SCIENCE FAIR

For the science fair this year, I decided to do something with the earth/soil, and the creatures living in it. In the end, my question was 'What is the correlation between worm and grass grub ratios in thriving and less thriving grass? To figure this out, I dug up patches of soil and recorded how many worms and grass grubs there were, and the condition of the grass. When I studied my results, I found that in less thriving grass, there were more grass grubs and less worms, whereas thriving grass had more worms and less grass grubs. I then set to work on printing off all my information and the scientific method. My last step was to place everything on my board. As easy as it sounds, it took me a long time. I had to back every single sheet of paper with two colors, then make sure they were straight and even on the board, and make room for photos. Then I was finally done, and I fell straight asleep.

On Tuesday the 24th it was time to show everyone what I had done. All my hard work was for this. As I placed my board on one of the long tables, I felt a huge surge of pride. I had created this, and it looked amazing. Now it was up to the judges to decide if it was going to get a placing or not. When I placed my board on the table, there was only our classrooms displays there, so it was an amazing sight to see it transformed.

On Thursday, the judging was over, and we were allowed to go and see all the displays. As I walked into the hall, my mouth actually fell open. It was absolutely stunning. The hall had been transformed into a river of colors and boards. Later, we learnt that there was 280 entries! When I walked down all the rows, my head started to feel like it was going to explode with all the topics and information! Then I was walking down my isle. I couldn't find mine because it wasn't where I had placed it. Then I realized why. At the front of the table my one was there with a big sheet saying ' Casey Vincent - 2nd! ' I felt so happy that I had won. It had been a great Science Fair.

Sayings

These are some phrases and thoughts that I think people need to listen too.

*We kill all the caterpillars, then complain there are no butterflies.
I'm not a 100% sure what this means, but I think it means something around the lines of : we get rid of all the bad and ugly caterpillars then complain their are no marvellous/beautiful butterflies.
*What's the Future? It's a blank sheet of paper, and we draw lines on it, but sometimes our hand is held, and the lines we draw aren't the lines we wanted.
To me this means that you can make your own decisions, it is yours and only your decision.
*If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
To me this means, what ever life throws at you, make the most out of it as you can.

If only...

If I was a magician, what would I do?
I would create lots of animals, and a painting or two.
I would wave my wand, and everything would be alright.
I would create a cure for cancer, to win that fight.
I would fly really high, up to the sky.
I would create lots of money, to buy a new house
And maybe even whisk up a pet mouse.
I would create happiness, that would destroy all negativity.
And last of all, I would create a food city!

If only...

LI: To write a memoir, (personal experience) about a camp experience, (5-10 min episode), using snapshots, thought shots, and exploding the moment (show not tell).

Abseiling

My heart skips a beat as I take a glance down. My hands feel clammy, and even the views of the lake, the chirps of various of birds, the friendly smell of damp bush, plus the supportive cheers of friends don’t take my mind off what I am about to do. A few minutes ago I was all ready to go, thinking it was going to be great, but when you're actually standing on the edge of the cliff you don’t feel as enthusiastic as before.

“I’m ready” I say, adjusting my hands on the rope. I swallow my fears and slowly lean back, letting inch by inch. Once I’m in a near horizontal position, the instructor tells me to start descending down the cliffside. I slowly move my feet, watching as loose gravel showers down to the bottom. Suddenly, I can’t see the instructor anymore. Then I realize. I’d just gone over a side of a cliff, abseiling! From then on down, my adrenaline starts flowing, and I’m not even a teeny bit scared any more! I climb down like a monkey, swinging around like a lunatic. I even try bouncing off the cliff a few times. Then I pause and look out at the view. It is simply stunning! As far as the eye can see, a beautiful lake shimmers and moves, as ripples dance on its surface. The sky is dark blue, and mini clouds seem to float. Reluctantly, I move my eyes away from the breathtaking sight and concentrate on getting down, so that someone else can have a turn. I slow down a little, because the end is looming up, and I want to enjoy it.

