Oceania+Triad+Project

The Celebration

//Quite possibly the happiest hour of my teaching career happened today because of you! I could not be more impressed with the time, quality, enthusiasm and fun you folks all put into this. Fan-diddly-tastic!//

//Mr. Whipple took some excellent video of the morning. Check it out. There are photos below.//

...//Monday we take a class to show our projects to __each other__, then we move on.//

media type="file" key="Haka.mov" width="300" height="300"media type="file" key="Oceania Projects.mov" width="300" height="300"















20 May

Ok, kids…we’re into the home stretch for Oceania 2008. While the folks were in Ottawa, we got a lot of the final prep taken care of. Now it’s up to you to get your parts ready:

· Sam and Brydone: music must be prepared and practiced, and a quickie piece of info should be written to share w/ the audience. · Brittany and Jessica: please have your fashion show prepped and ready to practice this week. You may also want to write a quick bit of explanation about your piece – even a narration for the show itself (maybe you’ve done this). · Anybody with a volcano, rainforest, island,…anything that really needs to be ‘set up’ should make sure that they can do that quickly. · Sports and video projects … please have any laptops or displays set up as best you can ahead of time. We should be able to check out the space early, just to see. · If you are making food, please have arrangements set up with MJ as soon as possible. ·
 * Please have a black t-shirt or muscle shirt to wear for Friday!!!**

If you HAVE NOT DONE A PROJECT or will not be done in time, please let me know. I will need to have my conniption early so I can get it out of the way

It comes down to this: NOBODY should be doing final touches on their project any later than Wednesday. If you are making plans for something to show up here on Friday, get it here on Wednesday or Thursday (unless it’s alive and / or perishable).

The week at a glance:

Tuesday: Last day for project prep. Continue setting up celebration, practice haka, paint volcano, work on moai, invites go out to parents.

Wednesday: Projects due, volcano and moai continue, last touches on getting your work set up and practiced for celebration, invites should have responses by now.

Thursday: Homeroom rehearsal getting projects in place (if possible), grass skirts handed out, practice, rehearse ‘The Entrance’ and haka, tables down to cafeteria (Scott Bl, etc).

Friday: 1st period – set up projects in cafeteria, MJ to organize food and deal with Mark G, rehearse if time, didgeridoo ensemble and Sam G in place out front.

10:00 am: doors open

10:10 am: Conch shell blows, Mark starts the party, everybody remembers what to do.

Haka, music, fashion show, moai in theatre, all parents and guests are wildly impressed with what you’ve done, then return to cafeteria to see projects.

By 11:45 all tables, etc are returned to their proper spots and projects are returned to classrooms.

NEXT MONDAY – We will be holding a classroom version of your celebration. This is where you can present your projects to the class and I can give them the incredible mark that they deserve.

I want to take the moment to thank all of my students for the incredible amount of hard work and maturity that they have shown throughout this project. It’s grown to be a success because of YOU! Way to go**!!!**

Ok, so the Ottawa kids are gone and you need something to do during your time with me.
 * 16 May**

1st: Work on your Oceania project. 2nd: Complete your work for another class. I might even be able to help! 3rd: See me for an Oceania-related job to do for the celebration. If I am not around, you might be able to get a suggestion from MJ. 4th: Try one of the logic puzzles listed below:


 * [|Russian puzzle] -- online
 * [|A variety of online thinking games]...based on your strengths.


 * UPDATE!!!**
 * Everybody please go through the following document.** We will be collecting in the theatre around 2:25 for a run through of the opening portion of our celebration. You will all have to remember the Maori words on the script. The sooner we collect in the theatre, the quicker and smoother things will go.



Keep in mind that this is a basic script for Mark G, and does not have yuor names attached. It will all begin w/ MJ blasting on a conch shell. That will cue Mark to start.

Your tryouts for didgeridoo ensemble will be held at noon on MONDAY!!! To do this, I would like you to form groups of three and see if you can create a **continuous** sound together. I think I will be setting you up in these groups when it comes time for the celebration.

So, we're about halfway through the project part of this unit...15 days to the final celebration. Those going to Ottawa have less than that.
 * 8 May**

A marking sheet is in the works, but I wanted to give you a 'rough' copy of it, so you can apply it to your own work:


 * Educational Application** (we learned from your project)
 * Visual Presentation** (your project was clean and impressive in presentation)
 * Innovation** (your project really used your strengths in a way that made it very original and impressive)
 * Self-Impression** (are you proud of your work?)

