Fakebook DLO

For the past week in Te Ngahere, we have been doing novel studies. We got to choose a book of our choice, Boombe and I chose Arohanui. We got to create a DLO and we had a lot of choices on what we could create but Boombe and I chose to make a ‘Fakebook’ for one of the main characters from the book. I enjoyed making the ‘Fakebook’ profile because it helped me understand the book and the character a little bit better.

Dry Land Swim Safe

On Tuesday, Whaea Tracy came to our school to talk to us about water safety. We talked about rips and stuff that you should always take to the beach or on the boat. She also talked about what you need to do when someone is drowning or if you are drowning. I learnt that if someone is drowning don’t go in yourself, instead go and get a lifeguard or some help.

Waka Ama

Yesterday the year 7 and 8’s went to Waitangi to do Waka Ama. Rob and Ropata taught us how to paddle, how to hold a hoe properly and some things we should keep in mind while we are on the waka. I was in seat one on the 12 man waka, so was Boombe. We had to make sure we were paddling at the same time and that we were doing long strokes. We paddled along the waterfront and past the treaty grounds. I had heaps of fun and I can’t wait till next week!

Energise

Yesterday, Whaea Gina came into Te Ngahere to teach us about takeaways and how they affect our health. She showed us how much fat that was in the different types of food. Whaea Gina showed us different takeout foods and we decided where they would go, below the healthy or unhealthy heart. Below the unhealthy heart there were foods like McDonalds and KFC. Below the healthy heart there were foods like sushi and Subway. The purpose of this was to teach us what we’re putting in our bodies.

Technology

This term in Te Ngahere we’ve been doing Technology. Our WALT was to create something useful for our class or school. Missy, Boombe and myself made three spice racks. We used timber to make our projects, everyone in our class made something different. We had to do things like measuring the timber, cutting it, drilling and staining. My favourite part was staining our wood. I think our projects came out pretty good and we’re really impressed with the finished projects.

Te Reo Maori Week

For the past few days at Paihia School we have been doing a Te Reo Maori rotation. We did the rotation to celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori. There were two leaders per house group and there were some groups that were combined. Payton and I were leaders of Rimu/Kowhai. We did different activities such as whare whare and reading activities. It was really fun and I hope to do it again!

Beeswax Wrap

Yesterday Te Ngahere got to make beeswax wraps. We got a piece of fabric, we were allowed to draw on them since they were just blank. After we drew on them we waited to go to dip them in beeswax. Boombe, Vanya and myself got to go first. We had to go to the whare kai so Anouk could dip them in the wax. After our beeswax wraps dried, they were still sticky. The purpose of making these is so that we could use less plastic in our lunches. I enjoyed making the wraps, I hope to do it again!

Technology

For the past couple of weeks in Te Ngahere we have been making something of our choice with timber/pallets. My group and I decided to make a spice rack, turns out we could make three! I think that my group was awesome at sanding the pallets. We aren’t finished yet but I really enjoy technology!

Maths Goals

In Te Ngahere we have been doing our maths goals for this term. We had to choose 2 knowledge goals, 2 addition and subtraction (strategy) and 1 algebra. I think I chose suitable goals for myself and I hope I achieve them.

Basketball With Mr Lindsay

On Monday and Tuesday Mr Lindsay took the year seven and eights outside to teach us some basketball skills. We did dribbling and piggy in the middle. We learnt about travelling, double dribble and pivoting. We learnt that to control the ball you need to bounce it at a comfortable distance between the ground and your waist. I thought basketball was really fun.

Maromaku Sports Day

On Friday, some students from Paihia School went to Maromaku Sports Day. I played rugby in the year 7&8 team. We lost 3 games and tied 1. The teams we played were Pakaraka, Motatau, Whangaruru and Whananaki. I think we played really good and the year 5&6 players also played awesome.

Bay Bush Action

Last week in Te Ngahere we had two of the Bay Bush Action members visit our class. They talked about the ngahere, threats to native/endemic birds and how our school can become the first pest free school in New Zealand. They gave us ten rat traps to set up around our school and so far we have not caught any rats yet. I enjoyed their visit because it taught me a lot of interesting things about the ngahere.

