Passions by Isabella

Passions

This term, our inquiry focus has been technology. We did 'Passions'. We had to choose one of the six topics that we were 'passionate' about. I chose clay relics. We had to design something that had something to with us. I decided to do Vikings, becuase of my past anscetors (I also did a hand doing the peace sign). Here are the photos:

End of Spring poem by Isabella

End of Spring

Tediously time ticks by as the seasons slowly change. Longer with light, shorter at night.

The once bulging, blooming flowers now turned to verdant green leaves clutching onto their branches. They’re waiting until Autumn, like a butterfly waiting to emerge from its embraced cocoon.

Book Week - Dress up Day

Book Character Dress up

On Wednesday the 8th of November, we had a 'dress up as a book character day'. I enjoyed it very much because I liked seeing everyone's interpretation of their favourite character. 

I went as the Queen of Hearts from 'Alice in Wonderland'. Tere were lots of Wonderland themed characters such as two White Rabbits and numerous Alices. 

I really enjoy Book Week because special once-a-year things happen. 

Moari myth and legend video

How Maui brought Fire to the World

Last term, during the end, we had to reacreate a Moari myth or legend in our own words. My group was Lily and I and our myth was 'How Maui brought fire to the world'. Here is the video we had to make: 

By Isabella 

Raft building at camp

Raft Building

My head was fizzing with ideas, waiting to spout out. Waiting. Time went by, I was still waiting to share. The pile gave me a helpless look, which told me it was going to fall apart the way it was. 

The ramp shook as the jumble of barrels was pushed out. I could tell it had had enough. It let go, giving itself space to strech and and breath. Broken. Bamboo sunk and barrels rolled out into the lake. The creature was no more. All the girls screamed and worried looks spread across the boy's faces. My idea would've worked. I know it. 

Choices of Life Production

Production Recount

My heart races as I wait to go on. I can hear voices blaring through the microphone's speaker. I breathe deeply.

I step onto the stage, the green sheet concealing me.  I can feel sweat dripping down my forehead. The show must go on...

Winter

Winter

It's hands, stealing the verdant green leaves from the trees. A scornful glare, covering the grass in a frost curse. Angrily, it bites your toes, taking the warmth from them. Its menacing laugh, is the ever-lasting winter wind.

It snatches away happiness, abhorrent, hating it. The nightmares it creates, poisoning children's minds. Winter has arrived. 

Learning Conference Term 3 2017

My Learning Conference Term 3 2017

Earlier this week, I had my learning conference. My mum and my brother came to my conference. I was a little nervous, but it was ok. 

Here is the hyper-link to my slide show:

Learning Conference Term 3 2017

My Speech

My Speech by Isabella

 Are we doing enough to look after our oceans?

You’ve just pulled up at the beach. The water’s completely black. In the distance is a gull, with plastic strangling its neck. There’s hundreds of dead fish stranded on the sand. The only other thing you see is a dolphin, stuck in a fishing net.

Every year over 100,000 marine mammals are killed just from plastic in the sea. Plastic bags are often eaten because they’re mistaken for jellyfish. When an animal eats the plastic, it makes their stomach full. But when they feel hungry they can’t eat anything because they’re full. So eventually, they starve to death. If that’s not bad enough, there is actually 13,000 pieces of litter per square kilometre of the sea, and it’s us who put it there.

Another major thing that kills marine life is oil spills. Oil spills or even oil leakages can be caused when boats carrying oil capsized or when oil rigs are leaking. Oil spills are the worst environmental disaster that can happen. They contaminate the water and are unsafe for all living things. When an oil spill occurs, the water will turn black and smell like petrol or gas.

Hundreds of dolphins are getting killed just from fishing nets. Why? It takes 3-4 hours for the fishing nets to get back to the boat. A dolphin can hold its breath for 8-10 minutes. Unfortunately, when a dolphin gets caught in a net, it drowns because it’s been underwater for too long.

If you want more sea life, I think we should be doing more to look after our oceans and seas. If you don’t litter, there could be 100,000 more marine creatures. Or maybe try to catch your own fish, to stop killing the dolphins. So, are you going to think twice before you drop your litter?

By Isabella, 23/6/17

Clouds

Clouds

A blanket that covers the sky

Keeping it warm in winter

A kingdom above the ground

impossible to get to

A secret place

that is unknown

Storm

Storm

Lighting zapping, thunder crashing

You hear the storm coming

Wind whistling, rain tapping

You hear the storm,

it's here

Hamilton Gardens Weather by Isabella

Hamilton Gardens Weather

Advancing down from the clouds is the rain.

