Health 2019 - Taha Wairua

Health - Taha Wairua

For the past few weeks, we've been learning about ourselves- Taha Wairua (spiritual well-being). It means who you think are. If you are an artist, or a musician, or a doctor, or a parent, that is who you see yourself as. What you base everything around. What your purpose is. It sounds very deep and meaningful- and it is! And some people don't figure out who they really are until later on in life. And others will know who they are and what they want to do or be when they're really young.

DNA Extraction - Science

DNA Extraction of Kiwifruit

Our aim for today is to extract the DNA from some kiwifruit. We need to do the following:

Steps:
-Using a spatula, scoop 1/2 kiwifruit into a plastic (resealable) bag. Add 25ml water + a pinch of salt.
-Mush until a thick soup.
-Pour over cloth into a funnel into a beaker.
-Pour liquid into a test tube. Add dishwashing liquid + swirl. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
-Tilt test tube on a 45-degree angle and slowly pour 10ml of ethanol down the side.
-Allow it to sit.

These are the results. From the first one with no fluffy bubbles to the one above ("the fluffy bubbles" is the DNA ). This was the process of the DNA being extracted from the kiwifruit. It looked like the DNA began to float. 

Because water was added to the substance, it helped break the kiwifruit apart. The ethanol and dishwashing liquid helped to draw the DNA from the fruit.

Art - Lino Cutting

For art lately, we've been working on lino cutting. We had to cut the lino and then cover it in ink. We then plastered it onto paper and voila!

Which bird did I choose?
I chose Pipiwharauroa.

Describe stylisation and positive/negative space in my work?
As you can see there are white bits in the bird and surrounding it. That is the bits that I cut out and bits I left alone. The bits I cut are white (negative). Bits I didn't cut out (positive) are black.

What ideas do I have for my orphist circle layers?
Well, I guess those are my ideas (the circles in my first photos)

What colours have I chosen for my layers and why?
Right now, I'm not too sure. I might keep the bird black or red and do the orphist circles yellow or blue maybe?

Slavery Paragraphs - Social Studies

SEEL PARAGRAPHS-

In Social Studies we've been working on the subject of Child Labour and Slavery...

Why are children used in Labour and how does this take away their Human Rights and Freedom?

Child Labour is still surprisingly around today. Because of this, children around the world don't get to live proper lives. They do not have freedom so, therefore, they don't have access to education because they're either working non-stop or there is no school nearby. The jobs they work are also hazardous to their health. Kids should not be working jobs that put them in danger. These children work jobs without very much pay or no pay at all. The most they get could just be a little bit of money for food. They work jobs even adults shouldn't work without proper experience. For example, kids who mine underground to find goods are exposed to underground gases which are very dangerous to inhale. Some mine mercury, which is a very toxic, poisonous substance. If you swallow a bit on accident it could very well kill you. Even the chemicals released can harm you too, if you touch it or inhale too much your body will absorb it and make you very sick. Jobs like these should be done with proper equipment and protection but kids do it without any protection at all, and it puts their lives at very high risks. I think Child Labour should be shut down in every single country, kids should live free lives with access to education, shelter, clothes on their back, food, etc. That's just basic human rights every person should have.

That's all. I think child labour is a horrible subject which is hard to even think or hear about. I would hate to witness anything along the lines of it. I feel so guilty kids my age are slaving away when I have so many opportunities and items they might not ever get or use.

Narrative - English

Show Don't Tell

At the moment in English, we've been working on a slideshow that's been assigned to us by our teacher.

~I stood in front of the ruined building. It was completely black and half of it was ash. A few doorframes were still standing but everything else had either burned to a crisp or just disintegrated.

~He looked down at me as he walked up the steps. He whispered to me those few words that no one wants to hear. He spoke and walked away. The words hit me like a brick. I felt sick to my stomach. Why... why me?

~It was gaining on us. We ran through the fields, long grass tangling up between our feet like they were hands trying to trip us up. We saw the forest in front of us and darted towards it like our lives depended on it... well, they do.

~She did it. She actually did it. I warned her not to, that she'd regret it, and she went ahead and did it anyway. How could she disobey me? I'll make her pay. She'll rue the day she disobeyed Nathaniel the Great!

