SLJ Step It Up: Poetry Slam Ono

Today, I did a task in which I made a snowball poetry on summer.

First, I watched the introduction video and read some examples of snowball poetry so that I get an idea of what I am going to do.

Second, I started thinking of a topic that was related to summer and I thought about watching the sunset at the beach.

Third, I opened a google drawings and added a picture of the sun setting at the beach.

Next, I added a heading and the poetry that I made at the side on top of the image.

I made sure that each line is one letter longer than the previous one while making my poetry.

Then, I recorded my screencastify in which I read my poem from the start.

Lastly, I embedded the video on my blog post so that I can share my work. I made sure to change the permission settings to "anyone with the link".

I learnt that a snowball is a poem where each line is longer than the previous one. Sometimes the lines get longer by one word and sometumes they get longer just by one letter.

I found this activity challenging because I thought of words that would sound better but it had so many letters and I could not add it on poem. 

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I learnt how to write a poem that was very challenging and it looked like a mountain when we look at its shape.

SLJ Kick Start: Poetry Slam Ono

Today, I did a task in which I made a snowball poetry on a day at the beach.

First, I read this example of snowball poetry so that I get an idea of what I am going to do.

Second, I started thinking of a topic that was related to summer and I thought about the beach.

Third, I opened a google drawings and added a picture of people having fun at the beach.

Next, I added a heading and the poetry that I made on side of that image.

I made sure that each line is one word longer than the previous one while making my poetry.

Then, I recorded my screencastify in which I read my poem from the start.

Lastly, I embedded the video on my blog post so that I can share my work. I made sure to change the permission settings to "anyone with the link".

I learnt that snowball poems are also called growing / shrinking lines because they increase or decrease by one word or letter.

An interesting fact is that snowball poems were created by Oulipo in 1977.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I learnt to write a new type of poem on my favourite weather summer.

SLJ Step It Up: Silly Algebra

Today, I did a task in which I learnt BEDMAS to do substitution and solve some questions.

First, I watched this video so that I learn about advanced algebraic problems and get an idea of what I am going to do.

Second, I watched this video in which I learnt about Order of Operations (BEDMAS).

BEDMAS means Brackets, Exponents, Division and Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction.

Third, I clicked two different pictures of myself using the webcam of my Chromebook.

Fourth, I edited the pictures using remove.bg which removed the background of my pictures.

Next, I made those pictures my variables and created algebraic questions that could be solved using BEDMAS.

The answer to the first question is 12. The answer to the second question is 4. The answer to the third question is 8.

Then, I added a black background, title, key, symbols, brackets and variables to my google drawings.

Lastly, I embedded my google drawings on my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that if we don't use the order of operations we will get a wrong answer.

An interesting fact is that the order of operation (BEDMAS / PEDMAS) was created in the 1800s.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to learn something new in maths that I didn't know before.

SLJ Kick Start: Silly Algebra

Today, I did a task in which I learnt how to substitute a variable (letter) for a constant (number).

First, I read this article in which I learnt about substitution, variables, constants, negative numbers and powers.

Second, I watched this algebraic problem video so that I get an idea of what I am going to do.

Third, I opened this example google drawings and saw how to use images as variables.

Fourth, I chose my variables which were two pokemons (Dragonite and Charizard).

Next, I added a black background, title, key, symbols, brackets and variables.

Then, I thought about the questions that I would be writing. The answer to the first question is 55. The answer to the second question is -15. The answer to the third question is 7.

Lastly, I embedded my google drawings on my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that: A variable is a symbol or a letter for an unknown number in an equation. A constant is a value that doesn't change and is not a variable. Substitution is when constants (numbers) are replaced with variables (letters). A power of a number says how many times to use the number in a multiplication.

An interesting fact is that algebra was created in the 9th century by Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi who was a Muslim mathematician.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to learn more about algebra which I didn't know before.

SLJ Step It Up: Cicadas in Art

Today, I did a task in which I made a cicada dish digitally on google drawings.

First, I watched this video on photography and learnt that cicadas pose as rock stars in miniature art scenes.

Second, I read this article about how different cultures eat cicadas as their food and how America is trying a new thing.

Third, I thought of a dish that I could create from cicadas that would also be easy to draw.

Fourth, I copied a template that included three different types of cicadas and a picture of a plate.

Next, I used the shapes and fill colour tool to make the bread for my sandwich, my lettuce and my cheese.

Then, I added the cicadas as the stuffing in the middle of the sandwich. I also added two sauces which were sweet chilli and ketchup on the side.

Lastly, I took a screenshot of my dish and added it to my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that cicadas are low in fat and high in protein which is the reason why many scientists and food experts call it a superfood.

