Speech || Literacy

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today, I want to share something with you. Over the last week of term 3 and now, ALT has been working on how to write a speech. To be honest, at first, I wasn’t sure if I could write one. But as I explored different topics, I found something that interested me: “Are social media influencers beneficial or harmful to society?” I believe this is a crucial subject that affects many of us, and I would love to hear your thoughts on it as well. So, for the task, I chose to place myself in legend from the four options (ace, pro, legend, titan).

Now, let me present to you my speech:

My Speech

Hello, my name is Shreeya, and today I’ll be exploring a topic that impacts nearly all of us, the influence of social media influencers on our society. Influencers are everywhere, shaping trends, opinions, and even values. While some use their platforms to raise awareness, promote positivity, and support good causes, others set unrealistic standards or spread misinformation. 

So are influencers a positive force, or are they doing more harm than good?

Let’s start wth the positives. Many influencers use their voice to promote important issues like mental health, climate action, and body positivity. They often connect with their audience in ways that media can’t. For example, activists like Greta Thunberg have mobilised millions online for climate justice. Educational influencers also share useful content on topics like science, finance, and well-being.

But not all influence is helpful. Many influencers promote an unattainable lifestyle or advertise products without transparency. This can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and misinformation, especially among younger followers. Some content may seem harmless, but it can encourage harmful habits or unrealistic beauty standards. 

This brings us to a key point with great influence comes great responsibility. Unfortunately, social media isn’t always well-regulated, making it easy for false or harmful content to spread. Some influencers face backlash for insensitive posts, but many continue unacknowledged.

So, overall, are social media influencers beneficial or harmful? The answer is they are harmful. They have the power to mislead and exploit. It’s up to us, the audience, to think critically. Before we like, follow or share, we should ask ourselves, is this person spreading truth and value or just chasing attention?

 

Hope you found my blog post informative and interesting.

Bye,

Shreeya

Solids || Science Class

 

What is a solid?

  • Defining a Solid

A solid is a shape of matter that keeps its shape and has a fixed volume.

  • Key features

Solids are hard to squash (compress). They don’t flow or spread out like liquids pr gases

In Te Reo Māori, totoka means solids.

 

Particle model of solids

  • How do solids hold their shape?

In a solid, particles are packed closely together in a fixed arrangement.

They vibrate but do not move from their places. This is why solids are rigid and strong.

 

Properties of solids

  • Fixed Shape: Solids do not change shape unless you force them. They are hard to bend or stretch.
  • Fixed Volume: Solids keep the same amount of space. They do not expand to fill a container.
  • Hard to Compress: You cannot squash a solid easily because its particles are tightly packed.

How to Identify Solids

Look at its shape: Does it keep its shape when moved or left alone?

Check its volume: Does it always take up the same amount of space?

Try compression: Is it difficult to squash or squeeze?

 

QUESTIONS!!

Question 1:

What is the Te reo Māori term for a solid? Totoka

Question 2:

Name two key properties that all solids share. Fixed Shape and Fixed Volume

Explain why it is difficult to compress a solid. Because a solid is made up of little particles tightly pressed together. The force holds the particles in place, keeping the solid’s volume and shape.

Matter || Science Class

 

What is matter?

Matter is everything around us!

Matter (matu) is anything that has mass and takes up space (volume). Everything you can see, touch, smell, or taste is made of matter. Even things you can’t see, like air (hau), are matter

Examples: water (wai), rocks (toka), air (hu, and your own body (tinana).

 

States of matter

Solids:

Solids keep their shape and have a fixed volume.

Example: Ice

Four things of solids:

  • Chair
  • Laptop
  • Table
  • Pencil

 

Liquid:

Liquids flow and take the shape of their container.

Example: Water

Four things of liquid:

  • Coca Cola
  • Water
  • Milk
  • Oil

 

Gas:

Gases spread out to fill any space.

Example: Air

Four things of Gas:

  • Hydrogen
  • Smoke
  • Laughing Gas
  • Steam

 

What are atoms?

  • All materials on earth, such as plastic, wood and rock, are made of atoms, with empty spaces between them.
  • Atoms are the smallest substance.
  • The smallest bunch of atoms is called a molecule.
  • Scientists call bunches of molecules matter.
  • There are 118 different types of atoms on Earth. These are listed on the periodic table of elements.