Setting It Up

A Medieval Household

The floorboards creaked upstairs. The door burst open, Lady Hillary cried- "How could you betray me, my dear husband!?" She left the castle without another word except for her loud sobs. I knocked on the King's door and heard him sigh 'come in'. I walked into the room and a strong whiff of alcohol tickled my nose. "King Bernard?" His head snapped my way. "What?" His deep voice boomed. "If this is about Hillary, I don't want to hear another word!" He shouted. I nodded. As I was about to leave, he said, "Oh, and refill this, will you?" He handed me an empty flagon of alcohol. "Of course your majesty." I bowed and left the room. I tip-toed down a flight of stairs, crept through half a dozen corridors, and into the kitchen. I saw Charles cooking away at one of the many stoves. He was preparing dinner along with other cooks. "Hello, Charles." I chirped. "Oh, hello Eleanor." He said glancing my way for a second. "I've come to refill this for the King." I filled the flagon to the brim with whiskey and waved goodbye to Charles. As I was walking toward the king I took a sneaky sip and the liquid left a tangy sensation in my mouth. I took the bottle to the king. I knocked on the door and heard King Bernard groan. I entered and placed the jug onto the King's desk. "Thank you..." He poured some into a cup and took a swig. "Why are you still here?" I snapped out of my trance and quickly hurried out of the room. 

A Futuristic City

A flying car sped past above my head. I looked up at it when a bright light caught my eye. I watched as more flying objects shone lights onto big purple and blue buildings almost completely made of glass. The sky was lit up with little lights that looked like stars when really, they were cars and buses and trucks. As I walked on the see-through footpath 40 feet above the ground, I smelled a delicious scent. I noticed a food truck hovering next to the footpath. They were selling doughnuts! I hurried over when suddenly someone zoomed past on their hoverboard and knocked me over the railing. I screamed as I tumbled towards the ground. Is this it? Is this really it for me? I closed my eyes as I almost made an impact. I felt the ground and... sunk? A few seconds later I was flung back up into the air. I gasped... oh. Trampoline flooring. I forgot about that. I tumbled down again and bounced around a few more times. People jumped by and stared at me weirdly. I smiled awkwardly. I bounced back up to the footpath and decided to grab a doughnut. I handed the lady some Futurbux (that's the currency we use now). I took a bite of the doughnut and a gazillion flavours exploded in my mouth. Mmmm, that's delicious. I heard a loud buzzing noise below me and saw a train float by. So... this is definitely the future.

A Made Up Fantasy Land

Giants stomped, fairies whizzed, gnomes ran around the grass, mermaids swam alongside Leo the Loch Ness monster. Yes, I live in a magical world. Everything here has something to do with either magic or witchery or straight up fantasy. Suddenly I heard some people shrieking and laughing. "Nina, you have to see this!" Agnes shouted. I ran over and saw a little gnome dancing away with a fairy. He was probably only three-years-old. They were giggling and doing what looked like the salsa... but they're little. And also a fairy and gnome, so. I smiled at the cute sight and walked off to carry on with what I was doing. Which was creating a party for Dooly- he's a giant. He's turning seven and he's already 20 times the size of me... giants. "Hey, Connie! How's the cake going?" I asked. "Great! Taste this-" She said and shoved a spatula covering in icing in my mouth. "Ooh, this tastes amazing, Con. Keep it up." She smiled and continued icing. Along with about ten more of us mortals (humans) and two other giants.

Setting as Backdrop

The wind howled like a wolf as the trees swayed like they were slow dancing. I entered the subway and heard the familiar sound echo through the air as I walked up to the edge. The train slowed to a stop and I let my eyes adjust to the fluorescent lights. The doors creaked open making the sound of a squeaky step, and people hurried to get to places I don't think I'll ever know about. Even though it was late in the evening there was still a handful of people. Colourful people... people with beards as long as my arm, people wearing clothes that looked like they just came from the Mad Hatter's wardrobe, all sorts. 

Protagonist and Antagonist

Reflection Post

What new things have I learned?

I learned how to make my starters for stories more interesting instead of something boring people wouldn't enjoy reading.

How is this going to help me to be a better creative writer? 

Now that I know how to make everything more interesting I'll be able to create better stories people will want to read.

What activities did I enjoy from this unit of work and why?
I liked doing the Protagonist and Antagonist activity, it was fun creating my own characters from scratch. I think if I created a story with them they would somehow meet and become enemies.

Which styles of learning work best for me? 
I think I work best at Setting it Up. Creating fun little things like those are what I would usually do.

Were there any obstacles to learning this?
I sort of struggled with Setting as Backdrop, I had a hard time coming up with different ways to describe the people and objects to make them more fascinating. Although I think it ended up pretty okay.

Nobel Prize Winner - Science

Nobel Prize Winner -  Frances Arnold

Who is she?