Five interesting facts about cicadas are that: they lay a lot of eggs, they are super loud, they get confused easily, they live a long time and they shed their skin.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to explore and learn about cicadas and how different cultures eat a variety of food.

My Cicada Dish

SLJ Kick Start: Cicadas in Art

Today, I did a task in which I made a drawing of a cicada on paper.

First, I read this article about cicadas exoskeletons and learnt about invertebrates. 

Second, I watched this video about cicada moulting and watched this video about cicada exoskeleton.

Third, I decided to make a drawing of a cicada instead of collecting the skins because I couldn't find any.

Fourth, I read this article so that I get an idea of how and what I am about to draw.

Next, I gathered a piece of paper, coloured pencils, sketch pens, pencil, sharpener and eraser.

Then, I drew my cicada on paper but it was too hard so I found an easier version to draw.

Lastly, I took a picture of my artwork and added it to my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that cicada wings inflate and expand so that their new skin can harden and in that process, they shed their old exoskeleton skin. 

An interesting fact is that an exoskeleton supports and protects an animal's body from outside. Many invertebrate animals (that do not have bones) have exoskeletons to protect their inner body.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because learnt how to draw a cicada and gain more knowledge about it.

My Artwork

SLJ Step It Up: Sun, Wind & Rain

Today, I did a task in which I made my own tv weather report in which I highlighted some special features of my area.

First, I watched this examply of Kindly Weather Report so that I get an idea of what I am doing.

Second, I created my script and tried to learn it so that I could use for recording my screencastify.

Third, I made a presentation in which I added all my information including pictures of icons, time, temperature, sky, clothes, my area and my new channel.

Next, I wore clothes that matches the weather I am sharing. I wore a t-shirt, shorts and a cap.

Then, I recorded my screencastify using my chromebooks webcam so that I can make tv weather report.

Lastly, I embedded my video on my blog post so that I can share my work. I made sure to change the permission setting of the screencastify to anyone with the link. .

I learnt that the goal of weather forecasts and predictions is to provide information to people so that they can be prepared for what is going to happen.

An interesting fact is that weather forecasters rely on computer data, satellite images and their own observations to forecast the weather.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I enjoyed being a reporter and making my own news on the weather for my area.

SLJ Kick Start: Sun, Wind & Rain

Today, I did a task in which I made a weather journal for 16th January 2022, Monday.

First, I read this story called "Sun, Wind or Rain" by Matt Vance in which people used to work out the weather in the past.

Second, I thought about my own place of what I have noticed about the weather.

Third, I watched this video so that I could learn how to create a weather journal at home.

Fourth, I recorded the weather three times in the day and payed attention to how the sky looks, the temperature and what kind of clothing I am wearing at that time.

Next, I used all the information and my collected data I learnt to make my weather journal digitally on google drawings.

Then, I searched for a picture for my background on the internet and added the title, day, date and a table that included the time, temperature, sky and clothes.

Lastly, I embedded my google drawings on my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that checking the weather and making a journal is very important so that you know what is happening around you.

An interesting fact is that you can tell the temperature by counting a cricket's chirps!

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to experience and be informed about the weather of my area and I learnt how to make my first weather journal.

SLJ Nanogirl: Make a game

Today, I did a task in which I made a game that I can play with my friends and family at home.

First, I looked at Nanogirl's video to learn what a game is and looked at some examples of different games I could make.

Second, I looked around for something lying around the house that I could re-use to make a game.

I found a piece of paper, sketch pens, pencil, eraser, sharpner and scissors.

Third, I searched on youtube and watched this video to make my tip top.

Fourth, I used the four sketch pens to color the top and wrote the numbers inside.

Next, I wrote down eight super powers under the numbers. The super powers were teleportation, super strength, invisibility, super speed, time travel, telepathy, telekenesis and immortality.

The rules of my game were is to chose a colour and two numbers so that the tip top can decide what super power you get in your magical world.

Then, I recorded my screencastify of me showing and playing my game while explaining the rules.

Lastly, I embedded my video on my blog post so that I can share my work. I made sure to change the permission setting of the screencastify to anyone with the link. 

After doing the task I thought of how I could improve my game. I think next time I could make the game bigger by adding more numbers and colours so that the answers do not repeat.

I learnt that a game is a way to have fun and play that follows some simple rules.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to make a game that I loved playing with my friends when I was small.

SLJ Step It Up: Poetry Slam Rima

Today, I did a task in which I wrote a Clerihew poem on a fairy tale.

First, I read this article on clerihew poems and learnt its rules and how to write them.

Second, I thought of a fairy tale that I would be making my poem which was "Jack and the beanstalk".

Third, I became creative and made a drawing on my fairy tale because it was my choice to choose what to do.

