Whetu Christmas Countdown - Christmas Wrapping Paper

We have started something called Whetu Christmas Countdown. We get to choose a number and we have to complete that task. I chose December 4 because It's my birthday. We got to create Christmas Wrapping paper. I made four different wrapping papers. I made a Christmas tree wrapping paper with green dots and I made the Christmas tree on google drawings. I copied and pasted it to create a pattern then I rotated them to make it look better. I made one the same but without the green dots. I made one with a green background with a Christmas tree and red dots. I also made a snow themed one. I used stars to make snowflakes and I used a shape to create the snow. I really enjoyed this task!

Whetu Survival Celebration

WHETU SURVIVAL

For our Whetu Survival Celebration we did three rotations which were Camp cooking, Fire building and Orienteering.

Fire building:

For my first rotation we had a go at making a fire. Mrs Kennedy dug the hole then each troop had a go at making a tepee with the wood. A tip is to put the little ones first then put bigger ones but don't put the biggest ones on straight away. Each troop also had a turn at using the flint. You had to try make a spark but some people couldn't do that but it was ok. Mrs Kennedy tried using the flint to make a fire but It didn't quite work. There was a time we were really close but it didn't stay for long. I enjoyed that task and it was good to learn about how to make fires.

Camp Cooking

For my second rotation we did Camp Cooking. I enjoyed all of the rotations but I think this is my favorite because we made yum food. Two troops were up there at a time but one was making the baked potato and the other troop was making the banana. You could put ham and cheese in the baked potato and marshmallows and chocolate chips in the banana. First the Extreme Team made and cooked their food then us. Then the Knowledge Seekers. First we ate the baked potato and I put ham and cheese in it. It was really yum. After everyone had their potato we had desert which were the bananas. It was good and it was really sweet. I think my favorite was the baked potato because I like sweet things but not so much.

Orienteering

The Brainiacs last rotation was Orienteering. We had a map of the school and there were little yellow orange diamonds on the map. We had to try find those diamonds and there is supposed to be a white laminated paper with a letter on it. You were supposed to find seven letters. It was kind of a scavenger hunt. It was hard at times but it was good because it made it challenging and fun. Each troop got to do this task. The word was B U R R I T O S.

Survival Backpack!

This is Task.2 for Bush Survival. We had to create a survival backpack and add items that would be useful in survival situations. I added a first aid kit, sleeping bag, spare clothes, food, emergency whistle, compass, flare gun, torch, knife, rope, tarp and a water bottle. I have added a description for each item and I thought about why I needed these items. A first aid kit is good in case of injury's. A sleeping bag is a quick and easy sleeping tool. Having a spare change of clothes is good for your hygiene and if you sit in cold wet clothes you can get sick. Emergency whistles and flare guns can be used to signal for help. A compass is good for directions and a knife is good for self defense. A torch can help you see in the dark and a rope can be good to build shelters. A water bottle is good to keep you hydrated and a tarp is good to protect things and cover things. Food is good to keep your hunger up so you don't starve.

FABULOUS FINISH FOR GHOST T4 2019!!

We have now finished our T4 Chapter Chat book for 2019 called Ghost. The book was very interesting and I think I enjoyed this book the most this year. I wanted my Fabulous Finish to be the best task this term so I tried to add detail to show what I have learned from the story. I made a more about me but in a different style. I drew a running track and I made flaps and put all the information under them. I drew what I think Ghost looked like and I drew him in his electric blue Defenders uniform. I tried making the letters bold and colorful. I write some words to describe him like Run, Track, Defenders and his name. I drew some flags crossed on the side of where it said Ghost. Under his favorite food flap I put Sunflower seeds because In the story he often goes to Mr. Charles's store to buy them. I also write Duck because at the special dinner he enjoyed the duck. For his weaknesses I put controlling himself because he isn't really good at controlling himself. For enemies I put Brandon the school bully because he is rude to Ghost. For strengths I put sprinting because he is one of the fastest sprinters of the Defenders Track team. I put his friends and family and his hobbies. His hobbies are Basketball and Running. The hardest part was drawing Ghost because I'm not that good at drawing. The easiest part was the font because I knew what I was gonna do and how I was going to do it. I really enjoyed Chapter Chat this term and I enjoyed fabulous finish!

