Final Blog Post – Dance Class

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. I’m excited to share my final post about dance for 2025. After considering my options, I decided to go with the Legend level because I believe it fits where I am right now. In this post, I want to explore the concept of manaakitanga, discuss the role of dance in musicals, share some fun experiences, and reflect on what I’ve learned throughout this journey. I hope you find my last blog post enjoyable and informative.

 

What is Manaakitanga?

Manaakitanga is a Maori concept that emphasizes hospitality, kindness, and respect for others. It’s about taking care of each other and ensuring everyone feels welcome and valued. In the context of dance, manaakitanga can be expressed through teamwork and support among dancers, encouraging an environment where everyone feels safe to express themselves. It’s important to show respect to our peers and teachers, and to create a space where everyone can thrive.

 

How Can We Use Manaakitanga in Dance?

In dance, we can use manaakitanga by helping each other improve and celebrating our individual strengths. This might mean giving constructive feedback, offering encouragement during rehearsals, or simply being kind to one another. By fostering a supportive atmosphere, we create a community that uplifts everyone involved. Whether it’s during practice or performances, showing respect for our fellow dancers helps us all shine brighter together.

 

Dance in musicals

Dance in musicals is a vibrant and essential element that brings stories to life and enhances emotional expression. It combines movement, music, and acting to create engaging performances that captivate audiences. In musicals, dance serves not only as entertainment but also as a means of storytelling, helping characters convey their feelings and motivations. From lively choreography in upbeat numbers to graceful movements in more emotional scenes, dance adds a dynamic layer to the production, making it memorable and enjoyable for everyone watching.

What I Learned –

Throughout this dance journey, I discovered an overload of fun and exciting things. One of the most memorable experiences was playing games like the detective game and participating in “thethar sports,” which were great for bonding with my team. I also learned about different dance styles, which expanded my understanding of movement and expression. Additionally, I gained insights into the various elements of performance, such as costumes, wigs, shoes, and the backstage area. Understanding these components has made me appreciate the hard work that goes into putting together a production. One of the most enjoyable exercises we did was the Waka Waka. In this activity, a group of four of us tried to mimic some dancers on a screen. Although my team didn’t quite get it right, the boys in the group managed to pull it off. It was hilarious and taught us to have fun even when things don’t go as planned. I also developed skills in cat dances, which involved learning different movements specific to feline themes. It was both fascinating and enjoyable. Each new dance we practiced opened my mind to different forms of expression and creativity. As I wrap up this blog, I want to thank everyone who has been part of my dance journey. Dancing has taught me so much about teamwork, creativity, and the importance of kindness. I hope you enjoyed reading my posts this year, and I look forward to what the next chapter holds.

 

2nd task –

  1. Find 3 video examples of a dance style and insert it on your blog.
  2.  Choose a dancer of a dance style/genre.  Present your research on a poster in canva and include illustrations or pictures.

 

  1.  Ballet

 

2.

Thanks for reading

Bye,

Shreeya

Footprints – Science Class

Kia Ora everyone, welcome back to my blog. I’m really excited to share today’s topic with you all. In our science class, we’re diving into the fascinating world of forensic science, particularly focusing on footprints and how they can play a crucial role in solving crimes. This subject is super relevant in today’s world where understanding evidence is key to justice.

As we wrap up this term, I think it’s a perfect time to explore this subject in depth. Forensic science isn’t just about what you see in TV shows and movies, it involves a lot of scientific principles and methods. Today, in this blog post, we’re going to structure our discussion like scientists do, using the scientific method.

Footprints

To determine the height of a criminal the feet can be used.

15% of a criminal’s height is the size of their feet.

 

Scientific Method:

Aim: To use forensic science techniques to measure the height of a criminal.

Materials: 

1. Paper

2. Pencil/Pen

3. Ruler

4. Scissors

5. Glue Stick

Steps:

  1. Take off your shot and place it in the middle of the paper
  2. Grab a pencil and trace around your shoe making the border of it
  3. Cut it out and measure your foot in (cm)
  4. Then go on your calculator and type this (your loot length÷.15) then click enter
  5. You will find out your height (enjoy).

