A Trip to the Antarctic Centre

On Friday 4th of September, the 10 ESOL class and I went on a class trip to the International Antarctic Centre as apart of the class Antarctic studies. We went there with Mrs Flores, Briggs and Handley by taxi van.

When we arrived there, we met a lady called Jane. She was one of the staff members and was in charge of our class. She then led us upstairs into the workshop room. We stayed there for about 40 minutes and we were also given a booklet to answer. One of the most important things I learned during her lesson was that huskies were removed in the 1990s because they were able to transfer diseases. Another significant thing I learned was the race between Amundsen and Scott. Roald Amundsen was from Norway and Robert Falcon Scoot was from the United Kingdom. Amundsen was the first one to reach South Pole. Unfortunately, in the end, Scott died.

After we finished the workshop, we went outside to see the Hagglund. It is also known as the Bandvagn 206. It can carry 14-17 people and can weigh 4333 kgs. They use it in Antarctica because of its ability to float on water. It is also able to cross crevasses and ice. Before we went inside, we were separated into two groups because we all couldn't fit in one vehicle. At first, I thought it was just going to be a normal ride but turns out it wasn't. It was really bumpy and wiggly as well. Going through the obstacles was probably the most fun part. We had to go up and down the hill and It almost feels like riding on a roller coaster. As we go through each different obstacles, everyone started laughing and shrieking. It was probably the funniest thing I've ever experienced. 

Next, we went to see the penguins. I haven't seen any penguins before in real life so I thought they were big as usual. However, as soon as I saw them, they were actually really small. They were called the Little Blue Penguins. The keeper told us that an average life span of a Little Blue Penguin is about 6 years. One of the oldest penguin there is 25 years old. Sadly, it died and we weren't able to see it. Currently, the oldest penguin that they have is 17 years old and it's well taken care of. We watched them intently as they swam around catching their food.

After seeing the Little Blue Penguins, we went to the cinema room to watch the 4D movie. The movie is called the Ice Voyage and it's about a journey in Antarctica. My friends and I sat on the front row and wore 4D glasses. With the help of the effects and the 4D glasses, It almost feels like I was there on Antarctica exploring through the place. One of my favourite scene during the movie is when we went under an icicle. I tried to touch it and realised that it was just a video. 

Then, we had some free time. Ms Briggs told us to meet in the storm room after we had lunch. My friends and I decided to roam around the places again. After a few minutes, we went back upstairs to get our bag and go to the cafe. I bought a bowl of fries and I shared it with my friends. With the time we have left, we thought we would never finish it because the fries were extremely hot. Thankfully, we finished it in time. 

Soon after, we went to the Storm Dome. We had to wait for a few minutes for the other people to arrive. Some of my classmates did the 'Cold Ice Challenge'. I was able to participate but Jane called us in after putting my hand in the ice for 1 minute. Before we went in, we were told to wear shoe covers so we wouldn't slip on the snow. When I went into the room, my body tingled as the breeze past through my knees. As time pass by, the room started to get dark. It was getting windy as well. When the storm began, most of the boys hid in the igloo to stay warm. My friends and I just stood outside and hid our hands in our pocket. Even so, it was still cold. I then decide to run around to heat my body up. Although, I didn't think it was a good idea because I nearly slipped on the snow.

Lastly, we went to the Antarctic Gallery. We saw a lot of posters and displays. I also saw a solar system that you can spin around. All of us  had to roamed around find interesting facts to put in our booklet. After a couple minutes, we left. We arrived back at school around 1:00 and we had to stay in the learning commons until lunchtime. Overall, I think the trip was too short for me since it was my first time there. I also felt sad because I really wanted to see the huskies there. It was also fun since I was able to spend my birthday with my classmates. 

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 79

 Chapter 79 – Zélie
Inan’s amber eyes trap me in the truth of his betrayal, but it isn’t the gaze I
know. He’s a stranger. A soldier. The shell of the little prince.
Note: It is interesting to think about how Zélie became an empty “shell” after Saran
tortured her. After talking with Saran, Inan became a shell, also.
Think back to when Inan said they had no choice but to kill the maji.
Zélie said “There’s always a choice.”

A message I take from this scene is that Inan wants to kill the maji because he thinks it's a better choice. 

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 76

 Chapter 76 - Amari
“So is it my turn?” Zélie asks. “Is this where you push me?”
I shake my head. “I needed to hear that. I needed you. After Binta died, you
were the first person to treat me like more than some silly princess. I know you
may not see it, but you believed I could be the Lionaire before anyone ever
uttered that name.”
...
“No matter what he did, no matter what you see, believe me when I tell you it
is not forever,” I say. “If you broke me free, you will find a way to save
yourself.”

A message I take from this scene is that Amari still believes that Zelie can bring magic back.

