Migration, not just in New Zealand, but all over the world.

Electricity : Playing With Circuits

Equipment:
1. Wires (4x or more)
2. Battery
3. Bulbs

At the end of the experiment. After trying all the circuits diagrams

that we were asked to do. We tried some other kind of circuits to

see what will and could happen. In this picture what we did was we 

tried adding 2 ammeters.

Observations:
We've seen and observed that in circuit number 1, the brightness of the bulb was very strong, because it doesn't need to share current with any bulbs. However, when we've tried doing a series circuit with two bulbs, the other bulb started to dim. And that is because the two bulbs were only sharing 10 volts. Lastly, with the last circuit, we were asked to do a parallel circuit, same as circuit no.2 was; the other bulb was brighter and the other one was dim.

Compare Brightness of:

1 and 2 = In the end, circuit 1 was brighter.

2 and 3 = In the end, circuit 3 was brighter.

1 and 3 = In the end, both circuits were in the same brightness.

Roman Empire // Gladiator Games Advertisement

What am I learning?

- I learned a handful of things during the Ancient Rome, for example; who founded it, useful things they've invented that we use up until now. We also discussed how to count in Roman Numerals, Roman sports, and Roman religion.

How does this work show my learning?

- I showed my learning with Roman Sports, by making an advertisement for a game.

What am I wondering?

- How long did it take them to be economically stable?

How can I use this learning?

- I can use Roman Numerals with our daily lives.

Cave Art

What am I learning?

 - I learned about how they lived during those days with the old technology equipment with sticks as their paintbrush. It is interesting to learn their technology that they had compared to our current technology.

How does this work show my learning?

 - By actually doing it with sticks, with my fingers, and painting it with a story.

What am I wondering?

 - How did they make the paint/ink to draw it