Project Juni | DTE

Welcome to another post. For the past 7 weeks, in DTE, we have been working on our final project of the year. This project had to be incorporated with an idea.

I was in a group with Ranit and had an idea to make a VEX robot that can help during earthquakes and landslides. We made a fast rescue machine to handle the situation faster. We decided to use two existing Vex robots and make both into one -- the Armbot and the Linq. We called our project 'Project Juni'. 

Our inspiration for this project came up from a thought of a rescue vehicle that moves fast.

Armbot

Linq

Clawbot

   

As seen from the pictures above, these are the VEX robots that we used. We made a plan on what we are going to do with the VEX robots.

This was our plan:

We will build the Armbot fully, afterwards, we will start modifying from there, by transforming the arm into a scoop from the Linq which can be utilised to remove/move rocks and dirt, it will need movement so we will use the Clawbot’s base so it can traverse faster. Then, Armbot will be used to let the scoop sway in more directions which will allow the scoop to move in an up and down motion and side to side motion. 

However, our end outcome didn't go as we planned. Because we had only 6 weeks to complete our project (including planning and presenting), we couldn't add the Clawbot's base, meaning no tyres to move. But, we are happy with the work that we had done. 

Result: Juni

Reflection:

During the six weeks of our project, we encountered many problems during the making like not finding the right parts, or motors not functioning properly, and hearing numerous cracks and sounds that did not sound well.  During our project, we had to come up with our own designs of the project and had to modify it various times until the robot had functioned the way that we wanted it to.

My partner and I thought that we are proud of what we had done. Last week, due to lack of time, we couldn't add the wheels (part of the Clawbot) for the robot to move around. However, we are happy with what we had accomplished.

What we learnt during this project was how well we can work with VEX Robots and make our own project with them. We showed commitment by committing to our project and trying to find a way to fix the problem we encounter. We showed achievement by achieving our project which was creating a rescue vehicle robot. We showed resilience by never giving up on our work and always trying hard. Lastly, we showed respect, by respecting others and the environment around me -- by using the equipment which we were given with respect.

Also, we used teamwork, by doing the work in equal amounts and we didn't have to depend on another to finish it off.  

Is this the world's fastest electric plane?: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Is this the world's fastest electric plane? 

Text type: Article

Text creator: Stuff

Critical Literacy Question: What views of the world is the text presenting?

Date: 23rd November 2021

What views of the world is the text presenting?

I think the world is slowly trying to cut down emissions by taking small steps, like how Rolls-Royce made the fastest electric plane, which would make the planet a better place. However, the aircraft just went for a test, but, Sounds Air is hoping to fly passengers across Cook Strait in an all-electric plane by 2026, which I hope to come out soon, this is because it will encourage other airline companies to use all-electric planes and reduce greenhouse gases.

Brief:

The 'Spirit of Innovation'
Credit: John M. Dibbis/Rolls-Royce
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/green-travel/127072304/is-this-the-worlds-fastest-electric-plane

Rolls-Royce has broken the record for the fastest all-electric plane aircraft. The aircraft, 'Spirit of Innovation', has hit the top speed of 623km/h during its test runs in the UK last week.

The Rolls-Royce CEO, Warren East, says that it is a "fantastic achievement".

Warren East said that “following the world’s focus on the need for action at COP26, this is another milestone that will help make ‘jet zero’ a reality and supports our ambitions to deliver the technology breakthroughs society needs to decarbonise transport across air, land and sea.”

Phill O'Dell, the pilot, said that it was the highlight of his career. “The opportunity to be at the forefront of another pioneering chapter of Rolls-Royce’s story as we look to deliver the future of aviation is what dreams are made of.”

The airline, Sounds Air expects to fly passengers across Cook Strait in electric planes by 2026 and aims to become the first in Australasia to offer customers zero-emission air travel.

