Sustainability Inquiry

In Social Studies, we have been doing a research project based on a sustainability issue. The issue that I have chosen is Water Pollution.

Key Question 1: What is the environmental/social sustainability issue? 

Water pollution is a change in the water that makes it unsustainable and harmful. In other words, the water becomes so toxic that you cannot use it, or give it to animals. This occurs when chemicals, waste, and other things are discharged into the water. Water pollution can negatively impact many living organisms and nature’s water cycle.

                                                                                  

Key Question 2:  What factors have caused this issue?

Humans are the main cause of water pollution. Many of the waste that ends up in the water are from household activities.  These are urine, food waste, oil, cleaning supplies, medicine and many other things. Some of the pollutants are from agriculture and industrial waste. Both of them contains chemicals, which are dumped into rivers and ocean that can affect the population of living things in the water. Another factor that has caused water pollution is sewage. Sewage is transported directly into the waterways and it can spread bacteria that can make people and animals sick. Burning of fossil fuels has also caused water pollution because when the gas combines with the rain, it makes it acidic which can kill animals. Sometimes, people pollute the water by accident by allowing their cars to leak oil and gas onto the ground.

Key Question 3: What will happen if this issue continues to degrade? 

Water is one of the most important things on Earth which provide support for many living things. If water pollution continues to degrade, it could highly damage the environment. Water pollution doesn’t just affect the environment but it can also kill humans and animals. The pollution in the water can reach a point where there isn’t enough oxygen for the fish to breath which can lead to fish suffocating. This issue can also spread diseases that can cause illnesses for humans. As a result, it can wipe the population of living organisms on the earth. 

Key Question 4: What are the possible solutions to this issue (either being currently done or could be done)? 

There are numbers of things that we can do in our daily lifestyle to prevent water pollution. An example of this is turning off the tap when it’s not needed. This helps by saving more water and reducing the amount of contaminated water that needs to be treated. Another way that can help this issue is by putting litter in a bin instead of throwing it on the beach or near the water. As a matter of fact, this idea can save millions of animals that live underwater. Overusing pesticides and fertilizers can highly impact the water as they runoff into water resources. Try using the natural ones to help reduce the pollutants. 

Conclusion

Water pollution is an issue that makes water unsustainable and harmful. This happens when toxic substances enter the water system such as lakes, oceans and rivers. Water pollution can highly impact the environment and can also degrade the quality of the water. A lot of these pollutants are from human activities. Most of these waste are from factories, homes and other buildings.  Some of the pollutants contain chemicals, which are dumped into rivers and ocean that can affect the population of living things in the water. Sometimes, people pollute the water accidentally by allowing their car to leak oil onto the ground letting them in the water. Water is one of the most important things in the earth that provides for many living things. If we keep polluting the water system, it could have a highly negative impact on the environment. As a result, this can kill many humans and animals on Earth. Instead of destroying the water quality, there are many things we can do to prevent this issue. We can help by turning off the tap when it’s not needed, such as while you're brushing your teeth. Apart from saving water, it prevents water shortages and it lessens the amount of water that needed to be treated. Also, instead of throwing litter in the water or near it we should put it in a bin. Water pollution is a real threat to the Environment. It is our responsibility to conserve water bodies and keeping them pollution-free.

The Merchant of Venice ll Act 4

Act Four, Scene One

1) What does the Duke believe Antonio intends to do? (Black Pg. 147, Blue Pg.85) 

The duke believes Shylock was acting cruelly until Antonio begs for mercy

2) What does Shylock intend to do?

He intends to get a pound of flesh out of Antonio.

3) Finish this quote that tells us why, ‘You’ll ask me why I rather choose to have a weight of carrion flesh, than to receive three thousand ducats. I’ll not answer that, but to say it is my humour, is it answered?’ (Black Pg. 149, Blue Pg.86) 

4) What two loopholes does Portia find in the wording of the contract? (Black Pg. 165-167, Blue Pg.95-96) 
First, Shylock can't take less or more than a pound of flesh. Second, he can't drop a shred of blood when he cuts his flesh out.