Look for each of these to marked on a 1-10 scale, then blown up to a much larger mark to represent all the work you've done. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.


 * Updated at 9:30...**Any 'performance' pieces (Brittany and Trisha's fashion show; Sam and Brydone's music, etc) will need to be prepped asap so we can plan to put them into our celebration.

I'm home today, but I'll be checking mail frequently. Send me any problems you have.

Get back to work...we need to practice the haka today, as well.

Same drill as yesterday, with two exceptions:
 * 7 May**
 * MUCH less volume...you may talk, but please keep the voices low.
 * We will be practicing the haka and didgeridoos at the end of class.


 * 6 May**

NO INTRO TALK TODAY...please read the following announcements.

So I'll assume that today you all have materials to work with and a plan to follow. PLEASE REMEMBER that your projects must be visual, __educational__ and represent your strengths and interests.

The (somewhat) firm date for our celebration is the 23rd of May. I hope this sticks.

I will be coming around today to double check on your progress. Please have something to show me. Projects that are going well and need a bit more space might be allowed to re-locate to the cafeteria.

Oceania tests are being marked and will be returned shortly.

There is a possibility that we will be practicing the haka **as a team** this afternoon. This will be for those who are interested in performing at the celebration.

Tryouts for the didgeridoo group will be held this week. This will be judged by Monica G and Lauren H.

More of the same today for Oceania. While you are working today, I will be verifying your 'Expert' sheets and making sure you are on track. If there are some of you that wish to work in the library (some research can be done in [|books]!), please let me know.
 * 30 April**

I would also like to take a few minutes to discuss our celebration. I have some ideas, but I want to discuss them with you. **I'm really interested in having some performances** to accompany our haka, etc. Let me know if your project will fit this idea.

How do you think we should decorate the environment for our celebration? How would we get / make a big Moai?

At the end of class, I think it would be a good idea for us to practice the haka.

Today will be straightforward work time. I'm going to try and clear some workspace around the room for you. If you use the time __wisely__, you will get more.
 * 29 April**

Target due date: TBA

Today you begin your projects. Remember, if you bring your things to class and work well, you will have class time to work. Good deal.
 * 28 April**

Please have your 'Expert' sheet with you for me to check.

Once work gets going, we'll watch some of the Discovery Network's show on Australia. Thanks to Adam M for bringing this in.

With 15 minute or so left, we'll practice your didg and do the haka.

Today will be a day to wrap up much of the 'Stage 1' activities. I had hoped to have time to cover places like Fiji, Tonga, etc but it did not work out. These places are still available to you for your projects. I will be showing a series of brief information videos on these today. You should have something to jot down a note or two if you like.
 * 24 April**

I would really like you to take a look at the notebook assignment below. If you feel that your note taking has been poor, now is the time to get caught up.


 * Please do NOT allow others to copy and paste your notes. Also, do not email them or anything like that.** If a classmate is going to steal your notes, at least make them copy them down.



If there is any additional time, we can address test issues or questions about your project.

Ok, well...today probably won't be as exciting as yesterday, but it's time to get down to business. The end is in sight.
 * 23 April**

We'll start by brainstorming possible ideas for your project...what are your strengths? In what ways are you 'intelligent'? How will you go about this? I will have a specific assignment sheet for you soon once we're done discussing, but here are a fvew guidelines:

· Educational value. Something MUST be taught to others who see your project. · Visual. There must be something to ‘present’ to other students, teachers, family, etc. · Evidence of research. DO NOT just repeat what I showed you. · Originality and personal contact. Try for something a little different than the things we see in normal school assignments.

[|Here] is an online quiz that we can do to help you focus on your strengths.

Afterwards, we'll watch the video about Oceania physical features. TAKE NOTES!!! It's on the test. If you wish to download the video onto your own computer, go [|here].

username: chadball1973 password: boomerang

//Search for 'Geography of the world: Australia, New Zealand'.//

If you feel that your notes are complete, and you don't feel you need to review the video, please check through the test. When you have finished that, review the notebook assignment. Both are below. You may also try the Multiple intelligence quiz above.


