Why Are Bridges Built? - Explanation

Why Are Bridges Built?

This isn’t about tunnels, nor is it about towers, but instead bridges. We cross many of them everyday. But have you ever thought about why we have bridges? It's a question we don’t really think about, and don’t necessarily know the answer too.

First of all, why are bridges built? These wonderful structures help us connect in many ways with different people and places. Bridges are built to carry traffic from obstructed places where you can’t build a road, (for example over rivers and lakes). They provide a pathway from two separate locations, and allow you to pass by the things that obstruct your routine.

Secondly bridges are constructed out of many different materials such as: iron, stone, wood, concrete and plastic. So there are many different types of bridges at different strength levels. Bridges made out of wood is the least strongest among the rest of the materials and steel would be the strongest. So more people would use steel as opposed to wood.

Lastly, what would we do without bridges? If we had no bridges we would have not be able to go over lakes, rivers and large ponds. We would need to use helicopters, boats, airplanes and subways. For example; back in 1857 before the Panmure Bridge was built, people used a small floating platform called a punt. This was not very stable, it would usually leak and it needed a lot of repairs. The people were really frustrated and it influenced them to write a petition to build the a bridge over the Tamaki River.

Bridges, bulky brilliant structures all around us. We cross many of them everyday, when we are going to school, work or shopping. This why we need bridges, without them it would not be same, and we would not we able to go to places as easy as we can today.

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This week for writing we have been looking at explanation. Since our topic for inquiry is structures we were to write our explanation about why are bridges built? In our explanation we were not aloud to use a rhetorical question as our hook because we have used it a lot in the past. So I chose to do my hook as what its not. We also needed to have a colon and a semi colon in our piece of writing. I learnt that back in 1857 before the Panmure Bridge was built, people used a small floating platform called a punt.

Fake IPhone Messages

Today for writing we were making our own conversations using a website called IPhone Fake Text. Once we finished our conversation we were to use punctuation that we would use in a story. We also needed to make sure we didn't use TV characters and our real names. This was a different and fun activity that I really enjoyed. 

Homonyms

Today LS2 was learning about Homonyms. Homonyms are 2 words that are spelt the same and be pronounced the same, but they have totally different meanings. I finished this dlo with the help of Mataio. I think Mataio and I came up with interesting homonym examples. I enjoyed doing this task because I learnt what a homonym is.

Setting Description: The Tunnel

The Tunnel

Through the wet and soggy forest, I ambled along the path. While I kept walking this never ending walk, something green came into my sight. It was a bizarre shaped tunnel in the middle of nowhere. As I get closer the tree branches watched me attentively. They were waiting to catch on my clothes. I find a bunch of roses stacked near a tall, ginormous and dark tree. I go further and I feel like my legs are going to disintegrate. Out of nowhere, I could hear the mellow singing of the birds. Below the birds there was a beautiful waterfall. I smile in joy, that I've finally found clean water that I can drink. “Oi! what are you doing?” shouted a mysterious man. I looked back frightened. 

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This week our we were learning how to write a setting description. For our task we were to write a descriptive piece of writing about a tunnel in the forest. I found this task fun because I got to learn something cool that I did not know how to do before. I think this will help me in the future with my writing.

Character Description: Rosie The Magnificent

Rosie The Magnificent 

Rosie is a very smart girl who wears a red t-shirt and brown jeans. Her room is filled with hundreds and hundreds of books. She’s not the type of kid who likes to play sports. She likes to wear her favorite pink onesie while she reads. Every time she reads a book it feels like she’s gone to a whole new world. The library is her favorite place to visit. Rosie is always reading whether she is going somewhere or reading in her free time. This will really help her with her learning at school. Although she was always reading, she did always care for her sick mother. Rosie made food for her and read her a book every night. She would go to the library once a week to get a few books for her and her mother. Rosie absolutely loves reading romantic books like Cinderella, but also loves reading dramatic stories.