Task1. What to do - Three Key Survival Points

  What is the S.T.O.P acronym for survival:

1. S.T.O.P means Stop, Think, Observe, Plan.

 2. It is also important to stay still.

3. S.T.O.P is a mind-set exercise

How to find fresh water in the bush:

1. Water will usually run downhill so that's where you can find it. 

 2. You can purify water it by boiling it.

3. The freshest water is where the sun is most of the time because it keeps bugs and other things away.

Shelter in the bush:

1. Your shelter needs to protect you from weather, temperatures, floods and bugs.

  2. You will need to build your shelter on a flat, dry ground away a lake or stream but not too far.

3. Make sure your shelter is warm to keep your body heat.

Fire in the bush:

1.  You may need to use it to purify water and cook once you have found a food source. 

2. Try to make your fire as small as possible so that it uses less fuel. It is a good idea to make your fire in a place where the wind won't blow directly on it. 

3. You need to make your fire on a dry area using dry wood. 

Basic first aid in the bush: 

1. Pack a first aid kit and be prepared if anything happens.

 2. It is best to bring bug spay, plasters, medical tape insect repellent etc. 

3. Keep your eyes open for sharp objects and anything that can be dangerous and anything that can hurt you.

Signaling for help: 

 1.You can use a mirror or another thing that can reflect.

2. Take a flare gun.

3. Make sure you know how to use these things properly.

Chapter Chat week 5, Term 4 Book cover and Storyboard.

This is my Chapter Chat for week 5, term 4. I went back a couple of weeks and did two tasks since we finished our book. I did a Storyboard on some of the story and I made book covers for Ghost. I really enjoyed these tasks because I got to do more than one and Storyboard is really fun to use. The book covers were also fun to design because you can choose how you want it to be. On the original cover it says "Running for his life, or from it?" so I put that on the covers I made aswell. I added a picture of runners and I added the word Defenders because Ghost is in a track team called the Defenders.

Pōhutukawa Tree

What different names does the Pōhutukawa tree have? Metrosideros excelsa, New Zealand Pōhutukawa and New Zealand Christmas tree. 

 Pōhutukawa trees are found throughout the North Island. Mainly north of New Plymouth and Gisborne. Pōhutukawa trees grow best in warm dry areas close to the sea.

The strong timber wood was used for ship building.

Chapter Chat WK4 T4 A way with words!

This is my Chapter Chat task for this week. I did a review on Ghost and since we aren't finished yet I did a review so far. I wrote this on the 5th of November. We had to rate the book out of 10 and I rated it a 10/10 because It is interesting. I recommend this book for people that like running and I had fun writing this review. 

Overhand Knot #3

OVERHAND - KNOT #3

This is the overhand knot I tried to tie. The overhand knot is a stopper. It may not look secure but It is. It can also support the ends of the rope and I think this rope is good for hanging clothes on. I give it a difficulty rating of 2/5 because at first I couldn't do it but then I started following more instructions. You can master it if you follow the right instructions. 

Figure Eight Knot #2

Figure Eight Knot 

This is my figure eight knot. This knot will be good for stopping things. This knots difficulty rating is 1/5 because It is really easy to master and you can usually get it right unless you follow the wrong instructions. It is easy overall and you should be able to master it. I think this is good knot for stopping things from jamming.

Alpine Butterfly Knot #1

Alpine Butterfly Knot

This is my alpine butterfly knot I tried to tie. This knot is used to make a loop in the middle of the rope. This knots difficulty rating is 4/5 because the hardest thing for me was folding the upper loop down to the bottom one then putting it through the bottom loop. I can usually master it but sometimes I mess up. It is good to use with long ropes.

Chapter Chat WK3 T4 2019! Research on Sunflower Seeds by Loto

For Chapter Chat this week I did research on sunflower seeds. I created this on google drawings and I included some photos and I searched up some facts about sunflower seeds. The tricky part was finding the information but that was also the fun part. The easiest part was finding the pictures. I had fun doing this task because while I did It I found out some interesting facts about sunflower seeds. 

Task 3. Putting up a tent

Task 3. Putting up a tent

At first we didn't read the instructions so it was hard. I think the easiest thing was working together as a team. It went well when we all had something to do. Someone read the instructions and the others were helping each other putting up the tent. I learnt that it is best to work together as a team and you will get it done. 