 * 22 April**

Wow! What a great team! media type="file" key="MOV01357.MPG" width="300" height="300"

Quest will be held on FRIDAY!!!

Hey! What a great job on your didgeridoo mouthpieces! Good work...lots of [|co-operation].

So, today we'll split the class in two sections. First, we'll spend some time decorating and finalizing your didgeridoos. This should really be the last bit of class time for this. I want to assign a participation mark for this, so let's make them __due__ on Thursday...decorated, the whole deal, ok? Great! If your didg is done, you may practice.


 * If you have NOTHING to decorate your didg, you MUST be doing one of the following:**


 * OR**



During the second part of the class, we will be discussing your final products for our Oceania unit. I will soon be providing you with an outline that will have (somewhat) specific requirements but for the most part, the sky's the limit. I really only have one strong 'suggestion'.

Make this the best project you have ever done!!!

Use your strengths! Use wikipedia, use books, the internet, video...anything you want to use to get ideas for topics. What is your FAVOURITE thing in the world? Is there any way that you could connect that subject to Oceania?

//Example: I like music. I like learning instruments. I like computers...**I could build an instrument from Fiji and learn to play it. Then maybe make a recording using Audacity (it's on your laptops).**//

//Make sense?//

//If you look at the screen right now, you will notice a timer. That's the remaining time you have to decorate your didg. Afterwards, we're brainstorming. Stop reading now. Get to work...//

//**21 April**// //Today we __should__// //be making the mouthpieces to your didgeridoos. With that in mind, I absolutely need you to follow these guidelines://
 * //you MUST wait patiently for your turn to get the wax. Do not crowd the table, as there will a hot iron and I cannot afford you getting hurt. It would just throw everything off.//
 * //While you are waiting, you must do something productive. I suggest either decorating your didg, working on your notes, or preparing for this week's test. See below for your early copy of the test or details on your notebook assignment.//
 * //This will be the tough one. **You absolutely must not play your didg while we are working on them today.** I realize that this will be difficult, but it needs to happen this way in order for me to get instruction across to everybody. If we all finish in time, we will work on the playing together. If you ignore this rule, you will be separated from your didgeridoo.//

//**16 April**// //The notes you've been taking are worth something. Click on the document to find out more.//

//Here are the answers for your NZ webquest...Thanks Craig A!//

//Today we will be marking your NZ webquest together. Please have it out so I can check that it is done. This will have a participation value of 10.//

//We will begin decorating our didgeridoos tomorrow. Please bring any resources you need for this. Pens, sharpies, paint, beads...anything goes, but it is up to you to bring it. [|This link] should bring you to a google images page with some Maori design.//

//You will be having a quest on Oceania next week...here it is://

//**15 April**// //Today we will begin by watching a video on Australia, NZ, and the Pacific Islands. This video deals with the physical features of Oceania and how they affect its residents.//

//Afterwards, we will brainstorm any facts we have learned. I hope you are keeping your notes together.//

//For today you were to have finished your NZ webquest. We'll mark that together. You will need this info for your upcoming quiz/test.//

//If there is time, we will need to finalize the haka. The end is near.//

//**Speaking of the END...**It's time to get your brains going! What do think you could do for your final product?//

//[|Didgeridoo website]//

//**HOMEWORK...Study the phonetic words to the haka...it's time to get this right!**//

Kar Matay Kar Matay Kiora KiOra Kar Matay Kar Matay Kiora KiOra Tenny ti tengata Pu-HU-ru Pu-Hu ro Naaa-ah nay tiki …Mywakawhiti-tay RAAH …upanay. KAAH upanay a-upanay kupanay witi-tay rah HUH!
 * //Phonetic Spelling//**

//**10 April**// //8E --// //In your notes, open your KWL chart and make a title for __Australia.__//

//Under KNOW, write anything that you know about Oceania's **physical features.** How do you think physical features influence where people settle? What types of things would they do for a living or for fun? How would this influence their culture? Why would people be more likely to settle near water than near an arid part of the world? How would extreme physical features affect the climate of a region?//

//Anything that you DO NOT know, please put under the WANT TO KNOW section.//

//While you are waiting, please put the following definition of Australia, NZ, and the Pacific Islands in your notes.//

//**9 April**// //Hokaaay...I promised the Haka. Today you get the haka. We're going to divide the class into two sections, depending on your homeroom.// //1. 8E: Maori Legends and Myths; 8F: Rongorongo begins; 8G: complete rongorongo; 8H: complete rongorongo.// //2. Haka...but before the dance, the questions. Click on the haka link below and find the history of the haka.://
 * Is the Haka only for men? Explain your answer.
 * Explain the story of 'ka mate'. Summarize this into your own words. This will be the haka that we do.