Moment in Time (draft copy)

Last week in Te Ngahere we were writing descriptive pieces of writing to describe the forest. The WALT was to use descriptive language and to use present tense verbs. I enjoyed writing about the forest because there was so much to explain but I still haven’t finished. This is my draft copy



Moment in Time (draft copy)



The bird's melodies travel through the trees of the forest creating an echo, the melodies quickly draw unknown peoples attention. The sun shines through the shady forest roof hitting the faces of the people walking through the muddy tracks of the forest.

The branches of the big Ponga Trees sway with the direction of the breezy wind, leaves make their way to the damp forest floor, step by step the leaves on the ground crackle beneath peoples shoes, the trees branches are waving to the children walking past. Amazed people are standing beneath a giant Kauri Tree, children jaws drop. The smell of the wet wood makes its way into people's noses. The smell of the damp leaves creep into the childrens nostrils, the breezy wind hitting the back of their necks as they make their way through the breezy forest.

Explanation Writing

In Te Ngahere last term we were learning about healthy ecosystems. We wrote explanations about what a healthy ecosystem is and what an ecosystem needs. Our WALT was to use the correct structure for a piece of explanation writing. It took me a while to finish my explanation but in the end I think it turned out great!



What Is an Ecosystem?


In an ecosystem there are two classes, organic and inorganic elements. Inside of an ecosystem there are producers, consumers and decomposers. Producers, consumers and decomposers are organic matter which are living elements. Snakes, rats, lions and kina are another example of organic matter. Inorganic matter are nonliving elements such as rocks, trees, air and water.

Producers are things that use photosynthesis to make their own food, they extract nutrients from the sun and the soil to do so. Two examples of a producer is phytoplankton and kelp.

Consumers can’t create their own food like producers so they have to feed of of them, an example of a consumer is a mussel.

Decomposers are things such as fungi and bacteria, they break down dead matter. Every part of an ecosystem has a specific job, if any part of the ecosystem gets damaged it affects the entire thing.

If a storm occurs the ecosystem will be harmed but not only will it be harmed it will possibly cause destruction towards it because the ecosystem is very brittle and can’t handle a big change within the weather. Inside of ecosystems there are food chains, one way an ecosystem can become unhealthy is if the food chains get unbalanced caused by other living animals in the environment and humans. For example, if the kina barrens population continues to increase they will continue to eat all the kelp which means there will be no kelp for the other animals to feed off of which can lead to distinction.

Animation

Last term in Te Ngahere we were learning about healthy food chains. We were also creating animations about a food chain of our choice so we had to choose a food chain to animate and then we had to screencastify it. I enjoyed creating my animation and I think I did pretty good. Something I can do better next time is record my voice on my screencastify.

Kaitiakitanga o te Moana

For the last couple of weeks in Te Ngahere we have been learning about Kaitiakitanga O Te Moana. Our WALT was to make connections between different things we read or view to create new learning. I enjoyed learning about Kaitiakitanga O Te Moana because I learnt what a Rahui and a Kina Barren is. I think that my group worked good because we collaborated well.

Visual Pepeha

In Te Ngahere we have been making our visual pepeha. Our WALT was to introduce ourselves and our whanau. The purpose of this was to know who we are and where our ancestors came from. Something that I think I did well was spelling maori words correctly.

My Poem

A few weeks ago Te Ngahere had to write metaphor poems about themselves. We wrote draft pieces first and then we elaborated on them. I made some changes on a few of my metaphors and I think it came out pretty good.

Arihia is…

Arihia is a big strong waka, working hard to be successful

Arihia is a gigantic, strong tree, continuing to grow no matter what

Arihia is a massive wave, rough and tough

Arihia is a bull, dashing through her goals

Arihia is a book, filled with endless knowledge

My Draft of My Metaphor Poem

In Te Ngahere we have been learning how to use metaphors in our writing. We made poems about ourselves. I enjoyed describing myself using metaphors. I found it a bit challenging because i kept using similes instead of metaphors but I ended up understanding how to use metaphors a little bit after I made my mistakes. What I think I can do better next time is describe myself better. This is my draft.