Reflection 2011

What did you enjoy learning most this year? I enjoyed most doing the half yearly and yearly exams I also enjoyed NAPLAN in term two.

What unit did your enjoy most? Why? I enjoyed the ME unit in term one because I got to talk about my family, myself and the hobbies I like.

What did you enjoy least about the year? Why? I least enjoyed the unit on “The Lost Thing” because I didn’t like the story.

Which assessment task did you achieve the most success at? How did you achieve this success? I felt I had the most success at the end of year exams because I studied hard and in the end I felt I went well.

What did you find difficult during the year? How did you overcome these difficulties or how might you overcome these difficulties in the future? I found researching for information difficult because I didn’t know how to find what I was looking for and I didn’t know what to write in to the search bar to get the best search. In the future I will try to use key words and not using sentences.

Did you dedicate enough time to completing your assessment tasks? What would you do differently in Year 8? I don’t think I dedicated enough time to completing assessment tasks and I thing I rushed a lot of the tasks at the end. In year eight I would probably start assessment tasks sooner to give my self more time to work on them.

List five important things that you have learned this year? I have learnt how to work independently, I have learnt how to research better on a laptop, I have learnt about the Elizabethan period, I have learnt how to study efficiently, with a good method and I have learnt how to plan my work.

Which novel or unit of work did you enjoy the most? Why? I enjoyed the novel “The Giver” because it was a different way of living and it showed how the world would be if some things were taken away.

If you could design a unit of study for English, what novel/film/poet etc. would you choose and why? I would choose the poem “The Man From Snowy River by A. B. “Banjo” Patterson” because Banjo was an Australian poet and it would be a good poem.

If you could design a unit of study for English, what assessment do you think would be the best way for you to show your understanding and knowledge? I would do an assessment about a building and to show their knowledge they would have to build the building on Sketch Up.

Did you feel you were academically extended, if you did, in what unit? I felt academically extended in the end of year exams because I had to study hard for the exams and it made me feel like I had to work hard for my marks.

He turned the key in the lock and opened the door. To his horror, he saw a big, white, hairy bear. This bear was huge but skinny and tall with large white teeth that looked like they were painted on I was scared, I didn’t know what it was doing in our cellar. There was blood on the fur and the bear seamed to be bending over something. There was a pool of blood around the person and a knife sticking out of the person. Jake turned and ran locking the door again on the way out.

At the restaurant the detective saw his opportunity. He grabbed the waitress’s arm and said, “I have seen you before, are you Cindy?” “Yes” she said. Cindy was a girl studying to be a detective and for job to pay for UNE she was a waitress at the local restaurant. “I have just had a call from a young boy, saying he just went into the cellar in his house and saw a bear looking thing bending over a dead body.” “So what I’m saying is do you want come a have a look at a detective situation?” He asked. “Yes I will come” Cindy said. The detective jumped up and ran out the door of the restaurant with her hot on his heals. They jumped into his car and off they went to the house. “I have called the police and they should be surrounding the house as we speak.” They parked the car and ran to find the boy.

A kid comes out of the bathroom with toilet paper dangling from her waistband. She went down stairs and out side to find the whole front yard full of policemen. A detective ran over and grabbed her by the waist. He took her over to where a lady in waitress clothes was looking ready to take notes. The girl jumped down from the detective’s arms and ran over to her brother say what’s going on. “Some one is dead Lucy in our house and we don’t know whom.” “You may be able to tell this man if you have seen anything today that seams strange.” “Well I saw a man go down stairs into the cellar and then I saw mum follow him down there. She looked like she was angry at him and didn’t want him the house.” “Any way Where is mum.” “I don’t know I haven’t seen her since this morning.” Jake said. Then his face went blank as the thought about the possibilities of where his mum is.

Gwydir Wetlands are around 60km west of Moree in the north west NSW. Four wetlands make up the Ramsar site. They are all in the larger Gwydir wetland system. Privet landholders manage the wetlands.

The Wetlands are listed as a Ramsar site because they meet the following criteria:

Representative or unique wetlands: Gwydir Wetlands play an important role in the biological and ecological functioning of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Threatened species or ecological communities: The wetlands provide habitats for rare, endangered and vulnerable species, as well as a number of common species at the edge of their range.

