Wonder Novel Study Part Four ✨

Wonder Work | Pages 118-157 ✨

1. Summer's initial reaction to August face was that he had the weirdest looking face she'd ever seen, however she wanted to be friends with him because she wanted to. The result of this is that other kids judged her for doing so.

2. Summer's invited to Savannah's party because all the popular kids wanted to know why she hung out with August - or, as they call him, 'The Zombie Kid'. They disguised this by telling her Julian wanted to date her instead.

3. Summer starts a friendship with August because she felt a little sorry for him and what judgement he got for having such an abnormality. It's beneficial for both of them because August begins to make new friends with people, and Summer learns that August really isn't that bad - or scary - as he may seem. In a way, this could be the start of a new friend group for both of them.

4. The quote "Now here is my secret. It is very simple. It is with only one's heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is visible to the eye," means that it is what on the outside that is important, but what is on the inside is even more important. If you want to find out what's on the inside, you need to use your heart and feel emotions.

5. Jack was reluctant to take August on the tour because he knew who the kid was, and he knew how weird he looked. What made him say yes was that he felt bad about his little sibling running away from August. Jack knew that he wouldn't stand a chance in middle school against Julian. He changed his mind and I think that was brave decision to make.

6. I think that Jack feels pretty bad about him and August not being friends anymore, although he tries to ignore the feelings by saying he doesn't care. He said that he could tell August anything, he would laugh at his jokes, and he likes to hang out with rather than anyone else in the grade. 

7. Jack punched Julian in the face because of the rude, jerky things he had said about August's face, disease, and social status.

8. My opinion of Jack's character changed after reading his point of view drastically. Before reading I thought of Jack as a person with double standards because he would act nice to August but act the opposite around other people, such as Julian. After reading I learned that he's had encounters with August that he would have to be sorry for doing, and that he's struggling with his emotions surrounding August. He's not acting that way on purpose, he's just having a difficult time fitting in with others.

9. I think August would have been surprised but also a little happy that Jack punched Julian. It would be intimidating to know that he was the reason why but he would also be slightly proud or eager as Julian got a taste of his own medicine. I think it will have a good effect on Jack and August's relationship as it will prove that Jack is willing to make sacrifices for August. 

Wonder Can Do's ✨

CREATE: Using a visual planner like a Venn Diagram, examine the characters of Summer and Jack; how they are alike and different. (I used Piktochart to make this)

MUSICAL: Listen to Wonder, the theme song written for the Movie adaption of the book. How does the music emote the story when it uses no words?

The tempo of the music has a fast and upbeat pace at some points yet slow and emotional at others. 
The beginning of the music has an adventurous vibe and reminds me of a fun, happy environment. It then progresses to a more slow, steady rhythm as the violins enter, and this more reminds me of a sadder, emotional environment.

The music then starts to pick up the pace, getting gradually louder to build anticipation. The music then changes to a fun drum beat that makes me feel like it is an important, imaginative time. It reminds me of being around a campfire and everyone is having a good time, and the piano adds sincere emotion to the song. 
The end is very quiet and slow, and it reminds me of time slowed down, as if to capture good memories in the melody.
The instruments used are piano, violin, drum and organ. 

Mixing and Separating in Science

 Distillation

To purify or clean a substance, using the process of heating and vaporising, then cooling and condensing.

 Separation Solutions

Solutions or methods to separate substances from one another. Examples including filtration, which is extracting solids from liquids and evaporation, which is turning water into gas without boiling.

Chromatography

A method of separating a mixture of chemicals by slowly releasing them near another substance, either liquid or solid.

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Wonder Novel Study Part Three ✨

Wonder Novel Study | Pages 81-117

1. This part is different because it is written from the perspective of August's older sister, Via. Her perspective is different as it reveals more about her own experience with August's condition and her relationship with her family. The parts don't match up as August and Via go to different schools, have different opinions, and have different experiences in life.

2. There are many challenges Via may face being August's sister. The most significant challenge may be the judgement she receives when out in public. Other challenges include comparison between her and her brother, and feeling left out when August gets more attention than her. 

3. She might be trying to say August is the sun because everything seems to revolve around him, much like the sun in the solar system. He is the centre of attention in this universe of life in Via's eyes.

4. I don't agree that it was a mistake to make August think he is normal to a certain extent. August will never look like other humans, and not every human will treat him normally due to this. There is no point in hiding something that August will have to spend the rest of his life facing. As long as August feels comfortable in his own skin and he feels loved and cared for, I don't see any justification for his family to hide August's abnormality. 

5. Via goes by Olivia at her school in order to keep her home life and school life separate. It might help her to cope with her stress and struggles. I think Via is finding high school hard so far. It says at first she was excited to have been accepted but now she is finding it very difficult from what she imagined. She has lost her two best friends which must be hard for her. 

6. The odds of Via having a child looking like August are 50/50 (or 50%), which is an even chance. There's no way in recieving a definite answer on whether the odds are good or not until she possibly has a child, but at this point I don't think there are terrible odds considering that they could be much worse. 