Task2. Shelter information

The shelters that we are going to make will be the Tarp shelter, an easy shelter make but still very suitable to sleep in. We reckon that it could have a few people to sleep in. And also the teepee because it is easy and suitable to build and sleep in.  

What are their key features and why we have chosen to build them? We all agreed on these two huts to build ( AN A-FRAME & TARP TEEPEE ). We chose to build the TARP because it looks like it has a lot of space and looks easy and quick to make. We chose to build the TARP (Teepee) Because we think that more than two people will be able to fit in it, although it might be a bit challenging to make.

Shelter Building Task 1.

Shelter Building Troop Challenge Task 1

Where is the best place to build a shelter?
 The best place to build a shelter is on high grounds and close

to water supply like a river but not too close so you don't attract bugs. It is also good to be on high ground
in case there is a flood.

What does the shelter need to protect you from?
 Your shelter needs to protect you from bugs,

floods and the weather. You also need to have warmth in your shelter. You also need your shelter to be
strong so it is prepared for strong winds, rain and other weather.

What materials do you need to build a shelter? 
You will need rope, tarp, ferns, sticks and trees

to hold up your shelter. You can also use large leaves. For your structure you could use trees and sticks
and for the top you could use leaves, ferns and tarp. For the sides you can do the same.

Cons are bug bites because they can infect easily, bad weather and temperatures because it will

be hard to go to sleep and sleep is very important. My Pro would be getting to sleep with nature

and explore whats around you. 

Blog Bonus Mini Scenes! - Calf Club Day 2019

On Calf Club day the people that didn't have an animal in Whetu made mini scenes! You could create any scene you wanted.  I made a beach.
At home I looked around my house for some things I could use to create my scene. Me and my brother Hemi helped each other look for things.
We needed a tray or container and we needed to gather supplies to create our scene. We had to bring our supplies and tray to school and we got sand from the sandpit at school. Here are a few things I used: Modelling clay, Popsicle sticks, Stickers, Mini umbrellas, Shells, Rocks, Pebbles, Glitter, Beads, Fabric and Blue kinetic sand.
 I used modelling clay to make things like a surfboard and other things a beach would have. I used sticks to make a little fence and I was going to make a chair but I decided not to. I used stickers for the water that was actually blue kinetic sand I just dyed the sand blue awhile ago. I put star stickers on the blue sand so I looks like star fish. I used those mini umbrellas that go in cocktails for umbrellas. I used shells because usually there are shells on beaches and I also used rocks because there are also rocks on some beaches. I used pebbles for decoration. I used silver and blue glitter for the water and I used gold glitter for the sand. I cut a fabric cloth into a rectangle to create a beach towel. I brought some accessories like a mini handbag and a mini milkshake toy. The most challenging thing about putting my scene together was when I put glitter it went everywhere and the trees always blew down because of the wind.
The most challenging part of planning my scene was that I had heaps of materials but I didn't think they suit a beach scene so I bought them for others to use. I liked how people were sharing and letting others use things because not everyone had stuff.

Chapter Chat WK2 Creation Station - Ghost's sneakers

For Chapter Chat this week I did Creation Station. I drew Ghost's old cut down sneakers and his new silver sneakers that he stole. Since I like Nike I made the new shoes Nike shoes. I labeled them so you can tell how they are different. I made Ghost's old pair of sneakers dirty with scratches and rips. They also have a bad smell. The new sneakers are silver and shiny with no marks and scratches. I basically did a before and after. I had fun doing this task!

2019 Calendar Art!

This is my 2019 Calendar Art. I did Zentangle art. There were three options but I chose this. For the other options you could do scenes and art with flowers.  I put my face in the middle and drew some hair around my head. I did different zentangle patterns for the background and hair. The hardest part was drawing because I wanted it to look good and not look rushed. Coloring was also hard because I wanted my artwork to pop and stand out. The easiest part was sticking my face on. I left some bits white so you can see the color separated. I really enjoyed this.

Loto's logo for Brainiacs Survivor Troops - Kiwis

This is my logo I designed for my Survivor Troop our troop is called the Kiwis. I included a sun, clouds and I traced a picture of a Kiwi. I put a green triangle down the bottom so it looks like the Kiwi is standing on grass. I tried giving the Kiwi real features. My team mates in my Troop also designed some really awesome badges and our team logo is a badge designed by one of our team members. I had fun doing this.