Supporting biological diversity of a particular biogeography area: The Gwydir wetlands are special because they provide breeding and feeding habitat for large numbers of colonial water birds.

Supporting species at a particular stage of their life cycle: When the Gwydir wetlands are flooded, you'll find large numbers of breeding colonial water birds here, feeding in the wider wetland area. Some 500,000 birds were recorded in the area in 1998.

Shakespeare’s Life

When and where was Shakespeare born? Shakespeare was baptized on the 23 of April 1564. We do not know when he was born

Describe his up bringing and education. Shakespeare went to school at a free grammar school in Stratford. His father John Shakespeare and mother Mary were Glovers. He grew up in a family of eight.

What were the four types of plays he wrote? Shakespeare wrote histories, tragedies, romances and comedies.

Where were the plays performed and by whom? Traditionally, Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Black Friar and Globe theatres in London, England. The Globe burned down, twice I believe, but has been rebuilt. A replica of the Globe is in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, and the plays are performed there year round.

Besides writing plays, what skills made Shakespeare a ‘Jack of all trades?” He had remarkable run of success as a merchant, alderman and a high bailiff. He was also and actor, poem writer, the owner of a playhouse, etc.

When and where did Shakespeare die? Shakespeare died on the 23 of April 1616 at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.

Why do you think we read Shakespeare’s works today? I think we read Shakespeare works today because his works we can relate to in our lives and are about normal life. His plays are about Ambition, jealousy, love, family tension, betrayal and murder.

What words did Shakespeare invent or “coin”?

These are some of the words Shakespeare invented out of 1,700 words:

aerial

amazement

apostrophe

assassination

baseless

bloody

bump

eventful

generous

gloomy

gnarled

hurry

invulnerable

laughable

lonely

majestic

road

These are some of the words he “coin”:

all that glitters isn’t gold

be all and end all

catch a cold

clothes make the man

disgraceful conduct

fair play

green eyed monster

heartsick

hot-blooded

Elizabethan Period

Who is Queen Elizabeth 1 and for how long did she rule? Queen Elizabeth is the daughter of king Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. She was born on the 7 September 1533 at Greenwich Palace. She ruled from 1558-1603.

Who ruled England after she died? James I of Scotland ruled after Queen Elizabeth?

Give the approximate dates of the Elizabethan period. The Elizabethan period was approximately 1558-1603.

Identify the social classes of Shakespeare’s time. What was a peasant? What is a noble? A peasant is a poor farmer that has a small piece of land. In society they would be a low class. A noble is a person of noble rank and birth. They would be high in society.

What were the common punishments for crime? When people committed a crime they would be tortured using:

The rack

The Scavenger’s Daughter

The collar

The Iron Maiden

Branding Irons

Assorted instrument designed to inflicted pain

What is the bubonic plague and how did it effect the Elizabethan period? The bubonic plague was a plague that went around a was contagious and very deadly. The bubonic pelage effected the Elizabethan period because it killed lots of people and people were rejected by job if they were thought to have the disease

What were the sanitation and health conditions like? The serious lack of sanitation in Elizabethan England, especially in big cities, gave rise to many diseases endangering the lives of the many people in England.

What is “primogeniture”? Primogeniture is the state of being the firstborn child.

What type of education did Queen Elizabeth receive? Princess Elizabeth was an extremely bright child and a great deal of attention was paid to her education. The Education of Elizabeth was greatly enhanced by her opportunities to share the tutors of her half-brother Edward, who often resided in the same household in Hatfield. Many of these tutors were the brightest minds from Cambridge University

What kinds of enjoyment did queen Elisabeth enjoy? Elizabeth loved hunting and riding horses.

Intellectual & Religions

Describe the four Elements thought to compose the Universe. Earth, wind/air, fire and water were thought to compose the universe.

Describe the four humors and their Relationship to personality. The four humors are Melancholic, Choleric, Phlegmatic and Sanguine.

What was the relationship between the humors and illnesses? A humor is your bodily fluids. It was believed that if your body fluids had something different to normal you would get an illness.

What types of medicine were used in the Elizabethan age and by whom was it dispensed? People mostly used home remedies of herbs and plants rather than going to a doctor. Leaches and cupping was used for blood. For the bubonic plague butter, garlic and onion was used.