Adapted from: https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/green-travel/127072304/is-this-the-worlds-fastest-electric-plane

Rocket Lab to launch New Zealand's first lunar mission: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Rocket Lab to launch New Zealand's first lunar mission

Text type: Article

Text creator: RNZ (Radio New Zealand)

Text purpose: To inform viewers about Rocket Lab launching New Zealand's first moon mission.

Critical Literacy Question: What questions about itself does the text not raise?

Date: 15 November 2021

What questions about itself does the text not raise?

I think the article should include about why is Rocket Lab launching the mission for NASA -- because NASA could've built it themselves. However, it is a good opportunity for the nation.

Brief:

Credit: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/448687/rocket-lab-to-launch-new-zealand-s-first-lunar-mission

An artist's concept of the future moon landing under the Artemis Program.
Credit: https://www.space.com/artemis-program.html & NASA

Later this year, Rocket Lab is going to launch its first mission to the Moon from the Māhia Peninsula. This will be the space company's first mission beyond the low Earth orbit (LEO) and the first lunar mission to be launched from New Zealand.

This mission by Rocket Lab will be launching for NASA, which is working on plans to send astronauts to the Moon "again".

Dubbing to the Artemis program (an ongoing space mission run by NASA), NASA wants to send the first woman astronaut and next male astronaut on the Moon's South Pole by 2024 -- and establish a long-term presence there.

An illustration of the Gateway - built with commercial partners, used for long-term exploration.
Credit: https://www.nasa.gov/gateway/overview

The satellite will test out the orbit and navigating technologies NASA wants to use for its mini-space station, Gateway - an outpost orbiting the moon, providing vital support for a long-term human return to the lunar surface.

Rocket Lab spokesperson Morgan Bailey said, "this is the very first step in NASA's plans to return humans to the surface of the Moon, something that we have not done since the 1970s."

The small launch vehicle has never been used to launch a mission to the Moon. The contract is valued at just under $10 million. Rocket Lab said that it is one of the most affordable lunar launches undertaken.

Adapted from:

• https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/448687/rocket-lab-to-launch-new-zealand-s-first-lunar-mission
• https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/nasa-moon-mission-artemis-program-launch-date
• https://www.nasa.gov/gateway/overview/

4G Mobile Network on The Moon!?: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: The moon's getting a 4G mobile network

Text type: Article

Text creator: Anne Kauranen | Reuters       (Reporting by Anne Kauranen; Editing by Edmund Blair and Pravin Char)

Critical Literacy Question: What do the words suggest?

Date: 8th November 2021 

What do the words suggest?

The words in the article, 'The moon's getting a 4G mobile network', written by Reuters, suggest returning of humans, future settling and human settlements on the moon. 

For instance, in this article, NASA has selected Nokia to build the first cellular network on the moon. Nokia has said that the first wireless broadband communications system in space will be built on the lunar surface.

I believe that this mission will help simplify the communication errors between the astronauts and the control centre on Earth. 

Credits: https://newatlas.com/vodafone-nokia-moon-4g/53591/

Credits: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/10/Testing_lunar_4G_operations
Copyright: Nokia

Brief:

Nokia has been selected by NASA to build the first cellular network on the moon, as stated by the Finnish company, as the U.S. space agency projects a future where humans establish lunar settlements. Nokia has claimed that the first wireless broadband communications system in space would be built on the lunar surface in late 2022 before humans make it there.

According to the company, the network will establish a 4G/LTE communications system on the moon, though the am would be to eventually switch to 5G. This would allow astronauts voice and video communications capabilities, and allow data exchange, as well as remote control of lunar rovers and other robotic devices. It will be designed to withstand extreme conditions of the launch of the lunar landing and to operate in space.

Adapted from: https://www.reuters.com/article/nokia-nasa-moon-idUSKBN2741JR

Personalised Passion Project experience | Wānanga

Welcome to another post. For the past few weeks in Wānanga, we (the year 10 & 11s) have been doing Personalised Passion Projects (or Genius Hour), a project for our passion or something that you are interested in learning about - including research and guidance by the passion project teacher. 