 

Thank you for reading my blog.

Thanks,

Shreeya

Have you ever been to the West Coast? – Social Studies Class

Hola everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today, I’m excited to share what my class has been up to recently. We’ve been diving into our pepeha and exploring some remarkable regions in Aotearoa, New Zealand. For our latest project, I chose to focus on the captivating West Coast and trust me, it was so much fun to learn about.

To start my research, I created a blooket, a super engaging quiz format. I gathered tons of information about the West Coast, including its stunning landscapes, unique climate, and even some fascinating facts about the local wildlife. After I put the quiz together, I shared it with my teacher, and guess what? Today, my classmates got to play it. It was fun watching everyone get involved and enjoyed answering the questions. I had a great time making it, and it felt awesome to see my friends and classmates having fun while learning.

In addition to the blooket, I also worked on a Canva presentation to showcase what I’d learned. I organized slides that covered key topics, like population stats, the region’s spectacular weather patterns, some cool cultural insights and more. It was so rewarding to see my hard work come together in a visually appealing way.

If any of you have had the chance to visit the West Coast, I’d love to hear about your experiences. What did you enjoy most about the region? Please drop your thoughts in the comments, I’m eager to learn from your insights and maybe even get inspired for future projects.

Task

 

 

Thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to share more with you soon.

Shreeya

The Scientific Method – Science Class

Kia Ora everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today in science we are learning about different things when we do a Scientific Report. So we are learning the Scientific method of writing one. It is interesting of the differences in what you need to use. My class is not using all 7 because a higher standard of people do it, only juniors like us use only 4 of the given things below.

 

The Scientific Method –

Aim: What do I want to find out. A question that needs to be answered.

Hypothesis: What you already know. A statement of what you think will happen.

Equipment: The equipment used to do the experiment.

Method: The steps you went through as you did the experiment.

Findings: What have I found out while I did the experiment.

Summary: What the finding discovered.

Conclusion: Information about what you and other scientists have found out.

 

Thanks for reading my blog, this is what we did on our blogs.

Bye

Shreeya

Chromatography – Science Class

Kia Ora everyone, welcome to my blog, where I share my adventures in science. Today, we’re learning about chromatography, a technique that allows us to separate and analyze different components of a mixture. As part of our exploration, we’ll be conducting an exciting experiment where we create a vibrant, colourful piece of paper using just a simple black pen and water. It’s amazing to see how the colours can separate and spread out, revealing a beautiful range right before our eyes. I can’t wait to share the results and insights from this hands-on activity with you.

What is Chromatography?

Chromatography is a technique used to separate different components of a mixture based on how they move through a medium. In this method, the mixture is usually dissolved in a solvent and then spread out on a surface, like paper or a gel. As the solvent moves, it carries the substances with it, and they separate into distinct spots, allowing us to identify or analyze them.

Rainbow Paper :

Rainbow paper is made through a scientific process called Chromatography.

Aim: 

To separate the different colours out of a black pen.

Equipment: 

  • Black pen
  • Paper
  • Ruler
  • Beaker
  • Ice Cream Stick
  • Water

Method:

  1. Take a piece of paper
  2. Measure 1cm from the bottom
  3. Rule a line with a black pen
  4. Put 100ml of water into a beaker
  5. Use an ice cream stick to fold your paper on top of the beaker
  6. Carefully, place the bottom edge (1cm) of the paper in the water

Results

This is my Chromatography paper. The water travelled up the paper through a process called capillary action. All pens show different colours so the police can use this process to compare signatures when there is a fraud.

From my results and from my other classmates results, there is a huge difference just because of the pen. Some peoples colours are yellow and some peoples and just blue. Its awesome to learn this experiment and maybe so does the police.

 

Thanks for reading

Shreeya

Forgery – Science Class

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today, we’re diving into a often misunderstood topic: forgery. Forgery is not just about creating fake documents, it’s intertwined with the art of signatures and the importance of authenticity. From historical forgeries that have shocked the art world to everyday scenarios where forged signatures can have serious consequences, understanding forgery helps us appreciate the value of lawfulness in our personal and professional lives.