As I abseil down the last little bit of the cliff, and my feet touch the ground, I feel a tinge of forget that it’s all over. Looking up at the cliff, I feel really proud of what I’ve achieved. At the start I was quite nervous, but now I wish I could do it over and over again!

By Casey

Christchurch earthquake, Methven

The quaking comes suddenly. One minute I am lying peacefully on my bed, trying to sleep, the next I'm being thrown around like a rag doll. My bed feels like an out of control massage chair, jumping up and down like a bull at a rodeo. I attempt to stand up, but do it unsuccessfully. My next try is successful, and I shakily make my way to the doorway. Mum meets me there and we stumble around like drunks, aiming for the safety of her big warm bed. We reach it and lie down, watching as the ground continues to quake, and listen to the everlasting noise. It sounds like a train coming straight towards us, a deep rumbling noise that seems to grow louder and louder. I watch the corner of the room, half expecting a train to come and crash into us. Finally, the earthquake stops, and the night is still.

Did you know?

*Did you know that I was in the Christchurch earthquake.
*I can do a 180 back-flip.
*I had a pet kangaroo
*I am half Australian. 
*I am the oldest sibling.
*My favorite food is fish pie.
*I have a dog and a cat.
*I do BMX.
*I LOVE climbing trees
*My dad lives in Australia.

My clammy hands unconsciously tighten their grip as I pull my blanket over my head. I tuck my knees up too my chest, feeling the fast rhythmic beats of my pounding heart. My skin is covered in goosebumps like thousands of miniature hills.

They chase me down a long corridor, my evil year two teacher leading. Suddenly my eyes notice a door, so I open it up, and go inside thinking it would be an exit to this house full of never ending tunnels. The light is dim, so I grope around clumsily. Then I realize, this was not an exit, it was a dungeon. I turn and sprint towards the door, and run straight into my pursuer. “Any last words?”

Then I wake.

How I hate nightmares.

Book Review

Title: The Executioner's Daughter   

Author: Jane Hard staff

Genre: Adventure with some fantasy.

Moss is the Executioner's daughter in the Tower of London. Her job is to catch the chopped off heads in her basket. She despises the job, and longs for a way to escape. But Pa always tells her, that they are prisoners, there is no way out. Then, one day, she finds a hidden tunnel, leading to her freedom. Out of the tower, on the banks of the river, she learns that her life, as she thought, was not what it seemed. She turns to the river, looking into its murky depths, on an epic journey to find the truth.

I think this is a well crafted story, with many hidden messages. For example, if you search hard enough you will find what you are looking for, and, sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you. I actually really liked that you had to think of the meaning of the book, as normally books have a clear message. I don’t think that the author should have made a message more pronounced, because it is sometimes worthwhile to actually try to decipher it instead.

I think the story was definitely enhanced by where the story was set, because it made me listen carefully, as it was not a location that you hear much about in books. It also made me think about what it would be like in the tower of London, back in the days, and gave me a clear image in my head about Moss’s home, and when she met the rag-tag fishing boy, Salter.

As you may have guessed, Moss is the main character. I think she had a strong personality, but she could be very defiant, and she always talked back to her father. She was also a very brave and witty girl, but sometimes she could be very stupid. She was very much like, you and me, just a young girl living her life, and I found I could relate to her, at some parts of the story. At the end of the story, she seemed to have of changed into a more positive person. The one downfall, to me, was that I could not picture her in my head, because it didn't really give a clear or informative description of what she looked like.

On a more positive note, I think the author had a good way with language, and knew exactly how to enhance and make sentences more dramatic. “She bent her head and stepped forward” That was a line that popped out to me, when she had just found the hidden tunnel. I also really liked how there was some poems and short songs included in the book. Like the Riverwitch’s song. To me it added intrest and added lots of new information.

One of the best parts of the book, to me, was that the story flow was not all predictable. I also liked how the ending had no loose ends and didn’t leave you feeling that there needs too be a second book. There was also a good balance of characters, (some good,some bad.) One thing that I think could of made the book better, would of been too increase its lenghth. It was an average sized book (368 pages) but I believe the story line was exceptional, and could have easily have fitted more into it without it becoming boring.