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 75

 Chapter 75 - Zélie

“I could skin Saran alive and I still wouldn’t have my revenge.” I shrug off his
hand. “It’s not about him. It’s not even about me. If I don’t stop him tomorrow,
he’ll destroy my people like he destroyed me.”
For the first time since the torture, I feel a hint of the old fire that used to roar
louder than my fear. But its flame is weak now; as soon as it flickers, it’s blown
out by the wind.

Notice that Zélie is putting her duty before herself, just like King Saran and
Inan. But how are they different from each other?
Zelie is putting her duty before herself because she wants to get magic back. However, Inan is putting his duty before himself because he doesn't want to make the same mistake just like his father. 

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 74

 Chapter 74 – Inan
Note: This time you have not been provided with a quote from the story. This is an
explanation.
King Saran firmly believes in duty over self. Peace between maji and kosidán
failed in the past, so he does not want to try again.
Inan believes he must make a similar choice between his country and his
heart. He makes the same choice as his father, even though the majacite
sword blisters his own skin (this is symbolism). Inan gives up everything to be
everything his Father wants.

The main message in this explanation is that Inan decided to choose duty before self. He wants to make a similar choice as his father, even though he wants Zelie.  

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 66

Chapter 66 – Inan
Father stands in his night robes, scanning a faded map. No sign of hatred. Not
even a hint of disgust.
For him, carving MAGGOT into a girl’s back is just another day’s work.
…
In that instant it hits me: Zulaikha’s death. Zélie’s screams. They don’t mean a
thing to him. Because they’re maji, they’re nothing.

This could be compared to a movie we watch which was the power of one. It reminds me of how the guards mistreated the black people without realizing what they feel.

Learning Reflection

This week in maths, we have been focusing on forces & motions. From this topic, we've learned how to calculate acceleration and force. We have also learned the difference between mass and weight. Another thing we learned is the Newton's 3 Laws of Motion.

Rube Goldberg Machine

In Science, we have been put into groups and created our own Rude Goldberg Machine. In my group, we created a tunnel and an inclined plane. The materials we used are plastic cups, legos and toilet paper roll cardboard. In the end, every groups' machine was put all together and made a big Rude Goldberg Machine. 

This is what it looked like in the end:

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 59

 Chapter 59 – Zélie
“How will me coming back to Lagos solve any of that?” I ask. “As we speak,
your father calls for my head!”
“My father’s scared.” Inan shakes his head. “He’s misguided, but his fear is
justified. All the monarchy’s ever seen is the destruction maji can bring.
They’ve never experienced anything like this.” He gestures to the camp, face
alight with so much hope his smile practically glows in the darkness. “Zulaikha
created this in one moon, and there are already more diviners in Lagos than
anywhere else in Orïsha. Just imagine what we could accomplish with the
resources of the monarchy behind us.”

The main Idea from this scene is that Inan wants Zelie to go back to Lagos with him. Inan wants to face his father and tell him that he's misguided. He also wants to tell him that the maji he fought before are not the maji today. However, Zelie feels hesitated to go back because she scared of what's going to happen.  

Stencil Art

In Arts, we have been working on our stencil painting for the past few weeks. For my stencil, I chose a hibiscus flower. I decided to replicate it many times with three different colours and I overlapped some of it as well. I used a sponge to dab the paint on the stencil. My painting is about the repetition of the stencil with its 3 different colours. However, the stencil itself doesn't represent or mean anything to me. I just chose it because I like flowers.

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 56

 Chapter 56 – Zélie
We zip through the crowd while celebrants thrust and shimmy by our sides.
Though part of me wants to cry, I crane my neck to take in the crowd, craving
their joy, their life.
The children of Orïsha dance like there’s no tomorrow, each step praising the
gods. Their mouths glorify the rapture of liberation, their hearts sing the
Yoruba songs of freedom. My ears dance at the words of my language, words I
once thought I’d never hear outside my head. They seem to light up the air
with their delight.
It’s like the whole world can breathe again.

A message I take from this scene is that Zelie found a world where she can breathe again. A place where she can be free and happy. 

Technology and Change

 In Social Studies, we have been working on technology advancements through time. We got into groups and chose a time of period to research about(Stone age, 20th century, etc). My group and I chose the 20th Century. After this task, we made an essay about it.  

Technology and Change Essay 

Paragraph 1: Introduction.

Re-state what the question is in a paragraph

During the 20th Century period, there were many significant technological advancements. Some of the

important inventions during this time were television, Motorola DynaTC 8000x, and vacuum cleaner.

These inventions are still widely seen and used today.

Paragraph 2: Invention 1 explained

State what the invention is, what it does and how far it has come up until today

A significant invention during the 20th Century is television. This technology was invented in 1927 by the

inventor named Philo Taylor Farnsworth. Television is an electronic device that displays sound and

image which creates programs for information, entertainment and education. With this device, we are

able to learn what’s going on around the world with the help of news. Interestingly, televisions before the

1950s were displayed in black and white. In today’s time, televisions are displayed in colour. They are also

lighter and bigger than before. The most common television used right now is a flat panel and a LED TV.

