Mural Planning

This week in art we have been working in groups of four or five to come up with thumbnail sketches we can use to make a mural representing 'whanaungatanga', which somewhat translates to family and togetherness. We also assigned each other positions within our group; colour coordinator, chief painter, director, story supervisor and assistant. 

This is a draft of the ideas we have for our mural so far

Cave Paintings

In Social Studies, we have been looking at technology used and created in the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages - also known as the Stone Age. As a part of this topic, we have also been looking at the artwork they made on the walls of caves.

My drawing includes a guitar, piano keys, a big music note and a bunch of smaller music notes. Music is a huge part of my life, and playing instruments and listening to music is probably the thing I love to do the most. It also has five tiny stick figures (my family).

Although the subjects of the drawing themselves don't entirely fit in with traditional cave drawing,  the colour palette and technique used to paint them does.

Past Problems

Yesterday in maths we worked on a problem where we had to find the growing pattern rule and describe what the pattern looked like. My group quickly found a formula - 8n + 4

As the position goes up by one, eight leaves are added. We had to keep in mind there were an additional four leaves in the middle. Therefore, 8 times the position number plus four gave us the right answer. 

Position 1 = 12 leaves

Position 2 = 20 leaves

Position 3 = 28 leaves

Position 76 = 6 12 leaves

We came up with two different ways of visualising this - 

Are Teenagers Addicted to their Phones?

In social studies, we were given the task to write a paragraph explaining our opinion on mobile devices, and whether we thought the majority of students are addicted to their phones or not. This is the final draft of the paragraph I wrote.

Although it is true that some students/teenagers are addicted to their phones, the same can not be said for all. It really depends on both the person using their phone and each individual's definition of 'addicted'. Unfortunately, for those who are addicted to their devices it can negatively effect their physical and mental health. Things such as eyesight and - if they frequently use headphones/earphones at a high volume - hearing can be permanently damaged. In spite of this, the benefits of using a mobile device outweigh the negatives, provided it is used responsibly.

The Hunger Games - Camera Angles, Movement and Shots

What am I learning?
I am learning to identify camera angles, shots and movements in a film and explain why the director used them, along with how they affect the audience.

How does this work show my learning?
I've explained three different scenes in the movie where camera angles, movement and shots are used effectively, along with what they were, why the director used them and how they affected the audience

What am I wondering?
What other camera angles, movements and shots are used in films? What purposes do they serve?

Painting Techniques

This week in art, we are learning how to implement four painting techniques into our artwork; mono-printing, texture, glazing and blending. We started with just doing these techniques by themselves, then moved on to recreating small sections of paintings by popular artists using said techniques.

Changes in Technology

Technology - Something which is made and used to make people's lives easier.

This slideshow shows photos showing how certain technology has advanced throughout the years to make our lives easier. For example, transportation, communication and navigating.

Themes in 'The Hunger Games'

Hope & Rebellion
'Wanna see what I got you today? It's a mockingjay pin. As long as you have it, nothing bad will happen to you. I promise.' - Katniss Everdeen
The mockingjay pin that is gifted to Katniss is a symbol of hope throughout the film. Katniss gives it to Prim the morning of the Reaping with the promise that it will keep her safe, and Primrose gifts it back to Katniss when she volunteers that same afternoon in order to protect her. Giving each other the mockingjay pin is a way of giving each other hope.

'I told her that I'd try to win. That I'd try to win for her.' - Katniss Everdeen
'And try you shall.' - Caesar Flickerman

'Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.' - President Snow
This is a quote from the conversation had between President Snow and Seneca after Seneca gives Katniss an 11 for her 'tribute evaluation', which President Snow doesn't approve of. Already he could see Katniss was a threat to him and his position.

