Amber's blog

2010 Reflections

Ambertai3 — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:23:59 +0000

This year has been REALLY busy, with me going to Japan, getting ready for high school, and all the other worries of being a year 8. This term has had it’s ups and downs, with a hundred million tests, but lots of fun things as well, like Art for Tech Arts, and getting ready for the Year 8 Ball.

The biggest thing for me this year was high school, like would my grades be good enough, where am I going, that sort of thing. I think I did well when it comes to the tests side of school. I am hoping to achieve something at the end of the year awards.

My goals for high school are:

To do as many sports as possible, to learn as many languages as possible, to join some clubs, make lots of friends

I could go on and on, but that take too long.

My favourite thing about this year would have to be Japan. It was a great trip, but the best part was DisneyLand.

In 1 week it’s time for me to say goodbye to TAI for the last time. Thanks to all the teachers, friends and everyone else that made my TAI experience the best I could hope for.

Week 8 Term 3

Ambertai3 — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:46:05 +0000

This week I have learned:

It was Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori, or Maori Language Week, at shcool this week. We created a boil up as a part of the day we spent at the Tech Art Block.I learned how to meake poi out of stuffing, cord, a plastic bag or two, some string, and sellotape. I also learned how to make a Bullroarer, which you spin through the air, and the Bullroarer makes either a deep vibrating sound or a high one, depending on the shape of the Bullroarer.

In maths this week, I have learned how to give vectors eg. (3,-2) to translations. The example I gave translates the shape 3 right, 2 down on a square grid.

My goals for next week are:

To keep up to date with my maths by getting a new maths book, and working hard to complete my work.
To learn as much Japanese as I can before I go to Japan, so I am prepared for the experience.
To hand in my latest book review and to get good marks for my effort.

Week 6 Term 3

Ambertai3 — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:37:26 +0000

This week I have learned: How to Show not tell in writing, where you don’t TELL the reader what the situation is, but give information that could help them figure out what it is. I have also learned how to find angle in a triangle, because all the angles in a triangle add up to 180 degrees.

My goals for next week are: to learn more about showing not telling, and to practice my Japanese LOTS!!!!

Science Fair

Ambertai3 — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:55:29 +0000

This is my Science Fair board for this year. My topic was: Does the Salinity in Water effect it’s evaporation time? My Hypothesis (theory) was that the fresh water would evaporate the fastest because the research shows that salt water is denser than fresh water, and I thought that there were more molecules in the salt water that needed to be heated than the fresh water. My results proved me half right because the water with a small amount of salt evaporated the fastest. I think this is because the small amount of salt gave the water less heat resistance, and the added molecules helped to spread the heat around.

Week 6 Term 2

Ambertai3 — Sun, 30 May 2010 20:30:14 +0000

This week I have learned: how to cut out patterns for a sweatshirt in Tech Arts, how to write take notes from information, and how to use these notes to write a factual report.

My goals for next week are: to finish my sweatshirt in Tech Arts, and I will know I have achieved this when I am wearing my finished sweatshirt.

To begin to create my Science fair Board, and I will know i have achieved this when I am taking the board home and I will be pasting my information on.

Week 5 Term 2

Ambertai3 — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:41:29 +0000

This week I have learned: how to multiply decimals. You set it out as an algorithm, and you forget about the decimals until you have the final answer. You then count how many decimal places there are in the question numbers, and that amount becomes part of the final answer. I have also remembered how to punctuate dialogue, like you need to put every new speaker on a new line e.g. “How are you Mark?” asked Jamie (new line, next speaker)

My goals for next week are: To learn more about decimal division and multiplicatiopn. I will know I have achieved this when I can multiply and divide decimals easily and correctly. One long term goal is to continue to work on my Science Fair project, and present a good presentation about evaporation and salt density in water. I know that I have achieved this when my board is ready for the Science fair.

Week 8 Term 1

Ambertai3 — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 20:58:55 +0000

This week I have learned: how to add and subtract integers/negative and positive numbers, how to write a Rondo, and how to play some basic guitar chords in Music Tech Arts.

My goals for next week are: to sell my Coke floats for my Japan fundraiser, to enter the Post writing competition, to enter the Depression Writing Competition, and to finish this term with some good work results.

Week 3 Term 1

Ambertai3 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:27:53 +0000

This week I have learnt:
This week I have learnt how to play hash cricket
I have improved in my maths by learning more basic facts
I have learnt the rules and places of tools in the Kitchen in Tech Arts
I have learnt how to use this blog and Ultranet
I have been reminded of some points in maths, like areaMy goals for next week are:
To improve my swimming ability by pushing myself to do more lenghts
To learn how to make Sushi and Niku Jaga, they’re Japanese recipesTest results:
Beep test: 6.3
Basic facts: 97/100!!!!

Week 4 Term 1

Ambertai3 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:27:02 +0000

This week I have learned:
I have learned some higher notes in flute e.g. High Eb or E flat
I have learned about some more tools in Microsoft Word e.g. how to change it from potrait to landscape
I have learned about how the councilliors organise the discos here at school

My goals for next week are:
To practice my flute more at home by making time for it
To work hard in creating my cafe in Cooking, by looking for ideas and options

My long term goals are:
To become a class councillior and maybe a Head Student by working hard
To get to Japan on the exchange by fundraising like crazy

Personal Narrative 2

Ambertai3 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:25:16 +0000

My heart beating a frantic tattoo against my chest, I try not to look down as gravity clings onto my legs, a panicked man about to fall to the ground below. The Sky Swing rocks with the wind pushing it back and forth with brute strength. I gaze out and rest my eyes on the deep, blue, Lake Rotorua, but then I glance down, and realize how high up we are. Feeling sick, I look back at the lake, and I feel better again. Click. The swing rocks as we click into place, and it’s time for me to pull the rope.

“Come on, Amber, you can do it!” my mum calls encouragingly as I tug on the rope with all my might. Fear grips my heart in its dark clutches as I continue to pull, trying to release us. “I’m trying!” I cry back. Clunk. We swing into the air, soaring on the wind, and at the end of each giant swing, the cage rocks and rolls, almost flipping over, as a scream escapes my lips, a prisoner released, the air rushing into my face.

Eventually, we slow down, and our swings become smaller and smaller. Finally, the official clips a rope onto the cage, and we’re towed back to the starting platform. When I manage to get out of the harness, I stagger as my feet touch the ground. Laughing at ourselves, my mum and I stumble towards the counter, eager to see ourselves on the screen.

Amber2