Playing Up In Class

who	what	when	where	Why
Me Johnnie Kolio Mrs Mansfield	distraction talk dis/respect	today afternoon lunch time	school room 8	dis/respect naughty

“Giovanni, put your name on the board!”  Mrs Mansfield exclaimed as she sets timer on her watch awaiting our silence.  I stand out of my desk and walk down the class to the board trying not to notice the faces staring at me.

It felt shameful putting my name on the board. It was like writing my name on a list of criminals. I had done writing my name and Mrs Mansfield was staring at me. It was that “I expected more” kind of look. She walked over to me and spoke in an angry expression saying that I could earn my name off the board if I model good behavior. I sat down with those words engraved in my mind and pulled out my math book.

Trying my hardest not to create distractions towards my classmates, I put the date down. Little did I know that it was time for Spelling. As I gazed up waiting for further instructions everyone else had their spelling book out. My jaw dropped fast. I had to put it back on my desk before I get in trouble for not listening. Before I could throw my math book back in my desk, I was caught. Mrs Mansfield tilted her head, placed her hands on her hips and said to stay in at lunch break.

I stopped breathing for a while. I was pretty devastated. I couldn't stay in, I've waited long for basketball  and now I have to stay in. But I wasn't the only one facing the same fate. Kolio and Johnnie also had to stay in for similar reasons.

It seemed like forever doing work in class until the bell rang. It wasn't a huge excitement for me than it was for the others. It was more of  a scary moment wondering what I’d be doing at lunch. Prayer had just finished. Usually Mrs dismisses us first, but in this case she told Johnnie, Kolio and I that we have to stay in. And so it started.

After everyone left,  Mrs grabbed three sheets of paper and handed it to us. On the sheet of paper were three paragraphs defining the meaning of Respect. At this point I was confused. Reading something wasn't the type of consequence I expected. Unsurprisingly I was right. We not only had to read it but copy it on another piece of paper and in our best handwriting.

It sounded easy but I was really tired. My brain wasn't functioning well, I felt amazingly weak. I knew the handwriting I’d produce would be sloppy but I had to try. So without permission to start, My pencil landed on the paper and I began to write. It took me more minutes to finish then I thought. I made so many errors but I finally finished.

Kolio and I both handed our work to miss Mansfield with our fingers crossed. She looked closely at our work, then at us. She gave us a long stare. It was like she had more work for us. Luckily she didn't. After complementing our work and giving a little speech, she kindly let us go.

We walked out of class proud to have finished and thankful to have learnt about a deeper meaning of Respect and enjoyed our 10 minute lunch.

The Church

Today for R.E. we were learning about the Church and the Mission Charism.

We learnt that Euphrasie Barbier begun the Mission, and people come to Church to praise God. 

Electronic spreadsheet

Today I constructed a pie chart and a bar graph using Google spreadsheet. Firstly I entered my data in the first two columns. I then selected this information and the graph.

Triangles

This morning in maths we investigated the angles of triangles. First I drew an Equal Lateral triangle. I then cut out the triangle and tore off the three corners and placed it together on a straight line. I repeated the method on a isosceles triangle. I learned that the three corners add up to 180 degrees. 

Reading Is Important

Being a mechanic or a teacher requires a lot of skills. But without knowing how to read, it won't matter if you have the skills for that job, your chances of being hired are exceedingly low. So I firmly believe that learning to read is very essential.

Reading is compulsory. But why? Well firstly without knowing how to read, filling out applications or documenting things would be nearly impossible.

Reading is a huge part in our daily lives.  Imagine if your parents/caregivers couldn't follow instructions off a medicine bottle or knowing directions off road signs. Imagine the consequences of these events and how effective they are not only to yourself but others as well.

Without knowing how to read, you’ll have scarce options in life. Reading helps you develop a range of words. It'll  increase your level of vocabulary which is extremely helpful in most subjects at school. All knowledge is gained by reading. We read to gain a deeper understanding of things and it adapts our language skills.

“I have a dream” These were the words from Martin Luther King. He was famous for using nonviolence to fight for civil rights and for his inspiring speeches. But how was he good at saying speeches? Because he read. So do you think all those world leaders, all those famous well known advocates got to where they are now without reading?

If you cannot read at a young age, school tasks would be a struggle. It would prevent you from finishing assessments. Because most school work must be read, if you can't read it you can't answer it as a result of this problem, you'll be well below standards.

Applying for any job involves reading. Aiming for higher grades involves reading. Even Playing sport involves reading So really, reading is like a key component in our lives. Opportunities are rare but out of reading it will enable you to receive them and be successful.

Te Wairua Tapu

Garden Learning Journal