Holiday fun

Hi squiddlers. Today is the first real day of my break. I have one day then I have to work again.
D'OH!
But that's cool because my work is interesting :-)
Today I drew this picture for a design project...



Before that I discovered my wild bantam rooster friend from the gardens has developed a limp so I went down to feed him organic chook food to see if I could catch him to take him to a vet. He is VERY handsome and I got to sit with him a while but he's too elusive to capture at this stage. I will visit him again later today and tomorrow.

Other treats include walking Manny, assembling and using my new barbie [outdoor cooking device, not doll], chopping wood for my cool new brazier, fencing my summer vege garden so my chooks don't wreck it, planning a weekend away for our 8th anniversary and watching interesting documentaries.

What are you all doing?

Bubbilicious Grammar!

I just read some lovely, poetic writing on Bubbles' blog. In it there was some delightfully descriptive, emotive language. However, I was a little distracted by some incorrect grammar. This has given us a great opportunity to learn something we may not all understand fully. It's great for me too, because I think made a slightly incorrect statement in Bubbles' blog... or maybe I was correct. You better check to see if you can prove me right or wrong.

Who knows what comparatives and superlatives are? You may not know the words but you do use them all the time when comparing things.

e.g. Someone may be taller than someone else. 'Taller' is a comparative word. Alternatively, someone could be the tallest person. 'Tallest' is a superlative. Easy, huh? What you need to remember is that you can't use superlatives and 'most' together, as in 'the most tallest'. It isn't correct.

Back in Shakespeare's day people got away with this, but not now:

"Standard English no longer permits expressions such as most unkindest, where the superlative is marked by the preceding most as well as the -est inflection. In C16 there was no constraint on their use, and Shakespeare uses them in several of his plays to underscore a dramatic judgment."

- http://grammar.about.com/od/d/g/doublesuperlativeterm.htm

:-)

Bulgaria ?

Welcome to Miss Parpulova from Bulgaria. She has come to us via London, England, but shared with us some Bulgarian language learning and some interesting facts about her culture.

Can anyone recall some of the information she shared with us? How about the last name differences?

Some more background info:

"Five centuries of struggle against Ottoman rule taught Bulgarians to value life and freedom above all else. Nevertheless, they have succeeded in keeping their natural tolerance of those who are different; even in the very centre of Sofia you can see a church, a mosque, and a synagogue right next to each other. The entire Bulgarian culture is governed by these principles of freedom and tolerance."

Next year Bulgaria will host a round of the W.R.C.. Who is into that?

If rallying is not your thing, is there a motorsport you do enjoy?

Remember, the coloured words are links to further information.

For example, if you don't know about the Ottoman Empire, you can click on the link to find out more.

Happy learning and remember to comment here to start discussions about what you have learnt.

Be sure to log off

If you go on someone else's computer and don't log off your identity can be stolen!
Check your blog to see if your details have been changed recently...
:-)

Business planning... or Marketing Campaigns

For your entrepreneur/innovation/inventor project you do not have to do a business plan. However, you do need to prepare a product, having done market research. You need to design and refine a product that suits a need you have discovered. You do not need to actually construct a completely functional prototype if it's too tricky, but actual products made to a high standard would be very cool! If you don't make an actual model, you do need some form of high quality visual presentation. Use your IT skills whever possible. You will be presenting your "sales pitch" at a trade fair in the gym in week 10. You will probably have no more than a desk space to work with. It will need to be made to look professional. Again, as with all posts, we will clarify this in class.
In class we will continue to investigate the powers of advertising as part of our integrated learning through reading and other language lessons. This will improve your ability to create an irresistable marketing plan - bold statements, catchy phrases, effective colours, snazzy jingles!
As producers of goods for sale you need to be aware of the consumer guarantees act, consumer rights and the responsibilities of producers and advertisers. [We will go over all terms used here in class.]
See below some websites with information relating to these topics:

http://www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/consumerinfo/cga/

http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/consumer-guarantees-act

The Advertising Standards Authority

Now Create Your Own AD! Click here to begin...

World Blogging Challenge

Hi squiddlers - sign up here to join in on the Blogging Challenge. It's a way to increase your profile, make new friends and learn how to be a better blogger along the way.

http://wyatt67.edublogs.org/2009/08/22/its-about-to-start-the-student-blogging-challenge/

If you can't wait, try this competition also:

http://theedublogger.edublogs.org/2009/08/11/share-your-tips-and-win-big/

Documentary Competition

To all interested documentary film makers:

Flip Video and Windows Movie Maker competition.

Using the Flip video, capture interview footage with classmates relating to how they use ICT to encourage and enhance their writing skills. Edit it into a 1-3 minute film using Windows Movie Maker.

The winning entries will be showcased at a conference in October.
Prizes will include sugar coated sugar with a gooey cash centre, or a$10 donation by me to the charity of your choice. More than one documentary will be chosen if the standard is high enough.

How to write your report

Here are some tips for writing your report [from a wiki on the subject] on your two famous entrepreneurs/inventors/innovators.

1. Prepare an outline. Write an outline on what you would like to do on a piece of paper. There should be at least:
   • An introduction.
   • Middle or body section with headings, detailing your research, ideas and discussion. Include the relevant factual information that answers your task.
     
   • A summary and/or conclusion. A summary is a retelling of what you have reported on; a conclusion draws together your information and opinions about the topic to reach your final point of view.
2. Research the topic. Get references/information relating to the specific question in hand, to back any points or arguments you want to make. Look online, in encyclopedias, and at the library. Print out or photo copy pages of information and highlight pertinent sections. You need at least two biographies for your report.
   
3. Add a bibliography. Write or type your bibliography (a listing of your report sources) on a piece of paper or if you have a bibliographic page, write it down on that.
4. Write a rough draft. Proofread it and mark your errors clearly. Errors are not only spelling and grammar but also jumbled ideas and missing points.
5. Rewrite your report. Add pictures if you would like to or if it enhances the look. Use colored print if it is appropriate for the report.
6. Print and check for final errors.
   

Tips :

• Ask someone else to proofread your paper and offer constructive criticism.
• Be sure to rely on more than one source for your information.
• When using information from the internet, make sure it comes from a reputable source. Look on the page and make sure you know who wrote the information and why they are providing it.
• While writing, assume that your reader knows little to nothing about the subject. Add details and definitions to topics in the paper.

WARNING [As pointed out by The Unknown Seeker]

• Do not plagiarise
  
• Do not leave it until the last minute

[Adapted from the wiki linked above http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Report]

NOte: Include note taking in draft book, Venn Diagrams [or a similar graphic organiser] as part of required information for assessment.