A flat-panel TV is a television displayed in a flat, thin format. A LED TV is the same as the flat-panel TV

but it has a LED light behind it. TV nowadays allows you to access many things which makes this

invention important during this time era and today.

Paragraph 3: Invention 2 explained

State what the invention is, what it does and how far it has come up until today

Another significant invention during the 20th Century is the handheld cellular phone which is called

‘Motorola DynaTC 8000x’. It was invented on April 3, 1973, by an American engineer named Martin

Cooper. He was also the first person to make a phone call. This device was first launched in 1983 and

cost $4,000. Its battery life can last between 30-35 minutes and takes 10 hours to re-charge. It weighs

1.1 kg and is about the size of a brick. Despite its heavyweight, poor battery life, and its other flaws, it

was widely known for its significant used during 20th Century period. It was the first device that allows

people to call someone without it attached to a wire. The Motorola DynaTC 8000x is still used today but

it’s reconstructed differently. Today, this device is called ‘cell phone’. A cell phone doesn’t only allow you to

call but you can take pictures, play games and text messages with it. Currently, there are 3.5 billion

cellphones sold around the world which makes it popular and significant to human beings. 

Paragraph 4: Invention 3 explained

State what the invention is, what it does and how far it has come up until today

A different significant invention during the 20th Century is a vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner is a

technology that sucks up dirt and dust. It cleans floors as well as other surfaces. This was invented in

1901 by Hubert Cecil Booth. Before he made his invention, he placed a handkerchief on a chair and put

his mouth on it. He then sucked the air in and realized how much dust he gathered using a handkerchief.

This idea inspired him to make the vacuum cleaner. Unfortunately, the invention he made was so large

that it had to be carried by a horse. Today, there are many types of vacuum cleaners and it can come in

different sizes and models. Some can move by themselves and some can even collect liquid. Vacuum

cleaners are now one of the most popular technologies which are very helpful and important to people. 

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Go over the points you have just made above

In conclusion, there were many significant inventions seen during the 20th Century time period. Some of

these inventions were television, Motorola DynaTAC 8000x and vacuum cleaner. These are all

commonly seen today all around the world and are still important.

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 45

 Chapter 45 – Inan
“Your people, your guards. They’re nothing more than killers, rapists and
thieves. The only difference between them and criminals is the uniforms they
wear.”

- A message I take from this scene is that the guards are seen as criminals because of what they've done.

“I won’t let your father get away with what he’s done. I won’t let your

ignorance silence my pain”

With that, she disappears. Her quiet footsteps fade into the silence.

In that moment I realize how wrong I’ve truly been.

It doesn’t matter if I’m in her head.

I’ll never understand her pain.

- A message I take from this scene is that you could never understand someone's pain unless you experience it.

Children of Blood and Bone ll Chapter 43

Chapter 43 - Inan
Now it takes everything to gain control. No matter how hard I fight, the risk of
feeling Zélie’s pain lingers. A constant and growing threat.

A message I take from this scene is that Inan feels uneasy the more he works with Zelie.

(Why is thinking about the truth a “threat”?) - Inan is trying to hide his power because it can be a threat against his father.

Dogs of the Vastness

 We have been studying Antarctica. We listened to a story about Nanook, a husky who was sent to Antarctica on an expedition in 1901. We then wrote the next chapter of the story from Nanook’s ‘Point of View’. 

Next Adventure

It’s another day again and I awoke this morning to the sound of Hector singing his dog’s song. However, today he looks different from usual. It looks like he was excited about something. I approach him and decided to ask him out of my curiosity. He said that we’re going to Antarctica in two days. I was really excited as I jump around happily. I snoop around to find the other dogs to tell them about the good news but as soon as I saw them I can already tell that they know. I can see them running and jumping around freely while Hercules was having a snooze. I wonder what Antarctica is like? Is it hot there? Or maybe cold? Is windy too? Questions keep popping out of my head as I get more curious. Do they have a beach where the others and I can run around? Can I find others like me there? I can’t really wait to go for another adventure but this time it will be more precious since I am able to go with my friends. 

Learning reflection

This week in Maths we have been working on Substitution. 
Substitution into an equation involves replacing a variable with a number when it is known and then evaluating that equation [calculating the value of the result]. It is always important to remember the following:

- Always use the correct order of operations - BEDMAS

- One or more variables or numbers next to each other [such as 3a or xyz] meaning multiply them.

- A fraction represents division [top ÷ bottom

- Don't forget to replace a variable with its value every time it appears in a formula.

We have also learned about using formulae.

We often use formulae to represent practical situations. 

3 important lines of working out

- The formula itself

- The formula with values substituted for each of the variables

- The final answer

*Keep the equal signs lined up vertically so it makes your working out easy for someone else to follow