A graphologist is a person who studies different handwriting styles. The different kinds of letter styles have different characteristics.

Graphologists study:

  1. The size of letters
  2. The slope of letters
  3. The dot on an ‘i’
  4. The cross on a ‘t’

Aim: To analyse a signature using forensic science.

Equipment:

  1. A pen/pencil
  2.  Tracing Paper
  3. Writing Paper
  4. A ruler

There are 3 ways that handwriting is analyzed. These are:

  1. Top letter down
  2. Bottom letter up
  3. Slant

Task

In our recent class activity, we were given a piece of paper divided into two sections, marked as ‘1’ and ‘2’ in the corners. The first section was designated for us to write our signatures. If someone didn’t have a signature, they were asked to write their name in a regular way. Since I already had a signature, I carefully wrote it down, ensuring that every swirl and loop represented my unique style. After this, we participated in an interesting exercise where we swapped our papers with a buddy. The challenge was to try and replicate their signature, which turned out to be a lot harder than I expected. Different people have very distinct styles, and some of the signatures were quite complex.

 

Once we got our papers back along with a sheet of tracing paper, things got even more interesting. The task was to lay the tracing paper over our signatures and then carefully put dots on the highest points of each letter. This method allowed us to visually analyze the way each signature was formatted. I realized that some signatures slanted to the side, while others were more straight. It was fascinating to observe these little details, as they really showcased how everyone has their own personal flair when it comes to signing their names.

 

Reflection

 

I must say, I really enjoyed this activity. Trying to copy other people’s signatures was quite a challenge, but it pushed me to focus more. I found it surprisingly difficult to capture the uniqueness in each person’s signature. It required a lot of focus and patience, which made me appreciate the art of signature writing much more. The best part was seeing how different everyone’s signatures were, it was a great reminder of how unique we all are. Overall, I’d love to repeat this exercise again in our next science class or any future class because it was engaging and thought-encouraging.

Till next time,

Bye,

Shreeya

 

Pepeha – Social Studies Class

Kia Ora everyone, and welcome back. Today in social studies class, we learnt about the concept of pepeha, an important part of our cultural identity. It was a rewarding experience to learn about the elements that make up a pepeha, which connects us to our land and our community. I found it particularly enjoyable because I was already familiar with my pepeha, which made everything feel a bit easier. It felt empowering to be able to confidently pronounce my awa (river) and maunga (mountain).

What’s a Pepeha? –

So, what exactly is a pepeha? A pepeha is a traditional Māori introduction that helps individuals express their identity and lineage. It usually includes the speaker’s name, the names of significant landmarks such as mountains (maunga) and rivers (awa), and often references their iwi (tribe) or hapū (sub-tribe). By sharing our pepeha, we connect with others, honor our roots, and foster a sense of belonging within our community. It’s a beautiful way to convey who we are and where we come from.

Task –

Today’s task was quite straightforward yet engaging. We started by watching a music video, which really set the tone for our creative work. Once we finished the video, we moved on to creating our pepeha online. This was a significant step, as it allowed us to express our identities and connections to the land.

After drafting our pepeha, we emailed the final version to ourselves for easy access later. The real fun began when we transformed our pepeha into a visual representation where I used Google Drawings. I took this opportunity to highlight and personalize my pepeha by incorporating meaningful images that reflect my heritage. I added pictures of the beautiful rivers and majestic mountains, as well as a specific location in New Zealand that holds a special place in my heart. Crafting this visual pepeha not only helped me connect more deeply with my roots but also made the entire process more enjoyable and creative.  (Create your own Pepeha) <- Click

Here is the video along with my Pepeha

Fingerprints – Science Class

Hey everyone,

Welcome back to my blog, I hope you’re all doing great. Today was a day in science class as we learnt about fingerprints in forensic science. We actually got the chance to take our own fingerprints using a stamp pad, which was super fun and allowed us to discover just how unique we all are.

