Self directed learning goal.

Last week I was not here to get any work done so this week I'm hoping to get everything finished and catch up on work from the last two weeks that I had missed.

In Santa's defence

In Santa’s Defence...

In Santa’s defence Katies list did say ‘velociraptor’ not a ‘toy velociraptor’. He made sure it would only grow to the same size as Katie, I guess that wasn’t good enough or something? The news is going crazy about the fact that Santa gave a child a velociraptor but I mean he can’t just decline the offer or anything his job is to give the kids what they want. The parents are maddd, well one of them is. I can imagine the other one is either proud that his cause of death was ‘eaten by a velociraptor’ or furious that he was killed by what everyone thought was an extinct creature . It’s pretty crazy what Santa can do, hopefully this is a reminder to all kids to not put dinosaurs on their wish list. 

Life after technology

Day 57 with no power:

Its cold and there isn’t much fresh food left, all phones have officially died and they are still trying to get power back on. I personally just think they are wasting their time, all the towers are out and they need other technology to get it back up. I’m loving the quiet up on my hill. I can always see the children playing, it's so good to see them making the best out of the situation and still having fun. I want to go and donate my old soccer gear but I don’t know if it will fit any of them, now that there is no reliable food source everyone is looking a bit slim. It’s funny really, you take away everyone's fast food and tv, they all suddenly drop 50 pounds.

The group of explorers brought back some good news yesterday, they found a new block of shops in the north side that haven’t been fully raided so they have taken a team over there to collect everything up. They still haven’t gone far enough to reach another town to see if they want to trade. Hopefully one day a new lot of people will come, with more food and cleaner water.

Emotions through weather

The bright sun shining down on me on a cloudy day, so warm, so cosy. It was I could almost feel the sunshine improving my mood by the second, It was fantastic. The bright blue sky looked so perfect not a cloud in sight, beautiful really. If only everyday was like this.

Try and guess my emotion that I am describing through weather.

Emotion flower

This week in music work shop we were told to choose a emotion and come up with colour, a shape, a sound, an animal, a weather.

Wolfs side of three little pigs

Wolfs side of three little pigs

It was just another day wandering through the woods, so hungry and tired. It’s been days since my last meal. It’s been years since my last friend and I want to make friends and get a snack but first I have to find a target. Later that day I heard some oinking coming from deep in the forest and the next thing I knew I was following these little pigs around watching them collect things for their house. I couldn’t believe my eyes, one of them were collecting hay for their house and the other was collecting sticks, an easy kill I thought. I went over to the first house after it was built and asked to be let in or I would destroy the house because I was hungry and I wasn’t in the mood to run around. So when they declined letting me in I blew the house down, clearly they weren't happy so they went to the next house to hide, It was made of sticks so I saw no problem getting in. I asked again to be let in but no they were going to be stubborn about letting me in so I blew the house down again and they ran to the brick house, I was hungry to I tried to blow the house down again but I couldn’t get in. I asked one more time to get in and they didn’t let me so I had to find another way in, I saw a chimney and took my opportunity and jumped in. Unfortunately they had noticed me climbing up onto the roof and they put a big pot of hot water under where I would fall. Honestly I was very offended that they would do that, I was just looking for a snack.

Abomination - Critical literacy questions.

4 Critical literacy questions.

I am answering these questions from the critical literary matrix about that story abomination by Robert Swindle.

• How does the text depict age, gender, cultural groups - The righteous cult/community.
• How would the text be different if it were told in another time, place or culture? - If this story was in today day and age it would be much different because there is more free speech and a lot more support for kids caught in bad situations.
• What does the author want us to know? - That you can overcome what is going on and that things will get better.
• How are characters constructed in this text? - some very strong and some very week. some helpless and some powerful. Martha started off weak but ended out strong and powerful and her parents started of powerful and ended up being weak and helpless.

Api Taylor workshop.

Api Taylor.

