Biological drawing(#4)

In Science, we were learning how to draw cells and the rules for drawing it.

Rules for making biological drawings
- Always use a pencil to draw
- Label organelles and features of cells
- State the TOTAL magnification clearly
- Draw what you see and not what you expect to see
- No doodling
- Labels should be connected to what you are labeling
- Your drawing must take up the whole page
- Draw the main features only and not every detail
- NO shading or cross-hatching
- Sketches and lines that are over each other unacceptable

Microscope Slide(#3)

In Science, we have also learned how to set up a microscope slide to be able to see the different organelles under the lens. With this task, we looked through an onion skin.

Basic Slide Preparation Equipment
Stain - A chemical stain is often used to dye the cell (or particular organelles) so they are more visible.
Slide - Made of glass, this is used to hold the specimen.
Tweezers - For manipulating the specimen and coverslip.
Coverslip - A very thin piece of glass used to hold the specimen flat and keep it in place.
Specimen - Must be transparent and thin.

How to set it up
1) Place your specimen in the middle of a clean slide. Ensure that the specimen is laying flat and not folded over on itself.

2) Add 2-3 drops of the stain solution. Plants cells are commonly stained with iodine, whereas animal cells are commonly stained with methylene blue. Both of these solutions stain the nucleus of each cell (and your fingers and clothes, so be careful).

3) Holding a coverslip by its edges in your left hand, maneuver it so that the bottom edge of the coverslip makes contact with both the slide and the edge of the stain solution.

4) Gently lower the coverslip with the tweezers or with your hand, ensuring that no air bubbles are trapped under the coverslip.

5) Place your slide on the microscope stage and examine it under low-power magnification.

Parts of the Microscope(#2)

In Science, we are learning about cells. In order to look through the cells we have to use a microscope. This post will show the different parts of the microscope and what it means.

What is a Microscope?
Microscopes are used to magnify objects that are too small to see with the naked eye. The microscopes you will use have two lenses: an eye-place lens (usually 10x magnification) and an objective lens (these vary from 4x to 40x magnification.)


Parts of the Microscope
Eye-piece lens - Lens that we look through
Objective lens - The part that enhances the magnification, it can vary from 4x to 40x magnification
Stage - The stage is the flat platform where you place your slides
Light source - It's used to light up the specimen so you can see it clearly
Switch - To turn on and off the microscope
Base - The part that supports the microscope
Neck - The part that holds the eye-piece lens
Stage Clip - Stage clips hold the slides in place on the stage
Course focus knob - The coarse focus knob moves the stage and lenses relative to each other. It is used to focus the image in large amounts.
Fine focus knob - It does the same thing as the coarse focus knob but in smaller amounts. It is used to make minor changes to the focus.

Part of Cells(#1)

For the past few weeks, we've been learning about the different parts of cells and the jobs that they do. We also learnt about plant cells and animal cells and the difference between them.

What is a cell?

Cells are made up of different parts, called organelles (meaning 'small organs'). It is easier to see the major organelles using simplified diagrams. Cells are very small. They are the basic building blocks of all animals and plants. Although all animals and plants are made of cells, their cells are quite different.

The difference between plant cell and animal cell

Plant Cell - They have a regular, box-like shape

A plant cell has:

Large Vacuole

Cell Wall

Cell Membrane

Chloroplast

Cytoplasm

Nucleus

Animal Cell - They have an irregular shape

An animal cell has:

Cell Membrane

Cytoplasm

Nucleus

Meaning

Large Vacuole - A storage to hold materials and wastes

Cell Wall - Provides the cell with structure and apart

Cell Membrane - Allows certain things to enter and exit the cell

Chloroplast - to convert sunlight into sugar

Cytoplasm - It helps to hold the other organelles in place

Nucleus - Its where the DNA is stored

Classroom Layout

Brief - Yesterday, we moved into the new building. We were asked to design a classroom layout for the new math classroom(T8).
This is the classroom layout:

Research - My group and I did some research about some classroom layout and we took some ideas to help us with the design process.