What was the main religion? The major religions were catholic and protestant.

What changes were taking place? There was a change in religion taking place. Describe the “Chain of beings” believed in by Shakespeare and his contemporaries and find graphic that matches your description. The chain of beings was thought to be a vertical chain, which showed an objects “place” dependent on the relative proportion of “spirit” and “matter” in contained. The less “spirit” and the more “matter” in contained the lower down it stood.

Elizabethan Theatre

Where were most theatres built? (In or out of the city?) Why? Theatre started in Inn Yards and there were about 500 people who came. Then theatres were built mostly out of town to avoid the laws. Theatres were built in and around London. The theatres could hold up to 3000 people. Theatres spread the bubonic plague very easily because to audience were sitting very close together.

Why is the Globe theatre so famous? Most of Shakespeare’s plays were first performed at the globe and Shakespeare helped construct the theatre.

What times of day were plays performed? Plays were performed at 3o’clock in the afternoon because there was only natural light to see.

How was the audience notified of performances? On the day of the performance flags were erected which sometimes showed a picture advertising what the next show to be performed would be.

Who played the female roles and why? During the Elizabethan era only men were allowed to act in the theatre until 1660 - it was judged to be unseemly for a woman to undertake such a role. Young boys were therefore hired to act in the female roles.

What types of scenery and props were used? Little props were used like swords, plate’s platters and items that can be hand held. When time went on bigger items were used like benches, beds, barrels, etc were used.

Describe the costumes the actors used. Costumes were fabulous vivid colours and extremely costly. The costumes didn’t always match the correct period of play.

What other skills other than acting did actors need? Actors needed to know how to sword fight and falling convincingly because they had no stunt doubles.

What was the cost of standing room at the globe? It would cost 1 penny to stand in the pit and watch the show.

Who is Richard Burbage? Richard Burbage was and actor and theatre owner. He was born on the 6th January 1568 and died 13th March 1619.

Who were the King’s Men or Chamberlain’s Men? The Kings Men was a company of actors to which Shakespeare belonged through most of his career. Originally called Chamberlain’s Men during the region of Queen Elizabeth. They came the King’s Men in 1603 when King James ascended the throne and became the company’s patron.

Pit: The hole in front of and below the stage where the musicians sit.

Groundling: A spectator or reader of inferior taste, such as a member of a theater audience who traditionally stood in the pit beneath the stage

Heavens: A place regarded in various religions as the abode of God and the angels, and of the good after death, often traditionally depicted as being above the sky.

Trap Door: A hinged or removable panel in the floor.

Tiring House: Tiring house is the area behind the stage in an Elizabethan public theatre, where the actor dressed them self’s.

Customs and Family Life

Where did marriages take place in the Elizabethan period? Marriage usually took place in the local church. The girl became the boy’s property once married.

Why were marriage contracts arranged? Marriage contacts were arranged so that both families would benefit financially and so that they could procreate. A marriage was also more likely a business arrangement.

Who performed a marriage ceremony? A minister conducted the wedding ceremony.

What was the common age to marriage? The common age to marry was 21 although at the age of 12 it was legal for girls to marry and 14 for boys.

What is betrothal? Betrothal is a neutral promise to marry.

What was the goal of a Renaissance wedding? The goal of a renaissance wedding is to gain money like a business.

Describe the common wedding attire during this period. The bride would where her best gown and a kirtle. The Bridegroom wore his best clothes, which consisted of a doublet, breeches, hose, box pleated neck ruff and a codpiece.

Describe what food might be served at a wedding feast. Exotic dishes like peacock were eaten.

What was the status of women and what types of work did women do? Elizabethan women were subservient to men. They were dependent on their male relatives to support them. They were used to forge alliances with other powerful families through arranged marriages.

Shaun Tan Biography

Shaun Tan was born in 1974 and grew up in the northern suburbs of Perth WA. At school he became know as “the good drawer” which partially compensated for being the shortest kid in every class. As a kit there were few things Tan liked more than the opportunity to make something; drawing and painting things he saw around him, as well and monsters spaceships and writing and illustrating poems. As a teenager Tan began drawing and painting images for science fiction and horror stories in small press magazines. He graduated from the University of WA in 1955 with joint honors in Fine Arts and English Literature. He has since become best known for illustrated books that deal with social, political and historical subjects through surreal, dream-like imaginary books such as The Rabbits, The Red Tree, The Lost Thing, etc. Shaun has also worked as a Theater Designer and worked as a concept designer for the films Horton Hears a who and Pixar’s WALL-E and directed the academy award winning Short film The Lost Thing with Passion Pictures Australia. He currently works full time as a freelance artist and author in Melbourne.