On Wednesday the 3rd of April Api Taylor came to our school and talked to a group of us about music and poetry. He was very creative with his words and his poems. I went in late to his show but from what I saw it was pretty amazing. He was interacting with the audience and making everyone laugh. After that was finished a small group of us went to a workshop with him where we went more into what write is about. He kept saying Writing Makes You Strong. He asked us to draw what we think writing makes you strong looks like ( I don't want to share mine because its embarrassing). The he said 11 words and asked us to write down the first word that comes to mind when he said the 11 words. my words were Water, Leaves, Hate, Beautiful, wet, Shine, Heart, Thunder, Sadness and Turtles. He then asked us to make a poem out of those words. My poem is The water tops shine as the beautiful turtles swim in sadness because the hate breaks their hearts for the wet leaves that got washed away in the thunder storms on the lonely days.

I really enjoyed the workshop and listening to him talk. He was very funny but also very serious all at the same time.I would love to do more workshops in the future because of how much fun they are and how good of a learning experience they are. 

Who is Robert Swindles?

Martha is looking for a friend.

Martha is a young girl kn the story book Abomination. She is a pretty cool girl but she only has one friend, Do you think you could be her friend?

All about Martha - Novel studies.

This is all about my favourite character from the book we are reading abomination. I like Martha because it shows how anyone can get through there struggles no matter what. 

1990s in England - novel studies.

Create task for chapter 1 - 13 for abomination.

I choose to look at what clothing and gender rolls were like in the 1990s in England.

Novel studies.

Sympathy Chart

As you read Chapters 8 and 9, plot how sorry you feel for Martha. Plot a mark between 0 (for being least sorry) and 10 (for being most sorry) for each of the stages quoted below the chart.

Exploring the Writer’s Techniques for Arousing Sympathy

How does the writer make you feel sorry for Martha? Look at the chart for the techniques he uses. Then find an example and explanation for each technique. The first one has been done for you.

Writer’s technique	Example	Explanation
Describing the character’s sadness	A lump comes to my throat. (page 21)	This shows how she doesn’t show her sadness openly but feels it deep inside.
Describing how the character moves	She look’s really funny, running. She’s got these very thin, long legs that splay out sort of sideways as she runs, and her arms are all over the place too. Pg.9	That she can’t run very well without it looking very funny. Her legs and long and must be arkward to run with if she hasn’t training or if she dosen’t run often.
Showing Martha’s relationships with others	They chased me home again today and the new boy scott joined in. I hoped he was going to be my friend, but he’s not. He was yelling Raggedy Ann just like everybody else as I ran up Taylors hill. Pg.5	The kids at school chase he home everyday and even the new boy that didn’t even know her joined in with them chasing after her screaming Raggedy-Ann.
Showing how Martha is grateful for simple things	Scott - ‘’ didn’t see me yesterday, did you? ‘’ Martha- ‘’ Yesterday, Where?’’ Scott-’’Wentworth road. Teatime. You were walking down. We drove past.’’ Martha-’’oh’’ she shook her head. ‘’ No, I didn’t see you’’ Scott-’’I waved.’’ Martha-’’Did you? Thanks, But I’m afrad I didn’t notice.’’ Scott-’’ You don’t have to thank me, It was just a wave’’	She was greatful that he still waved even tho she wasn’t looking. She was greatful that he noticed her.
Revealing Martha’s deepest desires and hopes	What I’d like most of all is someone to talk to. About my life. About how things are at home. See I know why the kids hate me. I know I seem weird to them, but it’s not me. It’s not. Inside I’m just like them. I like pop music and TV and clothes but I can’t have them. They’re for bidden. I’d like to have a party, Invite everybody on my table, but I can’t even bring a friend home. I mean, there are the kids at church. Righteous kids. They see one another, play together, but not me. I can’t bring anybody to the house in case they find out about Abomination. I can go to their homes - I used to - but I can never invite them back so they stopped bothering with me and you can’t blame them, but if there was just one person who understood, one person who knew, I think I could stand it… Pg.18-19	All she wants is a friend or someone that she can trust to talk about her horrible parents and having abomination in her home and having to feed it. She justs wants someone who understands her pain.
Showing Martha’s happiness being ruined	Martha’s father- ‘ You’re looking happy, Martha. Have you had a good day at school?’ Martha-’ Yes, Father.’ Its half past six. We’re eationg dinner. It’s liver but for once I don’t mind. Marthas mother- ‘Did you get a house point?’ Martha-’No’ Martha’s mother-’ Then what?’ Martha-’The new boy .Scott. He talked to me. Asked me things.’ Martha’s Father-’ What sort of things, Martha?’ His tone sharp. Martha-’ Oh-things about me. He saw us yesterday in westwoth road and waved. I didn’t see how.’ Martha’s father-’What did he ask you, child’ Martha-’I don’t remember exactly. If you were my folks. Where we were going. If I had brothers or sisters.’ Father-’ And how did you answer that?’ Martha- I said it was only me. Father- Good. Now listen to me, Martha. He sets his knife and fork down. He’s about to spoil it all. I know he is. Father-’To have friends is  pleasant thing. Mother and I want you to have lots of friends,  but you must understand that we of the righteous are different from other people - so different that they often find us strage. If yoy let yourself become to fond of this boy, you will be badly hurt when he finds he can’t relate to your way of life and drops you.’ A lump comes to my troat. Does father think I’m not badly hurt already? Can’t he see I just want to be like everybody else? I shake my head. Martha-’I’m not fond of him, Father. He talked to me, That’s all. Please say I can be his friemd if he’ll let me.’ He sighs, Shaking his head. Father-’I’m only trying to shield you from unhappiness, child. Be that boys friend if it pleases you, but be careful. Guard your tongue at all times. And don’t bring him home.’ Don’t bring him home. They don’t know how much I hate my home: that if I had my way I wouldn’t bring myself home, Never mind anyone else.	She had someone talk to her in a nice way that hadent been a teacher in years and he father ruined her happiness but bring up all the rules and that she can’t have friends. Then at the end she says how much she hates her home so she wouldn’t bring anyone else into it anyway.

