The Modern World Of Media

Today I have created a presentation based around the internet. It was a long process (well , not that long). However, It was still enjoyable for me.
I enjoyed making the layout. Now that I have improved on my layout work, It looks way better and my skill has thrived so much.
I found It challenging to think of the layout because I wanted it to be engaging to the audience, so I made into a blog-like layout to set the theme.
Next time I might be more quicker at choosing my design. I will also make sure that I take proper screenshots next time.
Here I have shared a link to my work because I links to the websites I have on my presentation. So here it is: 
My Presentation

Sharpen your pencils and keep writing

Today I have created a poster for a book review. I haven't written one before but this is my first time. A review is a look-back thing by someone who describes pros and cons of that thing. It is commonly seen in movies, books, businesses and even products of a market. 
I really enjoyed writing the book review because, as I said, I familiarize writing it.
I found it challenging to look for my favourite books because I love reading to much. I even have an abundance of books at home on my shelf.
Next time I might need to slightly shorten it down just a little bit.
Here is my work:

Fighting for equality

Many of us humans are unique and we all embrace our eccentricities with every single one of us on this earth. We also need to be aware that we all have our separate flaws when it comes to our physical and mental perspective. However, everyday we face issues in life and in the globe such as inequality, harassment, cruelty and many more that not even I can explain. But today I am going to be showcasing about the American culture in the past. America is one of the most noteworthy cruel countries on earth - as some concluded it to be.
Because of this, there was a law in american legislation called "racial segregation". Which is a term for seperating a certain race from the other race; separation for 'equality'. This began in the 1880s with the white people and evolved with the black people in the early 1890s. So both african american and white people had to follow specific laws of the so called Jim Crow laws. Here is what they witnessed (or suffered):

• Kids had to go in other schools.
• When being transported in buses, both of these races had to be seperate from one another. The black stayed seated at the back while the white sat at the upper front. 
• They had to be in certain districts to be apart. 
• Black people were hurt emotionally. 
• White people were wealthier than black people. 
• Bus drivers would take advantage of the black people. 

However, there was a woman named Rosa Parks that stood up to her own race in the 1950s/60s. She was seated in the upper front because the bus was full so the white person and Rosa parks began arguing because she did not give her seat up for the person. Rosa was arrested because of the incident. A man called Martin Luther King Jr was a christian minister that went on Rosa's side because not one man or woman should be judged or seperate each other because of their skin colour. Apparently Dr King confessed this earlier before Rosa Parks took courage in that incident. Everyone's reaction was devastated annoyed and surprised. No one has ever done something so courageous. 

Explorers of the world

Today I was learning about a famous explorer, Freya Madeline Stark. She is a inspiring traveller and a great author. I really resonate with her personality and lively daring spirit. In spite of her well... strange and deeper experiences that I even didn't want to type down. But anyways, I have made a presentation using Canva (ok, yes I am once again using Canva as always) and removebg. Which is a tool that removes backgrounds off an image. You can edit it by restoring it or erasing it which makes it so much easier for me - keep in mind some images may not come out in a high quality result as you would expect, so that's why I say this.
I really enjoyed researching and digging deep into her fame. For example, her biography and childhood.
I found it challenging to decipher the information because I didn't quite understand at first but I read it again and it made so much sense to me.
Next time I might need to search "info for kids" when I am learning/researching about something.
Here is my presentation (it is not that long because I haven't found enough information):

Image of Freya 
P.S,
This is actually the tool that I used on my "Born to fly" poster.

Not all treasure is silver and gold

When you treasure something, It is very sacred and important to keep safe and nurtured. Like a plant that you need to water everyday and make sure that it sees the sun. Maybe it could be a gift from someone or a important message that you were given. It helps you to heal your mental health because that person you love gave you a gift and put love into it. Leaving that aside, since we're talking about what my treasured things are, let's dive in.

