Writing - Informational

 Why is it important to teach informational writing to students?

Teaching informational writing to students is important for several reasons:

Communication Skills: Informational writing helps students develop effective communication skills. In today's information-driven society, the ability to convey ideas clearly and concisely is crucial. By learning how to organize and present information in a logical and coherent manner, students can effectively communicate their thoughts, opinions, and findings to others.

Critical Thinking: Writing informative texts requires students to gather, analyze, and evaluate information from various sources. It encourages them to think critically, assess the credibility of sources, and synthesize information to create a well-supported argument or explanation. These critical thinking skills are transferable to other subjects and real-life situations.

Research Skills: Informational writing often involves conducting research to gather relevant facts, data, and evidence to support claims or provide explanations. Teaching students how to locate, evaluate, and integrate information from different sources cultivates their research skills. They learn how to navigate through various resources, such as books, articles, websites, and databases, and use proper citation methods.

Empowering Learners: Writing informatively empowers students to become independent learners. They gain the ability to explore topics of interest, conduct research, and share their knowledge with others. This process enhances their self-confidence and nurtures a sense of ownership over their learning. It encourages them to pursue their curiosity, develop expertise in specific areas, and engage in lifelong learning.

Real-World Applications: Informational writing mirrors the types of writing students are likely to encounter in academic and professional settings. Reports, essays, research papers, and business documents often require presenting information clearly, concisely, and objectively. By honing their informational writing skills, students are better prepared for future educational and career endeavors.

Media Literacy: In an era of abundant information and digital media, teaching informational writing helps students become discerning consumers of information. They learn to evaluate sources for reliability, credibility, and bias. They can distinguish between reliable sources and unreliable ones, understand the importance of fact-checking, and make informed judgments about the information they encounter.

Critical Analysis: Informational writing encourages students to examine different perspectives and engage in critical analysis. They learn to identify biases, question assumptions, and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of arguments. This analytical mindset fosters a deeper understanding of complex issues and nurtures the ability to engage in informed debates.

In summary, teaching informational writing equips students with essential skills for effective communication, critical thinking, research, independent learning, and navigating the information-rich world. These skills are vital for their academic success and future professional endeavors.

ICT - Stop Motion

 Teaching stop motion to students can be important for several reasons:

1. Creativity and Expression: Stop-motion animation allows students to express their creativity and bring their ideas to life. It encourages them to think critically, problem-solve, and make artistic decisions. Through the process of planning, storyboarding, and executing their animations, students can explore their imagination and develop their artistic skills.

2. Patience and Perseverance: Stop-motion animation is a time-consuming process that requires patience and attention to detail. Students need to carefully manipulate objects or characters frame by frame to create fluid motion. This form of animation teaches them the value of perseverance, as they must persistently work through the process, facing challenges, and making adjustments along the way.

3. Collaboration and Teamwork: Stop-motion animation often involves teamwork, as students can work in groups to create a project. They learn to communicate, share ideas, delegate tasks, and work towards a common goal. Collaborative projects can foster a sense of camaraderie, encourage cooperation, and enhance social skills.

4. Technical Skills: Stop-motion animation introduces students to various technical aspects of filmmaking. They learn about camera angles, lighting, composition, and storytelling techniques. Additionally, they can gain hands-on experience with camera equipment, tripods, and editing software. These technical skills can be valuable in the digital age and can be transferrable to other multimedia projects.

5. Storytelling and Communication: Stop-motion animation allows students to tell stories visually. They learn to structure narratives, convey emotions, and communicate ideas effectively. By creating their animations, students can develop their storytelling abilities and explore different themes and concepts.

6. Media Literacy: In today's media-rich world, it is crucial for students to understand how media is created and the techniques used to manipulate images. Teaching stop motion animation helps students become more media literate, enabling them to analyze and deconstruct animated films or videos, as well as develop critical thinking skills about the media they consume.

7. Engaging and Fun Learning: Stop-motion animation is a hands-on and interactive activity that can make learning enjoyable for students. It combines art, technology, and storytelling, making it an engaging way to explore different subjects and topics. It can also be an effective tool for teachers to enhance student engagement and participation in the classroom.

Overall, teaching stop-motion animation to students provides them with a range of skills and experiences that can be valuable in their personal and academic development. It fosters creativity, patience, collaboration, technical proficiency, storytelling abilities, and media literacy, while also promoting enjoyment and active learning.

Maths - Measurement: Mass, volume, and capacity

 Learning about volumes and capacities is important for several reasons:

1. 

   Practical Applications: Understanding volumes and capacities is crucial in many real-life scenarios. For example, in engineering and construction, knowledge of volumes is essential for calculating the capacity of containers, tanks, or reservoirs. In manufacturing, it helps determine the quantity of materials needed for production. In cooking, understanding volumes is important for measuring ingredients accurately.

2. 

   Problem-Solving Skills: Learning about volumes and capacities enhances your problem-solving abilities. It enables you to analyze and solve various mathematical problems related to measurement and estimation. This skill is valuable in fields such as engineering, architecture, physics, and economics, where accurate calculations and estimations are vital.

