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.