1. My talents

I have a hobby of designing logos, drawing and writing for leisure (and future essentials, too). Everytime I write, draw or design, my family or friends always say "you are such an amazing artist" or "what lovely writing you have done". So I have confirmed that I have talents that are really special to me. Or the fact that I might be intelligent (no arrogance intended). Why? Because they are very special and could be useful in the future. I have always followed a passion to be an author or an artist. Even a designer that creates posters for businesses.
Everyone and even the untalented ones should never give up in dreams and persevere.

2. Home
I love it. It is very important to me (of course) and It is something that needs to be nourished and secure. Like my household. Yeah we may fight sometimes but at the end we forgive each other and just let go. Some household families are pretty darn unlucky. And we won't go down that pool of black water because well, it's deep. Very deep. Carrying on, I love to be comfortable at home because I can be safer with family.

3. Travelling
I say this because when I go somewhere new, I am learning about many things such as culture, life and people. I am learning to socialize with outer world as well. In spite of my anxiety issues and problems, I don't let that stop me from getting out there and meeting/doing things that are new. Such as bungy jumping from Rotorua, talking to someone from another country and many more.

Wat is one thing that is important to you?

 

Brochure Guide to... Tonga

Today I have been learning about the New Zealand and globally famous olympic shot putter called Dme Valerie Adams. She definitely sounds like a legend and a strong olympian. So what I have to do was create a brochure for her. And once again, I have used the design tool (my best friend) Canva for my design. I have done Tonga as my main theme for the brochure.
I enjoyed finding information about tonga because I found out some pretty fascinating attractions around the place.
I found it challenging to get it done quickly because it was quite time-consuming for me when I was editing the brochure.
My learning object shows I am a smart blogger.
Next time I might need to fasten my pace up and spending a little bit more time brainstorming for my next design.
Have you or one of your family members ever been to tonga?
Here is my work:















Front cover image - inside brochure
Front cover image

Names of meanings - what's so special about them?

Today I was learning about a famous boxer called Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer of all time in 1963. But then I discovered that his name isn't his birth name. It was actually Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr - as it said on the SLJ blog. However, I don't actually want to change my name Ruby because it is my birth name. But my parents then gave me the name, Ruby-Rhain. Because they thought it had a similarity of emotional and sensitivity - I was a big cry baby when I was 7 years old. But Rhain is a masculine name in Welsh culture meaning "Lance" or "Spear". Which is why I give gratitude to the name with it's unique and rare sense to it.
Even though in my past I gave a quite spiteful reaction to the name. I thought that it was offensive and rude. But it isn't.
Do you know anyone with an uncommon name?

Start small and dream big

Today I have been learning about pursuing dreams & goals by doing this summer learning activity. I had to create a poster that had my 6 things that I brainstormed to find support. But I had to ask one of my family members what they want to be in the future. I asked my cousin and he said he wanted to be an astronaut - I also wanted to be one, too but I switched to an astrologer.
I really enjoyed creating the poster and talking to my cousin. Well, we did kind of go off topic and continuously talked for an hour or two.
I found it challenging to think of some ideas for support because it can be a little bit challenging to find support from a familiar person or place.
Next time I would change my brainstorming ideas for my next activity.
My blog shows that I am a smart blogger. 
Here is my work: 

Born to fly - Aircrafts & pilots

Today I was learning about the comparison between Jean Batten and Amelia Earhart. These two women were the first female pilots to ever travel by air around the world. It is pretty interesting because women at the time weren't as aware of planes unlike the present moment. But anyways, I have made a poster by using an online designer called Canva. But you have to sign up for it in order to design things.
I enjoyed finding about them because t was very interesting to learn about them and their family.
I also enjoyed creating the poster.
I found it challenging to make the poster because It was lagging a little bit and didn't give me enough time to do it.
Next time I could try digging deeper into the information of famous people.
Here is my work:

have you used Canva?