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As part of our writing today we have been focusing on writing our own character description. For this we had 5 minutes to write as much as we could, then we got 7 minutes to talk to a partner and finally we got 10 minutes to fix up the mistakes. We also had to make sure we didn't have more than twelve sentences. I learnt how to write a proper character description. 

The Floating Chairs - Character Description

The Floating Chairs

Percy Jay was small and creative magician. He was not wealthy, he did not wear any expensive clothing. Percy wore a torn and old fashioned clothing.  He had always dreamed of performing a trick that no one else could do. Until one day Percy’s eyes sparkled with happiness, as he gazed at his greatest achievement. He stared at the crowd nervously, but he knew he could do it. Percy swiftly swayed his hands as the chairs lifted up above the people. The levitating chairs swerved around him making them fly over everyone. His tears dropped like rain as he fell on the floor with happiness. All those years of practice helped his dream become a reality. 

Today for writing Tamaki was learning how to write a character description. First we worked through some examples with Ms Kirkpatrick. After that we went off to write our own character description. We needed to write at least three sentences and I also needed to make sure I included simple compound and complex in it too. I enjoyed this task because it helped me learn something new and fun.  

My Morning Routine

Morning Routine

• Alarm goes off / Wake up
• Have a Shower
• Have breakfast
• Leave For School

In the morning it’s quiet hard waking up, but I still have to do it. At night time I have to make sure I brush my teeth and be in bed before 9:15 so I can have a good night sleep and so I’m not a zombie in the morning. To make sure I wake up early in the morning, I set an alarm for 7:00.

When my alarm goes off my Mum comes in my room and opens the blinds, that’s when I feel like a vampire. Then I have to walk  from my bedroom through the snow storm to the shower. When I'm in the shower I make sure wash myself nice and clean. Then I have the most important meal of the day, breakfast.

For breakfast I usually eat scrambled eggs, with toast and black tea while I Netflix and chill. When I finish my breakfast I brush my teeth and get changed into my school uniform. I also have to make sure my sister has had her breakfast and has got everything she needs for school. Then it’s time to leave for school.

Leaving for school is my number one priority for my morning routine. If I wake up early I have to leave early. I am always concerned about the time if I’m late or not. If I’m late for school I run to school not matter if it’s raining or not.

Like I said before it’s hard waking up, but we still have to do it. Having an alarm will help you wake up. Everyone has a morning routine, but not each person has the same routine. I have been doing this routine for two years and mostly during my senior years. This routine that I have been doing has helped me be at school at the right time and have a good education.

For writing this week we have been learning and creating explanations. First before writing anything we went over the structure and the language features of an explanation. I learnt that in an explanation there has to be title (e.g how does a biathlon work?) Introduction, Paragraphs, and the conclusion. I also learnt the language features of an explanation includes similes ( a sentences that has the word like or as) , onomatopoeia (words that include sounds that are alike to the noises the word refers) ,verbs (action word), past tense (walk) etc. For our explanation text we either had to writer about our morning routine or how we walk to school. I decided to write about my morning routine.

Can You Guess What I Did Over The Summer Holidays?

L.I. - Writing to recount

Writing using language features to engage readers

During the Summer Holidays I have done a lot of things like go to Australia. I enjoyed every part of my holiday, especially my uncles wedding. In my recount I have described one event that happened over the long break. Can you guess what I did? I have sentences describing what I did. Can you guess what I did by using the clues provided for you. 

I heard the water crashing.

I heard the loud music piercing through my ears.

I saw the bright colours in the sky, but I was still not impressed

I felt the sand sliding through my palm.

I felt like I was waiting for years, until it was time.

I wondered when the countdown is going to start.

I wondered If there was going to be a big feast after this.