T4 WK1 Chapter Chat - Digital Design

 This is my Chapter Chat for Week 1 Term 4. We have a new book called Ghost and the activity I did was Digital Design. I did Coach Brody's business card and a flag that represents the Defenders Track Team that Brody Coaches and Castle Cranshaw (Ghost) is a part of.  Brody is not just a Coach he is also a taxi/cab driver. For Digital Design we got the choice of a flag or business card but I did both. On the flag I put the name of the track team and more. I made up a taxi company for him called Racer Taxi Company. The reason I chose this name is because the service might be fast and can get you to where you need to go fast. I had lots of fun doing this Chapter Chat Digital Design task and I am enjoying the book so far.

School Holidays blog post!!

On the holidays I did all sorts of fun things. My cousin Cherish came over to my house for the first week of the holidays then my other cousin Rosie came over for a couple of days. We went to Hamilton to get a new car, we went to the cinema in Thames on Friday and we went to the Thames Coast and had a barbecue on the last day of the holidays. It was a nice time to spend time with my Family. We had to stay home a couple of times because my mum was working but at home we played outside and I mainly watched our chickens Nala and Fuli. My favorite thing was going to Hamilton to get a new car because we needed a new car since we have had our other car for years. We were going to get a different car that was not a van but we have a big family so we got a Toyota Vellfire and it is purple. My least favorite thing was staying home but I enjoyed the holidays and I was excited to come back to school.

Here is the map of the North Island. It shows the locations that I went to.

Blog Challenge - Holes Movie Review BY LOTO

This is my movie review on Holes. This was a part of one of our blog challenges we need to complete. All the information about the movie is on the review.

Blog Challenge T3 2019 - Book Cover by Loto!!

This is my book cover I made for one of the blog challenges. I have read Gorilla Dawn so I created a book over of it. I did the front and back cover. I added a title, sun and I made a gradient sunset-dawn background different to the original background. The back cover is different to the front cover, on the back cover I put three suns and on the front cover I put one because I had the title. This was really fun and I enjoyed it.

Fabulous Finish WK 8-9!! Holes!! Sam the Onion Man.

   This is my Fabulous finish from our book Holes!! We read the book and watched the movie. I enjoyed it a lot and this is what I have made for the end. I made a more about me/character model of Sam. There is also things on the back like the names of some characters from the story. I made a before and after of the Mary Lou boat. I made a pocket flap with things Sam may have in his pocket like onions. I drew a cart of onions and the stream that runs uphill. I also drew God's Thumb and a grave for Sam and Mary Lou (his donkey) This was challenging but fun. The easiest thing would probably be the writing. The hardest thing was the drawing for me because I didn't want to mess it up. 

Loto's Adobe Spark video.

This is my video I made for Maori Language Week. I made a Maori translation video. I enjoyed creating this and the most easiest thing was getting the right timing but the hardest part was finding the right translation. Sorry if you cannot access the video.

CCWK7 Sam & Mary Lou

This is my Chapter Chat for week 7. I drew Sam and Mary Lou. I added things from the story like the lake, the stream that runs uphill, the boat called Mary Lou, the spiced peaches tree, Sam's onion patch and God's Thumb. I really enjoyed this task and it is my favorite one so far. I wrote Sam and Mary Lou in some fancy lettering I learned in a workshop. I tried my best to add in details.

CCWK6 Digital Design Pick n Mix.

This is my Chapter Chat for week 6. I did pick n mix digital design. I did a missing poster of Stanley Yelnats and Zero (Hector Zeroni) On Zero's missing poster I put things from the story. Where it says Last seen: Camp Green Lake I crossed it out because the warden and the others doesn't want anyone to know Zero was at Camp Green Lake. I enjoyed making missing posters.  

Vocab CC WK5

This is my vocabulary I did for week 5. I had to find out the meanings of Parched, Systematic, Protruding, Increments and Precipice. I had to put them in a sentence aswell. We came across Parched when Zero's throat or mouth was dry (parched) Protruding is when something is sticking out like when Zero and Stanley were climbing the mountain some rocks were protruding. 