Did you know that there are three main types of fingerprints? They are:

1. Whorls
2. Arches
3. Loops

After taking my fingerprints, I found out that both of my thumbs have whorls, which I think is pretty cool. The majority of my other fingers, both on my left and right hands, have loops. However, my left middle finger is interesting because it has an arch pattern. Only about 5% of people have this type of fingerprint, so I feel lucky to have such a rare one.

I really enjoyed this activity, even though I learned about fingerprints last year, getting to do this hands-on task was a refreshing way to reinforce what I already knew. It’s amazing to think that even if we meet a billion people, no one else will have the same fingerprints as us.

Thanks for reading, can’t wait to share more science adventures with you all.

Catch you later,
Shreeya

Why is Maanakitanga important in Dance? – Dance Class

Kia Ora, welcome to my third blog post about dance. I’m excited to talk about today’s topic: Maanakitanga, this concept which embodies hospitality, kindness, and support, holds a significant place not only in Maori culture but also in the world of dance. In this post, I aim to reflect on what Maanakitanga means, why is Maanakitanga important in dance, and how to show Maanakitanga.

What is Maanakitanga? –

Manaakitanga

Maanakitanga goes beyond just being nice or welcoming. It encompasses a deeper understanding of connection and empathy among individuals. When we apply this concept to dance, we find that Maanakitanga enriches the experience for both dancers and audiences alike. In a dance setting, it encourages us to look after one another, ensuring that everyone feels valued and included, whether we are rehearsing in a studio or performing on stage.

Why is Maanakitanga important in dance? –

Maanakitanga is really important in dance because it brings a sense of community and unity to the art form. When dancers practice this concept, they create an environment where everyone feels supported and valued. This support allows dancers to take risks, express themselves, and explore their creativity without the fear of judgment. Imagine rehearsing with a group where everyone encourages each other, celebrates achievements, and provides constructive feedback. This kind of atmosphere not only enhances individual growth but also strengthens the overall performance as a team.

Additionally, Maanakitanga helps build trust among dancers. When everyone feels safe and respected, they are more willing to share their ideas and collaborate. This collaboration often leads to more innovative and unique performances that reflect the diverse thoughts and feelings of the group. In a world where dance can sometimes feel competitive, Maanakitanga reminds us that it’s not just about winning or being the best, it’s about the relationships we build and the joy we find in dancing together.

How can we show Maanakitanga in dance?

5 Things You Didn't Know About Maori Culture

We can show Maanakitanga in dance through simple yet powerful actions. First, we can start by being inclusive. This means welcoming newcomers and making sure everyone feels like they belong. A simple smile or a friendly greeting can go a long way in making someone feel accepted. Sharing space during rehearsals and allowing others to express themselves freely without interruptions also demonstrates Maanakitanga.

Another way to practice Maanakitanga is to give positive feedback. When someone performs well, whether in a class or on stage, acknowledging their hard work and talent encourages them to keep pushing themselves. Constructive criticism is also important, it helps artists grow, but it should always be delivered in a kind way.

We can also team up with others during practice, offering to help each other with routines or learning new steps. Supporting one another during challenging moments shows we care and fosters a sense of camaraderie. Lastly, celebrating each other’s achievements, no matter how big or small, reinforces the idea that every dancer’s journey is important.

How can people be included using Maanakitanga?

Maanakitanga in Timor-Leste | Facebook

To include everyone through Maanakitanga, it’s essential to focus on creating an environment where each person feels heard and respected. This means giving everyone a chance to share their ideas during rehearsals. As a group, you can brainstorm together and incorporate everyone’s suggestions. When planning performances, consider each dancer’s strengths and interests, ensuring they have a role that highlights their unique talents.

Inclusivity can also mean adapting activities or routines so that everyone, regardless of their skill level, can participate. For example, if someone is struggling with a particular move, a more experienced dancer can help them learn it, reinforcing the spirit of Maanakitanga.

Creating diverse groups for projects can also be beneficial. It allows dancers from different backgrounds and experiences to interact and learn from one another. This not only enriches the dance experience but also helps to break down barriers and build friendships.