Fourth, I gathered my pencil, eraser, sharpener, a piece of paper and sketch pens to make my drawing.

Fifth, I searched for pictures on the internet so that I get an idea of what I am going to draw.

Next, I coloured in my drawing and added a black border so it looks better.

Then, I clicked a picture of my artwork and added it to a google drawing as my background picture. 

After that, I added the lines of my poem in a text box and recorded a screencastify in which I read my poem.

Lastly,  I embedded the video on my blog post so that I can share my work. I made sure to change the permission settings to "anyone with the link".

I learnt that Clerihew poems can be made on anything and it just has to be funny with rhyming words.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to learn a new way of writing a poem.

SLJ Kick Start: Poetry Slam Rima

Today, I did a task in which I made a Clerihew poem on my favourite fictional character.

First, I watched this video in which I learnt the rules and how to make these poems.

Second, I saw some examples of Clerihew poems so that I get an idea of what I am going to make.

I read an example of a dog named Lily Bean and Franny's Clerihew Poem.

Third, I thought of a person that I would be making my poem which was Iron Man.

Next, I made a google drawings to add a picture of my character and write the lines of my poem.

The rules of writing a Clerihew poem is that - they are four lines long, the first and second lines rhyme with each other and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other, the first line names a person and the second line ends with something that rhymes with the name of the person, they are meant to be funny and silly.

Then, I recorded my screencastify in which I read my poem from the start.

Lastly, I embedded the video on my blog post so that I can share my work. I made sure to change the permission settings to "anyone with the link".

I learnt that a clerihew is simply a four-line poem that makes fun of somebody famous using rhyming words.

An interesting fact is that Clerihew Poems were invented in 1905 by Edmund Clerihew Bentley, who wrote humorous rhymes on many people making fun of their names.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I found rhyming the words a little tricky and had fun writing the lines of the poem.

SLJ Nanogirl: Make a musical instrument

Today, I did a task in which I made a musical instrument using materials that I found at my home.

First, I looked at Nanogirl's video to learn what sound is and looked at some examples of musical instruments.

A musical instrument is a device that makes a sound created by making a vibration that wiggles the air molecules in our ears so we can hear it.

Second, I searched for what I could use to make different pitches and create my musical tune.

Third, I collected a chopstick and three glasses that were filled with different amounts of water.

Next, I thought of a nursery rhyme that I could learn easily and play as my music.

The music that I chose was "Mary had a little lamb" and practised it over and over again.

Then, I recorded my screencastify of me playing my song on my musical instrument.

Lastly, I embedded my video on my blog post so that I can share my work. I made sure to change the permission setting of the screencastify to anyone with the link. 

I learnt that when there is more water in a glass it makes a low pitch and when there is less water in a glass it makes a high pitch.

An interesting fact is that the instrument I invented is like a glass harp which is played in Rome, Italy. The rims of wine glasses are filled with water and are rubbed by the player's fingers to create the notes.

Something that I didn't know was that sound can be tested by putting your fingers on your voice box and humming. You will be able to feel a vibration on your fingertips which proves that sound is made by vibrations.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to make create my musical instrument and practise playing a tune on it.

SLJ Step It Up: Point Perspective Art

Today, I did a task in which I made a one-point perspective summer art on paper.  

One point perspective is a drawing method that shows how things appear to get smaller as they get further away, moving towards a single 'vanishing point' on the horizon line. 

First, I watched this video about creating a scenery using point perspective art. 

Second, I gathered a piece of paper, pencil, ruler, sharpener, eraser and sketch pens so that I draw my art.

Next, I started by searching for summer scene pictures on the internet so that I can practise drawing it.

I chose this picture because it reminded me of the huge farms that I saw when I went to a road trip.

Then, I colored my summer scenery and added a black border to it so that it looks better.

Lastly, I took a picture of my artwork and added it to my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt one point perspective art is a mathematical way of representing a three dimensional image on a two dimensional surface.

An interesting fact is that Filippo Brunelleschi was the first to explore and develop a one-point perspective system.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to do art and learn the science behind it.

My Summer Artwork

SLJ Kick Start: Point Perspective Art

Today, I did a task in which I made a one-point perspective art on paper. 

First, I read this article so that I know what a one-point perspective is. 

Second, I watched this video so that I get an idea of how to draw a one-point perspective image.

Third, I gathered a piece of paper, pencil, ruler, sharpener, eraser and color pencils so that I draw my art.

Fourth, I started by writing my name in block letters and making one point on top behind the letters.

Next, I made lines that connected to the point and every letter of my name.

Then, I used my color pencils to colour the letters of my name and the shadow.

Lastly, I took a picture of my artwork and added it to my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that point perspective is when you have a 3D image that looks like everything stretches into a specific point called the vanishing point.

