Miss Gays Reading Challenge (The Throne Of Glass)

Miss Gays Reading Challenge

After finishing the book series by Amy Ewing I ventured out to find a new novel to read during SSR (sustained silent reading). So now I am currently reading the first book of a series, The Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Even though I have only read 15 chapters, I can guess that the title is fitting for this book because after an assassin was asked to compete to be the kings champion, she travelled to a castle made of glass where she met the king who sat upon a throne made of glass. What I like about this novel so far is that even though its a story of its own, I can still relate parts of it to the previous book series I read. What I also like about it is the strong female lead character, for she had to disguise her identity as a jewel thief when shes really the best-trained assassin. So far my favourite character is Celaena Sardothien as she is the person the story is based on, though she has done incriminating things she is still a strong-minded woman who is intelligent and skilled. From what Celaena describes in the novel her least favourite person in the world in the king and from how she described him I soon agreed with her. what I have learned so far from this novel is that you should never be too quick to judge someone because there is more to them then it seems. Something from this novel that relates to my own life is that a character wanted Celanea to be someone she could talk to even though Celeana wouldn't share things with her because of her hidden identity, and its the same for me. My friends want someone to talk to but I would just be there supporting them. I have heard from multiple people that this is a great book series and I can't wait to read more.

Miss Gays Reading Challenge (The Black Key)

Miss Gays Reading Challenge

The book I have been reading during SSR (sustained silent reading) is the third book in a series, The black key by Amy Ewing. I think the title is fitting for this book because the black key is a society of people rebelling against the royalty, The black key is also their secret symbol of recognition. So far the book has started where it left off in the previous book the white rose. what I like about it is that the main character Violet is helping other girls like her become aware of what they are capable of. At the moment I have no least favourite characters that are newly introduced but my least favourite characters that are mentioned are the royals because of how they treat people as if they are there property.

Summer Learning Journey (W3) (Day One)

Activity 3. Snail Mail

In the 1950s, most people communicated with one another by writing letters. According to the NZ history website, New Zealanders sent over 200 million letters and postcards between 1950 and 1960. That is an average of 87 letters per person!

For this activity, imagine that you are living in New Zealand in the 1950s. Use Google Draw to design the front of a postcard that you could send to a friend. Try to include elements of Kiwiana in your design (e.g. Pohutukawa trees, Hokey Pokey ice cream, etc). Post a copy of your postcard picture to your blog. Be sure to describe what you have drawn on your blog beneath the picture.

In this post card I have included a Zealand beach with a pohutukawa tree. nesting in the pohutukawa tree is a fantail one of New Zealand's native birds. underneath the pohutukawa tree is a picnic bench where a pavlova sits and instead of the post card saying New Zealand I Replaced with the Maori name known as Aotearoa.

Summer Learning Journey (W3) (Day One)

Activity 1. Meat And Three Veg 

It was common for women in the 1950s to stay home with their children and raise their family. They were called ‘housewives.’ Many housewives followed a simple rule when they prepared the evening meal: the ‘meat and three veg’ rule. This meant that they prepared dinners that included three different vegetables and a type of meat (eg. beef, lamb, or chicken).

On your blog tell us if you think that the ‘meat and three veg’ rule is a good one. Do you like the rule? Would you enjoy eating a typical 1950s dinner? Why or why not?

To be completely honest I would not like the rule of meat and three veg it just simply would not be enjoyable for me. when it comes to food you can be as creative as you like but this rule only always to put so little on a plate what about all theses enjoyable herbs on the side what about when your at a BBQ you have to have one kind of meat when without the rule you can have a different selection of meat. why go to the supermarket and just buy simple veges and one kind of meat theirs is so much you could choose from to put on your dinner plate so i would not like this rule at all.