Helping & Changing The World

Today I was researching about a charity called OXFAM. The OXFAM charity is an organization
that helps/saves people from poverty and stops inequality. It was found in 1942 and has been running since then. This charity is set internationally. Last year, the charity rescued 14 million people from poverty. OXFAM stands for Oxford Committee for Famine Relief.
Here is my poster:

OXFAM charity logo

Voyaging with the polynesians

Today I was learning about how the polynesians managed to navigate islands without using productive and modern technology at the time. It is so fascinating and quite ingenious what our ancestors have done. Not only did I learn about that, I also had the chance to add these food items onto my blog (we'll talk about that one later). We basically had to find food for voyaging with the polynesians.
I enjoyed watching the video because it had so much information on how they used some pretty amazing tricks just from the mental mind.
I found it challenging to find food for my voyaging journey because It all depends on what is going to keep you alive and full for the rest of the time. It also depends on what is taken from the islands, too.
My digital learning object shows that I am a smart blogger.
Next time I would research a little bit about the food before adding any on my list.
Do you know how the polynesian navigators navigated islands?

I would (recommend) having these 10 food items on the voyage: 

1. Water (of course) 

Who doesn't want to go thirsty? Not me... 

2. Coconuts. 

Well, they are great in fibres and is filled with nutrients, you can also drain fish blood into the coconut shells. The voyagers believed that it avoided dehydration along the journey. And was especially tasty. So this can be substitute water.  

3. Bananas. 

I would take these because they are very healthy (and they are sweet) for you. Just don't eat them all at once. 

4. Harakeke seeds

Polynesians knew that the seeds in the Harakeke (flax plant) had edible seeds that are full of saturated fats, antioxidants and vitamins. They also lower chances of dangerous diseases (cancer, heart diseases etc). 

5. Rice 

rice is known to be full of fibre and can fill you up for the rest of the journey. 

6. Dried nuts

You can take these healthy snacks as they can last longer and can be portable in a small container. 

7. Dark chocolate

Dark chocolate is light and can be stored easily in small containers. 

8. Pasta 

This can be a light food and might be a tasty treat for dinner. 

9. Ginger biscuits

They can help you with motion sickness and nausea along the way.  

10. Kumara

Kumara have great source of vitamins and can be cooked with anything (well, almost everything.

 

Arts & Entertainment - Lorde

Today I was learning about how to do image attribution. The whole class was researching about Lorde. All of us used Piktochart. It is an editor that is similar to google drawings but having more options and tools you can use (but you have to sign up).
I enjoyed being creative and editing my poster. I also enjoyed looking up facts about her. She is a quite interesting singer.
I found it challenging to insert my photo in because It was a little too small to go into the frame and having the size change all of a sudden. I managed to get it in there once I fixed it.
My digital learning object shows that I am a smart blogger.
Next time I would change the format of the poster. It does look a little squashed up with the icons beside the words.

Have you used Piktochart?

Lovely Plants And Aesthetic art

Last week we were focusing on our art based around on our inquiry. What we done for art was to find a plant from the so called "fairyland" (Which is a place where there is our native garden just near the driveway when you enter the school) So with the plant we had, we then had to  and decipher after we had done these three things - the paint printing, sketching and the watercolour.
For the printing, we had to first use a roller and roll the paint onto our plant on the back side on it. Jut so we can have exquisite detail. We then had to carefully place it on our paper, making sure that it is secure and rub the plant onto the paper using newspaper and take it off the plant.
For the watercolour, we had to paint the plant on a piece of paper. Despite I done sketching and watercolour both at the same time - very well done. But my highlights of the activity (I can't decide but here we go anyway) Doing the watercolour because it is much more easier to paint. And my challenge was to do the paint printing because it kept on falling off - It even broke so I had to get another one.
Have you ever done watercolour or paint printing before?
Here is my artwork:

Plants and Rongoa - a distinctive topic

This term in room 4 for our inquiry we are learning about nature and plants. A few children went to Kaiti hill to the workshop, they brought back some information about the plants. For example they learnt how to make Kawakawa into Rongoa (maori medicine), the essential rules of Harakeke, weaving harakeke and planting Kumara. But the rest of us carried on with our learning by presenting our work on posters based on what we learnt.
Have you ever weaved flax or made Kawakawa Rongoa? Because it is actually good for curing illness.
Here is my poster:

Real or fake? Who knows...