I was doing Cryptocurrency as one of my passion projects, in which I was working with Ranit doing candlestick charts. 

Candlestick Chart
Credit: https://stock.adobe.com/ee/search?k=candlestick+chart

In sum, we had to start with an essential question (driving question) - that cannot be answered with a simple Google search and research the question using websites, or any other source. Finally, we had to create something to show our learning that we did over the few weeks - can be digital, physical or service-oriented.

After we presented our work, we need to answer reflection questions.

1. Now that it's over, what are my first thoughts about this overall project? Are they mostly positive or negative?
• They are positive - because Ranit and I did a good job doing our project
2. If positive, what comes to mind specifically? Negative?
• No, I don't think anything negative
3. What were some of the most interesting discoveries I made while working on this project? About the problem? About myself? About others?
• That we can do a project that was new to us and we finished it in a short amount of time (due to lockdown)
• That I can present with a partner in front of the class
4. What were some of my most challenging moments and what made them so?
• That we had to finish quite a lot of work in a short amount of time
5. What were some of my most powerful learning moments and what made them so?
• Speaking in front of an audience (the class)
6. What is the most important thing I learned personally?
• Speaking in front of the audience, which will help me to present in the future.
7. When did I realize that I had come up with my final best solution?
• Sometime before we were up to present in front of the class
8. How well did I and my team communicate overall?
• We communicated really well with each other.
9. What moments was I most proud of my efforts?
• Finishing the project and presenting in front of two classes.
10. What's the one thing about myself above all others I would like to work to improve?
• That I need to memorise the presentation a bit more.
11. How will I use what I've learned in the future?
    
• The presenting I did with Ranit will help me in the future and build my confidence when I do my presentation next time.

Here is the outcome (presentation) I created to show my learning -- and what I did.

'Not doing anything' - Greta Thunberg criticises Ardern - Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: 'Not doing anything' - Greta Thunberg criticises Ardern's lack of climate action 

Text type: Article  

Text creator: 1 News

Text purpose: Thunberg criticising Jacinda Ardern on climate action.

Critical literacy question: What views of the world is the text presenting?

Date: 27 September 2021 

Greta Thunberg - a Sweedish environmental activist.
Adapted by Getty/1 News

What views of the world is the text presenting?

I think the views of the world in this text are manifesting that politicians are idle towards climate change - which is true according to Greta Thunberg. She says that people assume that Ardern and people like her are climate leaders, but that's little people know about the climate crisis.

Brief:

Thunberg asserts that “it’s funny that people believe Jacinda Ardern and people like that are climate leaders. That just tells you how little people know about the climate crisis”.

“Obviously the emissions haven’t fallen. It goes without saying that these people are not doing anything.” 

Despite Ardern calling it a "life and death" issue, after the Climate Change Commission’s decisive guidance to the Government was allotted, the report has shown that New Zealand was not on track for the 2050 emission targets.

Adapted from: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/not-doing-anything-greta-thunberg-criticises-arderns-lack-climate-action

Penguins Killed by Swarm of Bees - Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Endangered penguins killed by swarm of bees in a rare attack near Cape Town

Text type: News article

Text creator: Liz McDonald

Critical Literacy Question: What does the author of this text want us to know?

Date: 21st September 2021

The African Penguins at Boulder Beach, South Africa.
Adapted from Stuff

Brief:

Sixty-three endangered penguins have been killed by a swarm of bees near Cape Town. The bodies were found at the shore at Boulders Beach, South Africa. They were killed with multiple bee stings and no other physical injuries. BBC reported that one of the penguins had been stung 27 times. It is thought that a bee hive was disturbed and caused a bee to swarm and become aggressive.

The Guardian has reported that “This is a very rare occurrence. We do not expect it to happen often, it’s a fluke".

These African penguins are found in the coastal areas of South Africa and Nambia and are considered with declining populations. 