In conclusion, I have enjoyed this reading book immensly, and feel I have learnt a lot about what makes up a good story whilst reading it. Personally, I can not find much too pick on, so I think that Jane Hardstaff has done an amazing job. With it’s marvellous characters and storyline, I believe that The Executioners Daughter is not a book to be missed.

By Casey.

Why frogs can only croak.

One warm summer eve, Mr frog was strolling along, on his merry little way, to get some items from the general store. While he was walking, he had a marvelous idea. He had just remembered that it was his friend, owls, birthday tomorrow!  He hurried along and came home with far more bags than planned, all full to the brim with presents, groceries and all the items needed for a marvelous party! Once he got home, he set out making invitations for everyone he could think of. The wood nymphs of course would have to come, Mr Mouse, all the birds of the forest, the peacocks, bears, snails, deer, raccoon, bears, snakes, squirrels, and Mr Mole and the Beaver family. He sighed in contention. Finally, I've finished. There’s going to be no one in the forest tonight without an invitation, he thought. Little did he know, he had forgotten Wolf.  

When Wolf heard about the party, he was very excited, as he loved parties. But when he realized that he had not been given an invitation, he was very hurt. That hurt soon turned to anger. He stomped around, snarling, in a blind rage. I’ll teach that foolish frog a lesson or two, how dare he not invite me! He thought. He sulked back to his den, and sat down scheming.

The next day, Mr Frog was setting out all the seats, tables, place mats and decorations. He had only just put the food in the oven. He only had half an hour to get everything ready before people started, and he was starting to stress. Then, to make things worse, he realized he had forgotten to get drinks, and cups. Oh dear, he thought, now I have to go to the shop! So he hurried away.

Meanwhile, Wolf, who was walking along the stream trying to cool his temper, saw Mr Frog in a big hurry heading towards the shop. Now’s my chance to get my revenge, he thought to himself. He ran to Mr Frog's house and saw all the tables and decorations already set up. He ran up to the tables and began throwing and chucking everything he could get his hands on. Once he was done, he walked over to the oven, and turned it on high, something that should never ever be done unless you wanted to create a huge fire. That was exactly what Wolf was intending. He smirked in satisfaction. Now we’re are even, he thought to himself. Wolf started to walk away, and collided into Mr Frog. “What have you done!!! Mr frog yelled in horror. The party, all ruined.” He started to cry. Then he noticed a small flame leap out of the oven. He quickly grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the steadily growing flame. “How could you,” he said. Wolf, then realized what he had just done. He felt so ashamed, and then realized that if frog told anyone about what he had just done, he would be in severe trouble.  Out of desperation, Wolf grabbed Frogs tongue and yanked it so hard so that it was now ten times the length it was before. Mr Frog tried to yell at Wolf, but all that came out was a small croak.

So now you know the truth about why frogs croak.               

My idea of a fun-filled day

Morning sun, means its time to have fun. I would grab some breakfast, then head out the door. First would be ice-skating then the movies and more. Then time for the mall,to buy some items. A blue dress, a  some shoes, a book or maybe two. Then Subway lunch, and a drink with ice. A swim with mum, dad included too. Then we would all go to the zoo. Afternoon tea would be from the dairy. Then we would go to rainbows end, and ride on the Fear fall, Invader, and the Corkscrew too. Then its kai time, fish pie the meal. Then I we would go to sleep (with my ted) in my own warm and cosy bed.

Swimming sports

Splash! My hands hit the water in a perfect dive, my body pulses with energy. I kick to the top and start to  reach out. One, two, three, breath, one, two, three, breath. I sneak a look, behind me, and in front. , I see people both ways. I'm not last! I continue to repeat the rhythm in my head. I gather my strength and and swim the last stretch in a final burst of energy. The wall looms ahead, then, I'm finished. My first race of the day.

Oxymoron's

Do you know what oxymoron's are?