In conclusion, Maanakitanga is not just a concept, it’s a way of life in the dance community. By showing hospitality, kindness, and support, we can create a dance environment where everyone thrives. Together, let’s embrace Maanakitanga and make our dance journeys not just about perfecting our moves but also about celebrating each other as a vibrant and diverse community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Maanakitanga is vital in dance, shaping the way we interact and grow together as a community. By embracing Maanakitanga, we create a nurturing environment where everyone’s contribution is valued, leading to richer artistic expressions and personal growth. So, let’s commit to fostering Maanakitanga in our dance practices, remembering that the essence of dance is not only about movement but also the connections we build along the way. Hope you enjoyed today’s exploration of this concept.

Thanks, I hope you felt this informative

Shreeya

Musical Dance – Dance Class

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog.

Today, in Dance Class, we learned musical dance. In this blog post, I can’t wait to share what I learned. In this post, I’ll discuss various aspects of Musical Dance, including a video, some pictures, an explanation of choreography, the significance of dance in musicals, and much more.

What is Musical Dance? –

Musical theatre is a unique art form that combines several elements: music, songs, spoken dialogue, and dance. Often referred to as musicals, these performances are typically staged in theatres. They aim to entertain audiences with:

– Catchy music in popular styles that get stuck in your head

– Solo songs, engaging duets, energetic choruses, and harmonious ensembles

– Accompaniment by an orchestra or band that enhances the overall experience

– Spoken dialogue that helps move the story along

– Stunning dance sequences, elaborate stage spectacles, and magnificent costumes that captivate the audience

 

The History of Musical Dance –

Musical dance has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century, but its roots can be traced to theatrical traditions even earlier. Over the decades, it has evolved into a significant cultural phenomenon. Understanding where it all started helps us appreciate modern interpretations and styles.

The Mechanics of Musical Dance –

Musical dance isn’t just about flashy moves and catchy tunes, it has a structure and purpose. Each dance movement is carefully crafted to enhance the storytelling and emotional depth of the performance. The choreography is designed to fit seamlessly with the music and narrative.

Functions of Dance in Musicals –

Dance plays a vital role in musicals, serving multiple functions:

– Exploration of Characters’ Thoughts and Feelings: Through movement, dancers can express emotions that words sometimes can’t capture.

– Narrative Tool: Dance can help convey the plot and deepen the audience’s understanding of the story.

– Unspoken Mood: The choreography often reflects the mood of a particular song, adding another layer of meaning.

– Transitions: Dance can effectively bridge scenes, indicating a change in time or place.

– Metaphor: Dance can symbolise ideas or situations, for instance, a chaotic dance might represent a nightmare or turmoil.

 

Examples of Dance Functions –

“When I Grow Up” is a wistful song where the children dream” of what they’ll do as grownups’. Miss Honey also dreams that Matilda sings strongly about standing up for what’s right.

 

“You’re Welcome” introduces the demigod Maui, he shows off by flexing his muscles so the tattoos ripple.

 

“It’s a Hard Knock Life” from Annie introduces Annie and the other children who live in an orphanage and explains what a lot of work the orphans have to do.

What is Choreography? –

Choreography is the art of designing dance movements and sequences, and it’s an essential part of musical theatre. Choreographers craft visual stories through various styles of dance, ensuring that each move aligns with the music and narrative. Whether it’s jazz, tap, ballet, or hip-hop, the choreography sets the tone and enhances the overall production.

 

Conclusion –

In conclusion, Musical Dance is a fascinating and complex art form that combines various creative elements. I hope you enjoyed this exploration of its many facets! Don’t forget to check out the video and pictures I’ve included to see some amazing performances in action. Until next time, keep dancing and exploring the arts.

Reflection –

This task was surprisingly easy and fun because I had a slideshow with lots of interesting information about Musical Dance. I found it really enjoyable to explore the different elements, styles, and history behind it. Reading about the various artists and their unique contributions made me appreciate the art form even more. Overall, I loved the experience of learning, reading and writing and getting to know more about Musical Dance.

I hope you liked my blog post.

Thanks,

Shreeya