Adapted from: Stuff

Critical literacy:

The article briefs about endangered African Penguins attacked and killed by a swarm of bees. It states that the bees were disturbed and attacked the penguins aggressively. This is shown by a point in the article, "One of the penguins had been stung 27 times, the BBC reported." The article ended saying that it was a rare occurrence and think it is a fluke. The African Penguins are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list - endangered.

Airline's New Cabin Crew Uniform Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Airline's new cabin crew uniform made from recycled plastic bottles

Text type: Article  

Text creator: Alan Granville - Stuff

Critical Literacy Question: What knowledge does the reader need to bring to this text in order to understand it?

Date: 13th August 2021

What knowledge does the reader need to bring to this text in order to understand it?

The knowledge requires the global issue about plastic, why plastic is a problem on our planet and what happens if EasyJet uses recycled plastic bottles to make their uniform. What happens if airlines reduce their carbon footprint and what effects will it occur on our planet.

European airline EasyJet's new cabin uniform has been revealed. Each uniform has been created from 45 plastic bottles. EasyJet has linked up with Northern Irish manufacturer Tailored Image and it's said in an estimate that new uniforms will prevent up to half a million plastic bottles from ending up as plastic waste each year. 

It's said that the fabric is more abrasion-resistant than the current style and allows more stretch and movement - also being longer-lasting, therefore reducing the need of replacements.

Each uniform has been created from about 45 recycled plastic bottles.
Credit: EasyJet/Stuff

easyJet's new cabin crew uniform is made from recycled plastic bottles.
Credit: EasyJet/Stuff

Matariki Calendar Explanation: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Matariki Calendar Explanation
Text type: Video  
Text creator: Rangi Matamua | Living by The Stars
Critical Literacy Question: In whose interest is this text?
Date: 2nd July 2021 

Te Iwi O Matariki | The Nine Stars of Matariki
Credit: https://kcc.org.nz/te-iwa-o-matariki-the-nine-stars-of-matariki-promotion/

In whose interest is this text?

I would say that people who want to watch the video are those who want to know and learn about Matariki and the Māori calendar. It is a traditional Māori calendar system. It uses different lunar months of the year as well as the lunar calendar to tell time. This is different to the modern solar calendar - the gregorian calendar, used by most people in the world - that follows the sun and the journey of the earth around the sun to give us 365 and a quarter a year. 
In the 12-month calendar system that works off a three-year cycle that's driven by Matariki, that lasts 354 days, which spreads across 360 lunar phases throughout the year - this means, every three years, a month is inserted into the calendar system to keep time with the position of the sun. This calendar system is called Te Tautoru Nui O Matariki. They are three stars of the Orion Belt. When they are visible on the eastern horizon when Matariki rises during the new year and midwinter, that is when they determine whether or not they will insert an additional month into the calendar and where they are on the three-year cycle.

Romeo and Juliet: Act 1 - Scene 5: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Welcome to another post. Last week, our class continued reading the play, Romeo and Juliet - Act 1, Scene 5. I'll be using that text for my reflection section for today.

Text title: Romeo and Juliet - Act 1 (Scene 5)

Text type: Play  

Text creator: William Shakespeare

Critical Literacy Question: What kind of person, and with what interests and values, authored the text?

Date: 21st June 2021 

Act 1 - Scene 5 Summary

In the great hall of the Capulets, all is a-bustle. The servants work feverishly to make sure all runs smoothly, and set aside some food to make sure they have some enjoyment of the feast as well. Capulet makes his rounds through groups of guests, joking with them and encouraging all to dance.

From across the room, Romeo sees Juliet, and asks a servingman who she is. The servingman does not

know. Romeo is transfixed; Rosaline vanishes from his mind and he declares that he has never been in love

until this moment. Moving through the crowd, Tybalt hears and recognizes Romeo’s voice. Realizing that

there is a Montague present, Tybalt sends a servant to fetch his rapier. Capulet overhears Tybalt and

reprimands him, telling him that Romeo is well regarded in Verona, and that he will not have the youth

harmed at his feast. Tybalt protests, but Capulet scolds him until he agrees to keep the peace. As Capulet

moves on, Tybalt vows that he will not let this indignity pass.