Jeffrey Smart

Jeffrey is an Australian artist. He creates art works of slum streets and back streets. He relates to “The Lost Thing” by drawing slum streets or back streets that look like the streets and buildings in “The Lost Thing” with all the rubbish. The picture on the front cover of “The Lost Thing” is a take of one of Jeffrey Smart’s famous paintings.

May Belle, Sandy and The Troll

One day not very long ago there lived a girl named May Belle and a boy named Sandy. They lived with their parents in a grand old red brick house on a farm. The farm had all kinds of animals. It had cats, dogs, cattle, sheep, horses and chooks. There was always a lot to do.

Five or six years ago, when they first moved to the farm May Belle discovered something very special. It was the first day of spring, the sun beaming down on the farm like an old friend. The flowers were coming out to grab some of the golden light. The grass swayed in the wind dancing on their stalks. May Belle walked across the paddock towards the small forest on the edge of the far. She had never been here before and wanted to know what lay beyond the tree line.

Soon she was standing at the foot of an old tree. May Belle started to walk into the forest, her feet hardly making any sound on the ground as she stepped over roots and fallen trees. When she was about 25 metres in to the forest a very weird feeling came over her, a feeling that she was being watched and followed. She looked around and thought she saw a very big animal in the trees a little further on. She turned and ran out of the forest and didn’t stop until she was home.

When May Belle got home she ran in to her older brother’s room. Sandy, her older brother, was sitting at is desk finishing the last of the homework that his math teacher Ms Bock had given him via e-mail even though he didn’t have math that day, he hoped he wouldn’t have any more math’s work for the rest of the week but he knew he would knowing Ms Bock. May Belle came in and told him what had happened. He didn’t believe her, but he and May Belle were close to each other so he didn’t want to upset her.

The next day, May Belle took Sandy down to the forest and took him to where the feeling started. As soon as Sandy got to the spot the same feeling came over him too. He tried to be brave so he and May Belle walked further in to the forest. They walked past an old tree and heard a faint sniffing sound the same sound you make when you cry. Sandy peered through a hole in the tree and couldn’t believe his eyes. There in the bottom of the hole was a tiny fairy crying. “Why are you crying?” Sandy asked in astonishment, still bewildered by what he was seeing. “The Troll”, she sniffled, “He’s been mean to me, he threatened to step on me and I’m so small he would kill me if he stepped on me”, she said still sniffling. ”What is your name?” Sandy asked. “My name is Tinkerbelle,” she answered. “Tell us what the problem with the troll is”, May Belle said. “The troll Bob has been mean to everyone since last week and we used to get a long so well together”. “We will go and find out what is wrong with Bob!” Sandy said.

Soon Sandy and May Belle were walking through the forest. They stopped dead in their tracks and looked up and there in front of them was a huge troll looking down on them. “Arrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!” yelled Bob the troll. The yelling frightened Sandy and May Belle so much that they turned around and sprinted home. Once at home they went into May Belle’s room and sat on the bed. “Did you see that massive thorn in Bob’s foot?” Sandy asked May Belle. “Yes”, May Belle answered. “I think that is what is making him angry, don’t you” Sandy said. “Yes, we should go back down tomorrow and get that thorn out!”

The next day, May Belle and Sandy went down to the forest to the tree they saw Tinkerbelle in. Sandy looked in and there was Tinkerbelle looking much better sitting at a table waxing her wing (they were quite hairy). “Hello Tinkerbelle, could you get all your friends together and meet back here in five minutes?” Sandy asked, and off she went. “What is the plan?” May Belle asked Sandy. “I want to get a small army and creatures to tie Bob up to a tree and then distract him so we can pullout the thorn” Sandy explained. Soon Tinkerbelle was back with about 25 people. Sandy explained what they were doing and off they went into the forest to find Bob. It didn’t take long to find him because he was so big.