 

Characteristics of matter

  • We cannot create new matter, and we cannot destroy matter, but atoms can be rearranged
  • The amount of matter(atoms) in a substance is called its mass. Because matter is just lots of atoms and can be weighed.
  • If atoms are packed very tightly together, they have more mass (a greater number of atoms in a given space) and therefore weigh more. They are said to be dense.

 

 

 

Protest and Change || Social Studies

Hello everyone, and welcome back to my blog. I’m excited to share what my class, AlT, has been learning about over the past week. We’ve been exploring the concept of protesting. For those unfamiliar with it, protesting is a public demonstration that expresses dissent or objection to specific policies, actions, or social issues. It’s a way for people to come together, often in a designated location, to advocate for change and increase awareness about the matters that matter to them.

Our recent task was particularly engaging and involved creating a poster that highlights a specific type of protest. We were required to outline what this protest is, why people choose this method, and whether it’s effective, essentially, does it truly work?

Protesting can take many forms, from peaceful marches and rallies to more unconventional methods like sit-ins or online advocacy. Each type serves a unique purpose and can resonate differently based on the audience. Through this project, we’ve not only learned about the mechanics of protests but also about their historical significance and their impact on society.

 

My Poster Task

Thanks for reading,

Shreeya

Listening Skills Part 2 || Science Class

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today in science, we did another listening test where the teacher said some numbers and words and typed them in our blog. We couldn’t type them when he said them, or else that would be cheating, so we had to remember them for 5 seconds after he said them. It was kind of hard but enjoyable, and I have good listening skills as I got them all right. That’s all I have for this blog. Bye!

Numbers –

  1. 3,1,2,5,4 (correct)
  2. 6,4,2,6,8 (correct)
  3. 5,6,4,7,8 (correct)
  4. 2,8,4,3,8 (correct)
  5. 5,6,8,5,3 (correct)
  6. 1,5,7,2,1,2 (correct)
  7. 2,5,9,6,4,2 (correct)
  8. 5,9,0,7,1,3 (correct)
  9. 3,7,6,4,3,2 (correct)
  10. 1,9,6,5,3,2 (correct)

 

Words –

  1. Elephant, Lepord, Cheetah, Lion, Tiger – Lepord (correct)
  2. Rugby, Football, Rugby, Netball, Hockey – Football (correct)
  3. Rain, Hail, Snow, Sleet – Hail (correct)
  4. Seagull, Chicken, Sawrrow, Eagle – Seagull (correct)
  5. Blue, Red, Yellow, Black – Blue (correct)
  6. New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Africa – Fiji (correct)
  7. Guitar, Piano, Violin, Ukulele, Recorder – Guitar (correct)
  8. Tahi, Wha, Whitu, Iwa, Rua – Whitu (correct)
  9. Jeans, Shirt, Hat, Socks, Trouser – Shirt (correct)
  10. Kakariki, Koiwhai, Whero, Ma, Pango – Koiwhai (correct)

Conservation Efforts Part 2 || Science Class

Hello everyone, and welcome back to another blog post for science.
Today, I delved into an important topic in the realm of science: conservation efforts aimed at protecting our wildlife and ecosystems. We explored how reducing pollution, promoting recycling, and supporting clean energy initiatives can help safeguard our planet. I emphasised the critical role of government and major organisations in creating protected areas for wildlife and enforcing laws against poaching and habitat destruction. Finally, I discussed the legal frameworks in place, such as the Wildlife Act 1953, which outlines protections for different species across New Zealand. Join me as we navigate these essential conservation efforts and their impact on our environment.

Protecting animals within an ecosystem

To protect habitats and ecosystems from serious harm, we need to focus on reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. This can be achieved by using less plastic, recycling more, and supporting clean energy solutions. It’s also important to create protected areas where wildlife can thrive without human interference. Finally, educating others about the importance of preserving our environment will help everyone work together to keep our planet safe.

 

Can the government or major groups help protect animals that live there?