'How will they change you?' - Katniss Everdeen
'I don't know. Turn me into something I'm not. I just don't wanna be another piece in their game.' - Peeta Mellark


'They have to have their victor.' - Peeta Mellark
'No they don't. Why should they?' - Katniss Everdeen
Not a moment later, Katniss and Peeta make a suicide pact in a final act of rebellion in spite of President Snow and the Capitol. These two quotes portray the theme of hope and rebellion perfectly. Katniss and Peeta would rather die than let Snow get exactly what he wants.

'Give them something to root for' - Hamish
'Like what?' - Seneca
'Young love' - Hamish

Struggle for Power
'Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.' - President Snow
This quote not only portrays the theme of hope and rebellion, but also a struggle for power. It is at this point in the movie that Snow begins to realise Katniss is more of a threat than he originally thought. This shows they are struggling to contain her.

'They have to have their victor.' - Peeta Mellark
'No they don't. Why should they?' - Katniss Everdeen
Once again, this quote refers to two themes. By making this pact, Peeta and Katniss are refusing to let President Snow control what they do and have power over them.

'I just keep wishing I could think of a way to show them that they don't own me. If I'm gonna die, I want to still be me.' - Peeta Mellark
Foreshadowing future events, this quote proves that Peeta - and the other tributes - feel like they are owned by President Snow, and that he has overall power over not just them, but all of Panem.

Rich vs Poor
'Oh yeah. Almost forgot' - Gale
'Oh my god! Is this real?' - Katniss
'Better be. It cost me a squirrel.' - Gale
Apart from the drastic difference in settings, costume, colour and other film aspects, dialogue is another thing which can be used to understand the theme of rich vs poor. These quotes were in reference to a small piece of bread. District 12 is in such a state of poverty, that simple things such as bread are luxuries.

'What was that?' - Katniss
'I just said I think we may need to hose you down again before we take you to Cinna.' - Posh stuck up beauty guru dude (Idk his name).
These people in the Capitol, upon only knowing Katniss for an hour at most have immediately judged her on her socioeconomic status, basically saying due to the fact they have access to money, resources and pretty much everything else imaginable, someone as impoverished as her isn't worthy of being seen by a wealthy man like Cinna.

Symbols in 'The Hunger Games'

What am I learning?

I am learning how to identify and understand symbolism in a film, and how to explain what symbols mean.

How does this work show my learning?

I have identified symbols that are used throughout 'The Hunger Games' and explained what they mean, along with whereabouts in the film you can find them.

What am I wondering?

What other symbols are there in the Hunger Games, and in the other movies in this series.

The Hunger Games Workshop 5 -

Adverb Sentence:
Surprisingly, the students were already doing their work when the teacher entered the classroom.

W-Start Sentence:
When the bell rang, the class had already been packed up.

-ing Start Sentence:
Wanting to sleep, I left early and went home.

-ed Start Sentence:
Worried I wouldn't get there in time, I took a shortcut.

Red, White, and Blue Sentence:
It was a cold, wet and miserable day.
The colour palette used for the architecture in the Capitol was metallic, and consisted of shades of grey, white, and silver.

In District 12, the clothing worn by the people is overworn, bland and simple, the juxtaposition of this being the vibrant and modern clothing of those in the Capitol.

Notes -
Largest part of essays should be the explaining.
Statement
Evidence from the film
Eplanation of the effects of aspects in relation to the question
Explanation of director's purpose
Explanation of how aspects are combined in relation to the question
Link

In the Capitol, colour is used effectively by the director throughout the film to engage the audience in the theme of rich vs poor, which can be juxtaposed to the colour palettes used in District 12.

In the Capitol, costume is a film aspect which is used effectively by the director to engage to audience in the theme of rich vs poor, their clothing being vibrant, modern and over the top, whereas in contrast the clothing worn by those in District 12 is overworn, bland, and simple.

The Hunger Games - Character Challenge Chart

What am I learning?

I am learning to understand how the characters of a story are developed.

How does this work show my learning?

I have explained challenges that these five characters have faced, and explained what the way they've reacted says about them as people.

What am I wondering?

I'm wondering if while writing the script and developing the characters for this film if any of these characters were drastically changed.