3. 

   Fluid Dynamics: Volumes and capacities are fundamental concepts in fluid dynamics. Understanding how different volumes of liquids or gases interact and flow is crucial in fields such as hydraulics, aerodynamics, and chemical engineering. It helps in designing efficient pipelines, understanding fluid behavior, and optimizing processes involving fluid flow.

4. 

   Environmental Considerations: Understanding volumes and capacities is relevant to environmental conservation efforts. It allows us to assess and manage the quantities of resources, such as water or fuel, used in various contexts. This knowledge helps in making informed decisions regarding sustainable usage and conservation practices.

5. 

   Spatial Reasoning: Learning about volumes and capacities contributes to the development of spatial reasoning skills. It enables you to visualize and comprehend the relationships between three-dimensional shapes and their sizes. This skill is beneficial in fields like architecture, design, and 3D modeling, where the ability to understand and manipulate spatial objects is essential.

6. 

   Estimation and Approximation: Knowledge of volumes and capacities helps in estimation and approximation tasks. By understanding the relative sizes of different shapes and containers, you can make reasonable estimates when precise measurements are not available. This skill is valuable in daily life situations, such as packing suitcases, storing items in limited space, or planning transportation logistics.

7. Scientific and Engineering Literacy: Proficiency in volumes and capacities is important for scientific and engineering literacy. It allows you to understand and interpret technical documents, graphs, and diagrams that involve measurements, quantities, and spatial relationships. It enhances your ability to communicate effectively in scientific and technical contexts.

Overall, learning about volumes and capacities provides practical skills, enhances problem-solving abilities, and contributes to a deeper understanding of various disciplines. It plays a crucial role in everyday life, professional pursuits, and scientific literacy.

The Arts - Visual

 What is Zentangles?

Zentangle is a method of creating intricate and structured patterns through repetitive lines, curves, and dots. It is a form of artistic expression that combines meditation, focus, and creativity. The term "zentangle" is derived from "zen," referring to a state of calmness and mindfulness, and "tangle," which represents the intricate nature of the patterns.

The practice of zentangle involves using a pen or marker to draw repetitive patterns within defined shapes or borders. These patterns are often abstract and can be simple or complex, but they are always built from a combination of elemental strokes. The process is meant to be deliberate, relaxing, and non-representational, allowing the artist to focus on the present moment and achieve a meditative state.

Zentangle is often described as a form of

structured doodling. It was developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas in the early 2000s as a way to promote relaxation, creativity, and mindfulness. Since then, it has gained popularity as a therapeutic art form, helping individuals reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance their artistic skills.

Zentangle artwork can be created on small pieces of paper, sketchbooks, or even larger surfaces. It has also expanded beyond traditional black-and-white designs, with artists exploring colored zentangles, combining various art mediums, and incorporating zentangle patterns into other forms of art.

The beauty of zentangle lies in its accessibility and the freedom it provides for personal expression. There are no strict rules or guidelines to follow, and each artwork is unique to the individual artist. It is a versatile art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, offering a way to relax, unwind, and tap into one's creativity.

Physical Education

 Importance of Physical Education in Schools.

1. Promotes overall health and well-being: Physical education helps students maintain a healthy lifestyle by providing them with regular exercise, which helps to reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other health issues.

2. Improves academic performance: Studies have shown that students who participate in regular physical education classes tend to have better academic performance, including improved grades and test scores.
   

3. Encourages teamwork and social skills: Physical education classes often involve team sports and activities, which help students learn how to work together, communicate effectively, and develop social skills.

4. Enhances self-esteem and confidence: Regular physical activity can help students develop a positive self-image, improve self-esteem, and gain confidence in their abilities.

5. Reduces stress and anxiety: Exercise is known to reduce stress and anxiety levels, and physical education classes provide students with a healthy outlet for their energy and emotions.

6. Develops motor skills and coordination: Physical education classes help students develop important motor skills, such as balance, coordination, and agility, which are essential for healthy physical development.

7. Teaches lifelong fitness habits: By teaching students about the benefits of regular exercise and healthy living, physical education classes help to instill lifelong fitness habits.

8. Fosters discipline and perseverance: Participating in physical education classes requires discipline and perseverance, which are important life skills that can benefit students in all areas of their lives.

9. Encourages creativity and problem-solving: Physical education classes often involve problem-solving activities and challenges, which can help students develop their creativity and critical thinking skills.

10. Promotes cultural awareness and diversity: Physical education classes often include activities and sports that reflect the diversity of different cultures and communities, which can help to promote cultural awareness and understanding among students.

PD Trip to Northland

 

 Trip to Northland

In the Term 1 2023 school holidays, some of the JBS staff went on a trip to Northland. This trip was one of our PD. I was, in particular, excited about this trip and was looking forward to going on this trip. The main focus of the trip was to learn the wonderful histories of the Northland. I was in search of a New Zealand history for my Inquiry LTP for term 2. So I decided to get on this trip. 