5) Shylock now has to pay penalties. Complete this quotes that tell us what the penalties are: ‘I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it, For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's, the other half comes to the general state’ (Black Pg. 169, Blue Pg.97) 

6) Are the penalties fair? Why/why not.

Not really, because the penalty says that Shylock can cut a pound of flesh out of Antonio. But he also wants him dead which wasn't on the bond.

7) How do Lorenzo and Jessica gain by the result?

Shylock will give all his goods to Jessica and Lorenzo when he dies.

8) What reward has Portia claimed and why is this significant?

She claims the ring because Bassanio promise to never take it off as a promise.

9) Portia tells Shylock ‘The quality of mercy is not strained’. How does she try to persuade Shylock to show mercy, how much mercy is she willing to show him ((Black Pg. 157-159, Blue Pg.91-92) )
- She will give him any amount of money just to save Antonio. 

Act Four, Scene Two

1) What invitation does Portia refuse and why?

Portia refuses to have dinner with Bassanio because she needed to go to Shylock's house.

2) What does Nerissa plan to get, why do you think this is important?

She intends to get her husband's ring so she can check if he's loyal or not.

3) Do you admire Portia after these scenes, or do you find her actions cruel. Use examples to support your thinking. 

I admire Portia because she's willing to help her husband's friend.

The Mechant of Venice ll Act 3

Act Three, Scene One
1) Why does Shylock assume Solanio and Salerio know that Jessica’s ran away?

- Because they are friends and Solanio & Salario are a bit gossipy.

2) Complete this quote to suggests Antonios second misfortune: 
Salerio: Do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no? Shylock: There I have another bad match, a bankrupt. (Black Pg. 95, Blue Pg.63)

3) Who has been looking for Lorenzo and Jessica? (Black Pg. 97, Blue Pg.64)

- Tubal and Shylock

4) Where do Shylock and Tubal arrange to meet and with what purpose? ‘I will go Tubal, and meet me at our synagogue’ (Black Pg. 99, Blue Pg.66)
- They were planning to me at their Synagogue to catch Lorenzo. 

Act Three, Scene Two
1) Why does Portia want Bassanio to delay his choice?
- Because if Bassanio chooses the wrong choice then she might end up losing him.

2) Complete this quote ‘I pray you tarry, pause a day or two before you hazard, for in choosing wrong I lose your company’ (Black Pg. 105, Blue Pg.66)

3) What makes Bassanio choose lead over the silver and gold caskets? Finish this quote, ‘Thou meagre lead which rather threatenest than dost promise aught, thy paleness moves me more than eloquence, and here choose I’ (Black Pg. 111, Blue Pg.69)

4) Complete Portia’s speech that tells us the expected roles of a woman in marriage. ‘Myself and what is mine, to you and yours now converted’ (Black Pg. 113, Blue Pg.71)

5) What does the above quote mean?

- Portia tells Bassanio that everything belongs to her now belongs to him.

6) What did Gratiano’s and Nerissa’s wish to marry depend on? (Black Pg. 116-7, Blue Pg.72-3

- Their decision depends on Bassanio

7) How does Portia know that the letter contains bad news? (Black Pg. 119, Blue Pg.72-3)

- Because when Bassanio was reading the letter, he turned pale.

8) What help does Portia offer straightaway? (Black Pg. 123, Blue Pg.76)

- She's willing to pay big money so nothing happens to Bassanio's friend(Antonio)

9) Why do we not expect this help to be successful?

- Because whether they pay Shylock heaps of money, he will still want to cut a pound of flesh out of Antonio for revenge.

10) Do you think Portia would still be in love with Bassanio if she knew he had lied about his wealth?
- I think so because Portia really loves him. 


Act Three, Scene Three
1) Antonio is now convinced that he knows the reason for Shylock’s insistence on claiming his bond. Finish the quote that tells us this, ‘He seeks my life, for reasons I know well, I delivered from his forfeitures many that have at times made moan to me; therefore he hates me’ (Black Pg. 129, Blue Pg.77) 

2) Why can the Duke not ‘deny the course of law’ according to Antonio?

