Reciprocal Reading: Helping Us Understand What We're Reading

When you're reading an important piece of text, do you really understand it? Do you remember the percentages, the facts or the main idea of the text? Reciprocal reading can help with that. In class, we're learning how to reciprocal read. Practising our skills on the text, Testing The Water helped me learn more and understand our local aquatic life better. It helped me learn more about macroinvertebrates (small animals with no backbone but are large enough to be seen without a microscope), how healthy our water is and how we can keep our rivers and creeks in great condition. This is something I made on reciprocal reading and Testing The Rivers. Toodles.

The Wonders Of water

 Water is something all living things need to survive. In science, we are revising the cycle water goes through. Evaporation, condensation and then precipitation. Filling out the boxes with information was fast and easy but hopefully, in the near future, I'll start to find out more things about water. 

My Cold 🧊 Task

Writing is amazing. The ability to construct an entire world with worlds is mind-blowing. In class, we were to write a narrative on anything. I decided to base my story on Addie Katz, the daughter of the prime minister in my story.  She has a bit of social anxiety but has been tasked with doing a welcome speech for the prime minister. Does she do it or does she chicken out? Read to find out.

The teacher was cut off by the bell, signalling assembly, a special assembly with an esteemed guest.

Everyone got up and started hurrying to the hall, except for me. I took my time packing my stuff and when

I had finished, and I finally got up to leave. “Addie, could you stay back for a minute,” Miss Green asked

kindly. I nodded my head and made my way to her polished oak desk. “I need one of my students to do a

speech in the assembly.” I nodded in understanding. “Did you want me to choose someone,” I asked meekly.

“No thank you, Addie,” she responded. “But, I do need you to do it. You will be doing a speech for our

school during assembly.”

No. This can’t be happening. The words echoed in my mind, replaying like a broken record. “You will

be doing a speech for our school during assembly.” But I couldn’t do it. This was supposed to be an honour

considering who was visiting. The prime minister. She was doing a trip around America, visiting the schools

I supposed. I nodded my head, agreeing even though everything in my being was yelling at me not to. This

speech was going to be a nightmare! I never speak up or raise my voice. Ever. Imagine, me, Addie Katz,

doing a welcome speech for the person who runs our country. Just the thought of it is terrifying! Terrifying

enough to want to back out, to run for the hills. The mere idea of quitting is impossible though because the

prime minister is my mother.

I walked to the hall anxiously anticipating what I could do. Maybe I could not go; ditch the entire thing.

Then I think of the scolding I would get when I come home. The hall was getting closer as I could hear the

bustling of students, eagerly waiting for the arrival of prime minister Josephine Katz. Some were excitedly

counting down the seconds til mother arrived; others, me and probably only me, were counting down the

minutes till mother would leave. As I arrived at the hall, I crossed through the doorway and saw everyone,

save for Mrs Katz, sitting in neat rows of chairs. Hundreds of kids, hundreds of eyes, and they would all be

on me. 

A sleek, black limo approached the school gates. The prime minister was here. Stepping out onto the

pavement, Mrs Katz was looking superior in a navy blue suit. Sunglasses shading her eyes, eyes that I

inherited, Mrs Katz strutted up to the hall, two bulky bodyguards flanking her. She walked with pride and

confidence, making even that look regal. Her presence in the hall silenced the chattering students and I

started to make my way to the stage.

Each step made my heart pound, pounding louder than drums. Every eye was on me, monitoring my every

move. I could feel her gaze burning at the back of my head, looking for any wrong moves. Stepping up on

the stage, I walked to the podium. Everyone in this hall was watching me. Hundreds of eyes, but only one

pair mattered. Mother’s. I knew she was watching, seeing if I would taint the family name. But I had to prove

her wrong. Had to show her she was able to be proud of me. So, with my chin held high, I pushed down my

fear and welcomed her to our school. After an hour of speeches and groveling from the teachers to Mrs Katz,

I wished her well on the rest of her excursion around America. Watching mother walk out of the hall, I

caught her eye. She smiled and nodded at me, silently saying “Well done. You’ve made me proud.” I smiled back, feeling unusually accomplished.

So, with this being a cold task, I have a lot to work on. One, shortening my word count and two, more figurative language. Making this was fun, but improving it would be even better.

Our Mystery Shape Investigation

In my opinion, geometry is annoying. That is what we were learning in maths. Geometry. Geometry is the study of shapes and their attributes. If you want to be an architect when you grow up or even a builder, you need to know geometry. In class, my teacher played what am I but with a shape instead. She gave us clues and left us to it. Since I won with the help of my sidekick, Daizaleah, we had to make a sort of sheet on our method. Here it is.

In the end, we were rewarded with chocolate fishies, aka a piece of heaven. If I got a chocolate fishie every time I did well in maths, I might like it more. Toodles.

Informing You Of An Imaginative Plane Crash

 Plane crashes. They're fatal. For work, my teacher decided to set us the task of reporting an imaginative plane crash. My story is set on two lovers: Tristan and Anne. They're flying to the Bahamas when...BOOM! They crash. Enjoy the story.

Hatchet: Is It Worth The Read?

Reading Hatchet made me dwell on the message Gary Paulsen (the author) might be trying to send through his writing. Could he be saying stay safe, or, be thankful? What is his message? I decide to write about what I think the main messages could be. Gary Paulsen is a talented author and, in the opinion of others, Hatchet is a great read. 

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Hatchet Novel Response

Hatchet is a survival and fiction novel written brilliantly by Gary Paulsen. It revolves around a young 13-year-old boy, Brian Robenson. Due to crashing into the Canadian forest, Brian is forced to survive. After reading this book, I noticed a few main messages inside the text. They may not stand out but they’re there. This piece of writing is focusing on one main question: what is the message that Gary Paulsen wants us to see?

In chapter 13, Brian is trying to catch food. He has carved and made a bow and a couple of arrows. Hours pass and he is still empty-handed and hungry. He starts to think about ways to capture the fish with his weapon. Finally, he is successful and happily full. Brian had to be smart and self-reliant to complete his objective. In this chapter, Brian is becoming independent. He has found a way to supply himself with food to prevent starvation. This is a great and meaningful message Gary Paulsen is stating. Independence.

Another message is located in chapter 16 of the book. Brian has sustained a good, functional routine. He has food, shelter, water and warmth; his survival is dependent on all four of these things. Brian is content with how his survival is going, but as the day goes on those circumstances change. First off, Brain is viciously attacked by a moose, injuring his ribs. After trekking back to his shelter, he decides to rest his damaged body so he sleeps. Waking up to the horrendous sound of a tornado, Brain panics. It comes and sweeps away his shelter, and firewood while utterly destroying his camp. But Brian is determined and thinks, is that the best you can do? This shows the determination Brian has. He doesn’t let the problems around him pull him down. This message says to be determined and never give up.

In the end, Hatchet was an amazing read. Gary Paulsen constructs this book in a way that keeps you reading. His messages of not giving up and being independent are not only needed in handling survival, but also in handling real-life situations. Brain Robenson is an amazing and inspiring character: he braves the wilderness, sustains himself while also sending meaningful messages to all readers. So, the answer to our main question (what is the message that Gary Paulsen wants us to see?) isn’t just one answer but many. Be determined, be independent, think positive; all of these can be an answer. The many messages are all motivating and that is what makes them special.

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Reading Hatchet made me see that while books are usually used for recreation, the writing can also be informative and a gateway to inspiration.

Chemistry

In class, we're learning about chemistry and the different aspects of it. Chemistry is the study of atoms, chemicals and other things. I've made a presentation on some of the knowledge and research I've done so far on chemistry.