“Tinkerbelle get your people and tie him up!” Sandy yelled and off they went and soon Bob was tied up to a tree. Sandy and May Belle ran over to his left foot to where the thorn was and jumped upon his foot. “May Belle hold on to my shirt and when I say go pull on me!” Sandy yelled. “THREE, TWO, ONE GO!!!!!” and they pulled on the thorn. It was a disgusting job for Sandy who was at the front because every centimetre the thorn came out there was a spurt of green coloured puss that want all over Sandy’s face and in his mouth at one time. After about two minutes of pulling, it was out a free from his leg.

Bob screamed at the pain of the huge hole in his leg, but soon stopped because the huge thorn was out. Bob bent down on his knees and said to Sandy and May Belle, “thank you for getting out that thorn from my foot!” he said. “I would do it for a good troll and that’s why I did for you because I thing you are a very good troll, but I also thing you need to owe someone an apology” Sandy said and nodded towards Tinkerbelle. Bob hopped up and walked over to Tinkerbelle who was sitting on her own. “Sorry Tinkerbelle for everything, you are my best friend and I didn’t mean to be mean to you, will you be my friend and forgive me for everything.” Bob said starting to get a bit teary. “Of course I will Bob.” And they both hugged each other. They were best friends from then on.

THE END!!!!

1. The first double page spread is the orientation of the text. Describe the setting. Look closely at everything that is pictured and comment on the colours and objects that Tan has chosen to use.

Tan used boring darker colours and put rubbish everywhere, this makes the place look depressing. He also used lots of clippings from writings on the background.

2. Now look carefully at the setting throughout the remainder of the book. Comment in detail on the following in particular: -

(a) The beach: Has a big factory behind the beach polluting the city. There is one stand out thing on the beach (the lost thing). Everyone on the beach doesn’t look after the lost thing even though he looks sad.

(b) Pete’s place: Is really out there inside the house and Pete looks a bit weird and off with the fairies. His house is exactly the same as everyone else’s in the district.

(c) His family room: Lots of cords running from the TV. His parents sit next to each other but leave him to sit on his own.

(d) The tram: Has lots of mechanical things and pipes coming out of it. It puts out lots of pollution.

(e) The City: Has lots of parts for mechanical things and doesn’t look very inviting.

(f) Where he took the lost thing: Bright, happy blue sky. Everything gets along with everyone. There are lots of games to play.

3. What meaning is created through Tan’s choice of setting? (Hint: what comment is Tan making about our relationship with the natural environment and the role that consumerism plays in our daily life). We don’t look after the environment enough. We also put trash everywhere, not in bins. We don’t look out for each other enough.

4. Select three illustrative examples of the working class in The Lost Thing.

(a) Who are they? They are businessmen.

(b) What do they wear? They wear black suits with white shirt and black tie.

(c) Do they seem happy? No they seem serious and only talk about work.

(d) Are they faceless? If so, what is the effect of this? They had a face but it was a serious angry face that was as hard as stone.

5. Select three illustrative examples that depict human’s relationship with the natural environment.

On and around the beach there is rubbish and metal in the sand.

In and around the city there is just pipes and cement buildings.

In the streets because there are lots of pipes and pollution around making the city dirty.

6. What has replaced the natural environment?

Buildings, mechanical things, people and pollution have replaced the natural environment.

7. What do you think the lost thing represents or is a symbol for?

Lost dogs and neglected pets.

8. The Lost Thing uses experiences and stereotypes from our world to convey its dominant ideology. Some examples of these are:

(a) “bottle top’ collector – book “What bottle top is that?”: A hobby.

(b) The lost thing: A neglected Pet.

(c) Pete: A wacky weird artiest.

(d) Christmas decorations: Happyness.

How does Tan use these symbols and characters in the book? How do these examples contribute to the “dominant ideology” or ideas of the text? Can you find any others?

9. Using examples from The Lost Thing write up what the dominant reading of the text is.

The dominant reading of the text is to look out for others.

10. Are there any representations of other classes or genders in The Lost Thing? Why?

Not to pollute as much as we do because our would will turn out disgusting.

* Is it right for Jess and Leslie to write a fake letter to Janice as a way to get back at her? Why or why not? What would you do in their situation? What are some alternatives to seeking revenge?