- Because that would threaten the security of and that's how they make their money.

3) Why does Antonio seem resigned to his fate? What two important realisations is this based on? 

- He gave money to people who can't pay him back with interest.

4) Do you think Antonio’s feelings towards Bassanio have changed since the beginning, why?

- No, because Antonio knows what money is for and he only wanted to see Bassanio on his death.

5) Finish this quote ‘Pray God Bassanio come to see me pay his debt, and then I care not’ (Black Pg. 131, Blue Pg.78) 

6) Shylock refuses to consider the idea of Mercy, but demands Justice. Is true justice possible in this case?
- Probably, because his perspective of justice is different about others and he also refuses to show mercy.

Act Three, Scene Four
1) Finish this quote that shows Lorenzo’s opinion of Antonio? ‘But if you knew of whom you show this honor, how true a gentlemen you send relief’ (Black Pg. 131, Blue Pg.78) 

2) What does Portia tell Lorenzo she intends to do? (Black Pg. 133, Blue Pg.79) 

- To pay for Antonio's debt and to rescue him.

3) What does she ask Lorenzo and Jessica to do for her and why?

- To take charge of the management of her house until Bassanio's back.

4)Why do Portia and Nerissa intend to travel dressed as men?

- So no one can recognize them

5) Finish this quote which shows how Portia describes the behaviour and attitudes of young men. ‘Like a fine bragging youth, and tell quaint lies, how honorable ladies fell sick and died’ (Black Pg. 135, Blue Pg.81) 

6) Does it seem likely that Portia is going to follow the expected behaviour of a wife?
Kind of, because she does a lot of things that a wife doesn't normally do yet she's is helping his husband's friend.

Act Three, Scene Five
1) In his jokey conversation with Jessica, why is Launcelot against the conversion of Jews to Christianity?
- Christians are raising the price of pork by converting the Jew's religion.

2) What is Jessica’s opinion of Portia?

- Jessica really likes her and she also mentions that Bassanio is lucky to have Portia as his wife.

Self Directed Learning

For English, we were told to set a goal for this week's learning. My goal this week is to post everything in my blog so I can go back to my expert license. Another goal of mine is to also to focus on my work so I can get it done.

How do humans and the earth interact?

In Social Studies, we had to brainstorm how humans and the environment interact and influence each other.

Brainstorm
How do humans and the earth interact?
- The earth provide us water but we pollute it
- We cut down tress but the tress gives us oxygen
-  Killng animal's home
- We use Fossil Fuel and the earth produce acid rain
- We plant food and the ground grows it

Balloon Experiment

In Social Studies, we did an experiment about the Earth. We were given a balloon and we had to put air in or out to answer a question. The ballon represented the Earth so we can see how much pressure we put on it.

1) What happened to your Earth?

Our Earth went through ups and downs, but it stayed average in the end.

2) Why did this happen?

It’s because of some of our question answers were sustainable and some were not.

3) What could we do to stop that from happening? Or make it continue?

We could stop that from happening by making better decisions regarding sustainability.

4) What is one thing we could do to change our behaviour?

We could try to change our behaviour by saving electricity.

The Best Hot Chocolate Recipe

How to make a hot chocolate

Here is a recipe to make the best hot chocolate

Ingredients

2 cups of fresh milk

2 tbsp of sugar

¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract

Whipped Cream(optional)

Marshmallow (if you want to put some)

2 cups of Chocolate chips

Utensils

A mug

A saucepan

Teaspoon
Cup

Procedure

1) Mix the sugar and milk in a saucepan and put it on the stove over medium heat.

2) While you are waiting for the milk to heat, place the chocolate chips in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Take the chocolate out of the microwave and stir it. Do the same process until the chocolate is completely melted. 

3) When the milk is starting to reach its scalding point with some bubbles on the side, turn off the stove and put the melted chocolate in. Mix them together and add the vanilla extract.

4) Put the mixture in a mug and top with whipped cream or marshmallows if you like. Enjoy!