Yes, the government and major groups can play a big role in protecting animals. They can create protected areas like national parks or reserves where animals can live safely away from threats. Additionally, they can enforce laws against poaching and habitat destruction to help keep animal populations stable. Working together, they can also raise awareness about the importance of preserving wildlife and their habitats.

 

 

Legal Protection

Wildlife Act 1953

The Wildlife Act is the main law that helps protect animals classed as wildlife, including some of New Zealand’s most endangered species. 

The Act does this by controlling how people interact with wildlife.

It protects them in three ways:

  1. Absolute protection
  2. Varying protection
  3. No protection

 

 

Absolutely protected wildlife

If an animal is absolutely protected, it means that without a permit from DOC, it’s an offence to:

  • Catch, hunt or kill it
  • Buy, sell or own it
  • Hold it in captivity
  • Release it
  • Export it

The protection applies whether the animal is alive or dead, and to all or parts of it, for example, feathers, skin, bones, and eggs.

 

Examples of absolutely protected wildlife

kiwi, kea, blue duck/whio, tūī, fantail/pīwakawaka, terns, albatross/toroa, tuatara and Wētā.

 

 

Varying protected wildlife

Some wildlife species are protected, but not absolutely. They may be killed in specific circumstances. These species are listed in schedules within the Act.

 

  1. Game hunting during hunting season. Hunters must have a special licence.
  2. Hunted because they are destroying land and other habitats.
  3. Hunted with a special cause: Māori can hunt muttonbirds but only in special circumstances.

 

 

Unprotected Wildlife

Some of these unprotected wildlife species cause harm, for example:

 

  1. Predators on threatened native species, for example, stoats, feral cats, and hedgehogs
  2. Eating native plants, for example, wallabies
  3. Causing damage to farms or orchards, for example, possums, Canada geese, rooks, or to people’s homes, for example, rats, mice
    1. Causing risk to people’s safety through bird strikes at airports, for example, the  spur-winged plover, black-backed gulls

These can all be killed under these conditions only.

 

 

Thanks, that’s all for my science blog today. I hope you enjoy it and find this blog post informative

Bye,

Shreeya

 

 

Conservation Efforts || Science Class

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today, I’m excited to share some important insights about the fragile relationship between humans and our planet. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, it’s crucial to take a step back and reflect on our role as stewards of the Earth. With increasing environmental challenges, from climate change to habitat loss, understanding the significance of protecting our ecosystems and waterways is more vital than ever. Join me as we explore why conservation matters and how we can collectively make a difference for future generations.


Why is it important to protect our planet?

Protecting our planet is essential for the sustainability of life. The Earth provides vital resources such as clean air, fresh water, and fertile soil, all of which are necessary for human survival and well-being. Additionally, a healthy planet contributes to biodiversity, which helps maintain ecological balance and resilience against climate change. Our actions impact the environment, so safeguarding it ensures that future generations can inherit a thriving world.

 

Why protect the ecosystems?

Ecosystems are complex networks where living organisms interact with each other and their physical environments. Protecting these ecosystems is crucial because they provide essential services, such as food production, pollination, climate regulation, and natural pest control. Healthy ecosystems support biodiversity, which strengthens resilience against diseases and environmental changes. Moreover, they contribute to cultural, recreational, and economic benefits for communities.

 

Why protect our waterways like streams and rivers?

Waterways are vital for all forms of life. They provide drinking water, irrigation for agriculture, and habitats for various species. Protecting streams and rivers helps maintain water quality, preventing pollution that can harm both wildlife and human populations. Healthy waterways also support recreational activities, enhance local economies, and mitigate flooding by allowing natural water flow and absorption. Safeguarding these resources ensures the sustainability of surrounding ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.

 

What’s so important about them?

Streams, rivers, and their ecosystems play a crucial role in the Earth’s hydrological cycle, impacting weather patterns and climate. They are essential for biodiversity, serving as habitats for countless species, some of which are endemic and cannot survive anywhere else. The health of waterways is often an indicator of overall environmental quality, reflecting the state of the ecosystem in which they exist. By protecting these areas, we not only conserve natural beauty and resources but also ensure the health and vitality of our planet for generations to come.

 

What can we do to help?

