Health - Assertiveness

What did you learn about?
I learnt what 'NUTS' stands for (Nonnegotiable, Unalterable terms)

When discussing conflict styles what did you notice about yourself?
When I am faced with conflict from parents I am often assertive.
However, if I'm having a conflict with a teacher, I'm more likely to be passive

How can you reduce conflict during the Business & Enterprise kete? Give an example
If an argument or conflict arises in my group in the business and enterprise kete, I can help reduce it by listening to other's opinions and taking them into considerations and being mindful of their feelings and how they react to things.

Give an example of when you might need to keep calm during Business & Enterprise kete...
During the business and enterprise kete, I might need to be calm if another person and I in my group have a disagreement or an argument over an idea or another topic.

Social Studies Maori Presentations

LI (Learning Intention):

To understand the life of Maori prior to Europeans arriving and it's connection to today's society.


My research is about the Maori Waiata (Song) Nga Tamariki O Matariki.

I found the information about the composer, Erana Hemmingsen and the connections the stars have to everyday things quite interesting.

I think I presented my work well as well as finding decently interesting information

Next time I would want to choose a different subject, one with more information to find.

Speeching About Me

(No, that wasn't a typo)
What makes a speech interesting and make it sound better?

• Rhetorical Questions - Asking questions without wanting an answer - Have you ever wanted to go to Australia?
• Imagery - Describing an idea - It was a weird looking, spotty and red mushroom.
• Alliteration; onomatopoeia - She sells seashells by the seashore; Bang! Pow!
• Repetition - Repeating the same ideas - Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. 

Other ways to make your speech interesting

1. Tell them something useful
2. Tell them something they don’t already know
3. Follow the “Tell ‘Em Three Times” Rule. 
4. Unify your speech with a single, overarching theme.
5. Let the audience see how much you care about what you’re saying. 
6. Stick to what you know is absolutely true.
7. Structure your speech in small “sound bites."
8. Create “the perfect moment.”
9. Speak to individuals, not the entire group
10. Memorize the first and last lines of your presentation, but nothing else.

How to speak to an audience

• Eye-Contact
• Voice  -Audible slow
• Gesture
• Body language

Let's Set These Quotes Straight.

While reading Wonder, I noticed that one of the quotes, that was at the beginning of each part, wasn't actually correct. So it made me wonder (ahahah roll credits) were any of the other quotes incorrect? Considering I finished my work ahead of the rest of the class, I took the opportunity to actually do some research and answer my question.


What was in Wonder - "Fate smiled and destiny laughed as she came to my cradle" - Natalie Merchant "Wonder"

The actual quote/the full quote -"Ooo, I believe, fate, fate smiled. And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle"

Note - I'll let this pass, considering the quote is technically correct and has just been shortened a little bit.


What was in Wonder - "Far above the world, planet earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do" - David Bowie "Space Oddity"

The actual quote/the full quote - "Far above the world. Planet Earth is blue. And there's nothing I can do"

Note - Okay, another pass. I was going to fail it but I realised there are different words in different parts of the song.


What was in Wonder -  You are beautiful no matter what they say, words can't bring you down, you are beautiful in every single way, yes words can't bring you down - Christina Aguilera "Beautiful"

The actual quote/the full quote - "You are beautiful, No matter what they say. Words can't bring you down, Oh no, You are beautiful, In every single way, Yes words can't bring you down, Oh no, So don't you bring me down today"

Note - Uhm, the author didn't do the full quote by missing the Oh nos and the 'So don't you bring me down today' but I'll let it pass. For now.


What was in Wonder - Now here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with one's heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye - Antoine de Saint-Exupery "The Little Prince"

The actual quote/the full quote - "Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." or "Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."

Note - This was the quote that started this nightmare of a post. Now, It may be a translation issue but I'm going to fail it anyway.


What was in Wonder - Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams. - John Merrick in Bernard Pomerance's "The Elephant Man"

The actual quote/the full quote - "Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of dreams,"



Note - Another pass. I have been played. The results aren't looking very good on my end.


What was in Wonder - What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god, the beauty of the world - Shakespeare "Hamlet"

The actual quote/the full quote - "What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world"

Note - ... I'm not giving up. I accept defeat but I've come this far.


What was in Wonder - I forgot that I might see so many beautiful things that I might need to find out what life could bring - Andain "Beautiful Things."

