This term we have started our novel studies. Novels are great to read as you can escape into a different world. I want you to share your favourite novel, maybe this will encourage others to read it.

My favourite novel of all time is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I think I have read it 5 times. It was written a long time ago and is a bit of a tragic story about a young woman who ends up dying and haunting the man she loved. It is set on the moors of England at a time when women did not have a lot of power or choices in life apart from to get married and have children. The reason I like it so much is that it is very descriptive and dramatic. Kate Bush wrote a song about it too called ‘Wuthering Heights’ which I love as well. 
I look forward to reading about your favourite books.

So we are back into Term 2 – I don’t know about you, but the holidays went very quickly for me. I got to visit a place in NZ that I had never been, but had always wanted to – Milford Sound. My husband and I stayed there for 4 days and it was simply amazing. We went on a cruise on the sound out to the Tasman Sea, and we also went kayaking. I loved the kayaking.  The scenery is like a whole other world and even though it rained, it just made it more amazing as the rain causes waterfalls. It really would not have surprised me to see Dinosaurs in the forests – it really is like a lost world.

I want to read about what you did in your holidays. Have you got any pictures that you could add to your post? If you didn’t go anywhere, write a post about what you would have liked to have done in the holidays.

Wow – we are in the final week of Term 1. I cannot believe how fast this term has gone. This week for blogging I want you to do a reflection about your first term of 2021. What have you enjoyed? How do you feel your learning is going?  Are there things that you have found difficult?

Please write a couple of paragraphs about this. Think about all the things we have done this term both school wide such as the swimming sports, Benmore Dam visit and also the things we do in our classroom.

This week I want you to find a quote that inspires you, makes you feel good about yourself, or believe in yourself more.

This is one of my favourites and it was written by the incredible Dr Seuss. I love reading and I truly believe that he is correct, reading opens up the world.

You must explain why you have chosen the quote you have.

Imagine if you had the power to change the world – what would you do?

I want you to create a blog post that explains the 3 things you would change in the world if you had the power to do anything. You must explain fully why you have made your selections. They can be big or small changes – I can’t wait to see what you come up with.

Here are my three:

1. Get rid of poverty. Everyone should have enough money to have food and shelter and medical treatment. This doesn’t mean everyone would be rich, but just that no one would starve to death or suffer because they can’t afford to go to a doctor. I think poverty is one of the worst things in our world because often people can not escape from it and a lot of innocent children suffer as a result. It’s not fair.
2. Make countries that are polluting our world actually make changes. NZ is doing it’s very best to help stop climate change but we are such a small country and we are not really the problem. Until the big countries that are causing so much damage, start making changes and stop pouring their filth into the environment, our world is not going to get better. I want my children to be able to see the Great Barrier Reef and the animals of the Serengeti in Africa like I did. Without change, these things may disappear.
3. Get rid of ALL nuclear weapons and power. I am so proud that NZ is nuclear free – it’s simply not a risk we can afford to take as nuclear waste and accidents are just devastating for people and the planet. If I really could do anything I would go back in time and stop Ernest Rutherford from splitting the atom.

Just remember, these are only my opinions – you don’t have to agree or think the same as I do. We are all individuals and every one of us has different ideas.

Now that we are all capable bloggers, let’s let the world know more about ourselves. I love creating lists and they can be really interesting – look at this one from Andy Griffiths about his dad.

I want you to create a list about yourself that has interesting facts about yourself. Look at how Andy has made his list interesting – his choice of phrasing and words. Try and write 10 things about yourself in this way, but if you can’t get 10, don’t worry. I also want you to add media to your post to make it visually interesting. Here is my list:

Ten things you should know about Mrs Campbell

1. Is absolutely terrified of heights – actually can’t climb higher than a ladder.

2. HATES pumpkin because my father forced me to eat it when I was younger.

3. Can do a cool trick with my eyes – ask me and I’ll show you.

4. Sucked my thumb until I was 13.

5. Tried to scrub my freckles off when I was younger. I have accepted them now.

6. Used to sleep walk – including one time at school camp where I freaked the teachers out.

7. Wanted to be a vet until I saw a vet treat a cow with mastitis by cutting the teat off. YUCK

8. Prefers cats to dogs simply because cats aren’t as needy.

9. Has to read every night in bed or I can’t go to sleep.

10. Never drinks hot drinks like coffee or tea because I always burn my tongue – I’m too impatient.

We hear a lot about the importance of having a ‘growth mindset’ these days. I have spoken about it in class, but what does it really mean to YOU? Is it important to you? Why?

I want you to blog about how you have a growth mindset – give specific examples – try and do examples from school and at home.

Are there some things coming up this year where you know you will need a growth mindset? What are they?

Woohoo – 2021 is here and it has started so well in Team Tahi. We have hit the ground running with writing poems about our summer, and creating great artwork that shows what is important in our lives. I am really looking forward to having an uninterrupted year in 2021 – fingers crossed for no lock downs. This means that events like the year 8 overnighter, cross country, winter sport for Waitaki Valley schools, will go ahead.

What are you looking forward to? Write your own blog post about what you are excited about in 2021.

This term we have been focusing on writing narratives and last week we used a story starter “I didn’t mean to kill her.” This starter generated some very interesting discussion and ideas. Everyone wrote a completely different story – click on the student names to go to their blogs to read their entertaining stories.  Here are just two of many…

Kenzie’s “I didn’t mean to kill her” narrative.

Ne’tava’s “I didn’t mean to kill her” narrative.