There are many things we can do, but we will look at three ways

  1. Habitat Restoration – Restore the habitat to what the species originally had.
  2. Legal protection – getting government and international support to protect the species.
  3. Recycle, reuse, refuse – reduce the amount of waste in waterways and in landfills.

Habitat restoration

Our planet’s biodiversity is facing serious challenges, including a rapid, massive loss of wildlife. 

It is up to us to reverse the damage and rebuild ecosystems to their former health, functionality and diversity. 

This repair process is known as habitat restoration.


Task

Department of Conservation – Mata-Au Clutha River Freshwater Enhancements

This is where I got the info from

 

And here are the questions

1. How are they restoring the habitat?  

The habitat is being restored through planting projects aimed at enhancing native freshwater fish habitat. Contact Energy implemented multiple planting sites within the Mata-Au Clutha River catchment as part of their resource consent for hydro-electric facilities. They collaborated with the Department of Conservation (DOC) for plant selection and site information. Large grade plants were sourced and planted directly in rank grass without the use of chemicals or site preparation, which helps revitalise the habitat for native fish species.

 

2. What kind of habitat is it?

The habitat being restored is a freshwater ecosystem along the Clutha River/Mata-Au, which includes vital areas for native fish populations such as giant kokopu, tuna, kanaka, and inaka (whitebait). This ecosystem is characterised by its complex interactions within the aquatic and riparian zones, providing essential breeding sites, food resources, and shelter for various species.

 

3. Where is this happening?

This restoration effort is taking place within the lower Clutha River/Mata-Au catchment, specifically at multiple planting sites, including locations such as Waitahuna, Elliotvate, Kouau branch, Riverside Farm, and others associated with the river’s ecosystem. The region has historical significance as well, being a traditional mahinga kai trail for Tāngata whenua and a site associated with gold mining and electricity generation.

 

Thanks for reading,

Shreeya

Listening Skills || Science Class

Hello everyone, today we were doing listening skills. The teacher called out some numbers, then some words, and we had to write them down. He said the words so fast, which was my test of listening. Then we learnt a bit about Fossil fuels. That’s all I have. Bye!

 

  1. 1,2,5,4 ✅
  2. 4,2,6,8 ✅
  3. 6,4,7,8 ✅
  4. 8,4,3,8 ✅
  5. 6,8,5,3 ✅
  6. 5,7,2,1,2 ✅
  7. 5,9,6,4,2 ✅
  8. 9,0,7,1,3 ✅
  9. 7,6,4,3,2 ✅
  10. 9,6,5,3,2 ✅

 

Fish, Duck, Lion, Tiger – ✅

Duck, Lion, Tiger

Fish is missing

Rugby, Hockey, Bowls, Football – ✅

Rugby, Hockey, Bowls

Football is missing

Pencil, Pen, Ruler, Rubber – ✅

Pencil, Ruler, Rubber

The pen is missing

Seagull, Chicken, Sparrow, Goose – ✅

Chicken, Sparrow, Goose

Seagull is missing

Blue, Red, Yellow, Black – ✅

Red, Yellow, Black

Blue is missing

New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Samoa, Africa – ✅

New Zealand, Australia, Samoa, Africa

Fiji is missing

Guitar, Piano, Violin, Recorder, Ukulele – ✅

Piano, Violin, Recorder, Ukulele

The guitar is missing

Hot, Cold, Up, Down, Big – ✅

Hot, Cold, Up, Big

Down is missing

Kakariki, Kowhai, Whero, Ma – ✅

Kakariki, Whero, Ma

Kowhai is missing

Hornby, Linwood, Hilmorton,  Brighton, Sumner – ✅

Hornby, Hilmorton, Brighton, Sumner

Linwood is missing

 

Fossil Fuels

Fossil Fuels are fuels that are made of decomposed organic matter. These take a long time to make.