Today I was learning to decipher weather or not an image is fake or real. Some images are edited on Photoshop (an app where you can edit photos) to look real. Often it s quite tricky to find weather or not it is real. So don't always believe in the media's photos. So we took a photo of ourselves doing something impossible. After that, we used the remove background site, adding another background to make it look real.
I enjoyed learning how to identify a real or fake image because I learnt to ask questions about the image. Curiosity holds more knowledge.
I found it challenging to gather up some ideas. I know, wasn't really awake wasn't I?
My digital learning object shows that I am a stepping up blogger
Next time I would change and improve on my creativity for next time.
have you ever found yourself pondering on an image if it's real or not?

Comment down below.  

Rugby on the go

Today I was learning how to use Geotools for such as Tour builder and Google Earth. Tour Builder is a website where you can pin certain places. We used Tour builder because I was marking the places of the Rugby World Cup winners and who are most likely to win. I then had to use screencastify for previewing the map.
I enjoyed making the screencastify tour video.
I found it challenging to locate certain Stadiums because there were other types of places, concerned bout weather or not is is actually the Rugby Stadium. 
My digital learning object shows that I am a Stepping up blogger.

Have you ever used Tour builder or Google erarth?

Our Mascot Creation

Today I was learning to collaboratively make a new mascot using google drawings. Basically we had to have a partner that "is" from Australia and have you have to be from New Zealand, meaning that we were only allowed to communicate online using the comments. This was based on the Rugby world cup for this year  - hopefully Zealand will win -  and we had to make our own mascot based on the country our partner has chosen.
Hayley was my partner and we both agreed on Argentina. 
I enjoyed creating our own mascot and thinking of some cool ideas.
I found it challenging to communicate online because it was complicating to explain where you want to put something or want to say something - too confusing for my partner, Hayley. I also found it challenging to polyline my shape and grouping it together. It took quite a lot of patience to get it done.
My digital learning object shows that I'm a smart blogger.
Next time I would change my communication with my buddy and make sure I'm clear with what I'm saying online.

Eels of the deep river - an enticing discovery

Last week - 27th of August- Room 4 went to the Hustler's home to see the longfin eels down at the river. There were a few huge eels down in their creek.  I even managed to feed one.
Well it did - accidentally - devour my stick. My highlight of the visit was how fascinating and big they were, way bigger than the ones I have at home! After the visit, all of us wrote about the longfin eels. We were allowed to do an instructional piece,  poem or even a recount. Here is my little poem that I created:

Snap

Soundlessly but graciously, 

Slithering in the chilly water of tranquility.

Distinctive petrichor scent of the soil, 

Eel emerges from the murkiness of the river. 

Elegant movement as its tail slightly coils, 

And… 

Splash! Slap! Chomp! 

The Leap Of Fun

The Leap Of Fun

During our time away at Rotorua on Thursday, We were going to Velocity Valley. Regardless of the dull weather. We woke up and got ready for going to Velocity Valley. Once we got there I actually zoomed out of the car, just pumped for the bungy jump that I was going on. Velocity Valley Park is an Adventure park where you can do extreme things such as the Swoop, the Free Fall, the Agrojet and many other things. So once we were finished getting organized and strapping on buckles and ropes. The strapes on my legs felt super tight, I thought my nerves were enclosed in my calf muscles.

Anyways, the operator escorted me to the tower and asked the man to crank it up the top. It made me giggle for some reason. During that time of getting inclined to the top, the man was explaining to me some very hilarious but horrible stories of young men that were super scared to jump of the edge. He told that there was this one man who had to get an extra operator to push him off the edge. Not until I could feel the vibration of the tower rock. It was time for me to jump. The operator was double checking in case I accidentally forgot anything in my pockets.