The Merchant of Venice ll Act 2

Act Two, Scene One

1) This scene opens with the words ‘Mislike me not for my complexion’ Why does the Prince think Portia will have a problem with the colour of his skin?

- He was afraid that she won't like him because of his skin.

2) What must Portia’s suitors give up if they try and fail to win her? 

‘You must take your chance, and either not attempt to choose at all, or swear before you choose, if you choose wrong never to speak to a lady afterward in way of marriage’ A2S1 Line 37-42 (Black P.41)

- He's never allowed to marry a woman.

3) Portia tells the Prince of Morocco- ‘Yourself, renowned prince, then stood as fair as any comer I have looked on yet for my affection’ What does this mean?

He has a good chance to marry Portia as any of the suitors she has met so far.

Act Two, Scene Two
1) Why does Launcelot want to leave Shylock? Because he treats Launcelot very poorly

Complete these 2 quotes from the text to support your thinking. A2S2 Line 26- ‘Certainly the Jew is the very devil incarnation’

2) Line 102 ‘I am famished in his service, you may tell every finger I have with my ribs’

3) Why is Bassanio worried about taking Gratiano with him to Belmont?

- When Gratiano drinks, he gets wild and very loud.


In lines 114-142...
4) Launcelot and his father are very anxious to find Launcelot a new job. They both want to impress Bassanio. This leads to 
a. frequent interruptions. ‘He hath a great infection sir, as one would say, to serve- Indeed the short and the long is…’ Line 120-123 

b. Contradictions ‘Here’s my son sir, a poor boy- Not a poor boy sir, the rich Jew’s son.

Act Two, Scene Three
1) What does Jessica think of her life at home? Hell

2) Complete this quotes:
A- ‘Our house is hell, and thou, a merry devil’ (Black Pg. 59, Blue Pg.45).

3) Which of Bassanio’s friends is Jessica planning to marry? Lorenzo

Act Two, Scene Four
1) How does Jessica get a message to her lover?
- She gave the letter to Launcelot and Lancelot passed it to Lorenzo.

2) How will she be disguised for the elopement? As a man that runs errands.

3) Complete this quote ‘What page suit she hath in readiness’ (Black Pg. 63, Blue Pg.47).’

Act Two, Scene Five
1) How does Shylock feel about going out for the evening? He doesn't wanna go because he doesn't wanna eat with the Christians and he feels like something is going bad to happen because he dreamt about money bags.

2) Complete these quotes: 
"And they have conspire together." (Black Pg. 65, Blue Pg.48).
"There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, for I did dream of money bags tonight." (Black Pg. 65, Blue Pg.48).

Act Two, Scene Six
1) Complete this quote that tells us what Jessica threw down to Lorenzo. ‘Here, catch this casket, it is worth the pains’ A2S6 (Black Pg. 69, Blue Pg.31)

2) Jessica says ‘I am glad tis night, you do not look on me, For I am much asham’d of my exchange’ A2S6 (Black Pg. 69, Blue Pg.31). Why doesn’t Jessica want Lorenzo to see her?

- Because she was embarassed to dressed up as a man.

3) Why is Antonio looking for Gratiano? (Black Pg. 71, Blue Pg.52)

- Because they are going to Belmont and Gratiano was nearly left behind.

Act Two, Scene Seven
1) Which casket does the Prince of Morocco think is worthy to contain Portia’s portrait?

- Gold

2) Complete this quote ‘Is’t like that lead contains her; ‘Twere damnation to think so base a thought’ (Black Pg. 79, Blue Pg.54)

3) Portia’s father uses the casket test to find her the most suitable husband. Do you think his test is working? Yes, because the test shows if the suitor is after her money or not.

Act Two, Scene Eight
4)What two disasters have happened to Shylock?

- his daughter ran away to marry a Christian and she also took his ducats.

5) Complete this quote that tells where Shylock think Lorenzo & Jessica have gone? ‘The villain Jew with outcrises raised the duke, who went with him to search Bassanio's ship’ (Black Pg. 81, Blue Pg.55)

6) How did Bassanio and Antonio leave Venice?
On Antonio's ship.