An interesting fact is that usually there is a horizontal line to split up the image we are trying to create.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I enjoy making optical illusions and one-point perspective art was something like it.

My Artwork

SLJ Step It Up: Geometric Animal Art

Today, I did a task in which I made a geometrical art of an animal that reminded me of summer. 

First, I watched this video in which a person made a butterfly on google drawings using shapes and line tools. 

Second, I watched this video in which a person made a bear on paper using a pencil and a ruler.

Third, I thought of my animal that makes me think of summer which was a fish.

I chose a fish because I see people fishing at the beaches on a hot summer day.

Next, I searched for an image of a fish on the internet so that I can trace it out.

Then, I used the shapes and lines tool to cut that big shape into small triangles and rectangles.

Lastly, I took a screenshot of my artwork and added it to my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that mathematical understanding is often required to create art.

An interesting fact is that there are over 30,000 different species of fish.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to use maths while doing very fun art.

My Geometrical Art

SLJ Kick Start: Geometric Animal Art

Today, I made did a task in which I made a geometrical art on an animal that reminded me of summer. 

First, I read instruction on this link and learnt how to make a geometric animal art. 

Second, I thought of an animal that would be easy to draw and is also related to summer which was a starfish.

Third, I outlined a star on a piece of paper and drew random dots in between.

Next, I joined those dots using a ruler so that they create different small shapes.

Then, I color coded my drawing and filled in the shapes so that it looks colorful.

Lastly, I clicked a picture of my geometrical art and added it to my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt how to divide a big shape into many small pieces and color code them.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to do art which is one of my favriote subject.

My Geometricl Art

SLJ Step It Up: Poetry Slam Wha

Today, I did a task in which I asked my family member to make a magnetic poetry using my words. 

First, I checked out magnetic poetry on dogs as an example so that I know what a magnetic poem is like. 

Second, I made a summer magnetic poem board in which I added my words that were on summer.

I included many nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, punctuations, pronouns, determiners and articles.

Next, I explained my sister what a magnetic poetry is and asked her to use these words to make a poem on summer.

Then, I used Screencastify to record my video of me reading my poem.

Lastly, I embedded my video on my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt that people have been using magnetic poems with different themes but they are usually real magnets that can be put on the fridge..

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I had fun putting words together in different ways that sound interesting to me.

SLJ Kick Start: Poetry Slam Wha

Today, I did a task in which I made a poem using Magnetic poetry. 

First, I read some examples of spring magnetic poems made by young kiwis on these slides. 

Second, I made a copy of a google drawings that had many articles, determiners, pronouns, punctuations, adverbs, nouns, adjectives and verbs. 

Third, I thought of a topic that I will be writing my poem on which was ice-cream.

Next, I chose some words that I could use to make the poem. The important words were sun, melted, ice-cream, hands and sticky.

Then, I made the poem using the words and checked if it makes sense.

Lastly, I used Screencastify to record my video of me reading my poem.

I learnt that Magnetic Poetry is a way of creative writing consisting of individual words related to a particular topic which are creatively arranged into poetry.

An interesting fact is that Magnetic poetry was invented by Dave Capell when he couldn't think of what to write for a song.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to make a poem using a creative way.

SLJ Step it up: One is a Snail Ten is a Crab

Today, I did a task in which I made a New Zealand version for the story One is a Snail Ten is a Crab. 

First, I thought of the animals that I would be using for my story. 

The animals that I chose were flamingo, kiwi, sheep, starfish, glowworms, spiders and crab.

I chose these animals because they are native and commonly found in New Zealand.

Second, I made a google presentation and changed its background to black.

Next, I searched an image for each animal and added them to the slides.

Then, I used my maths skills to count every animal's legs and label them. I also used multiplication to copy and paste the images so that I can answer big numbers.

Lastly, I embedded my presentation into my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt more about the native animals of New Zealand and how many legs they have.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I used multiplication and addition to do a fun task.

SLJ Kick Start: One is a Snail Ten is a Crab

Today, I did a task in which I made drawings of two humans and five animals. 

First, I watched all the videos to have an idea of what I am going to do. I found the drawings difficult so I searched for easier ones. 

Second, I found a piece of paper, pencil and eraser and drew all the seven drawings.

The things that I drew were a boy, a girl, a crab, a spider, a dog, an ant and a snail.

Third, I took pictures of my drawings using the webcam of my Chromebook.

Next, I made a google drawing and added a black background to it.

Then, I inserted the pictures and arranged them. I also labelled them.

Lastly, I embedded my google drawings into my blog post so that I can share my work.

I learnt how to draw many new things like a dog, crab and a snail.

I liked doing this Summer Learning Journey task because I got to draw some things that I had never drew before.

My Drawings