Frances Hamilton Arnold is a American Nobel Prize Winner. She was born on the 25 of July 1956 in Edgewood, Pennsylvania. She studied mechanical and aerospace technology at princeton University. 

What did she do?

-She then went to the University of California, Berkeley where she got a doctorate degree in chemical engineering in 1985. 

What got her the nobel prize?

She used genetic change to make proteins which solve humankind's chemical problems. She created the first evolution of enzymes which activated the chemical reactions.  

What are the effects today of what she achieved?

The results of her actions caused people to use and create more environmentally friendly substances, like pharmaceuticals and renewable fuels. 

11 Worst Countries For Child Labour - Social Studies

CHILD LABOUR 

Map

Social Studies

Lately, we've been working on Child Labour. We had to write down every bad thing that happens in each of the countries. We worked on Eritrea, Somalia, DR Congo, Myanmar, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Yemen, Burundi, Nigeria.

Heart Attacks - Science - Semester One 2019

Heart Attack

What is a heart attack? 
A heart attack happens when an artery sending blood and oxygen to your heart becomes blocked. The blood flow stops and it can cause major damage to the heart. Your chest becomes tight and you can't breathe properly, the pressure falls on your upper body, specifically your neck, your jawline, your back, stomach, and in one or both of your arms. Most of the time it's the left one because it's closer to heart.  

The causes of a heart attack and how to prevent one;
Causes:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Abdominal obesity
• Stress
• Smoking
• Not eating enough healthy food
• Etc.

How to prevent a heart attack:

• Quit smoking
• Stay on a healthy diet
• Reduce stress (relax more)
  
• Manage diabetes
• Aim for a healthy weight
• Lower high blood pressure

Symptoms and treatments of a heart attack;
Symptoms:

• When relaxing a sudden pain occurs
• Feels like a fist clenching in your chest
• Dizziness
• Cold sweat
• Heartburn, indigestion, nausea
• Arm discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Anxiety

Treatments (depending on how severe it is):

• Aspirin (it reduces blood clot which could be causing the heart attack so it may unclog)
• Defibrillation
• Cardiac rehabilitation therapy
• Etc.

What Is Arthritis?

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is when your joints are constantly inflamed and stiff. If often occurs in most joints, your hands, wrists, elbows, knees, shoulders, feet, ankles, neck, and jaw. 

Two Most Common Types Of Arthritis

The two most commons types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis (OA, RA). Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage in your joints break down/erode- causing your joints to be stiff and causing you to be in pain. Rheumatoid Arthritis is when your immune system attacks its own tissue and your joints are inflamed and really swollen. 

Risky Activities
When having arthritis exercising your joints should be fine, although running could make it flare up even more. Listen to the things your doctor says and don't force yourself to do any more than you can. If it hurts, take a break and rest.

Myths
Only the elderly get arthritis;
Wrong! Kids and young adults can also get arthritis. 300,000 children and teens live with juvenile arthritis and other conditions.

You can't stop arthritis from happening;
Wrong too! If you maintain a healthy diet, keep physically active, don't smoke, and wear the appropriate gear when playing a sport, it could decrease the chance of you getting arthritis.

Cracking knuckles can cause arthritis;
This one I'm not so sure about, although there is currently no evidence that cracking your joints can cause arthritis I'm still a little weary on it whether it really is a myth or not. My worst habit is actually cracking my knuckles. I do it so much I'll crack my knuckles without even noticing I've done it. Because I do it so frequently I can't go very long without bending my fingers or wrists to stretch the muscles or joints because they feel numb and stiff. Yeah, yeah, I know 'that's a sign of arthritis!' I haven't really been to the doctors about it and it very well could be a sign or early arthritis...

I'm not sure the websites I gathered this information from is trustworthy or not...

Textiles Technology - Semester One 2019 - Sewing Terms

Sewing Terms

Another piece of work we made in textiles was a poster, slide, or document explaining a bunch of terms we use or will use whilst in textiles. I created a poster-

I explained what the words nap, contrast, knit, notions, woven, bias, plaid, petite, grain, bodice, fusible, interfacing, lining, and yard all mean.

Textiles Technology - Semester One - Work Containers

Work Containers

For the past few weeks, my class has been doing a lot of work, including creating containers to store our work. I made a pocket I can fit my work into. I also thought it would be funny to make a little poop emoji and sew it on the front. The whole thing is made out of felt. It's the perfect size for an A4 sheet of paper. Some of my classmates even brought in shirts they didn't wear much anymore any made sacks/bags/containers out of them. Below is a picture of my bag.