Identifying Themes:

Themes are the basic ideas explored in a text. Find the missing letters to reveal the themes of Abomination.

Families                    friendship                  Bullying  

                 Growing - up                  Religion

Fortunately/Unfortunately

Pretend you are Martha. Your first sentence starts ‘Fortunately…’ The next sentence starts ‘Unfortunately’.  Write five fortunately/unfortunately sentences. A starting example has been given.

Fortunately it is Saturday tomorrow and I don’t have school.

Unfortunately I will have to wash the house from top to bottom.

Fortunately I made my first friend.

Unfortunately I made my first friend get beatn up for standing up for me.

Fortunately someone talked to me today.

Unfortunately Father ruined it by bringing up his rules.

Fortunately I can listen to radio one when my parents are gone.

Unfortunately If I don’t trun it off I get the rod.

Fortunately I have kept lots of Mary’s postcard so I can still see what she is upto.

Unfortunately Father has thrown away lots of them and I really miss her.

Sorting Chapter Endings

Sort these chapter endings into Martha’s and Scott’s words.

1. You can’t keep secrets from God.
2. I’d no way of knowing things were about to get far worse.
3. When you’ve only one friend, you want to keep him.
4. Amazing what it can lead to, borrowing someone’s ruler.
5. I reckon I’ll be fine at my new school.
6. Maybe she cast a spell on me by touching my ruler.

Martha:	Scott:
1. You can’t keep secrets from god. 4. Amazing what it can lead to, borrowing someones ruler.	2. I’d no way of knowing things were about to get far worse. 3. When you’ve only one friend, you want to keep him. 5. I reckon I’ll be fine at my new school. 6. Maybe she cast a spell on me by toching my ruler.

Foreshadowing Future Events

Think about the effect  the words at the end of each chapter has on the reader and what it hints about the rest of the story. Complete the chart. The first one has been done for you.

Quotation	The effect on the reader	What hints does it give about the story?
You can’t keep secrets from God. (pg 2)	This is a big secret – something serious, perhaps even scary.	This secret will be revealed or discovered later in the story.
I reckon I’ll be fine at my new school. (pg 10)	He thinks that he will be fine at his new school.	That maybe someone will happen later on and he will regret thinking that.
If I can’t have friends (pg 13)	She isn’t aloud to have any friends and she is sad about it.	That she might make friends.
When you’ve only one friend, you want to keep him (pg 16)	Doesn’t want to lose his only friend.	Will proably lose him at some point.
Maybe she cast a spell on me by touching my ruler (pg 23)	He is just making a joke about it.	That maybe he thinks she could be a witch.
I’d no way of knowing things were about to get far worse.     (pg 37)	He didn’t know what was coming until it hit him.	That it was about to get worse for him.

