Learning about body image in health

In our year 10 health option class, we were given the task to create a poster promoting positive body image. Body image is how you think and feel about your body, it can either be negative or positive. Other terms we’ve learned about were body positivity, body negativity, and body neutrality. 

Body image is very important because feeling negative about yourself can really affect your self-esteem and change the way you act in unhelpful ways. Whereas, if you challenge yourself to uplift and accept the body you have despite the changes in size and shape, it can be very powerful for your wellbeing. Enjoying the body you have and not beating yourself up from the changes happening in your body is important especially when you're young. This is because our body is constantly changing and growing. 

During the last few weeks, I was able to create a few slides based on influencers who use their platform to promote positive body image. For example, Harnaam Kaur is a motivational speaker who has grown to embrace her unusual appearance as a bearded lady but celebrates her difference most uniquely and beautifully. She helps others cope and deals with body shaming and bullying. Devon Taverner-Hailou is also another influencer who uses her disability to change society’s perspective of disabled people. Devon has a rare condition called Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD) that causes her to have no thigh bone in her left leg and does not have all the bones in her left hip as well, which makes her left leg smaller than her right leg. She is also profoundly deaf so she has to wear hearing aids. Her goal is to give disabled people a chance to be heard and bring awareness to them all to display them in the most positive way. Elisabeth Van Aalderen is a professional photographer who developed a skin condition called Vitiligo. She uses her platform by creating a series called “shades of pale” to celebrate each individual of women with vitiligo to celebrate how stunning their skin looks.

Canva

Scratch

Throughout the few weeks of digital, we were able to do some coding using scratch. I was fortunate enough to finish this part of coding and was able to use the right blocks to create a game. For each level, we had to screenshot every part of the coding we did to show proof that we understand the steps given to us. Throughout the first few steps, It was difficult because it was my first time using scratch but then as I started to understand the instructions given to me I was able to understand the coding a bit more. Some of the blocks I used were used repeatedly and easy to use. I was also able to experience some difficulties throughout the coding but once I understood what was going wrong with my coding I was able to fix it and make the game work. At the end of the coding, I was able to learn some things from scratch. I was able to understand how the technology works so that I am prepared for the future. As well as solving problems and getting a better understanding of how computers and devices work.


Right arrow to move forward
Left arrow to move back
Space keyboard to jump

Maze Game and Flappy Bird Codes

Throughout the double period, we were able to do a bit of coding. I was fortunate enough to complete both the coding within the two periods. For each level, we had to screenshot each step and insert them into our presentation. After completing some of the levels I started to get the hang of it, but then it began to get a bit more difficult and added more blocks the higher the level was. Some of the directions I was able to use constantly throughout the beginning were the 'move forward' block, then as the level started to get a bit difficult I began to use the 'repeat block' more often as the levels went by. The 'repeat block' enabled me to limit the blocks I use for one code. It was a lot easier to use certain blocks. Lastly, some of the things I learned from that coding game was that it gave me a better understanding of computers and being able to solve problems.
I was also able to complete the Flappy Bird game as well as the Maze Game. This coding was a bit easier than the previous coding. Some of the blocks I constantly used throughout the coding was the 'flap' block. Some of the blocks enabled me to complete the level and carry on with the next few levels. One of the things I have learned throughout the game was that I was able to learn the basics of coding and develop on how the technology works. At the end of the level, we were able to create our own rules and ways of how we would want to play the game.

Samoan Language Week

Happy Samoan Language Week!! The theme for this years language week is, 'Lalaga le si'osi omaga mo se lumana'i manuia'. Although I am not Samoan, and don't understand the language, I think it is important to hold onto our language because of our ancestors. Not only for our ancestors but we are able to share it to the next generations. Languages is important in every aspect, of our lives because it allows people to communicate to others in our own languages. It also helps us to understand the reason towards your culture, and the importance of your language. Some things that can help us maintain the language in New Zealand, is to pick up words from people who speak fluent Samoan. We could also learn Samoan, by going to classes. You can also participate in the events or fundraising something, by that you could dance in your own culture. Going to church with your grandparents, can help you because they speak fluent. 

Cells

In Science we have been learning about the living world, Animal and Plant cells. The things that are in the animals cells are, Nucleus, Cell membrane, mitochondria, cytoplasm, vacuole and nuclear membrane. The only things that is different from each cell is that the plant cell requires more things such as, cell wall, chloroplast and large vacuole. We then had to draw a animal cell and plant cell, we then had to label them in the correct order.  We then had to describe the different types of parts and function of a cell. 

We then used a microscope and put it through a leaf to see what it would look like.  We took some photos, and it was really interesting to see the leaf close up. We used three different types of leaf, that my teacher grabbed from outside my classroom. We put the microscope at the back of our phones, then placed the phone on the different types of leaves to see the difference between the three leafs that we took. 

What is a community?

We were given the task to talk about what a community is and what it means, from our perspective. Personally for me I think community is a place where you live. Having neighbours who live in the same area as you.  There are many characteristics that have in common. Some things my community have in common with other community, is that young teenagers who are under eighteen use things that are unhealthy for their body. Such as smoking, alcohol and using all the bad things that they should be doing under the age of eighteen.  Besides from all the negative things young kids use, here are some positive things about our community. We help people who are in need, and who are struggling. We worry about other people who are in need, that is one thing that our community provides. 

Science summary of term 1

In Science we have been learning about the layers of earth.  One thing I have learnt about the layers of earth is that there is four layers of earth which are called, Crust, Mantle, Outer Core and Inner Core. Crust is the outer layer of the earth, which is where we live. The mantle is the thickest layer, it is 2,900 km thick. Outer core is made out of Iron and Nickel but mostly made out of Iron. Inner core is the hottest and most deepest parts of the earth.


We have also been learning about the continental drift and plate tectonics. One of the biggest continent is Pangea. The plate tectonic is divided into several plates, which sits above the layers of earth. There are three types of plate tectonic boundary which are, Convergent, Divergent and Transform. They are the three main plate boundary. Convergent is when the two plates can come towards one another. Divergent is when two plates move away from each other and form a new crust, forming the magma between the two plates. Transform is the movement that moves sideways. 

That are some things my class and I have learnt. It was really fun to learn about the layers of earth, and how deep and how thick they are. Also learning about the plate tectonics, and what the three main plate boundary. I can't wait to see what else has in stored for me in science