Explanation Writing: How to get along with your Classmates

How to get along with your Classmates 28 July 2017

WALT - Write an explanation writing

Success Criteria:

• I must write my writing independently
• I must re-read and get others to check my work
• I must make sure all my punctuation and grammar are correct

How to get along with your Classmates:

Whether you’re attending a new school and know no one there or just an quiet outcast of your class making and meeting new friends is a scary and sometimes risky subject. Little things like knowing what to say and knowing what to do is always a big deal especially when it comes to this. Follow these few small tips and tricks and you’ll hopefully gain some or more new friends.

Helping others. One way that can help making new friends easier is to help others when they need it. Simple things like lending pencils or pens can help build a friendship and it will also show a act of kindness to the person you want to be friends with. They will definitely remember it and keep it in mind when they need to pick a partner or friends just in general.

Talking to people who have the same interests as you. A great conversation starter is to talk about topics you and the person who you want befriend like, whether the topics are sports, hobbies, music and etc. Liking and being interested in the same topics and subjects can help build a more stronger bond and connection.

Greeting others. An obvious way to make new friends is to greet others to show a act of kindness and appreciation. Saying things like “Good Morning” and giving compliments can boost others confidence and by doing so it’ll give you a good reputation and you’ll gain lots of friends.

These here are just a few ways you can make new friends. Hopefully over time you’ll end up being friends with all your classmates and hopefully even make some lifelong friends that you’ll stay with forever.

Explanation Writing: Pōwhiri

What is a Pōwhiri? July 2017

WALHT - write an explanation writing about a Pōwhiri

Success Criteria:

• I must double check my work
• I must use the correct pronunciation
• I must make sure everything is grammatically correct
• I must explain what the topic is and give relevant facts

A Pōwhiri is a Maori welcoming ceremony that Maori people use to welcome people into  families, schools, funerals and maraes. Recently it has been used in more situations like a new role in a new workplace or welcoming someone important from another place.

The welcoming ceremony involves speeches that are given from people who are related to the cause or the people who are hosting it. The person or people who get welcomed also give a speech. A Pōwhiri also includes lots of singing and dancing. People would perform popular Maori songs that are appropriate for the cause and dance according to the song.

At the very start of the Pōwhiri people who would host it would perform a “Call of Welcome”. This is where an older women from the hosts would perform a call and lead the person or people they are welcoming into the marae or hall. They would walk very slowly and pause every now and then to remember the ancestors who have passed.

People are also to be respectful and sit down in a special seating order, they would also have to stand up when they are told. Males would have to sit on the outer side of the group and females would sit in the inside.

At the end of the Pōwhiri the guests and people would do a Hongi. A Hongi is a traditional maori greeting were people press their noses together. The Hongi is very popular in Maori culture and especially in Pōwhiri’s.

To conclude, the Pōwhiri is a very important and popular welcoming ceremony in the Maori culture, and the people who are attend whether they are Maori or not should respect and adapt to the Maori culture and their ways.

Explanation Writing: Cementing Mug Art

Explanation Writing: Cementing Mug Art

A Cementing Mug Art is a kind of art that could be hung on a wall or given to someone as a gift. It takes sometime to finish but it's all worth it at the end.

Firstly, a long piece of wood is cut into 4 20cm pieces of wood and nail them into a square shape. The frame is to prevent the cement from leaking out and to make it stay in shape.

Then, use tape to tape the frame onto a piece of cardboard which is big enough to fit in a desk. For addition tape on a hook on first so it can hang on your wall or on a door. Make sure you check that the tape is secure and it stuck on well.

After that, grab some newspaper and place it in the desk. Then grab the frame and go outside to start the fun part. Now it's time to make the cement. To make the cement get 3 cups of cement and every now and then add water and mix. Mix until the consistently is like mud. Pour the mixture into the frame and let it dry.

When the cement is dry break off the cardboard and take off the frame as well. Use one of the pieces of wood to smooth down the sides and the edges. For addition paint the cement any colour. But if you like it with no paint, don’t paint it. To make it a little prettier add a flower or some plants into the cup. Now it's done.

In conclusion I think the cement mug art is really pretty and the cool thing is that it was really easy to make.

Explanation Writing: How to play Gutter Board

WALT: Explain how to play gutter board.         

Gutter Board is a fun, interesting game that can be played with family members and friends. It involves strategy and teamwork and it’s very easy. It has been around for many years and almost everyone has played it. Here’s how to play it.

To play Gutter Board, it requires to have the right equipment. That includes a gutter board and a small bouncy ball. A gutter board is a board that is made out of wood and shaped into a triangular prism and the ball can be any kind  but to get the best experience I suggest to play with a bouncy ball. A gutter board should be placed in the middle of 8 straight lines. So 4 lines should be on both sides. The 4 lines represent the levels. The levels are 10, 3, 5, and 15. Each line has a level and it represents how many times you’ll have to throw the ball. The first line is 15, the second is 10, the third is 5, and the last is 3. Once it's time to aim and throw the ball onto the Gutter Board keep and throwing the ball until you reach the number of times it has to be thrown. Gutter board can be also played with 2 or more players. The rules are: Can't step over the line when throwing the ball and there is no time limit. The game is over when one of the players reaches the last line and wins. If by any chance one of the players break the rules then the ball will be given to the opponent.

Overall I think Gutter Board is a really fun game, and if you haven’t  been played before you definitely try and consider playing it.