Meanwhile, Romeo has approached Juliet and touched her hand. In a dialogue laced with religious

metaphors that figure Juliet as a saint and Romeo as a pilgrim who wishes to erase his sin, he tries to

convince her to kiss him, since it is only through her kiss that he might be absolved. Juliet agrees to remain

still as Romeo kisses her. Thus, in the terms of their conversation, she takes his sin from him. Juliet then

makes the logical leap that if she has taken Romeo’s sin from him, his sin must now reside in her lips, and so

they must kiss again.

Just as their second kiss ends, the Nurse arrives and tells Juliet that her mother wants to speak with her.

Romeo asks the Nurse who Juliet’s mother is. The Nurse replies that Lady Capulet is her mother. Romeo is

devastated. As the crowd begins to disperse, Benvolio shows up and leads Romeo from the feast. Juliet is

just as struck with the mysterious man she has kissed as Romeo is with her. She comments to herself that if

he is already married, she feels she will die (1.5.131). In order to find out Romeo’s identity without raising

any suspicions, she asks the Nurse to identify a series of young men. The Nurse goes off and returns with the

news that the man’s name is Romeo, and that he is a Montague. Overcome with anguish that she loves a

Montague, Juliet follows her nurse from the hall.

What kind of person, and with what interests and values, authored the text?

Romeo, one of the main characters in the play, is seen as a lover in this part of the text. When Romeo and Juliet first meet, Romeo first holds Juliet's hands and talk about kissing and later they both kiss. 

Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workspace: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Welcome to another post. Today, in Wānanga, we watched an interview by Simon Sinek. 

Text title: Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workspace

Text type: Interview on Youtube (Inside Quest)

Text creator: Inside Quest

Purpose: To help understand Millennials and improve wellbeing through reducing screen time.

Critical Literacy Question: How does the text depict age, gender, cultural groups?

Date: 10th June 2021

How does the text depict age, gender, cultural groups?

This video only depicts the age group of millennials (born 1994 onwards). Sinek introduces his point by first talking about millennials and breaks down the interview into four parts:

• Parenting
• Social media/Technology
• Impatience
• Environment

He states that "The generation that we call the Millennials too many of them grew up, subject to not my words failed printing strategies, you know where for example, they were told that they were special all the time, they were told that they have anything they want in life, just because they want it. Some of them got into honours classes, not because they deserved it but because their parents complained and some of them got A, not because they earned them, but because the teachers didn't want to deal with the parents. Some kids got participation medals, they got a medal for coming in last.

World's Only White Giraffe Tracked via GPS: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Welcome to another post, for today's reflection section in Wānanga, I've chosen an article that I've posted about yesterday in Social Studies.

Text title: Rare white giraffes killed by poachers in Kenya

Text type: Article

Text creator: BBC News

Critical Literacy Question: What does the author of this text want us to know?

Date: 4th June 2021

What does the author of this text want us to know?

Earlier last year, two white giraffes (female and her calf) have been killed in Garissa County, north-eastern Kenya. The conservationists said that the third giraffe is alive and is thought to be the only one in the world. The colour of the giraffe is due to a rare condition called leucism, which causes skin cells to have no pigmentation. 

All data and info, from BCC News.

Source: BCC

The author has also informed their viewers what leucism is.

• Leucism inhibits pigmentation in some skin cells.
• Animals with leucism may have darker pigment in their softer tissue. 
• Giraffes with leucism retain their darker eyes, whereas animals with albinism have pink eyes
• Birds, lions, fish, peacocks, penguins, eagles, hippos, moose and snakes have all displayed traits of leucism

Later on in the article, the author has informed more about white giraffes.

• White giraffes have been first spotted in Kenya in March 2016.
• Two months earlier, a white giraffe was spotted in the neighbouring country of Tanzania.
• Approximately, 40% of the giraffe population has been disappearing in the past 30 years and the poaching for meat and skin continues.
• According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the population dropped from 155,000 in 1985 to 97,000 in 2015.