Although I couldn't stop thinking about how amazing It'll feel like just to leap off the edge and just feel my blood rushing down into my head. He told me to walk slowly towards the edge and wait for him to count to three. "Are you ready?" he asked, turning on the go pro as my legs were shaking like an earthquake was corrupting the tower. "Yes" I answered.
"One." I lifted my arms "two" I was prepared to fall down as If I was a Peregrine falcon, getting ready to swoop down and catch my prey.
"THREE!"       

Lights... Webcam... And Action!

Lights... Webcam... And Action! 

Today I was learning how to use an online tool called "removebg". It is an easy and useful online tool that has the ability to cleanly remove the background of your picture. For example, if you wanted to have a transparent background of yourself, you can easily click on the website, click the select picture button and upload from your computer. I also learnt about how to use my timer on the webcam in the camera app on my Chromebook. All I had to do was to click on the cogwheel icon - settings. Click on the clock icon and press the 10 seconds button. 

I enjoyed adding images into my picture and editing my photo. Well, there was a variety of images that I could use. Undeterred from the annoying lighting in the background. 
I found it challenging to get the camera in such a perfect position because I wasn't able to get my feet into the picture - no, It was really annoying. Though at least I managed to tweak it up a bit.
My digital learning object shows that I am a
Next time I would make sure that I would be able to get my whole body into the camera - well... It is a small camera to take a photo.
Have you used removebg? Let me know in the comment section!

Here is my slide:

Take A Sip Of Sweet Lemonade

On the first week of term when the others in room 4 were attending at the triathlon, Mrs Bennett wanted us to make some fizzy lemonade. The ingredients were from the school journals. Despite this being from 2 terms ago I decided to share this learning onto my blog. We all had 3 partners each. So there was a total of three teams. I was working with Rhiannon and John. It was extremely fun and simple! What I highlighted most about it was that it was based on a scientific and cooking subject - or rather drink-making.

Though the challenging part of making the fizzy lemonade was carefully pouring in the yeast. Luckily our didn't tip over and made a tremendous mess. Next time, I need to be more cautious of my surroundings when I'm handling hot water or liquids. After when we were finished, we had to leave it in there for about five days - as I remembered. The students that made the lemonade individually created a slide show about how to make lemonade on google docs. But I took a slightly extra mile and decided to edit mine on Adobe spark.

Have you made lemonade before? Did you use a different method?
Comment down below. 

Here is my little video:

 

Shiny Stars And Artistic Animations...

Today I was learning about how to create an animation using an online website called "Brush Ninja".
I enjoyed being creative and making my own style of animating. Even though it isn't quite finished but I think it's a great animation.
I found it challenging to remember the names of the Matariki stars. But at least I tried my hardest to remember them. 
My digital learning object shows that I am stepping up.
Next time I would change my sizes to make sure that I would be able to have other things to fit in my animation.

Do you know the history behind Matariki and the legend of the seven stars?
Comment down below.

Here is my animation:

The best editing tool ever!

The best editing tool ever!

Today for our cyber smart session, we were learning to make our own original images using certain tools to edit our photos. The first thing we had to accomplish was insert copy right free images from the internet. We had to put in the boxes which was in the slides Mrs Torrie created. The second thing we had to do was then take pictures of things and insert them into the boxes. After that, we had to edit our selfie onto an editing tool website called Lunapic.  Now that was the fun part. We added filters, changed the gradient colours and other cool editing options that we added. Despite it being really simple.

What was challenging was that you had to position the webcam. Because of this, I had to make it move it a few times until I got an accurate photo-capturing position. However, the part that I absolutely loved was  editing my photo. I mean, It had a whole variety of filters to use. Maybe next time I might make my original image a bit cooler by adding some awesome effects.

Dreaming Wildly Big!

