Tomorrow, When The War Began: Chapter Two

Learning Outcome: Today I am learning to discuss what happened in Chapter 2.

1. How did the group of teenagers ascend Tailors Stitch?

- By using Ellie's Dad's Land Rover.

2. What are the two special events happening the day after the teenagers leave for the bush?

- Commemoration Day and Kevin's concert.

3. How many days were they planning on staying? How much food do you think is reasonable to bring, split between 7 teenagers?

- They planned to stay for 5 days and they also need a lot of food.

4. Who is the Hermit and what is he supposed to have done? 

- Hermit lived in a bush and murdered his own wife and children. He also disappeared.

5. Do you think the Hermit will be significant to this story? Why/Why not?

- I think he'll be significant in the story later on when he decided to return.

6. Are their decent down Satan’s Steps into Hell dangerous? Discuss what are the dangers, how could they have made it safer, what would you have done?

- They should've been more prepared in the beginning because it was really dangerous to go down the steps without any sort of thing to help them. I would've had a strong rope and a helmet to help me.

7. Predict what the bridge signifies

- I think it signifies that someone else was there because the bridge was constructed.

Slaves Songs

In Social Study, we have been learning about slave and spiritual songs. I have learnt that they would sing songs to keep them alert and entertained. These songs tell stories about how they feel during that moment.

This was one of the songs that I listened to and it was a reference to the Underground Railroad.

Athletics Pre-tests Results

In PE, we have been working on Athletics. I have also written down my results to keep track of what I need to improve later on.
Evaluation of pretest
Thoughts: I did better than I expected
Goal: My goal next time is to beat my pre-tests results. I also need to work on discuss and triple jump.
Action: To show perseverance and to try my best at it

Harriet Tubman

In Social Study, we have been learning about Slaves and Harriet Tubman. Our task was to research some information about her and put it in a slide or a poster.

Health & Safety

What is Hygiene?
Conditions to maintain health and preventing disease. In other words, keeping ourselves clean.
For instance, washing your hands and having clean nails.

- Clean work areas
- Must wear apron
- Cover cuts
- No jewellery around your wrists

What is Safety(personal)?
Keeping ourselves and others from harm. For example, holding sharp things properly such
as knives

and scissors.
- Tie your hair up
- Food allergies

What is Food Safety?
Ensuring our foods are free from bacteria and not harmful to people. For example, using
different boards for different food and using cleaned equipment.

What makes a good team?
- Participation and contribution
- Don’t exclude anyone
- Listen to your teammate

The Blood Vessels

A Blood vessel is found in the human and animal body that circulates blood. There are 3 main types of blood vessels: Arteries, veins and capillaries.

Arteries
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. The blood in arteries is under high pressure that's why they have thick walls and thick layers of muscles and elastic fibre. Arteries appear red through the skin when its viewed. They also have a small-bore(hole) and they do not have any valves.

Veins
Veins carry de-oxygenated blood back to the heart. The blood in veins is under low pressure so they have thinner walls. They have less muscular and elastic tissue. Veins appear blue when they are seen because of light refracting through the skin. They also have valves and a large-bore(hole).

Capillaries
Capillaries contain both oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood. They have one-cell thick walls and they don't have any bore. Capillaries allow oxygen, nutrients, hormones to flow out of the blood and let other waste to flow in.

Sensory Language

In English, we have been working on Creative Writing. We had to write a short paragraph describing a scene using sensory language that connects to the 5 senses: see, hear, smell, taste and feel.

Creative Writing Matrix: #4
 Learning Outcome: Today I am learning to write a paragraph using sensory language.

The sun was blazing like a fiery ball in the sky surrounded with white velvet clouds. I gently laid my feet in the drenched golden sand as the breeze swayed soothingly. The relaxing rhythm of continuous waves crashing into the shore was music to my ears. The scent of salty air tickled my nose as I licked the creamy taste of my vanilla ice cream leaving a melting sensation in my mouth.

Language Features

In English, we have been working on Creative Writing. Our task was to choose one of the language features and to make a poster showing the definition and an example about it.

Creative Writing Matrix: #3
Learning Outcome: I am learning to classify alliteration.

Tomorrow, When The War Began: Chapter One

Learning Outcome: Today I am learning to discuss what happened in Chapter 1 in the story.

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of first-person narration?

- Being able to live the experience and to feel the character's own thoughts and feelings.
The disadvantage is only looking at one character's perspective during the story.

2. Why do you think Ellie needs to tell the story in chronological order?

- So it'll be easier for the reader to understand the story.

3. Pick one interesting word from the chapter, find its meaning, and explain why it is interesting.

- Anonymous: not identified by name

The word anonymous is interesting to me because it gives me a mystery vibe.