7. Miranda is a character that is clearly struggling with her friendship with Via, but she can be caring when she wants to be. Over summer vacation, she found new friends and changed a lot from her old personality, which Via is having difficulty comprehending. Miranda might also be hiding behind defensive feelings around her and Via's friendship: she did not admit her feelings of missing Via to her face, instead she did it over the phone. 

8. Via's character is very caring, thoughtful, but also hoards a lot of secrets that she has never admitted to anyone. She writes about how no one has really understood her emotions growing up, and now that she is in high school she is in need of someone to talk to. It is as if she balls up all of her feelings inside and is now just starting to let it all out. Behind her gentle, sensible character she is struggling to cope with starting high school, her friendship, and family.

9. I think that August is reluctant about having to go back to school because he will be confronted with the problems he will have difficulty to/doesn't want to solve. I think that when he goes back to school he will eventually have to come to the conclusion that it is better to sort out his problems and he will do so.

Can Do Tasks

ART: Draw a picture of August as he is described by Via, his sister. Discuss why you have added certain features, styles, or colours in your creation.

Via said that August has slanted, downward eyes about an inch lower than normal human faces. 

She said his nose was too big and his chin was too small, with skin like melted candlewax and jagged scars outlining his entire face.

I drew August with dark eyes and hair because that is how he is portrayed in the movie. I put ordinary clothes on him because I feel as if though he would want to blend in at school.

CREATE: Create a character web with August at the centre. Place the other characters around him, putting those who are important to him closer and of less significance further away. Include family, friends, classmates, etc.

Pizza Swirls | Home Economics 🍕

Pizza Swirls in Home Economics 🍕

Yesterday Jay, Chloe, Kayne and I created pizza swirls in Home Economics.

We were proud about how they tasted at the end, how fast we worked, and how we were able to problem solve during the process. 

Next time, we will try to improve the amount of flour in our dough because we had to use extra milk to counteract the dryness of the flour. We also added a bit too much butter in our frying pan and as a result Chloe and I were burned on our faces when it started to jump out of the pan.

Ingredients 🍕

• Flour
• Butter
• Milk
• Salt 
• Baking powder
• Onion
• Ham/bacon
• Cheese
• Tomato puree
• Herbs
• 
  

Method 🍕

• First of all we had to cut up the butter into small cubes and incorporate that into the flour with our fingertips, until it resembled breadcrumbs. 
• 
  
• We had to cut the rind (the hard, thin layer around the edge) of the bacon before slicing it with a red-meat knife into small pieces.
• 
  
• Then we added milk to our flour and butter bowl and used a butter knife to mix it into a dough. 
• 
  
• We then had to knead the dough with the palm of our hands on a lightly-floured dairy board. It is important not to over knead it as the dough can become tough and difficult to roll out. 
• 
  
• While we did that, we fried the bacon and onion in a frying pan. We used butter, but you can also substitute it for oil or cooking spray.
• 
  
• We also grated some cheese using a cheese grater. 
• 
  
• We then rolled out the dough with a rolling pin. We had to ensure it was thin and even, and shaped like a large rectangle, approximately 30cm by 24cm long. 
• 
  
• Using the back of a spoon we spread tomato puree, sprinkled a little bit of herbs and grated cheese, and topped it off with the fried bacon and onion on the dough. 
• 
  
• After that we rolled the dough up into a cylinder shape and used a knife to cut it into rolls about an inch wide. 
• 
  
• It was then baked in the oven on 220 degrees fan bake for about ten minutes, until they looked brown at the top and were cooked on the inside - you can test this by taking one out and cutting into it, but be careful as they are hot! 
• 
  
• We learned that if they looked a slightly doughy on the inside, after we let them sit the doughiness would subside. 

Wonder Novel Study Part Two ✨

Wonder Pages 41-80

1. Star Wars may be one of August's passions because the characters are seen as "freaks" or people that are not expected to do well, but do amazing things. I think he could also relate to Boba Fett because although the character has a deformed face, he can still do amazing things for the galaxy, and I think this is something August can learn from and aspire to be. 

2. Julian asked inappropriate questions including, "What's the deal with your face?", "Were you in a fire or something?" and, "Teachers came to your house?". I think Julian asked the questions because he was confused about August's abnormalities and he wasn't explaining them.

3. I agree with this precept because it a good motto to have in life. No matter how you feel, kindness always wins, and it will get you places rather than being unkind and mean. If you are mean to someone it could stop you from doing things in the future. 

4. I think August was getting frustrated because his Mum was being needy and nosy into what happened while walking home - she was asking too many questions he was reluctant to answer.

5. I don't think a lot of kids came to his party because they were scared or afraid to be around him. August said that no one wanted to touch him and being at a birthday party would go against that "rule". 