7) ‘In the narrow seas that part the French and English, there miscarried a vessel of our country richly fraught’ (Black P. 83, Blue P.56) What is the first suggestion of trouble for Antonio? His ship might have sunk.

Act Two, Scene Nine
1) What is the purpose of the rhymes in the caskets?

- To make fun of the suitors.

2) Why does the Prince of Arragon discard the golden casket?

- He thinks that some people are as foolish to choose whatever is flashy.

3) Complete this quote from the golden casket  ‘He who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire’ (Black Pg. 87, Blue Pg.58)

4) Finish this quote that shows us Portia’s reaction to Bassanio’s arrival ‘Come, come, Nerissa; for I long to see quick Cupid's post that comes so mannerly’ (Black Pg. 91, Blue Pg.61)

Self Directed Learning

For English, we have to set a goal for our learning. My goal this is week is to make sure I put all my work into my blog and making sure I ask for help when needed.

Case Study: Lakes (Newspaper Article)

Reading Comprehension Box#4

Ruby 2
Liquid, Gas or Solid?

1) Water vapour is able to rise because it is lighter than:
(b) air.✔️

2) Ice floats in liquid water because it is:
(c) less dense✔️

3) The pronoun it in Paragraph 6 refers to the:
(c) moon✔️

4) The last thing that happens when you heat ice is it becomes:
(a) water vapour.✔️

5) The main idea of Paragraph 2 is to:
(a) explain the scientific properties of water.❌(c)

6) It is a fact, not an opinion, that water is:
(c) a fabulous resource.❌(a)

7) Select the group which does not rely on water for its survival.
(b) non-living things✔️

8) The word dense in Paragraph 2 can be replaced with:
(a) compacted✔️

9) The word aquifers in Paragraph 3 means:
(c) underground supplies of freshwater✔️

10) The moon and Earth are possibly similar because they both have:
(c) ice✔️

11) What needs to happen to water in order for it to become lighter than air?
(c) its physical change needs to change.✔️

12) Which statement is a fact, not an opinion?
(b) Water is the only substance found in three different states.✔️

Reading Comprehension Box#3

Maroon 6
Life's a scream with Zinbah!
Score:11/14

1) The word custodian in Paragraph 1 means someone who:
(c) is responsible for the care of something or someone✔️

2) The cracks Zinbah saw on the librarian's face were probably;
(c) wrinkles✔️

3) The main idea of Paragraph 4 is that Zinbah thought the lady:
(b) had eaten a baby✔️

4) What happened before Zinbah told the librarian she had a cracked face?
(c) Michael used the photocopier✔️

5) Michael and Zinbah are alike because they are both?
(a) easily scared❌(c)

6) The next time Michael goes to the library to do research, he is most likely to:
(c) go without Zinbah✔️

7) You can conclude Zinbah would be scared of thunder because?
(a) he is scared by many things✔️

8) The main idea of Paragraph 1 is:
(b) how Michael came to care for Zinbah✔️

9) Which of these words best summaries Michael's character?
(b) entertaining❌(c)

10) What caused Zinbah to stare at the pregnant lady?
(b) confusion and curiosity✔️

11) Which sentence contains a fact and an opinion?
(c) Zinbah is an alien who is not very brave✔️

12) From whose viewpoint is this text written?
(b) Michael's✔️

13) Initially, Zinbah thought the sewage plant was:
(a) person❌(a)

14) The pronoun it in Paragraph 1 refers to:
(b) Zinbah's spaceship✔️

My Dream Meal

In ESOL, we are writing a blog post to describe our 'dream' three-course meal; entree, main course, and dessert.