Photo by Steve Austin/ (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Explanation - How Children Learn At School

This week for writing we have been practicing, how to writing an explanation to First we wrote on a piece of paper. Before writing it we planned our explanation so we know what to write in our text. Josh S and I were partners. We learnt that in a explanation there has to be a title telling why or how something works, the introduction which has a hook like a rhetorical questions, 3 Paragraphs of interesting points in order and the conclusion. The writing below shows you our explanation we wrote about How Children Learn At School. 

 

How Children Learn At School

Have you ever wanted to know how your child is learning at school. There are so many ways children learn, like talking to others to give them more confidence. They like to learn from each other by asking questions and giving comments.

Children love trying new things and learning from them. They have the ability to think and reflect about their learning.

They are capable of asking open ended questions, which helps them learn even more. 

Most kids have role models that they look up to. By watching their role model, it encourages them to be more like that person. Some kids like sport players and are eager to learn and train like them.

Kids can also communicate by giving feedback and feed forward to one another. They like to follow good examples in ways which interests them. One way is that they practice their new skills to get even better at it.

Children learn through numerous ways. They agree or disagree on other people's opinions in a positive way. Kids learn best with and from each other.

2 Word Sentence

For writing we have been looking at simple, compound and complex sentences. We learnt that simple sentences are mainly two words, which contain a subject and a verb. We had to write down three examples of a simple compound and complex sentence.

Idiom

For writing today our focus was idioms. I have made a DLO with a few examples of idiom and images to back up the sentence. I chose one idiom to use for my dlo. I have learnt that idiom means something different from what the words say.

Hyperbole

For this week our focus was on Hyperbole. A Hyperbole is an exaggerated speech that is not meant to be taken literally.  I have made a DLO with an example of hyperbole and images to back up the sentence. I have also added a definition of hyperbole. I have learnt that hyperbole is an exaggeration and is not true. 

Similes

Today for writing we did similes for our language features. A simile is something that compares someone or something using the words 'like' or 'as'. For this task we had to match up the two things that go together.

Towering Stand

My heart was racing nearly as quick as light. I checked my harness for the one hundredth time before I decided it was safe for me to go up. Each step I took my heart beat faster and faster. Finally I reached the top. I wanted to see how high I was, then that’s when it hit me. My heart was banging and I stood there frozen like a mannequin.

I could not do anything, then I heard my friends cheering me on. After that I said to myself “I can do this!' Each step I took it got more intense than before I knew it I reached the other side. I was so happy that I made it! The instructor told me I had to walk backwards to the middle. I took one step after another and I got a bit scared but after a couple of steps of fear I got there.

When I reached the point of no return I spread my wings and flew to the ground. I was so happy that I could hug someone.

This is a recount about my favourite moment at camp.

Explanation - Why my blog is unique

A blog is an incredible place where people around the world see and comment on your learning. My blog is unique because it has my thinking and ideas, and it is non-identical to other blogs. Did you know that not all blogs have the same features?

My blog is special because it displays all my learning from 2014 when it came alive. During those years I shared my work 310 times with a global audience. That means I have shared my work 310 times with the world! Around 9,500 people have seen my blog since the day it was born.

Each blog post has 3 main parts to it. A title,  a blurb and labels. My title tells people what my post is about. This is important because when the social media sees it they’ll understand what you did. The blurb is a short summary that tells what I have been learning. This is important because it helps my audience understand what I was learning. I label each post so that my work is easy to find. For example if I post a poem I label the poem in my writing folder.

There is a comments section under each post. The comments help you to connect with other people and their blogs. You use the comments sections to give feedback and feedforward. That means you find out what people liked about your work and sometimes they give you ideas to work on. If I reply we can have a learning conversation. That’s better than writing in a book that only your teacher can see.

My blog is original because it has a timeline of my learning since I was in year four. The best part is that you can't throw your blog away but you can throw your books away.

For the past 2 and half weeks we have been learning how to write an explanation. Our topic was to write why a blog is unique. Blogs hold our learning over time and keep a record. I had fun writing because I learnt how to write an explanation.