The actual quote/the full quote -  "I forgot that I might see. So many beautiful things. I forgot that I might need. To find out. What life could bring. Beautiful things"

Note - Hey, to be fair, I was just interested


What was in Wonder - "You're gonna reach the sky. Fly... Beautiful child". - Eurythmics "Beautiful Child"

The actual quote/the full quote - "You're gonna reach the sky. Fly. Beautiful child"

Note - I really don't have much to say anymore

I'm not going to ramble on about this, but long story short, I have been proven wrong. It was interesting to read though.

A Brand New Organism

In science, we were given the task of creating a new organism. We were to give it a name and a habitat and give a description of its diet.
This is my creation. Really, I should call it an amalgamation. I'm not sure whether I hate it or love it.

Name - Branidcorn
Moves by - Flying or walking if it can be bothered
Lives in - Abandoned schools
Eats - Anything and everything.

Year Nine Health - Business Kete

What did you learn about?
I learnt that resilience can be shown in most situations. Whether at school, at work, or in your daily life.
My favourite saying connected to resilience is "If your heart is broken, make art with the pieces."



Was there anything you felt difficult to understand? Why?
It was difficult to understand information in the Who Moved My Cheese video because it was presented in a way that I wasn't able to connect to.

How did you relate to the video “Who Moved My Cheese”?
The video “Who moved my Cheese” is about change and resilience.
It taught me that change isn't weird and that I need to be prepared to keep on going when change happens

How can you apply your new knowledge to the Business Kete?
During the Business and Enterprise Kete, I will be able to keep working when things get rough in my business or a change of plans happen.
I will do this by remaining calm through conflicts and working through changes.

The Ending Of A Wonderful Story

1. Explain August’s fears of going on school retreat/camp, were they justified?
   Of course, they are justified! It the first time he's slept away from home and he's stuck four hours away with people like Julian. Think of it this way, how would you feel if you were in Auggie's situation?
2. Compare Eddie and Julian. How are they similar/ different. How do their interactions with August reveal their character?
   They're both bullies, we see this through the way they act around Auggie. While Eddie is a lot more obvious with his insults, Julian says things that aren't so obvious and can get more under someone's skin/
3. Explain how August's relationship with his classmates has changed since he first started going to Beecher Prep, give explanations.
   In the beginning, most people treated August like he had some sort of plague. But as the story goes on, people, other students, start to warm up to him, treat him like a normal boy.
4. Describe how August has shown greatness during his year at Beecher Prep? Do you think he deserves the medal? Why?
   August has gone through so much throughout the year and never gave up. By "give up," I mean he never dropped out. I personally think he deserves the medal after having to deal with Julian and other bullies all while having a smile on his face. Sort of.
5. Compare the character of Auggie at the beginning of the book and in the final chapters. How has he changed and what has contributed to this change?
   At the beginning of the book, August was a shy, not very talkative boy but as the story goes on he comes out of his shell and becomes a lot more confident.
6. Describe your favourite character in the story. Explain their impact on the story and why you picked them.
   I really like Via. She's such a strong girl, having to hold the burden of being the older sister of a "deformed" kid. I feel like I can see bits of myself in her, the way that she thinks and acts etc.
7. This story explores the themes of; Friendship, Betrayal, Overcoming Challenges, Bullying and Family Relationships. Create a brainstorm web for each of these themes that shows what the story has told for each theme.
8. What do you think Auggie's future holds? What do you think will happen in his life?
   I think his life will have a lot of ups and downs, it will be a rocky road, but he'll get through it.

Can Do 

VOCABULARY -
Rappelled - "To be pushed away"
Concession - "a thing that is granted, especially in response to demands."
Brainiac - "an exceptionally intelligent person."
Imbeciles - "a stupid person."
Quantifiable - "able to be expressed or measured as a quantity."
Verbosity - "the fact or quality of using more words than needed; wordiness."
Abolitionist - "a person who favours the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery."


DIGITAL ART- Using Thinglink, create an interactive image of your favourite character. Include information about them, important moments they have in the story, some of their quotes and why they are needed to tell Auggies story.



This is a Venn diagram outlining the differences between 'Wonder' the movie and 'Wonder' the book.

And that's all for now! I hope you enjoyed my take on the story 'Wonder.' Thank you for joining me!