Reading Comprehension Box #2

Coral 6
Secret sense
Score: 12/14

1) What is a name sometimes given to a person with ESP?
(b) physic✔️

2) Which event happened after the food fight?
(c) Daniel noticed Ashton's grave face.✔️

3) The words druids in Paragraph 15 means:
(c) ancient Celtic religious mean.✔️

4) What is ESP short for?
(b) extrasensory perception✔️

5) Daniel revealed his secret is the main idea of which paragraph?
(a) Paragraph 15✔️

6) Daniel was different from Ashton because he:
(b) had a special talent✔️

7) Because Daniel told no-one but Ashton his secret, we can conclude that they?
(a) were very close friends.✔️

8) We can assume that before Daniel told Ashton about his ESP, Ashton:
(b) was suspicious that something was going on with Daniel.✔️

9) Why did Daniel want to sit between stinky Seven and perspiring peter?
(c) to annoy Ashton❌(b)

10) What is Daniel most likely to do now?
(a) tell Ashton all about it✔️

11) How did Daniel feel about having to keep his special talent a secret?
(a) really scared❌(c)

12)What was Ashton's opinion of Daniel's talent? He thought:
(a) it was cool.✔️

13) What was the author's purpose in writing this text?
(b) to entertain readers✔️

14) The pronoun they in Paragraph 16 refers to:
(b) his friends.✔️

Sustainability Issues in the local and central government

In Social Study, our task was to research a sustainability issue and to write down a paragraph about what causes it, and what is being done to solve the issue.
Topic: Littering

Today, we are facing a lot of issues that can effectively damage our planet. Environmental problems such as climate change, water pollution, global warming, deforestation, and many more affect humans, animals especially the environment. Over the past year, the degradation of our environment has gone up at an alarming rate. One of the main issues that we face every day is littering. Littering is throwing away objects on the ground instead of putting them in a trash can.

Littering negatively impacts the environment. Typically, many people are too lazy to throw their trash away properly. When you leave a piece of trash in the ground, it would likely end up in the ocean. This is because it gets scattered around by the wind. Did you know there are 1.9 billion tons of litter ends up in the ocean every year? A lot of money is spent to clean up the rubbish that is been tossed out on the streets and other public places. Litter can also harm plants and animals.

Many communities around the world, organized cleanup events that help to clean streets and roadways. Even though it can be a lot of work to do, it will keep the community cleaner. One of the main reasons why people litter is that they don’t have a place to put their trash in. This is maybe a bad excuse, but adding more trash can help solve littering. Putting up signs is also a creative way to remind people that littering is a bad thing.

As a part oy young generations, we should also help to solve this issue. One way we can help is picking up litter even though it doesn’t belong to you. Even if you only pick a piece of rubbish, you are doing something to make the planet cleaner. Another way to help is encouraging your neighbors, families, and friends to quit littering.

Can Do Tasks ll Act 1

In English, we just finished reading Act 1 from The Merchant of Venice. Our task was to complete 2 of the Can do task and post them into our blog.

#1 Vocabulary
(Find the meaning of the following words: Venture, Vessel, Signior, Mortifying, Profound, Exhortation, Virtuous and Squandered)

Venture = a risky or daring journey or undertaking
Vessel = a ship or a large boat
Signior = Italian word for gentleman
Mortifying = causing great embarrassment of shame
Profound = showing great knowledge
Exhortation = urging someone to do something
Virtuous = showing high moral standards
Squandered = wasting something(money or time) in a reckless or foolish manner

#2 Create
(Create a Character Map of people we have meet in the story.

Environmental Sustainability

In Social Study, we have been learning about Sustainability. Today our task was to match up the definition into each of the keywords about Environmental Sustainability. We also have to color-code them into different groups.

Green - Improving environmental sustainability.
Orange - Keeping environmental sustainability the same.
Red - Environmental sustainability getting worse.

Sustainability is about providing for human needs without destroying the environment. Specifically, there are 3 aspects of sustainability: environmental, social and economic. Environmental Sustainability is about using environment without damaging it. We could do this by recycling and protecting habitat, wildlife and water resources. We could also help by reducing emissions, degradation, and global warming.

In order to live, we need air, water, and food. Environmental Sustainability is important because every resource we used is from the environment. If we took advantage of it, human beings could extinct. We should always protect and conserve the environment. A small change can make a difference.