6. Aversion means to have a strong dislike against something. That means in August's case, he hates having his photo taken. This might be because he doesn't like the way his face looks and he doesn't want a photo as a reminder.

7. They don't want to touch August because they have a fear that he is "contagious" and they might catch a face-deformity like what August has.

8. My opinion on Jack changed because even if what he said was untrue, he is still willing to say it behind August's back to seem cool. He isn't that great of a guy if he is willing to do so.

9. I think August will go back to school, even if it's hard for him. I think he will have a hard time fitting in again and talking to Jack, and need someone to talk to.

Can Do Tasks

Find the meanings of the following words:

Contagious: Something able to be transmitted via contact with an object or person that has been contaminated. Examples: The flu can be spread if infected people touch objects or cough in the air, spreading germs.

Exception: Being excluded or separated, from something. Example: being kicked out of a group project.

Recital: A show representing dancing and performing. Examples: ballet recital, dance recital.

Aversion: Having a dislike or hate against a person or thing. Example: being scared of aeroplanes, or not liking your homophobic family member.

Mortality: Having the possibility of death. Immortal, which is the opposite, means death is not possible for the person. Example: Everyone is mortal because we all die one day.

The Artwork Of Reuben Paterson 🎨

The Work Of Reuben Paterson

Reuben Paterson is a 45-year old New Zealand painter whose mediums including diamond dust and glitter. He is known for is his pieces which include both art nouveau and kowhaiwhai inspired design.

This piece is called "Generations Stopped By The Bomb" from 2003. 

What are some ways they have composed their image well?

This piece is an open composition that can be recognised by its design features that escape the frame slightly. The artist has creatively used layering excellently as the patterns overlap one another. 

They have used shapes well as the piece includes both geometric and circular designs with sharp and curved edges. I don't think this is a traditional in terms of Kowhaiwhai design because it includes colours that are bright and bold which you wouldn't see in Maori culture.  However, in Art Noveau bright colours are often seen in the designs. It is because of this I think the artist has merged and incorporated both Art Nouveau and Kowhaiwhai designs well into this piece. 

What can you take from this work and apply to your own?

I think I can take the colour palette from not only this work but also lots of Reuben Paterson's art. He uses colour confidently to incorporate the colours of Art Nouveau to Maori designs. I can also take the use of shapes - a mixture of geometric triangles, swirls, and circles. I really like the layering in this design but I think the composition is too much of a bold choice. I would have enjoyed it more if it was a closed composition because the piece would be symmetrical. 

My Family Crest | Social Studies

This year in Social Studies we have been working on our identify unit. This would help us learn more about our culture, heritage, and family background. One of the tasks we had to complete was create an original family crest displaying information about our families and their background.

What is the learning outcome?

Create an original family crest representing the culture, background, and current status of our families.

What features did I include?

To represent my Scottish and New Zealand heritage I included the flags of both countries waving from the top of my crest. I also included the Scottish name of my grandmother - McLeod. My ancestors were part of the infamous Scotland clan, Clan McLeod, many decades ago. 

To represent the geographical background of my family I included the towns of where my family originated and where they are now: Stornaway in Scotland, and Christchurch in New Zealand.

To represent my family in the past I included the patch my grandfather wore while on the first Commonwealth Trans-Atlantic Antarctic expedition with Sir Edmund Hillary. He travelled there in the Winter of 1957 and got a medal from the Queen thanking him for his duties. My grandfather was a mechanic in the New Zealand Army. You can read more about the expedition here.

Finally, to represent my family now I included the logo of my Mum's business, Kreative Kiwi Embroidery. 

What learning process have you been using?

To make the task easier and original, I designed my crest by hand. I used a pencil for my first and second drafts, then used a 0.8 pigment liner on my final draft to make the lines pop. I then used coloured pencils to make the crest more interesting and create contrast. I think this was a much easier process as if I had used a digital program I would have had to rely on Google. By doing it by hand, I could create much more original designs than what Google Images has.

What evidence of this can you provide?

First of all I created a page on Google Slides of what I wanted to include in my design. I used Google Images to find everything.

Then I took to paper with a pencil and designed my very first draft of the family crest. 

Finally I took my time to create my final draft of my family crest. I ditched the Scottish lions for a more original design, coloured everything and traced the lines with a dark, 0.8 pigment liner. I also included the Scott Base Antarctic badge which my grandfather wore. 

What worked, what didn't, and what would you change?

What worked is how I was able to come up with and adjust ideas by designing drafts. I also like how I was able to include my Scottish and New Zealand heritage, and both my family's past and present. 

What didn't work was that it was super difficult to redraw the Scottish lions by hand, so I had to give up on drawing them. They also took up a lot of the crest, leaving not enough space for my design. 

What I would change is I would next time add more detail into my crest. Although I liked what information I included, I did not like the presentation of it. I would change the bright colours to bold ones with yellow tartan, much like the original Clan McLeod tartan. I think it looks too much like a cartoon and if I had pushed myself further, I could have created a much more detailed and extravagant design.