Graduation 2016

Tuesday night, the year 8 students, the teachers and the students parents attended the Graduation for 2016. Awards we given, speeches were told and food was eaten. Sione Taufa had given a speech that had powerful messages. To dream big, embrace the struggles, and to work hard. He was very inspirational as he talked about being the only pacific islander in his department, and his steps and how he got there.  I'm proud of how far we have become and I hope everyone does well in their future education. 

Joseph Parker vs Andy Ruiz

Congratulations to Joseph Parker his won his battle on Saturday. He had a fight against Andy Ruiz who was his last opponent that was standing in his way of being the next "World Heavyweight Champion."   

I can't imagine life without...

WALT: be creative with lists.

I had put together a web of the objects that I can't imagine life without. There are many more things, but I decided these as my top 8 objects.

Enlargement

We have been learning how to enlarge our image. I first selected an image, put in on a Google Drawing document and placed a grid over it. My grid was 8x6. Each square was 1cm x 1cm.

I worked out my scale factor which was; 1cm represented 35cm. I practiced how I was going to draw my grid on a piece of paper. To practice I used a scale factor of 5 cm. I marked 5 cm, 8 times across and 6 times downwards. We then went outside and drew our grid. We used measuring tapes, chalk, and straight meter rulers to draw the straight lines. I measured 35 cm across 8 times, and 6 times vertically. I didn’t have time to complete drawing my image, but I managed to complete my grid. It was easy to mark my 35 cm but I found it a bit difficult to draw the straight lines.

Enlargement In Geometry

Walt: enlarge a picture.

I learnt how to enlarge pictures by 2 scale factors. I counted the squares to make sure I drew my picture on the correct square. I found this a bit challenging as I had to make sure that I copied my picture accurately on the grid. Next I would like to enlarge a picture by 3 scale factors. 

What's My Why?

Tessellation Patterns

We have been learning about Tessellation Patterns. I had created my own with 2 vertices. We had to use two or more polygons in our tessellation pattern.

Tessellation Patterns

Walt: create and name tessellation patterns

Today we were learning about tessellation patterns. Tessellation patterns are repetitive patterns that have no gaps or overlaps. A polygon is a 2D shape that has all straight lines. It can’t be open and they can’t have curves. A vertex is any corner point. To name our tessellation we had to pick any corner(vertex) and count how many shapes are connected to that corner. Then we had count the number of sides each shape had that were touching the corner. You always have to start with the smallest number. The name of this tessellation is 4.6.6.12.

Haiku Poem - The Beach

We learned how-to-haiku. A haiku is a Japanese poem. The rules for a haiku poem is that it has to have 17 syllables. 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line and 5 syllables in the last line. It has to have a cutting point, either on the first or second sentence. The last rule is that we have to use seasonal reference, meaning when you describe a season.

I made a haiku poem with Petuana and Alyssa:

Squawking seagulls soared

High through the bright blue sky as,

The soft wind whistled.

Inferring With Pictures

	Where is this? This is in a movie theatre.
	How is the man feeling? Annoyed because the lady didn’t listen to the instructions, which were to turn off your phone when the movie is on.
	What will he say to the lady? To please turn off her phone as it is distracting others.

	How does this boy feel? Very excited and happy.
	What is this boy thinking? He is thinking that it is a big ice cream and that he is going to eat it all.
	What time of the year is it? Summer as ice cream is mostly given during summer.

Area And Perimeter

In this game, I had to find the area and perimeter of the shape. I found this game easy because I knew how to work out area and perimeter. The area is section inside the shape and perimeter is the barrier around the shape. Next I would like to try to find the area and perimeter of bigger and irregular shapes.

New Zealand Olympic Ambassador - Brooke Neal

Brooke Neal told us about the 3 Olympic Values (Excellence, Friendship and Respect) and also one of her own values, Purposeful. She talked about “ What’s her why” and she said “ Her why is her family and her country” She had told us about her hard times, but she never gave up. She had showed us her goals from 9 years ago, and on it had she had written, “ Go to the 2016 Rio Olympics.” She had achieved her goal and she told us to write our goals down. “ Writing down your goals, is better than keeping it in your head, because only when you see your goals everyday, will you try to succeed.” This is what Brooke had said to all of us. She has set a new goal for herself and that is to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We need to start thinking about “What is our why?"

Basketball Training With Yaran and Malik.

For 2 weeks we have been training with Yaran and Malik. Last week we learned B.E.E.F meaning Balance, Eyes on the target, Elbow and Follow through. We also learned the dinosaur stance, head up and when dribbling, use your finger tips. Today we learned how to catch the ball with a diamond, chest pass, bounce pass and overhead pass. They also taught us how to fake and pass. Playing basketball is really fun.

Boomerang - Angles

In this game I had to make an acute, obtuse and right angle boomerangs. I found this easy as an acute angle is less than 90o, an obtuse angle is more than 90o but less than 180o and a right angle is 90o. I would like to try a more complex game.

Acrostic Poem - Terror

WALT: write an acrostic poem using alliteration.

Acrostic Poem: Terror

Tree twigs tumbled to the ground.

Emergency equipment was pulled out.

Radios roared throughout the building.

Raging rain splattered against the rooftop.

Overpowering objects flew towards me.

Rest replaced worried thoughts.

Basic Facts

I recently did a basic facts timed test, stage 8. I found it a bit hard as I didn't get enough time to answer every question correctly. I answered 40 questions and I got 35 correct. I will try again to get an even higher score. 