This term for our writing Room 4 is focusing on dreaming big and writing about it. For example we got to write about our dream vehicle, dream house and even dream super power! After that we'd choose which topic to Illustrate. I chose my dream house. Here is my dream writing:


(Dream Illustration coming soon!!!) 

Super Session With Mindlab!

Super Session with Mindlab

On Monday afternoon the Mindlab came to visit us (Room 4) for a two and a half hour session. If you're wondering what Mindlab is, it is a community in Gisborne that works with young kids based on science, engineering and other kid-friendly scientific projects. We had three people. 

We had a humorous guy called Mac, A girl called Sam, another girl called Emily (who was really laid back in my perspective) and lastly, Shannon (Which I've met many years ago). Our main objective was to brainstorm many problems about the ocean (e.g plastic rubbish etc.) and find a solution for the following problems that we wrote on a sticky note. The second objective was to make an animation using a 3D animation app called plotgon.

It had to be about two characters having a korero based on some facts about the problems that we brainstormed. We also had to talk about a solution. But the first thing we had to do in order to make our animation was to create our partner's character as themselves. I was collaborating with my sister, Emerald.

After we completed the task we could now make our awesome animation. From adding actions to our character, inserting dialogues (which is a talk between two or more actors/characters in a play,film or animation) to tweaking our animation. I loved It! It made me feel creative in my own way. Despite that we were struggling a little bit with our character.

Here are some photos of our mind lab session:

Animations Coming Soon!!!

Terrific Tic Tac Toe!

When we had Mrs Ellen on Thursday, she decided to have a game of Tic Tac Toe inside. I seriously had no idea how we where going to play. But I realized that this game was extremely fun, I loved it! If you wanna play with your friends or whanau, here's a document for the rules. Have fun and enjoy!

Respect is Awesome!

Respect Is Awesome!

As it is to say, Respect is a value of caring for one another. Not only that, It means to be respectful to one's property. It even means to be honest. Honest is the key to beauty - a saying of mine. Although, if things were the other way around, It would be the opposite of happiness. Everyone and everything would be full on wrathful and depressing. Which would be really unhealthy to human society.

Respect can also mean to be listen to the speaker. Paying attention is critical, especially when you're having a talk with someone. By far, Respect is one of the most wonderful thing to experience. When someone is being respectful, they're being kind, showing manners and even showing a happy attitude. Being happy is a good feeling. A feeling of preventing stress and anger. Carrying on, Respect even means to be loyal. Loyalty is vital. When you're helping someone out, it makes the job easier to complete. From helping with a science project to helping with the dishes (Well, I don't really like washing dirty dishes).

Respect in Matawai school is this term's value. Mainly students are listening to the teacher, engaging in our learning and many more respectful things. We're even looking after the Matawai village by grabbing rubbish of the ground. And even cleaning out the waterways. Keeping space clean is very healthy and that way you won't be so unorganized. 

What is respect like at home? Well, it's easy. My siblings are always keeping their rooms organized & tidy and participating in chores. But sometimes it can go into a bit of a disaster... Even though my  family is trying our best. Mum & Dad always say that respect can lead to success. It can also lead to things that you've really wanted. In my perspective, Respect is an important value to me, the school and my family.


  

Who I am

Kia ora, My name is Ruby-Rhain! I'm in year 8 and I go to Matawai School. I have two sisters and a brother (though they may tend to get super annoying…). I've also been raised in different farms my whole life.  My personal interests are astrology, science, and reading. It’s mainly astrology that I love the most. It’s just that I desire researching about the planets and stars (I've been studying it for 5 years straight).

My favourite subject in school is writing because it increases my creativity and makes me express what I think about. Also, my second favourite subject is reading. The main subject that I need to improve on, is math. I'm not really that type of person that's great at problem solving, subtraction, and other mathematical strategies.

My goals for 2019 is to have fun, concentrate in learning and understand the language of math.  What I'm really looking forward to this year is having lots of fun with my family and thriving in writing to become a children’s author as I get older.

Kia Kite ano!