Reading Comprehension Box #1

Charcoal 4

Rudy Mentary's maths problems

Score: 10/12

1)My lips are sealed(in Paragraph 5) is a phrase meaning somebody knows something:

(a) but won't tell anyone.✔️

2)What didn't Rudy like about teaching at Salburg School?

(b) the students in Year 7. ✔️

3)The word pupil in Paragraph 1 can be either a person learning something or:

(a) a part of the eye. ✔️

4)What had caused Rudy Mentary to become a mathematics teacher?

(b) She was good at maths and was bored with being a plumber. ✔️

5)For how many years had Rudy been a maths teacher?

(b) about two. ✔️

6)The text uses puns(phrases or words with double meanings) to create:

(b) humour. ✔️

7)Which piece of equipment id Rudy use to put out the fire?

(a) hose pipe. ❌ (b)

8)Rudy didn't evacuate the students when she heard the alarm because she:

(a) thought it was a drill. ✔️

9)Free of charge in Paragraph 7, has two meanings-at no cost and:

(a) for free. ❌ (c)

10)Which two words best describe Rudy's character?

(a) intelligent and practical. ✔️

11)The pronoun it in Paragraph 4 refers to:

(b) the fire drill. ✔️

12)The purpose of this text is to:

(a) write a humorous short story. ✔️

Reflection & Goal

In English, we have to reflect on our goals for this week.

What's my goal this week?
My goal this week is to finish my work in time and to make sure that I ask for help when needed.

Introducing Shakespeare ll Act 1

Williams Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice
(No Women) Women roles were played by men
No sets - Props, Costume, Make-up/hair
There weren't seats in the front of the stage

Main Characters
Antonio- Merchant, Christian, lends Bassanio money he has borrowed from Shylock
Bassanio-  needs money, wants to marry Portia, Christian
Portia- rich, dresses us as a man to save Antonio
Shylock- *Jew, moneylender, lends money to Antonio for Bassanio to marry Portia
Gratiano- Bassanio's man, marries Nerissa
Nerissa- Portia's maid
*Stereotype: Good with money, usuary- lend money with interest

Act One, Scene One:

1) Antonio is depressed without knowing why. His friends suggest two reasons.

‘And not bethink me straight of dangerous rocks, which touching but my gentle vessel's side would scatter all her spices on the stream’ (Black P.5) ‘Why then, you are in love.’ (Black P.5)

2) What do you think of Bassanio?

He's a loyal friend yet he's broke.

3) Is he in love?

Yes, he is.

4) Why does he need to borrow money?

To impress Portia because he wants to marry her.

Act One, Scene Two:

1) How do Portia’s first words compare with Antonio’s?

Antonio- In sooth, I know not why I am so sad

Portia- By my troth Nerissa, my little body is aweary of this great world

They are both sad

2) Why is Portia unhappy?

Because she doesn't know who to marry.

3) Do you think Nerissa talking with Portia about her options is helpful, why?

Yes, because she reassured Portia when she was troubled.

4) What does Portia’s think of her suitors so far?

She doesn't really like them except for Bassanio.

Act One, Scene Three:
Shylock is a moneylender. ‘Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound...I think I may take his bond’ (Black P.27)

1) Do you think Shylock is happy to lend Bassanio money? How do you know?
Not really, because Shylock wanted to charge interest between the bond of lending them the money. 

2) Which does Shylock think is safer, his money lending business or Antonio’s shipping business? Why?
His money lending business because Shylock said that anything could happen during the shipping.
'There are rats and thieves and pirates—not to mention storms, winds, and rocks. Anything could happen'(Blue P.31)

3) Why doesn’t Shylock want to dine with Bassanio and Antonio?

‘Yes to smell pork, to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into’ (Black P.29)
Finish this quote that tells how Antonio is breaking his principle of not taking money lent with interest. ‘Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow upon advantage (Black P.31)

4) Shylock accuses Antonio of a whole lot of nastiness. How does Antonio react?

He doesn't really care. He only cares about borrowing money from him.

5) Why doesn’t Bassanio want Antonio to agree to the bond?
Because if Antonio doesn't pay back the money, then Shylock has to cut a flesh out of him.

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.