I think it was right for Leslie and Jess to write a fake note to Janice because she needed to be got back at from all the times she was mean to anyone and if they didn’t write the letter they would never be able to find out what was wrong. If I was in there situation I would try and find out what was wrong and get some back up to help her and me to make her a better person. I think an alterative to get revenge on her would be getting everyone not to sit next to her and do all the things she did to everyone to her.

* Jess and Leslie are shocked when they observe that Janice is not invincible – she cries when she is teased just as others do when they are bullied by her. Think about any bullies you have experienced. Are they invincible in your eyes? Why or why not?

At the time I thought that most of the people who were bullies to me were invincible but not long after they would get in trouble and I would see them cry, and when I saw them cry I then knew that most of them were not invincible. I also have forgiven most of the bullies and became good friends with most of them.

* After all the pain that Janice has caused for Jess and Leslie, why do they decide to reach out to her when she is upset? Would you have been compassionate to her?

After all the pain that Janice has caused Jess and Leslie I think they forgave her because they knew they reason that she was being mean to people for. I would probably be compassionate to her because I am quite forgiving.

* How does learning of Janice’s situation with her father change how Leslie and Jess perceive Janice and her behaviors?

I think that learning of about Janice and her father changes the way that Jess and Leslie think about Janice because they learn how hard Janice’s life has been so far and they know that she is taking her anger out on others.

* Describe the change in Janice’s behavior towards the end of the story. How does her symbolic character in Terrabithia, “The Giant,” change, too?

Janice changes her behavior by stopping bulling people and not looking so tuff. She also changes friends. When she is the giant in Terrabithia she is at first mean and nasty and in the end she in nice to Jess and May Belle

* Why do you think some children tease and bully one another? How does it make them feel? How do their victims of the teasing and bullying feel?

I think that some children tease to look big and cool and also if they are annoyed. It makes them feel big and tough when they really aren’t. I think that the victims feel sick and lonely and also worthless.

* How do you believe bullying can be prevented in schools? What are steps you can take to contribute?

I think that bulling can be prevented in schools by telling someone if you are being bullied and also having friend that can stick up for you when you are being bullied. I think that some steps that I can take are stick up for people if they are being bullied.

1. Understanding different's, Feeling sorry for the eighth grade bully, Jess realising that he had done the wrong thing to Mabel so he made it up to the sister, Jesses dad forgives jess in the end.

2. Jess and Lesley being great friends, Jess and Mabel.

3. Big Ogres, fantasy creatures, Looking at something and it looking better than it is.

Cinderella Rides Again

Once upon a time there lived an ugly girl called Cinderella, she lived with in a big house. One day her dad was fed up with having an ugly daughter, so he ran away to a land far far away. Cindy was so sad about her dad running away. One day a beautiful rich lady and her two pretty daughters came and bought Cinderella’s house and adopted Cindy. The beautiful lady’s name was Lucy and her daughter’s names were Repunzel and Snow White. Lucy felt sorry for Cindy being ugly so she took Cindy to a plastic surgery and boutox place. Their Cindy got facial and body change. After the surgery she looked stunning. She went back to the house and lived with Lucy, Repunzel and Snow White for five years having so much fun. Cindy found out four years later that Repunzel and Snow White were princesses. The next year Repunzel went on vacation to a tall tower and Snow went and lived in a forest for a while. So it was just Lucy and Cindy at home. One winter Lucy and Cindy were watching TV and it said that the prince was coming from the big city looking for a wife and he was in Cindy’s town. The next day Cindy got dressed into Lucy’s best dress and waited for the prince to come around to her house. At exactly 12 noon the prince came around to her house and he hadn’t found a wife yet.

He knocked on the door of the house, so Lucy opened the door and the prince announced him self as Prince Robert. Just then Cindy came down the stairs of the house and Rob fell in love with her at once. The next day they got married and went on a honeymoon to the Caribbean, but it didn’t last long because Cindy was sun baking and the plastic in her face melted a bit. She once again looked ugly so the prince divorced her and he went home to the castle and Cindy went back to Lucy. Lucy got here one more plastic sugury so she looked beautiful again, but Cindy ended up falling in love with the farmer next door to her and they lived happily ever after.