Comparing Two Conversations

Read through the two conversations and write a small comment in the grey box. The first two are done for you

1 What on earth’s happened to your face, Scott love?	Scott’s mum sounds concerned.
Martha’s dad sounds annoyed with Martha.	2 What time do you call this, Martha?
3 It’s nothing, Mum. We were having a game. Got a bit carried away, I guess.	Sounds chilled out about the situation.
She sounds nervous about answering.	4 It’s ten to five, Father.
5 You certainly did. And who’s the girl?	Scotts mum sound inerested about who Martha was.
Sounds annoyed with Martha	6 Ten to five. Your mother had dinner ready at four-fifteen as usual… What have you to say to us?
7 Just someone from school. We walked on together.	Just sounds casual, maybe a bit annoyed.
A worried or apologetic tone.	8 I’m sorry, Father. Sorry, Mother. Somebody needed my help.
9 Ah – so that’s why you’re late, is it?... Bit of courting, eh?	A joking tone.
He sounds annoyed.	10 Ah. I see. And this help – what form did it take?

In no more than 20 words, write a sentence that explains why chapter 13 is a significant chapter:

It was a mix between what happened in scotts home from being late vs Marthas home.

Read the story of the Good Samaritan, mentioned by Martha. What similarities can you find between Martha and the Good Samaritan.

Even tho the jews were mean to the Samaritan he still helped the jew just like how Scott was mean to martha but marth still helped him when he was getting beat up.

Why do you think the author has referenced the story of the Good Samaritan in his novel?

To show the simalartys in between Martha and Scott and the Jew and the good Samaritan.

Saying goodbye to Critical Literacy.

Questions about Critical Literacy.

1. What I think Critical Literacy is? I think Critical Literacy is reading between the lines and looking for what they are really saying.

2.What did I learn during Critical Literacy? That everything you see online isn't always the truth.

3.What did I find out during Critical Literacy? That people lie or don't tell the full truth.

4. How will I use my Critical Literacy in my everyday life? When reading labels, Watching ads and just using social media.

5. What am I looking forward to in English this year? Reading and writing stories.

Critical literacy. Lets read between the lines.

In our last English class we were asked to read between the lines of ads and answer 4 questions ( of our choice on our blogs ) now we have been asked to do the same with but wit short story's and music videos.

Music video 1 :Gods plan - Drake
Question 1:What is this song about?
Answer 1: Drake giving away money to people in need.
Question 2: How are the characters seen in this text?
Answer 2: Very greatful.
Question 3: What kind of social realities does this text show?
Answer 3: That poverty is real and its everywhere and that it only takes one person to make a difference.
Question 4: What language is used?
Answer 4: A catchy song.

Music video 2: Beautiful Trauma - Pink!
Question 1: What do the images suggest?
Answer 1: That the only time the couple act like a couple is when they are drunk or on drugs.
Question 2: What does the author want us to know?
Answer 2: That this is an unhealthy relationship.
Question 3:  How are the characters seen in this text?
Answer 3: As only happy with their life's after taking drugs or getting drunk.
Question 4: What kind of social realities does this text show?
Answer 4: That's unhealthy relationships are everywhere now days.

Music video 3: Big girls cry - Sia
Question 1:What kind of social realities does this text show?
Answer 1: How children feel when their parents fight or when they are singled out from everyone else.
Question 2: How are the characters seen in this text?
Answer 2: Some happy and some unhappy or confused.
Question 3:  What does the author want us to know?
Answer 3: That people should consider how children feel.
Question 4: What is this song about?
Answer 4: emotions and that everyone has them.

Music video 4: When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars 
Question 1: What is this song about?
Answer 1: A break-up.
Question 2: What kind of social realities does this text show?
Answer 2: That Break-ups are hard.
Question 3: How are the characters seen in this text?
Answer 3: Sad and unhappy.
Question 4: What does the author want us to know?
Answer 4: That Bruno thinks that its his fault they they broke up and now he is sad.

Music video 5: Take me to church - Hoizer.
Question 1: What kind of social realities does this text show?
Answer 1: That gay isn't accepted by most.
Question 2: How are the characters seen in this text?
Answer 2:In some parts in love and in some part in absolute fear.
Question 3:What is this song about?
Answer 3: To men being in love but not being accepted so there for they are punished .
Question 4:What do the images suggest?
Answer 4: That the man was punished for being gay.