Palindromes Research by Loto

This is my research on Palindromes for week 4 Chapter Chat. There were two options for research: you could research about famous outlaws or research about Palindromes which are words/names that can be read forwards and backwards. I listed some Palindromes on my poster. Examples: Race car, Anna, Stats etc. I really enjoyed doing this task because it was fun learning about Palindromes. 

WK2 T3 Chapter Chat Letter

This is my Week 2 Chapter Chat. I did the letter to Stanley's Mum. I completed this task but I didn't post it because I was away. On the letter I drew a pile of dirt and a hole. I write Mom instead of Mum because Stanley says Mom. I tried making the border look like brown paper.

Wk3 T3 CC Holes: Evil Makeup Digital Design

For my week three Chapter Chat I did the digital design makeup task. I made a nail polish like the Warden's in our book named holes. It has the same name but I added dirt and sand on the nail polish bottle. I put words around it and the color is dark red. It's a special nail polish and it has been approved by the Evil Makeup Warden. I had fun doing this task and I missed out week 2 because I was away.

CCWK1 Holes!! Yellow spotted lizard!

This is my first Chapter Chat task for week one of our new book HOLES!! I drew a yellow spotted lizard It kind of turned out good. I also made some holes and what It might look like underground with the different shades of brown and black. I used a fancy font for the title. I hope you like it!!

Grandparents Day LETTER!!

This is my Grandparents Day letter I made for my Nan and Poppa! I write something I love about them and I put a smiley face and a heart. I put the words: Caring, Loving and Kind! I write about how much I love them and the background is a pink flower.  Love you Nan and Poppa!!

Bee Inquiry Fabulous Finish!!

This is my Bee Inquiry Fabulous Finish!! I am in Mrs Kennedy's How Things Work group and my groups area of focus is Honey. We have a team driving question: What would a world without bees be like? I have put things I have learned so far on my Fabulous Finish. I made a over-flowing honey jar and the honey is a flap and there is some info under it. I also made honey splats with info on them. I used a fancy font I have learnt from my lettering workshop. I'm really proud of my bee inquiry finish!

Fabulous Finish!! Fish in a Tree!! WK 8-9

We have finished our Fish in a Tree Chapter Chat book!! It was very interesting and enjoyable. This is my fabulous finish!! I made a happy and a sad/angry side of Ally. We haven't really seen an angry side of Ally so I used my imagination. I also made a flap opening up to her brain/mindset. I made a positive side and a negative side listing some of the things she thinks about. On the happy side of Ally I put her sketchbook of impossible and a pencil by her ear so shes carrying it where ever she goes. On the sad side Ally has a bleeding nose and shes crying. There are also mean disgusting notes around her. I hope you enjoyed!!

Brainiacs Biking Thursday Session

On Thursday our class went out for a biking session. Paul taught us how to check our bikes and our helmets. He also taught us how to ride properly and we did some tasks. We did skids and I was scared I would fall off my bike. On Friday we are also having another session.

Free Choice CCWK7 Book Cover

This is my book cover I made for Fish in a Tree. I got an image of a tree and put a fish image on the tree. I added Ally looking up at the fish and the background is a sunset. The hardest thing was doing the title because it took time. My favourite thing is the sunset because I like the effect. I hope you enjoyed my Chapter Chat for week seven!

Ally for Class President!!

For week six Chapter Chat I made posters supporting Ally for class president! I put kind things around Ally's avatar and I made another poster on google drawings telling everyone why they should vote for Ally Nickerson! One reason why Ally should be president is that she is kind and never gives up on a question even if it's hard. I hope you like my posters supporting Ally!

Loto's Research on Chess!

For Chapter Chat this week I did research on chess. I am now doing my fantastic favourite. I did some research on how to play chess and I also included some facts about chess. I didn't really know the longest game had 5,949 moves and that was the most interesting thing I found out. The reason I chose to do research was because I was away for most of the week and I wanted to finish my Chapter Chat for this week so I chose something that I would get done before Friday. 

T-shirt Creation Station CCWK3

This is my special t-shirt I made for Chapter Chat. Albert in our book Fish in a Tree also has a special t-shirt so for this activity we had to make a special t-shirt that represents us.  This would be special to me because it says my name in the middle and I like bright colours. It looks like lots of colourful puzzle pieces. The easiest thing was drawing the design and the hardest part was colouring because it takes lots of time and you have to take care.