While we were in Northland, we learned numerous histories of the various parts of the region. One particular history that caught my attention was the Kauri Gum Field. The history behind the Kauri Gum Field is as follows below. 

Kauri gum is a resin (a sticky substance) produced by New Zealand’s giant kauri trees. The resin helps protect the tree by filling in holes and damaged areas. Kauri trees can live for more than 1,000 years, so they make a lot of gum over a lifetime. As the trees die and fall, the ground where they grew becomes littered with kauri gum. Over time, this often gets covered by soil or swamps. Most kauri gum is found in Northland.

From the 1840s, kauri gum was exported to Britain and America to make varnish. Later, it was used in linoleum, a floor covering. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many people headed for the gum fields of Northland, hoping to find gum and sell it. They dug it out of the ground and found it in the swamps. Many of these areas no longer had kauri trees – they were scrublands covered in mānuka.

In the 1890s, it was getting harder to find gum in the ground. People started climbing living kauri trees to get gum. Some cut the trees, to make them bleed gum – but this often killed the trees.

The kauri gum industry continued into the 20th century. In the 1930s, cheaper materials for making varnish were invented. The price of kauri gum fell, and by the 1940s the gum industry was coming to an end.

What has once forested the most part of the Northland has deliberately disappeared. Only a few Kauri trees are left and they are completely protected.

Dalmatians, Māori, and British worked as diggers. They used a spear to find gum and a specially designed spade to dig it up. 

Storekeepers bought kauri gum from diggers. It was then taken to the nearest port and shipped to Auckland, where gum merchants cleaned it, graded it, and exported it. From 1850 to 1900, kauri gum was Auckland’s main export.

By the 1890s, it was getting harder to find gum in the ground. Some diggers began collecting gum from around the base of living trees and using ropes to climb to the forks where the gum was often found.

They also started cutting trees to make them bleed gum. They made V-shaped cuts called ‘taps’ in the trunk, returning months later to get the gum. Collectors used spikes on their boots and two long iron hooks to scale the tall trunks – in much the same way that ice climbers today scale frozen waterfalls with ice axes and crampons. The collectors carried ropes to get back down from the giant trees, which could be up to 50 meters high. It was dangerous work, and lives were lost. One story tells of some loggers finding a rope at the base of a large kauri. They felled the tree, and among the branches found the skeleton of a gum collector who must have climbed the tree and then dropped his rope.

At first, bled gum was seen as a ready new supply, although of poorer quality. However, it was soon clear that the practice was killing trees, and in 1905 it was banned in all state forests.

Storekeepers were the main buyers of kauri gum. They ‘grubstaked’ many diggers – allowed them to buy supplies on credit, on condition that they sold their findings to the storekeeper. Once a week the storekeeper did his rounds, delivering supplies and buying gum.

Gum was laid out at the gum tip – a cleared area, often on a rise so that it received the sun and wind. The gum’s purity was judged, a price was decided and the gum was weighed. Horse-drawn carts and large bullock teams pulled the gum on sleds to the nearest port. It was loaded onto barges, coastal cutters, and steamers, and shipped to Auckland. In the wet months, when Northland’s clay roads were boggy, transport costs often increased and supplies became more expensive.

Gum was unloaded at Auckland’s wharves and taken to the major buyers’ warehouses. It was then cleaned again and graded, ready for export. Gum was exported in boxes made from heart kauri, a high-quality timber that was often used to make furniture at the destination.

In the 1930s cheaper synthetics were developed for making varnish and linoleum. The price of gum fell, and by the 1940s it was a sunset industry. In 1985 a processing plant was built at Kaimaumau, north of Awanui, to extract resins and waxes from kauri chips and dust from a peat swamp, but it had technical problems and closed in 1989.

in varnish, but around 1910, overseas manufacturers began using poorer-grade gum to make linoleum. A market was created for low-grade gum, including small pieces known as gum nuts and chips, and previously worthless scrapings and dust.

New techniques were needed to recover small gum pieces from soil and swamps. Water-filled drums with screens – called hurdy-gurdies – washed away the soil and left behind the gum and bits of wood. Where large areas were dug over, pipes poured muddy water onto screens and sieves, and men agitated the mixture to wash away the soil. It was muddy, wet work. By the 1920s, new machines – basically larger oil-driven hurdy-gurdies, used by teams of men – could process a lot more raw material.

The material that was left after washing – gum, stones, bits of wood and debris – was dried in the sun. Then it was winnowed by throwing it in the air. A breeze carried away the lighter pieces, leaving gum behind. Later, winnowing machines were built, along with machines to separate the gum from worthless material and to clean it. Gold mining techniques were trialed – in the late 1910s a disused Otago gold dredge worked a swamp near Awanui, but without success.

Below is the link that tells the story of our trip to Northland. 

https://tome.app/jbs-a12/whakarongo-ki-te-hikoi-ki-te-rerenga-wairua-clgzkan6v00sb9r3z2t07uz4l