Information Report - Embraer Lineage 1000E

Embraer Lineage 1000

Introduction

The Embraer Lineage 1000E is a private Jet made by a Brazilian company named Embraer. This Jet is really expensive, the price is from $49,250,000 USD  to $58,000,000 USD. It was built in 2006 and became a private jet in 2009. Embraer's Lineage 1000 and upgraded model 1000E is one of the biggest ultra large business jets available on the private jet charter market.

Luxury

The Lineage 1000e is full of luxury, with five large Luxurious cabin zones with multiple possible layouts. The Jet has a room for 13 to 19 passengers, with a range of 5,300 miles. The master Suite has the option for a walk in the shower and a Queen Sized bed. Embraer Lineage 1000e has many many different features to it.

Engine

The Embraer Lineage uses a General Electric CF34. The high-bypass Jet engine produce a gigantic 18,000 pounds of thrust each. Its high speed cruise is 470 knots and it works at a flight Maximum of 41,000 feet. The Lineage can take off in 6,660 feet with a maximum takeoff weight of 120,150 pounds. It can go really far with 8,515 km.

Features

The Lineage 1000e has many different features to it. The Jet has Two flight crew and one flight attendant. It also has a large fuel space with 21, 871 kg’s. The Embraer is 10.57 metres tall (1057 cm), that is pretty big. Inside it has high speed data connection and as well as wireless ipad controls. For lot’s of baggage there is 9.1m of space in the baggage compartment.

Conclusion

The Jet had its first flight in October 26, 2007. Then as two years past, the first Lineage 1000 was delivered to Aamer Abdul Jalil al Fahim on May 7, 2009.

Planning Template

This is my Planning template for the information report about the Embraer Lineage 1000E. The Embraer Lineage 1000 is a version of the Embraer 190 regional jet, Which was released as private Jet in 2009. 

Conclusion on Amelia Earhart

L.I: To Write a Concluding Paragraph

This week we have been learning how to to write a concluding paragraph. For our task we had to write a conclusion about an Aviator. I chose Amelia Earhart because She is really interesting and I was interested on how she disappeared on her flight over the Pacific Ocean.

Introduction: Amelia Earhart

L.I: To write an informative introduction
This week we have been learning how to write an informative introduction. For our task we had to write a  informative introduction on either Amelia Earhart, Jean Batten, the Wright brother or Richard Pierce. I chose Amelia Earhart because she is really Fascinating. I learnt how to write an informative introduction.

How do Planes Fly - Explanation

How Do Aeroplanes Fly

Planes are really helpful they help humans get from one side of the earth to the other side. It comes in different shapes and sizes. There are four different forces, lift, thrust, drag and weight. American aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright (The Wright Brothers) created the first successful airplane.

When the plane's propellers spin it gives the aeroplane a forward force called thrust. Thrust is generated from an engine attached to the wings. Thrust is used to overcome the drag of a plane it.

Drag is is generated from every part of a plane, even the engine. It is the force that goes to the opposite direction of the motion. Drag is caused by friction and differences in air pressure. When an airplane is flying straight and at an even speed, the thrust it produces balances its drag.

Lift is the force that holds an airplane in the air. The wings create most of the lift used by airplanes. As a plane moves forward, its lift force increases until it equals its weight. When lift equals weight, the plane can fly.

Weight is the force caused by gravity. Weight and lift are equal when a plane flies. Because weight requires more lift, and therefore more thrust, heavy planes are more difficult to get off the ground as compared to lighter planes. Planes with less weight requires less thrust.

Planes are designed to be as light as possible.  Each force has an opposite force that works against it. Lift works opposite of weight. Thrust works opposite of drag. When the forces are balanced, a plane flies in a level direction. We are lucky that we have seat belts for safety and if we did not have safety we fall off our seat and hurt ourselves when where landing or taking off.