Science Fair

In Room 1 we are making science fair projects. In my group we are trying to figure out which metals can be copper plated. I enjoyed observing the metals while they were in the salt and vinegar solution.

I found it challenging to keep up and finish my work on time.

Matariki

Matariki
What is Matariki? Matariki is a small cluster of stars that appear in late June and July. Mata Riki means Tiny Eyes, and Mata Ariki means Eyes of God. The 9 stars are Matariki, Tupuārangi, Waipuna-ā-Rangi, Waitī, Tupuānuku, Ururangi, Waitā, Pōhutukawa and Hiwa-i-te-Rangi. This year (2019) Matariki starts in June 25th-3rd July. Māori follow the Māori lunar calendar, not the European calendar, so the dates for Matariki change every year. 

How do I find Matariki? If you find Orion’s belt, you will find Puanga. Look above the belt until you see a bright star. To the left of the pot, find the bright orange star, Taumata-kuku. Follow an imaginary line from Tautoru (the bottom three stars of the belt ), across to Taumata-kuku and keep going until you hit a cluster of stars.This cluster is Matariki. If you have good eyes you should be able to separate individual stars. If it looks fuzzy, look just above or just below and the stars will be clearer.

 Matariki is important because after the harvesting of traditional crops, such as kumara, pikopiko and karaka berries. That was when Maori would celebrate the harvest season. This celebration was at the same time as reappearance of Matariki. Matariki is celebrated  with a hangi, spending time with family and the haka. Cultural performances,


the sharing of myths and legends, astronomy workshops, hangi and feasts are all celebrated by communities. My family can celebrate by participating in hangi's.


I think we should have Matariki as a public holiday because it is a really celebrated and special time for Maori people. Also, it is part of our history and past. The last reason is because we celebrate the Queen’s birthday and Matariki is closer to NZ.

Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina

In Room 1 we have been learning about Saints. I wrote about Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. I enjoyed  learning about his amazing miracles. Next time I will try and complete this task quicker.

Saint Padre Pio was a Saint that was born in Pietrelcina, Italy. He was born was in  25th of May, 1887. His name was actually Francesco Forgione. After he became a priest,  he was known as Padre Pio. (Padre means Father in Italian and Spanish).

His parents were farmers. He had one older brother and three younger sisters. He also had two younger siblings that died when they were born. When he was just five years old, he made the decision that he would devote his life to God. Francesco could see guardian angels and spoke with Mary and God.

Saint Padre Pio had a lot of miracles in his life. Pio told a priest he would one day become a pope and that priest was Pope John Paul ll!! Sometimes he could cure people of their sickness. He offered his sufferings to other people so they could go to heaven. Padre Pio died on the  23rd, 1968. Pope John Paul ll canonized him on June 16, 2002.

Gummy worms

                           Gummy Worms

Have you ever wondered what makes a polymer? A polymer is lots of molecules that forms a long chain. Mix water and calcium chloride and that will be your activator solution. Then suck up some sodium alginate(from seaweed) with a pipette into your activator solution. The sodium alginate reacted to the calcium chloride and transformed into a gel-like substance.This is how you make a polymer.                   
  

Profile

My name is Catalina. I am from St Mary's School. I was born in Gisborne, New Zealand. My parents are Filipino. I live with my mum and dad and my brother and sister. I am in year 5 .

I am good at  handwriting  and writing. I like dancing. My challenges are to be more organised. For my writing I want to  be able to explain more specifically and use more technical language. My favourite food is Japanese food.

This year I want to make more friends and learn new  things. I look to more art because I love to draw and paint. I would love to learn new art techniques this year.  This year I am looking forward to the Dance Competitions.