I groan in misery.

There is no place for rain in the gardens, I murmured darkly to myself.

 I sigh as I trudge along the path.
I watch Lily shove some rosemary into her pocket,
Then I sigh deeply.
The rain keeps falling and continues to terrorise us. 
I wanted the sunshine, not the rain. 
I like the gardens, but not when it rains.

Dissection by Isabella

Dissection

I cringe. Cold, clotted blood pours out the heart. I shiver. My hand jolts as it journeys towards the muculent heart. I closed my eyes.

*

I watched the others poking their fingers inside the nauseating organ. I couldn’t believe they were doing it. I didn’t want to say I hated the blood. So I kept it to myself.

A voice inside my brain whispers: you should touch it! Go on, touch it! My back tingled, as my hand travels forward to the vile object lying in front of me. My hand grasps the heart…

Treaty of Waitangi Slide

During Term 1,  we were learning about our local history and the Treaty of Waitangi. We had to create a slide presentation with our group. My group was Lily, Lylah and me. Hope you like the slide show. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sNVz0xQT53v-vtOi30KV9SfXFn5nficrgUN1DKOVe7k/edit#slide=id.p

My Learning Conference Term 1 2017

My Learning Conference Term 1 2017

During Term 1, we had our first learning conferences of this year. My mum attended my conference with me. I enjoyed my conference, even though I was a little scared. My mum was very proud of me. Here is a link so you can see my learning conference slide show. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Zs7O_9HcTVodKOrcUMs-wirvdg8S2hDi90Wi1guEqy0/edit#slide=id.p

Night Walk (year 4 camp) by Isabella

Night Walk  by Isabella

Staring hard at the bush, I shivered. I knew I hated the dark, and the hated me too. Dreading the thoughts of being lost, I advanced towards the stone track. Darkness.

Cringing, I entered the bush. I could feel it eating me up. Piece by piece. It had swallowed me. Mocking me, the darkness cackled at me, making me provoked.

Plodding along the shambolic track, we journey further into the darkness. Sniggering, demons of the forest pulverised me. Surrounding me, they play puerile pranks and start obnoxious noises. I hated the dark.

Swimming Sports Recount by Isabella

Swimming Sports by Isabella

My heart, pounding. I step up to the edge of the pool, trembling with fear. I wait. The clapper goes. I dive like I'm free. I swim with all my might. I push through the water, clearing it. I'm almost there, I think in my head. I touch the wall... I didn't win. 

Swimming Sports Reflection by Isabella

10.3.17        Swimming Sports

Last Friday, Senior Swimming Sports was held. This year I spent most of my time in the pool. I thought swim sports was really fun this year.

I had to wait a while for my first race. I sat snuggled in my towel when I was waiting. The first event was freestyle. I came second in the heat, but I got disqualified. I also competed in two lengths freestyle and came third.

I didn’t place anything in breaststroke, though. In backstroke, I placed second in the heat and went through to the semi-final. I came third in the semi-final, so I didn’t go to the final.

I enjoyed swim sports this year. I look forward to it next year.

Koru Art by Isabella

Koru Art Reflection 

During Term 1, our class did 'Koru Art' to represent the strength of our house. My house is Tui, so my 'koru' was green. 

Because my koru is green, (a cold colour) my background is warm colours such as red, orange and yellow. We created our 'koru art' with oil pastels. My design had two magapare, which represents strength. I also did some pitau, which is one looking after a smaller one. My other type of koru was the koru that shows 'new beginnings'.

I hope you like it!

Mountain Biking by Isabella

Mountain Biking

By Isabella

Trembling with fear, I walk my bike to the start of the track. I head to the back of the group. I wait for the signal to go. I’m off. Dust covers my face.  The sky seems to aim its light straight at me, making me sweat.

Cackling loudly, the rocks make me wobble. The gorse sniggers under its breath, pointing its razor claws. The pine trees rustle in the light wind. I was entering the forest.

A sign that said ‘easy as track’ appeared. I turned to the right, where the track started. I walked my bike down carefully. The slope beckoned me. The root lifted up further as I came towards it. I didn’t fall off, but it frightened me.

I came cycling towards a fast flowing stream. The track sloped, eating up my confidence. Piece by piece.  The corner tips me. I had fallen. Ella keeps cycling. She hasn't realised I fell off. I call her name. She doesn't hear me. I sit there, alone. A tear rolls down my cheek. Nothing happens. Alone.

