Persuasive Speech - Why It Is Important For Children To Engage With The News

During Term Two we had been learning how to write and present a speech. Once we had written our speech, we had to present it in front of an audience, our classmates. While I was writing my speech I faced a challenge coming up with 3 different ideas I could make into paragraphs, I also think I did well at using a variety of sentences. When I was presenting my speech I think I did well at making eye contact with the audience. A few of my classmates peer-assessed me while I was presenting my speech, their feedback was that I had a clear voice and I was confident.

Homelinks Week 5

This week for homelinks I decided to do a quick write. Here is my story that I wrote with the sentence starter: "I thought you accidentally sliced your hand open."
"I did."
"Then why aren't you bleeding... at all?"

“I thought you said you accidentally sliced your hand open.”

“I did.”

“Then why aren’t you bleeding… at all?” A daunting expression comes across my friend’s face as she realised the truth.

I thought I could trust her, but I guess I was wrong. My mother always said “no one could be trusted” I never believed her but now I wish I had.

From that day forward no one spoke directly to me. I guess she spread my secret… I can’t believe I trusted her. The pain of betrayal is more severe than I ever imagined. It hurt more than any wound ever would. I feel like I’ve been torn apart in every way possible, inside and out.

I need to get away from here, away from them and all the pain; where can I go? This is the only place I have ever called home, I don’t think it even classifies as a home but to me it’s all I could ever ask for and more. I have no clue as to how i’m going to leave…

As I pack my belongings, too many memories crash in my brain and i’m left in a mess on the floor. I stay like this for what seems like hours, but is only minutes, as I try to sort my emotions out. They remain unsorted, I remain a mess and the pain is worse than before. I remember who I was before and who I am now. I remember my mother finding me. I remember my ‘Dad’, I remember all the good times. I remember the bad. The tears don’t stop flowing.

I hear a knock at the door and in steps my Mum. I dry my tears with the closest thing I can find, a blanket that was once loved and cared for but is now left lying around. I steady myself enough to stand up and walk over to the door, I reach around to hug her but she disappears.

Bollywood Dancing Response

For writing we have been learning to write responses. We got to choose anything to write a response about. I chose to write it on a Bollywood dance video I found on YouTube below is my creative and written response.

Bollywood dancing is a dance style used in Indian films, it is a traditional form of dance that has been modernised. This popular YouTube recording is a dance that was performed in 2016 at an Indian wedding to multiple hit Bollywood songs; it is performed by two school aged girls.

I really enjoyed watching the remarkable talent and enthusiasm in this dance.

When I first viewed this performance the part that I found most interesting was when they danced to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo because the dance actions went well with the lyrics of the song. The dance was packed with energy so the girls didn’t just stay in one place. The type of dance that the girls are doing is traditional but they have put a modern twist since the songs are more modern.

I can connect to this performance because I come from Nepal where we share cultural similarities, which includes dance. The difference between Bollywood dancing and dancing in Nepal is the dance moves because Nepali dancing is more foot movements whereas in Bollywood it’s more hand. The actions also mean different things.

Another aspect of Bollywood dancing that I am impressed by is the clothing. In traditional and modern Bollywood dancing traditional clothing is worn such as a lehenga, which is made up of a long skirt, blouse and a scarf that is draped around the waist and brought up over the left shoulder: or a sari which is a long piece of cloth that gets wrapped and played around and  the legs and up on to the left shoulder like the lehenga; both of these dresses are decorated with embroidery. I really like both wearing and looking at these pieces of clothing.

Overall I was very impressed by the Bollywood style dance. I recommend everyone to look and attempt Bollywood style dancing as it is very fun and interesting to watch and do. Here's a dance tutorial to the song ‘Cham Cham’ from the Bollywood movie ‘BAAGHI’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq6jo04kYd4

Homelinks Week 6/7

'On the Wallaby Track' Artwork Response

On the Wallaby Track Response

On the Wallaby Track, created in 1896, by Frederick McCubbin is a realistic oil painting set in the bush. In the painting there is a family of three that look as though they are struggling. The family is surrounded by tree that look old but still healthy. In the background sunlight and bright colours can be seen but in the foreground and middle ground only dull colours have been used. The foreground consist of a women holding a tried and hungry looking child while leaning against tree, with a worried expression.

On the Wallaby Track is an intriguing piece of art that makes viewers think about the before and after of the family’s struggles.

The colours used in this artwork change the mood. The oranges and pinks in the background of this artwork resemble a sunrise or sunset; I think they lighten the mood and represent hope in the family’s life. The colours used in the foreground of this artwork darken the mood and make the artworks mood have more depth.

The first time I viewed this artwork I thought that the family was camping because of the blue tent in the background behind the bush. After viewing this artwork a second time, the family looks like they plan to stay longer because they don’t look happy and their clothes look tattered. The family look like they have had a big eventful week and they have been through rough times.

Overall On the Wallaby Track is a detailed piece of  art that has a deep meaning and story to tell. I recommend for everyone to visit http://www.the-athenaeum.org/ to view more of Frederick McCubbin’s amazing artwork.

The Arts: Dance Styles

This term we are learning how people use The Arts to communicate. We have investigated the characteristics of different dance styles, we also practised our note taking skills. We experimented with each style ourselves and created our own dance sequences.

A Journey Not To Be Forgotten - Narrative Writing

This term we have been writing narratives. We used The Game Of Awesome and The Literacy Shed to help come up with our stories. I really liked how there were no boundaries on what we could write about, but it had to be controlled. Next time I would like to describe more parts of my story with 'show don't tell'. Here is a video of me reading my story. 

Harakeke Explanation

We have been learning how to write explanations.We first learned about harakeke and kakahu, then we decided what to write about. I chose to write about harakeke; useful plant parts in the early days, the protocols for harvesting harakeke, and what can be woven.