Romeo and Juliet: Act 1 - Scene 1: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Text title: Romeo and Juliet - Act 1 (Scene 1)

Text type: Play

Text creator: William Shakespeare

Critical Literacy Question: How are children, teenagers, young adults, and adults constructed in this text?

Date: 28th May 2021

Act 1 - Scene 1 Summary

In the first act of the play Romeo and Juliet, we've first seen the two servants of the house of Capulet, Sampson and Gregory. Sampson expresses his hatred of the house of Montague. The two chat, punning comments about physically conquering Montague men and sexually conquering Montague women. Gregory sees two Montague servants approaching, and discusses with Sampson the best way to provoke them into a fight without breaking the law.

Sampson bites his thumb at the Montagues - a highly contemptuous gesture. This verbal argument turns into a fight. Benvolio - kinsmen to the Montague, enters the scene and draws his sword to endeavour to stop the fight. On the other hand, Tybalt, a kinsmen to the Capulet, sees Benvolio with his sword out and takes his out. Benvolio explains that he wants to keep the peace, but Tybalt proclaims a hatred for peace as strong as his disgust for Montagues, and then strikes. A skirmish spreads. A group of citizens bearing clubs attempts to restore the peace by beating down the combatants. Montague and Capulet enter, and only their wives prevent them from attacking one another. Prince Escalus arrives and commands that the fighting stopped, on penalty of torture. The Capulets and Montagues throw down their weapons. The Prince declares the violence between the two families has gone on for too long and declares a death sentence upon anyone who disturbs the civil peace again. He says that he will speak to Capulet and Montague more directly on this matter; Capulet exits with him, the brawlers disperse, and Benvolio is left alone with his uncle and aunt, Montague and Lady Montague.

How are children, teenagers, young adults, and adults constructed in this text?

As we can see from this first part - Sampson and Gregory are servants of the Capulet, who, like their master, hate the Montagues. Shakespeare has also made them dirty, as seen, they've been talking about sexually conquering Montague women. 

Benvolio is seen as a peacemaker, and he made a genuine effort to stop the fight from occuring.

Tybalt is aggressive, violent. A peace hatred. He has said that he hates peace as strong as his disgust as Montagues.

Denzel Washington's Life Advice: Reflection Section | Wānanga

Welcome to another post on my blog. After watching Denzel Washington's motivational speech and life advice in Wānanga today, I thought to use that for the reflection section for today. 

Source title: Denzel Washington's Life Advice Will Leave You Speechless

Source: Motivation Madness

Speaker: Denzel Washington 

Source purpose: To motivate viewers about Denzel Washington's life and how he showed resilience in his life.

Critical literacy question: What views of the world is the text presenting?

Date: 21 May 2021

Denzel Washington explains that we should show resilience by never giving up and always keep on trying no matter what. Washington first talks about falling forward with given examples of former Baseball player Reggie Jackson who got struck out 2600 times in his career, the most in the history of baseball. But, you don't hear about the strikeouts, but people remember the home runs.

Another example he gave was Thomas Edison, who conducted 1,000 failed experiments and the one thousand and first was the light bulb. Washington quotes that, "every failed experiment is one step closer to success. You need to take risks."

Denzel says, "at first, we all will fail at some point in our lives. Accept it. You will lose. You will embarrass yourself. You will suck at something."

Later, he talked about his earlier life on how he did many acting auditions, but he failed and kept on failing. In 2019, he did a play called Fence's on Broadway. Washington also won the Tony Award. The play was held at the Court Theatre, it was the same theatre that Denzel Washington failed that first audition 30 years prior.

The Seahorse and the Reef - Reflection Section | Wānanga

Welcome to another post on my blog. Today, I've completed my reflection section about the story I read in Social Studies. 

Text title: The Seahorse and the Reef

Text type: Fictional story  

Text creator: Witi Ihimaera

Critical Literacy Question: How does the text construct a version of reality?