What am I learning? Critical literacy.
How does this show my learning? By me reading between the lines to find out what they are implying in the music.
What am I wondering? Why most of these songs are sad.

Critical literacy

Today in English we were asked to watch 4 ads and choose 4 questions to ask and answer about that ad.

first ad: Sensodyne

In this ad they were talking making teeth whiter and that the toothpaste that they were promoting would make there teeth whiter and stronger.

Question 1: What has been left out?

Answer 1: The down sides, all that was said was all the up sides none of the down sides.

Question 2: Who is missing from the text?

Answer 2: A dentist. the person talking in this text only said that the dentist would recommend it but I didn't hear from a real dentist.

Question 3: Who benefits from this text?

Answer 3: People who want brighter teeth.

Question 4:

Answer 4:

Second ad: McDonalds

Question 1: What does the author want us to know? 

Answer 1: That instead of just going to the supermarket that you should just eat McDonalds.

Question 2: What is left out of this text?

Answer 2: The down sides of eating McDonalds instead of cooking at home.

Question 3:Who is missing from this text?

Answer 3: A doctor to tell you how unhealthy living like that is.

Question 4:How are characters constructed in this text ?

Answer 4:  Like they are just lazy.

third ad: Bunchaballons

Question 1: What is left out of this text?

Answer 1: That they lie about their balloons being biodegradable.

Question 2:Who is most likely the viewers of this ad?

Answer 2: kids

Question 3:What kind of language are they using in this ad?

Answer 3: Fast talking and very high pitched.

Question 4:Why are you readying this text?

Answer 4:  Its apart of our critical literacy work, also we are being made to by our teacher.

forth ad: Palmolive

Question 1:What does the author want us to know?

Answer 1: To buy Palmolive shampoo and conditioner.   

Question 2: Who is most likely to view this ad?

Answer 2: People what like to take care of their hair.

Question 3:What language are they using in the text?

Answer 3: Very fast talking and loud.

Question 4:What is left out of this text?

Answer 4: If it works on everyone's hair.

fifth ad: Pizza hut
Question 1: What language are they using in this text?
Answer 1: A catchy song.
Question 2:What is left out of this text?
Answer 2: That their food healthy
Question 3:What is the author wanting us to see in this text?
Answer 3:  That we should buy the pizza just because its half price.
Question 4:Who is most likely to view this ad?
Answer 4: Anyone could see it but it would probably just interest hungry people

sixth ad: lift plus
Question 1: How are characters constructed in this text ?
Answer 1: two are pretty smart but the other one is just stupid
Question 2: who is most likely the viewers of this?
Answer 2: People that drink energy drinks.
Question 3:What is missing from the text?
Answer 3:  That drinking energy drinks doesn't make you smarter.
Question 4:What language is used in this text?
Answer 4: Short words, not much speaking.

seventh ad: state insurance
Question 1:What does this video suggest?
Answer 1: They the mum can just let her son play do what he wants because they are covered by insurance.
Question 2:What language are they using?
Answer 2: A catchy song that will get stuck in your head.
Question 3:What is missing from this text?
Answer 3:  That the insurance only covers somethings not everything.
Question 4: Who is most likely to view this?
Answer 4: People that are looking for insurance.

eighth ad: Anti drink driving message
Question 1:What does this video suggest?
Answer 1: That you should never ever let a friend drive after drinking.
Question 2: Who is most likely to view this?
Answer 2: Hopefully everyone.
Question 3:What views of the world is this text providing?
Answer 3:  That to many people are driving drunk and it needs to stop.
Question 4:Who benefits from this text?
Answer 4: Everyone, Hopefully this ad gives people the courage to stand up and save a life.

ninth ad: Kiwirail
Question 1: What Language is used?
Answer 1: relaxing music.
Question 2: What images are shown?
Answer 2: beautiful sights and relaxed people.
Question 3:Who is most likely to be viewing this ad?
Answer 3:  People that want to take a train.
Question 4: What is left out of this text?
Answer 4: That trains make noise and it isn't going to be that relaxing.


What am I learning? Critical literacy
How does this show my learning? I've just used my critical literacy skills so read between the lines on these ads.
What am I wondering? When they will start being honest with us about the ads.