Oxymoron's are two words put together, that are usually opposite to each other. One of my top, is, pretty ugly. Other of my favorites include, deafening silence, seriously funny, found missing, almost exactly, exact estimate, clearly confused, and alone together. Another word that I find very funny but is not an oxymoron's, is hamburger. The patties are made out of beef, so why are they called 'ham' burgers? I have also been wondering why Afghanistan , has the word afghan in it. Chile, Hungary, Turkey have me equally confused.  I hope I have helped you understand and have a laugh at what  oxymoron's are.

Explanation writing.

Why cars are an environmental problem

Did you know that pollution is one of the top ten causes of global warming? Things that can pollute the air include, factories, animals, vehicles, smoking, and countless other things. The biggest thing out of all those to me, is cars. When cars burn petrol to move, it produces Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, which causes the air around us to warm up and get polluted. When this happens, it causes global warming.

Global warming is when greenhouse gases pollute the air which causes the temperature to rise, which leads to glaciers, icebergs, and all other types of ice melting. That means, that if this keeps at the happening rate it is now, Antarctica, and the south and north poles might not be there for the later generations. When all the ice melts, it will cause, and is causing, the sea to rise. That could mean that low lying islands, like Fiji and  Tonga, would be underwater! Another bad thing about ice melting is, what would happen to all the animals that depend on the ice to survive? Polar bears, penguins, seals, and countless other species could become extinct!

One way I believe we can help stop this from happening, is by reducing the amount of times we drive around. Think about going for a bike ride, scooter, skateboard instead. It would mean you would be able to take in the scenery more, it would be much cheaper,and it would be safer. Another downfall of cars, is that they require lots of resources. They need lots of plastic, glass, and metal, gravel to make roads, not to mention the inside! Cars can go fast and get you to places quicker, but I think that there are more negative than positive things about them.

This is why I believe cars are an environmental problem.

Confusion

Confusion

Confusion lives anywhere
In a rabbit hole, up a tree
Or even in a toy playhouse!
She wakes up at three o 'clock
And goes to bed at ten o'clock.
Confusion is always wearing different clothes
One day she will be in a dress,
The next day she could be wearing animal furs.
Confusion is very forgetful
She can forget that she just bought a pet tiger,
Or she can even forget her name!
She despises glory and creativity
But likes panic and worry
Confusion eats water and drinks fruit
When ever people see her, they say
Her comes the crazy lady, run!
But she doesn't mind
Because she thinks people are goats.
Confusion will often go outside when it is hot
Dressed in warm coats and scarfs.
Sometimes she will walk around on all fours
Howling like a wolf.

Even though confusion
Is crazy and weird
She is content to be who she is.

Fletcher Unicorns

Fletcher unicorns are found around mountains in New Zealand. They were first discovered when a lucky skier snapped a picture of the marvelous creature.The Fletcher Unicorns diet consists of berries. Intergolia leaves, the bark of pine trees, and often small game.They live in caves, on the southern sides of mountains, as they do not like the wind. Although, one species: The Purple Horned Fletcher Unicorns, prefer living in northern forests. In total there are nine different species of Fletcher Unicorns.These unusual creatures have a similar body structure to a horse. They have up to three eyes, though that is only found in the Toru Fletcher Unicorn family. All species have a horn on top of their head, in between their heads.
So now you know a little more about Fletcher Unicorns, remember to keep an eye out for these strange and wonderful creatures.Fletcher Unicorns enemies, include giant red wolfs, drop bears, whitetails, and bogey monsters. They are terrible swimmers, but can run very fast. Did you know that female Fletcher Unicorns can have up to 60 foalacorns in their lifetime!

Learning Reflection

Week Four...

This week we did lots and lots of tests! I think I did well in most of them except the listening test, that was hard! One of the most exciting things of this week was having saxophone practice. I learnt how to read music, and how to hold the saxophone properly. I also learnt how to blow into it, and how to play a short tune. Another thing I have been doing lots is going for swims. I love the water because its so refreshing, and you can do lots of tricks and flips. Last week I took part in the school swimming sports, that was really fun, even though I didn't win any of my races! We haven't done that much softball this week, but that's fine with me, because I am terrible at batting!    Overall it was a great week.

Welcome

Kiora, welcome to my blog for 2014!