Summer Learning Journey (W2) (Day Five)

Activity 3. Sweet Tooth

Ingredients 

• 490g (3 1/4 cups) plain flour
• 55g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
• 3 teaspoons dried yeast
• Pinch of salt
• 250ml (1 cup) milk, warmed
• 100g butter, melted
• 3 egg yolks
• Canola oil, to deep-fry
• 215g (1 cup) caster sugar, extra
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• • •                                                            Method                                                            
    • Step 1
      Combine flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a bowl. Make a well. Mix in milk, butter and egg until dough starts to come together – it may be sticky.
    • Step 2
      Knead on a well-floured surface until smooth. Place in a greased bowl. Cover. Prove for 1 1/2 hours or until dough has doubled in size.
    • Step 3
      Punch down the dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 2 minutes or until smooth. Roll out dough until 1cm thick. Rest dough for 2 minutes.
    • Step 4
      Use an 8cm round cutter to cut out discs. Use a 3.5cm round cutter to cut out centres. Place on a lined tray. Set aside for 15 minutes to rise slightly.
    • Step 5
      Combine extra sugar and cinnamon on a tray. Heat oil to 180°C. Deep-fry 4-5 doughnuts for 40 seconds each side or until puffed and golden.
    • Step 6
      Transfer the doughnuts to the sugar mixture and turn to coat. Repeat, in 3 more batches, with remaining doughnuts.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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Summer Learning Journey (W2) (Day One)

Activity 3.  In Flanders Fields

As the new century dawned, New Zealanders settled into a period of relative calm. The calm lasted for about 15 years but came to a sudden end in 1914 when World War I erupted in Europe. The war lasted for almost five years and claimed the lives of 18,000 New Zealanders.

It also claimed the lives of thousands of men and women from countries around the world. Every year, we remember these brave men and women on ANZAC Day (25 April). Many people go to a special Anzac Day ceremony where they read a special poem that was written for the fallen soldiers. The poem is called ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae.

Read the poem. On your blog, tell us what you think of the poem. Do you like it? How does it make you feel?

When I read Flanders Fields it gave me so many mixed emotions because these soldiers died to make New Zealand they way it is today to me the poem has such a deep story behind it we all no the stories about the soldiers but we don't now there personal stories. when I think of the situation of all those sons, brothers, husbands and fathers never returning home reading that poem had shone a light telling us that they loved and were loved and they couldn't be happier. John McCrae has done a fantastic job I couldn't have done better.

Summer Learning Journey (Day Three)

Activity 2. Acknowledging Ancestry

All of us are members of a family. Some of us have large families and some of us have very small families. When I have the opportunity to talk about my family and my ancestry I sometimes choose to use a pepeha. It is a very special way of identifying who I am and where I come from. There are many different versions of pepeha but most provide people with information about who you are and where you come from (i.e. your whakapapa). Use the template provided below to prepare your own unique pepeha. If you need help please watch this short movie clip on preparing a pepeha. 

Ko Mount Sewel te maunga

Ko Mawheranui te awa

Ko James Grant tōku tīpuna

Ko Grant Clan tōku iwi

Ko Dunwoodie Clan tōku hapu

Ko Dobson ahau

Ko Tony Grant rāua ko Rosslyn Grant ōku mātua

Ko Catrin Grant tōku ingoa

Summer Learning Journey (Day Three)

Activity 1. The More, The Merrier? 

In the 1800s, most families were pretty big. In fact, many parents had an average of seven to nine children.  Imagine that you were a child in the 1800s and you had nine siblings.

On your blog, please tell us how you would feel. Would you enjoy being a member of such a large family? Why or why not?

To be honest I would not enjoy being a member of such a large family. I mean it's nice to have siblings and all but I would be to concerned for my parents all that money they have to earn they would have to work really hard and look after all of there kids at the same time if I were to be the oldest after all the other siblings being born I would feel like all the attention is been stolen from me. If I was the youngest of the family I might end up being stuck with all those hand me downs from older siblings. If I was in this situation I would be concerned.

Summer Learning Journey (Day Two)

Activity 3. Special Meal

Back in the 1800s, most Māori ate a simple diet. They ate foods that they could catch in the water (eg. fish) or grow on the land (eg. kumara). They did not have access to a supermarket to buy food for their meals! Speaking of meals, what is your favourite meal?

On your blog, post a picture of your favourite meal. Be sure to tell us what it is and why it is your favourite. You could also include the recipe if you have it so that we can all try it!

Honey Garlic Pork Loin
I have only had this dish once in my life but it is the most fascinating mixture of honey and garlic. My dad added some sesame seeds on the top to add more flavour I strongly recommend this for you to make.