Bike Reflection

2.3.17             Bike Reflection

For the last three weeks, Claire from team energise has come into school to talk to us how to do things with our bikes.

On the first week, we learnt simple things like the ABC check. The ABC check helps us make sure our bikes were safe to ride. We also checked our helmets fitted correctly and everything was tight.

Then we did some games. We played the box game, the slow race and lots of other games.

Kahikatea team is very grateful for Claire coming in and helping us with biking techniques.

War (A soldier's story - WW1) by Isabella

War  

(A soldier’s story - WW1)

The muddy trenches are putrid and horrible.  Sewage and blood, scattered in the murky trenches.  A shortage of water, and little food. War is the worst place to be.

Guns fire everywhere. Bombs explode in the distance. The donkey and his master walk through the battlefield, peacefully. War can be a loud place to be.

I think of my family at home in New Zealand. My wife and children, working until sundown. Unfortunately, I am stuck in Gallipoli, firing my gun all day. War can be a sad place to be.

Poppies blooming in spring. Red, marking my peers who have not survived.  The poppies will mark their place, in Flander’s Fields. War can be a place to remember.  

Lest we forget those who fell during the war. Some who fell were forgotten, for they had no family to remember them. Lest we forget.

 

Black by Isabella

Black by Isabella

Black is the colour of dreams changed to nightmares

It is the colour of evil defeating the good

It is the night without the moon

It is ghosts lurking in the wardrobe

Black is the colour of a monster’s mind

It is the colour of a thunderstorm covering the land

It is a panther creeping around in the night

Black is the colour of Halloween’s creatures at midnight

It is the colour of a witch’s black cat lazing on the chair

It is the headstones lined up in the gloomy cemetery

It is the colour of a shadow, frozen in the sun

Black is an evil colour

Ardnamurchan Peninsula

Seaside Mist 

The silver mist was devouring the coast.  The sound of waves slamming up against the rock makes my heart beat faster.  The miserable rain drizzles down on my dropped shoulders.  I hear something. What?

More echoes seem to come from nowhere.  At the bottom of the cliff, sat two dogs. I wander closer.  A dog started to scurry towards the lighthouse. Full of questions and thoughts, we followed it. 

It brought us to an abandoned spot on the top of the cliff. The wind was still howling as we carried on following the strange dog. The lighthouse gate was next. The rain was still drizzling... where to next?

Integrity Games (Year Ones)

12.4.2017             Integrity Games

At the start of the term, we started doing inquiry. With Mrs Hobbs, we started creating fun ‘Integrity Games’ for the little ones.

A few weeks later, we played them. Ours (Lily, Lylah and Me) was called ‘Obstacle Statues’.

I think the Integrity Games went well. I could’ve been better, but it was good.  The best thing was that the juniors loved it.  I think they really liked the moon-hoppers.

There were some things we could’ve done better. For example, we didn’t think it through properly at the start.

I thought the Integrity Games were great. I am very proud of our game we made.

By Isabella Andersen

Bike Reflection

2.3.17             Bike Reflection

For the last three weeks, Claire from team energise has come into school to talk to us how to do things with our bikes.

On the first week, we learnt simple things like the ABC check. The ABC check helps us make sure our bikes were safe to ride. We also checked our helmets fitted correctly and everything was tight.

Then we did some games. We played the box game, the slow race and lots of other games.

Kahikatea team is very grateful for Claire coming in and helping us with biking techniques.

Swimming Sports by Isabella

10.3.17        Swimming Sports

Last Friday, Senior Swimming Sports was held. This year I spent most of my time in the pool. I thought swim sports was really fun this year.

I had to wait a while for my first race. I sat snuggled in my towel when I was waiting. The first event was freestyle. I came second in the heat, but I got disqualified. I also competed in two lengths freestyle, and came third.

I didn’t place anything in breaststroke, thougth. In backstroke, I placed second in the heat and went through to the semi-final. I came third in the semi-final, so I didn’t go to the final.

I enjoyed swim sports this year. I look forward to it next year.

Bike reflection by Isabella

2.3.17             Bike Reflection

For the last three weeks, Claire from team energize has come into school to talk to us how to do things with our bikes.

On the first week, we learnt simple things like the ABC check. The ABC check help us make sure our bikes were safe to ride. We also checked our helmets fitted correctly and everything was tight.

Then we did some games. We played the box game, the slow race and lots of other games.

Kahikatea team is very grateful for Claire coming in and helping us with biking techniques.