Personification Paragraph

Walt: write a paragraph using figurative language.

I have been learning figurative language. I learned personification. I had to write a paragraph about personification about the beach.

The Beach

Orange, yellow and red covered the empty sky that could be seen lying above the ocean. The waves plummeted on the surface of the water, forcing it to race up to the sand. The leaves on the trees danced to the soft breeze. The seashells gripped to the sand, not making a single movement.

Equivalent Fractions

In this game I had to find the equivalent fraction. I found this game really easy, as it was just for revision. My score was 18600 and I was ranked 11th. I would like to play a more complexed game so that it really challenges me. 

Personification Poem

We have been learning figurative language. We learned about personification. Personification is giving life to non-living things or animals. We had to create a poem about school or the beach using personification.

The Beach

The leaves danced in the wind,

Swaying to the calm melody,

Until they laid still,

Waiting for it to begin again.

Maths E-Asttle

I had done a Maths E-Asttle test and I had received my results. I am very proud of my result but I am still trying to achieve my goal which is to get a 5A. I do need to make a lot of progress to achieve my goal. 

Magic Squares

We have been learning to do magic squares. I had to find the magic number which what I did was added all the numbers up and divided it by 3 as it is a 3 x 3 square. I then had to put the numbers in the correct order so that all directions ( diagonal, across, down ) added to the magic number. I completed level 5 and 6. I would like to try a 4 x 4 square. 

Reading E-asttle

I received my results for my Reading E-asttle test and I got a 5p. I am really proud that I got that result and I want to try harder to try even get higher result. I do need to work on a lot of things to get a higher score.  

Apple Danish Braid

Last week Friday, we each created an item using 1/2 an apple, a ball of pastry, raisins and brown sugar. I created an apple danish braid and I really enjoyed making it. Everyone made different designs with their pastry. 

Tamaki College - Mathematics

Tamaki College - Mathematics

Algebraic Expressions

Terminology:

Expression - Mathematical term for the whole problem(no equal sign)

Variable - Mathematical term for a letter(s)

Coefficient - Mathematical term for number before letter

Constant - Mathematical term for number on its own

When variables are the same, we call them like terms.

When adding like terms, keep variables/letters the same.

2a + 5a = 7a

4c + 5c = 9c

7p - 4p = 3p

Ab + 2ab = 3ab

2z + z = 3z

2a + 4c + 5c + 5a = 7a + 9c

4b + 3g + 2b + 6g = 6b + 9g

3f + 2g + 4f + 7g = 7f + 9g

2a + 3a2 + 4a =  3a2 + 6a

15bg - wrong way

Keep the variables separate if they are not the same.

Maths eyes

If no number before letter than it always means 1

Today at Tamaki College, I learnt about Algebraic Expressions. Expression, Variable, Coefficient and Constant. We also had problems to solve and I got the last problem wrong. Though I got to learn it and I would like to try some more complex problems.

Comic - Rangitoto

Trip To Rangitoto - E-book

Mr Yamasaki

Mr Yamasaki, who is Japanese came to our class to teach us how to make an origami crane. I didn't get to finish mine but I would like to construct other animals with paper. 

Guinea's Rowing Experience

Cook Island Language Week

Today we were visited by members from the Auckland Museum. They were Cook Islanders who were here to talk about “Vakas”, Wakas or boats. They had brought a tool, that was used to drill holes in wood which was very interesting. It didn’t look like a complicated object, though no one knew how to use it, until Lauren demonstrated. The string they used to connect wood that was made from coconuts, was named “Niu.” I learned how they used the sun, the stars and other things in the sky as a guide/compass, and how they knew they were near land. As I am a Cook Islander, I found this session really interesting as it is the history of how my ancestors travelled from Africa to Cook Island.    

Jim Thorpe - Athletes Profile

Every Day Theatre

Today Rooms 7 and 8 were visited by 2 people, Julie and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn was with our class and she was really funny. We got to play different games, or act out different scenarios about the story of T, his parents, and their relationship. We enjoyed the games that we played as everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves. I enjoyed their little presentation that did at the beginning to show us some parts of the story. The best part was getting into groups, acting the images and saying what their thoughts might have been. We got the password, which was “Every Child Has Hopes And Dreams.” We also did a fun little handshake at the end. We were lucky not to lose our last life, or else it would have been,“Game Over.”

Matching Metaphors

Walt: match metaphors with their meaning in sport and non-sport activities.

We had to match the metaphors with their meaning in sport and non-sport activities. We had to get into groups of 3 or 4. I was with Lakai, Ketura and Lauren. The students in the Writing Target Group had did this activity previously so they just watched the rest match it together. They only helped with checking it afterwards. I found this useful as I could use some of them in my writing. I would like to use some of the metaphors later in my writing.  

Bonnie Blair - Profile

Comic Strip-Speech

Decorating Muffins

For 3 weeks in maths, we have been studying patterns. We have been trying to work out the rule. Our teachers gave us a challenge of who could decorate their muffin the best using fruits and other ingredients. I found it challenging to keep the fruit on the muffin and to come up with a good design. It was fun as we all got to compete against each other. Next I would like to learn more on algebra.  

Netball With Anne

We had our last lesson with Anne today. We got to compete against each other and it was so fun. Some people kept dropping the ball and some were really good.

Samoan Off To Rio

This athlete is outstanding due to the fact that he started out small and suddenly made into something big such as the 2016 Rio Olympics.