4. John Marsden foreshadows several events and characters in this chapter. Make three 5.

predictions based on the evidence in the text about what may occur later in the story.
- My first prediction is that something might bad happen. My second prediction is they might get lost during the trip. My third prediction is they might be in danger.

5. What kind of story do you think Ellie is going to tell? Uses evidence from the text to support your answers.
- Probably something interesting and thrilling.

6. What set of skills do these characters have that convince their parents that they can ‘go bush’ independently. Find examples for three characters. 
- A skill of persuading their parents to let them go and to trust them that they can go anywhere without someone looking after them.
"Well, we thought it was time we showed independence and initiative and all the other good things" - Ellie.

Slam Poetry

In English, we have been working on Creative Writing. We had to watch videos about Slam Poetry and pick our favourite one.

Creative Writing Task Matrix: #2
Learning Outcome: Today I am learning to assess different slam poetries.

1. Which was your favourite performance? Why?

- My favourite performance was 'I'm not gay but I'd go gay for John Key' by Brad McCormick. What I like about it is the humour and how he uses describing words.

2. Write two thoughtful opinions about your favourite piece and support these opinions with specific evidence (quotes) from the text (at least 2) in your discussion.
- It was really funny.
"But when I see our prime minister somebody please administer some medicine to me"
- I like how he used some language features in it such as a simile.
"His voice cuts through me like a knife through overpriced butter"

Human Rights

For the past 2 weeks, we have been learning about Human Rights. Human Rights is the rights we have as a human. We are told to create a poster that shows the 30 Human Rights.

Math Reflection

For the past few days, we have been learning about the Week of Inspirational Maths. I've learned that speed is not important and it's okay if you struggle to get the answer. We have also been doing some activities to help us with our thinking skills and using different strategies.

Tomorrow, When The War Began- Before we Read

Learning Outcome: Today I am learning to analyze the story before we read it.
One advertisement for ‘Tomorrow, When The War Began’ states:

‘Hell isn’t only a place for the damned, sometimes it’s a place where the saved take refuge… Seven teenagers take a trip to Hell. And seven come back. To Hell’

1. What do you think this statement means?

- I think it's about how the teenagers found themselves in a dangerous situation that is compared to hell.

2. What could ‘Hell’ mean in this context?

- A place or situation

3. Why do you think the story is entitled ‘Tomorrow, When the War Began’?

- Something is going to happen 'Tomorrow' which is war.

4. What does that make you think the book will be about?

- It could be about war or surviving.

5. What do you think the characters will be like?
- Teenagers

Metaphors & Similes

In English, we have started working on Creative Writing. We had to explain what a metaphor and a simile is. We then also had to write two examples for each of them.

Creative Writing Task Matrix: #1
Learning Outcome: Today I'm learning to describe a metaphor and simile using examples.

What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a way of talking about one thing by describing it in another term.
Examples of Metaphor:
His brain is a computer
My classroom is a zoo

What is a simile?
A simile is when you use 'like' or 'as' to point out how one thing is similar to another.
Examples of Simile:
The sun was shining like a diamond
Her hair was black as a coal

Growth Mindset

Learning Outcome: Today I am learning to identify what a growth mindset is. Our task was to create a DLO to show our learning about Growth Mindset or Character Strengths.

A recent item that interests me

The Deadly Coronavirus

The coronavirus is a group of viruses that cause diseases in animals and humans. There are 4 known types in the group named Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltocoronavirus. The first two can only infect mammals such as bats, pigs and humans. Gammacoronavirus infects birds and poultries, while Deltocoronavirus infect both animals and humans. People that are infected by the virus are known to cause mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever. This virus leads some people to more severe cases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome(MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(RARS). According to the scientist, the Wuhan coronavirus is likely to become a pandemic.

The virus was first discovered in the 1960s. It was suspected to have originated from snakes and bats. Some people that are likely to become severely ill with the virus are older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions(such as heart disease and diabetes). As the infection became well known worldwide, it hooked me in a very uninterestingly way. I thought about how people endure this situation and how they cope with it.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus has negatively impacted China and other countries. This deadly infection has killed over 400 people. It has spread globally and over 20,000 people are infected. So far, Hong Kong and the Philippines have reported a death outside of China. The impact of the virus has not only affected people but also businesses and discrimination and racism against the Chinese people.

With the current event, it leaves people bothered and worried. The virus is easily transmitted to people by coughing and sneezing. Instead of panicking over this issue, we should protect ourself by it. You can do this by washing your hands every day and staying healthy and clean.

Mathematician

What does it mean to be a good Mathematician?
To be a good Mathematician, you must be able to use/have different skills to solve any maths problem. You also need to be smart and good at thinking.