Idea - This is our first and final Idea
What we like about the layout:
- There is enough walking are set through the classroom and enough space to walk in and out of the classroom.
- It looks tidy and organized.
- It suits the classroom well because it has a big space.
What we don't like about the layout: 
- The students near the computer station might not see the whiteboard clearly.
- The students near the door/window can get distracted outside while working.

What do you think about this idea? What do you like and dislike about it? Please give us feedback in the comments.

Ansel Adams

In Art, we had to make a blog post about the work of a photographer. We have to select 1-2 works from them and to write a written detail/ critique about the photo. The artist that I've chosen is 'Ansel Adams'.

 

This photography is called 'The Tetons and the Snake River'. This is created by Ansel Adams which was known for his black & white landscape photographs of the American West and the Yosemite National Park. Adam wasn't only a photographer but he was also an environmentalist. At the age of 17, he joined the Sierra Club. A group that protects the wild places in the earth. He was also one of the founders of the Group f/64 who shares common photographic style.



What I like about this photo is the contrast of lighting. What I also like about the black and white effect, is that it helps you to see the different perspective from what you are used to seeing. If I were to recreate this photo, I would do more editing to make it eye-catching.

Essay Brainstorming

In English, I've been working on my Essay Brainstorm. This is one of the 10 mins tasks that we have to do every period. We have to select a question from the list and to brainstorm everything that pops into our head about the topic.

Question: Children under 14 should not have a cellphone (For)
Statement: I believe that children under 14 should have a cell phone because...
- The cellphone can be used for playing games to keep kids entertained while waiting.
- A cell phone is a good way to keep in contact with friends and family(especially in case of emergency)
- It could be used for alarm, note-taking apps to help kids organized at school.

What am I learning?
I am learning to improve my writing skills
How does this show my learning?
By showing my understanding of the task that I've been doing
What am I wondering?
If I could extend on it next time

Conservative Week

In ESOL, we had to make a blog post about New Zealand Conservation Week. We have to explain what Conservative Week is and explain why it is (or isn't important). We also have to list 3 things about how we can help serve our plants, animals, and the environment.

Conservation Week/Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa is about encouraging people to help conserve nature. This year we celebrate the 50 years of Conservation Week and it happens from 14 - 22 September 2019. Conservation week was originally launched in 1969 by The New Zealand Scout Association. Every year, the Department of Conservation(DOC) works with the community across New Zealand to spread the conservation message.

Unfortunately, our native animals and plants are threatened at risk. Conservation week helps us to bring everyone together to help to create change. This is important to our society because if we don't help to protect our nature, there's a chance that we can't save it at all.

As apart of young New Zealanders, we need to do as much as we can to save our environment for a better future. One way to get involved during the conservation week is to plant a tree on our own backyard. Another way to help during this event is to volunteer to clean in the community. Lastly, we could help by using the 3 r's Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to prevent landfill space. Creating change can be big or small, but if we all help each other, we can make a big difference.

Tweet like Trump ll Creative Writing Matrix

In English, I have chosen another task from the Creative Writing Matrix. We had to write a tweet responding to why people under the age of 18 are forbidden to use phones in public spaces. It could only be 140 characters only.

This is pathetic, how can’t people under the age of 18 use their phone in public places? What if they need
it in case of an emergency? 

Characters: 138

What am I learning?

I am learning to improve my writing skills

How does this show my learning?

By completing the task that I have to do

What am I wondering?

If I could make the tweet longer

If History Had A Twitter Page ll Creative Writing Matrix

In English, I've completed another Creative Writing Matrix. The task is about "If History Had a Twitter Page". I had to choose a significant event from history and post the highlights of the event as a tweet. It could be only 140 characters including space.

Treaty of Waitangi
I can see people lining up and signing a contract. Like, what is going on?
Characters: 74

What am I learning?
I'm learning to improve my writing skills
How does this show my learning?
By completing the task that I have chosen
What am I wondering?
If I could do it next time, I could probably choose another topic

Money Tasks

In Social Studies. we had to create a t-chart. One side is the list of the advantages of having money and the other side is the disadvantages of having and using money.


I have learned that you could use money in a good or in a bad way. I've also learned that everyone has a different opinion about money.