Date: 7th May 2021 

In the fictional story 'The Seahorse and the Reef' by Witi Ihimaera, the story sends the message of saving the environment by not littering and polluting. 

he air

How does the text construct a version of reality?

The problem of the story is the sea is polluted. This problem is also seen in reality, many seas and oceans are being polluted due to many reasons. Plastic pollution is one reason why, plastic and debris is being dumped into the sea making the sea poisonous, toxic and polluted, which kills the sea creatures. Another problem is air pollution, this is also another problem in the story because the family lives in the industrial area. Air pollution also comes into the oceans and pollutes the sea. Due to pollution arriving into the sea, creatures are encrusting with ugliness and many creatures are dying.

I believe that this story is nicely made because it sends the message of saving the environment and taking awareness of saving the environment. 

ʻOumuamua - Reflection Section | Wānanga

Welcome to another post on my blog. Today, I'm doing the reflection section of the week about 'Oumuamua. For more information about 'Oumuamua, read below.

Text title: Interstellar object 'Oumuamua is a pancake-shaped chunk of a Pluto-like planet 

Text type: Article

Text creator: Charles Q. Choi

Text purpose: To inform us about the interstellar object 'Oumuamua.

Critical Literacy Question: Why is the text written in the way it is?

Date: 26th March, 2021 

Why is the text written in the way it is?

The text in the article is written in a way that hooks the reader in before giving the information about the object. For instance, the author describes the interstellar object without describing how its discovered.

Charles Q. Choi introduces;

"The first known visitor from interstellar space, 'Oumuamua, was likely a pancake-shaped chip off a Pluto-like world, researchers say.

These findings may shed light on the stuff a new class of planet, an exo-Pluto, is made of, scientists added."

Then, the author informs in-depth about 'Oumuamua and what happened to it.

'Oumuamua is a cigar-shaped interstellar object which came from another solar system. Astronomer Robert Weryk first discovered first detected the mysterious visitor and named 1I/'Oumuamua, using the Pan-STARRS telescope at Haleakalā Observatory, Hawaii, on 19 October 2017, 40 days after it passed its closest point to the Sun on 9th September. ʻOumuamua was named after 'scout' or 'messenger' in Hawaiian.

It was first observed when it was about 33 million kilometres (0.22 AU - Astronomical Unit) from Earth (around 85 times as far away as the Moon). 

An artist's concept of the 'Oumuamua interstellar object as a pancake-shaped disk. A new study suggests it was once part of a Pluto-like exoplanet.
Image credit: William Hartmann
Credit: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PLTqNJsjSMfYFzKvtRY6rc-970-80.jpeg

The Battle of Passchendaele - Reflection Section | Wānanga

Welcome to another post on my blog. Today, I've completed my reflection section from last week. Due to testing last week, we had to do our reflection section today. I'm writing about the ANZACs war at Passchendaele.

Text title: New Zealand's ‘blackest day’ at Passchendaele

Text type: Article

Text creator: New Zealand History

Text purpose: To inform viewers about what happened in Passchendaele that made it New Zealand's blackest day.

Date: 15 March 2021

In whose interest is this text?

This text interests viewers who don't know or want to know about the war in Passchendaele (31 July 1917 - 10 November 1917). This is an informative text on what happened before, during and after the war. Basically, it was a war fought between the Allies and the German Empire. The death numbers of New Zealand were greater than any other war, due to the mistake of communication and proper preparation, in which the British Empire had heavy casualties. 

Soldiers pictures during the First World War's battle at Passchandaele. Credit: PA
Credit: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/0/happened-battle-passchendaele/

When the New Zealanders began advancing on the 12th October 1917, the thick mud made it almost impossible to bring weapons and heavy guns forward or to stabilise those who were forward. 

New Zealand had suffered a great loss in men due to the battle. Over 5,000 New Zealand men did fighting in the Battle of Passchendaele, which affected New Zealand people greatly. The New Zealand population of just over a million at that time was decreasing at a high rate because of the war alone.