Link To Ingredients

Link To Method

Summer Learning Journey (Day Two)

Activity 2.  The Rules Of Engagement

During the early years in New Zealand, men and women would often marry at a young age. Women were expected to have babies and remain in the home caring for their children. Few, if any, left home in search of work. Men, on the other hand, were expected to work outside of the home.

These days, we don’t have the same strict expectations about work. Girls and boys can choose their own path in life.

What is your dream job? Draw a picture of yourself doing your dream job and post it on your blog. You could be a doctor, an actor or even a zookeeper!

Summer learning Journey (Day 2)

Activity 1.  A House Or A Home?

In the 1800s, most Māori lived in villages called pa. Each village had many buildings – kauta where people cooked, pataka where they stored goods and wharepuni where the Māori slept. A traditional wharepuni had a thatched roof and walls made of timber, fern, rushes and bark. Look at the picture below of a traditional wharepuni. Does it look like your house?

On your blog, compare the wharepuni to your own home. What are two similarities and two differences between a wharepuni and your house?

Similarity's

1. They both provide shelter that contains resources and provides a safe place to sleep

2. They both give a sense of safety and reassurance

Differences

1. The walls of a Wharepuni are only four walls and one big space but our ordinary house has many wall and has sectioned off different areas

2. Our oridanry houses out sides are manly brick patterns and striped patterns but a Wharepuni has many traditional indented carvings and sculptures. 

Summer Learning Journey (Day One)

Activity 3. Waka Ama

To this day, the people of New Zealand still use waka. Instead of using their waka to transport them from one place to another, they sometimes use waka in special events and in sporting competitions such as Waka Ama. Both boys and girls compete in Waka Ama boat races.

Watch this short video of a Waka Ama race. On your blog tell us whether you would like to be in a Waka Ama race on day. Why or why not?

One day I would like to be in a Waka Ama race because it would give me honer and pride to be able to compete something that brings a historic aspect into it and it will bring challenge as shown in the vidio everyone needs to be in sink and have strong steady rowing skills .

Summer Learning Journey (Day One)

Activity 2. Setting Sail

Imagine that you were on board one of the wakas. On your blog, write a short letter to a friend telling them about your voyage to New Zealand. In the letter be sure to tell them how you feel about movie to a new country.

Day One. 

I climbed into the closest waka near by with my older brother buy my side I was anxious as I had no idea what my voyage would bring as the last person aboard the waka the men began rowing in a fast past action I looked back at my home for the last time as it cleared from view. Waves collided against the waka spraying water throughout the boat I Huddled near my brother as our saturated cloths dripped on to the damp seats, I looked around to see the others in the same situation the sun still beamed down on us promising  fine weather but as the wind picks up it send shivers trough our limbs. The woman bye the carrying baskets began handing out some warm furs I give mine to my sister as I had no need for it. The wind died down and the ocean became still surrounding us with fluorescent shades of blue. It was nearing noon and still no land in sight when the sun started to hide behind the ocean the men in the front of the wakas called it for the night. It was still dark and everyone one was asleep apart from me and the men on watch I was lonely has I had ever been nothing but silence and none to talk to as the air turned colder I decided to wrap up in my furs until morning.

39 Days Later.

Everyone awoke and were we were on our way for the last time, I new we where getting closer The signs of travailing began showing as my limbs felt tight but I know theirs not long to go when I see a silhouette of an island. As we got near the shore I felt gilt, why do I deserve this. I steeped on the the soft sand me and my brother  shoulder to shoulder all I was thinking in my mind is this is my new home this is where I will spend the rest of my life where I will be happy and have a family of my own. leaving my parents behind was hard on me and my brother but I have hope for my future and what is to come.

Summer Learning Journey (Day One)

Activity 1. The First Settlers 

Read a short story about a famous man in Maori mythology - Maui. On your blog, post three facts that you learned about this interesting man.  What other stories have you heard about Maui?

Fact 1. Maui always argued against his brothers when they made excuses of why he could not go fishing with them but that was never enough so he found himself hiding away in there waka.

Fact 2. While Maui was weaving his fishing line he recited an old karakia to give the fishing line more strength

Fact 3.  As time past Maui's fish and the canoe was noticed as the north and south island of Aotearoa 

I have heard of many stories of Maui some include how Maui slowed the sun & how Maui found the secret of fire

Music Muse Battle.