Example: 

  1. Coal
  2. Oil
  3. Natural Gas

 

 

Thanks,

Shreeya

 

Impacts on the water cycle || Science Class

Hello everyone, welcome back to my blog. Today in science, we learnt about the impacts on the water cycle. But first, what is a water cycle:

The water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle, is a continuous process where water moves on, above, and below the Earth’s surface, involving stages such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. It begins with the sun heating water in rivers, lakes, and oceans, causing it to evaporate into water vapour, which then condenses into clouds as it cools. Eventually, precipitation occurs when droplets grow large enough to fall back to Earth in various forms like rain or snow. Once on the ground, water either travels as runoff back to bodies of water or infiltrates the soil, replenishing groundwater. Human activities, such as urbanisation, deforestation, and agriculture, significantly impact this cycle, altering natural water flow and contributing to issues like flooding and drought. Understanding these effects is vital for sustainable water resource management and the health of our ecosystems.

In my blog post, we focused on humans destroying our water and some impacts. I will add the learning and achievement objectives, Gumans destroying our water, and then my activity.

 

 

Achievement  Objective:

Seek and describe simple patterns in data, using them to identify relationships.

 

Learning objective:

Explore and describe the water cycle and its effect on climate, landforms, and life.

 

Humans are destroying our water 

Human Impacts on the Water Cycle:

  1. Urbanization: Construction of roads and buildings increases surface runoff and reduces infiltration, affecting groundwater recharge.
  2. Deforestation: Trees play a crucial role in the water cycle through transpiration. Removing forests can reduce rainfall and increase runoff.
  3. Pollution: Industrial discharge and agricultural runoff can contaminate water bodies, affecting the quality of water in the cycle.
  4. Climate Change: Human activities that increase greenhouse gases contribute to global warming, which can alter precipitation patterns and increase evaporation rates.

 

Human Impacts

  1. Clearing the forest along the river banks
  2. Surface mining activities
  3. Use of chemicals for fishing
  4. Overuse of fertiliser
  5. Damping of liquid and solid waste into water bodies

 

Activity

This poster is created by Felice and myself

 

Thanks thats all for today, hope you enjoyed

Bye

Shreeya

 

 

The importance of the water cycle || Science Class

Hello everyone, welcome to another blog post about science. Today, we learned why the water cycle is important and participated in an interesting activity. In this blog, I will share six reasons why the water cycle is vital, followed by a description of the activity we did related to evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. The picture below shows what we created. Our project is currently displayed on our classroom window, which enhances our understanding of the water cycle we made.

Enjoy this blog post!

 

Why is the water cycle important?

The water cycle is incredibly important for many reasons. Here are 6 reasons:

1)Provides fresh water

It ensures that we have a constant supply of fresh water to drink, cook with, and use in our daily lives. Without the water cycle, we would run out of clean water very quickly!

 

 

 

2) Helps Plants Grow:

Plants need water to grow. Through precipitation, the water cycle delivers the necessary water to plants, helping them to flourish. This is essential for producing the food we eat, the oxygen we breathe, and maintaining the natural beauty of our environment.

 

 

 

 

 

3) Regulates Weather and Climate: 

The water cycle plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s weather and climate. The process of evaporation and condensation helps to distribute heat around the globe, influencing weather patterns and keeping our planet’s temperature balanced.

 

 

 

 

 

4) Supports all living things:

 

 

Every living thing, from tiny insects to giant whales, depends on water to survive. The water cycle ensures that water is available to all forms of life, providing habitats for animals and helping ecosystems thrive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Cleans and Filters Water:

As water moves through the cycle, it goes through natural filtration processes. When water evaporates, it leaves impurities behind, and when it seeps through the ground, it gets filtered by soil and rocks. This natural cleaning process is vital for maintaining the purity of our water sources.

 

 

 

6) Drives the Earth’s system

The water cycle is interconnected with other natural cycles, like the carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle. It helps to drive these systems, ensuring that nutrients are cycled through the environment, supporting life and maintaining the health of our planet.

 

 

 

Activity –

Materials:

Ziploc bag, water, blue food colouring, a permanent marker, and tape.

Steps:

  1. Draw a sun, clouds, and waves on the outside of the bag with the marker. Add process names.
  2. Fill the bag with a small amount of water and add a few drops of blue food colouring.
  3. Seal the bag tightly and tape it to a sunny window.
  4. Observe over a few days as the water evaporates, condenses on the sides of the bag, and then “rains” back down. We will look at these more next week.

This is what it’s supposed to look like

Thanks for reading my blog

Shreeya