The Britsh Empire (ANZACs, Canadians, French and Indians) won the battle, however, there was no gain in which the British took. 

Creative Writing Reflection | English

Welcome to another post on my blog. Today, I completed the last activity for the Creative Writing unit for English which the reflection of this unit. 

Credit: Monash University
https://www.monash.edu/rlo/assignment-samples/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/reflective-writing-and-critical-incidents

The task was to:

Reflect on your learning about Creative Writing so far in English. Think back to our learning around Haiku, our discussion about what makes “good” creative writing, etc. What new things have you learned? How have you learned them? What activities in particular did you find enjoyable, interesting, or fun? What specifically was interesting to you, and why?

Haiku Poems

Looking back at the Haiku poems, I had to write four haiku poems which can be from one season or different seasons. I wrote about Summer. It was really fun making the poems.

My favourite poems are;

The ocean is bright

Spectacularly it shines 

And shimmary too 

I love summertime 

The sun on the beach is warm 

The water is cold 

 

Sensory Language

This activity was the one which I liked and learnt the most. Sensory language is a paragraph or scene that connects the five senses without using the words: saw, heard, smelled, tasted, felt. I wrote about the lupin flowers which I saw on the trip from Christchurch to Queenstown. 

Language Features

This was the first activity of the Creative Writing unit. This was also the one which I liked and learnt. In this activity, I had to choose three out of five language features that I had to write about - with their meaning and two examples. The three I wrote about was personification, anaphora and allusion. This was a fun and interesting activity to do. 

ANZAC's To Gallipoli | Reflection Section

Welcome to another post on my blog. Today, I completed another activity for the weekly reflection section for Wānanga. Today, I am going to write about the ANZAC's journey to Gallipoli in World War 1 (WW1). 

In the written article, Getting to Gallipoli: the Anzacs' journey, by J.R. Nethercote, the article shows what happened in the ANZACs voyage from Australia to Gallipoli. The main key points were how many troops the ANZACs (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) had, the boat, (with more than 40 ships, 30,000 troops and nearly 8000 horses from New Zealand and Australia) sailed from Albany, Australia on 1 November 1914. Most soldiers thought that they were first heading to England for training, then to the Western Front - a war during the first world war.

Text Title: Getting to Gallipoli: the Anzacs' journey

Text Type: Article

Text Creator: J.R. Nethercote

Critical Literacy Question: What genre does this text belong to?

Date: 5 March 2021

Credit: Wairarapa's World War Centenary
Arawa in Wellington. Wellington Infantry Battalion men of the Main Body wait to board their home for six weeks.

The genre of this written article is historical information the readers about the ANZACs voyage from New Zealand and Australia to Western Front via Egypt then to Gallipoli. This text also informs readers where the ships went in detail.

Credit: National Army Museum
'Gallipoli Peninsula. The Landing from HMT River Clyde April 25th 1915'

A Game of Cards - Reflection Section | Wānanga

In the short story of A Game of Cards by Whiti Ihimaera, the short story entertains the viewers and shows the friendship and love of cards of Nani Mino and Maka Hita.

26 February 2021.

Text title: A Game of Cards

Text type: Short Story

Text creator: Whiti Ihimaera

Critical Literacy Question: Why are we/you reading this text?

Date: 26th February, 2021 

Summary: This story, A Game of Cards, is about a grandma, Nani Miro, who loves to play cards. She plays with her friends at her house. Nani Miro and her best friend Maka Hita were the champions of the games, cheating and blaming each other.  

When Nani Miro was on her deathbed, taking her final breaths, she asked her friends to play a game of cards. As usual, both Nani Miro and Maka Hita cheated and argued, and when Nani Miro laughed, she died.

Why are we/you reading this text?: I am reading this text because, for Wānanga, we have to do at least 1 hour per week of reading, so on Tuesday, we read the short story, A Game of Cards. I really like the characters and how the author described them which feels realistic.