[|Haka resource] //**--** Click on 'History'//

[|Check this out!!!]

Today we'll be having our trio of presentations in the theatre. As you know with technology...we'll need to be patient. Should be great!
 * 8 April**

Mrs. Mirtschin's Website

__**8F-H**__ ...then, assuming we got back up for period 3-6, we will be concluding our Easter Island portion of the Oceania triad with an examination of their native tongue, [|Rongorongo]. //Please begin by reading through the first section of this article from wikipedia. You should note that this language was essentially dead before any European explorer 'discovered' Rapa nui. Nobody can read it. Nobody can speak it. Archaeologists can only speculate what the symbols mean.//

//Let's be archaeologists...//


 * //COMING UP...Maori legends, drama, and the [|HAKA!]...for those that want a quick preview, I think [|this] is the version we will work on. There are a few variations, but I need to do a bit more study before I can say exactly what the final product should look like.//**

//**__8E__**// //**The oral history of the Maori Creation...**//

//Please begin by reading this short [|article]. You may need to click on 'Introduction'.//

//When this is finished, you may open the document below. This activity will have you working in groups of 6-8. It will be presented in the theatre.//



[|Legend #1 -- Creation] [|Legend #2 -- Revenge of Tahirimatea] [|Legend #3 -- Revenge of Tuatamuenga] [|Legend #4 -- Turning of Papatuanuku] [|Legend #5 -- The first Human] [|Legend #6 -- The Quest for Knowledge] [|Legend #7 -- The Guardian of Death]

//**A quick Easter Island laugh...**//

media type="youtube" key="BrRaaW8iMAc&hl=en" height="355" width="425"

//**3 April**//

//[|Move the Moai]//



//[|resource site #1]// //[|resource site #2]//

//8E: Complete Rongorongo assignment and hand in. After this, you have a choice of two activities://
 * Go to the Easter Island Webquest below.
 * Create a snow-ai group of 6-8 people and begin to design your ideal moai sculpture. Take a look online for pictures. Brainstorm ways that you could approach this task.

[|NZ Survival Game]

8F,G,H: Complete your teaching assignment. We will begin presenting these tomorrow. If you have completed this, please create a snow-ai group of 6-8 people and begin to design your ideal moai sculpture. Take a look online for pictures. Brainstorm ways that you could approach this task.


 * If we get all this done, there is a brief video I would like to show you about the Easter Island Massacre.**

Hi folks ... I'm just going to use this space to give you any updates, etc for our project. If there's something new throughout the day, I'll let your HR teacher know and you can check it out.
 * 2 April --**

So far, we're still on for tomorrow's Moai snow sculpture activity. I've been reading your postings on the Facebook page. I'm glad you all seem pretty excited. Even the couple that think it might not work at least seem interested. If you can bring __anything__ help your group build your moai, it would be great. I will let you create your own groups of about 6-8 people. This should make the job fairly easy. Let's do the best we can with this! It'll be fun no matter what comes of it.

I will be checking our Facebook page throughout the day to see if there are any questions or problems.

8E -- make sure to decorate your Rongorongo the best you can...make it really represent YOU! Then you can go ahead and work on the webquest below.

8F-H -- You have your work cut out for you. Think of the most effective way you have ever been taught. Remember that we all learn in a variety of ways. Make your teaching matter!

Have a great day. [|**Easter Island Webquest**]


 * UPDATED 1 April ...** Check out the resources section below for a great Easter Island Website that will help answer your group-teaching questions.


 * A reading for 1 April** ... Check out [|Rongorongo].

[|Name Generator]//...make sure you click on Polynesian Island names, and have a minimum of 8 letters. You'll see what I mean. Use this for your Rongorongo.//

media type="file" key="Easter island.mov" width="300" height="300"

media type="youtube" key="7v-YXkkabm8&rel=1" height="355" width="425"
 * //Easter Island//**

//**__Easter Island__**//

//NEW [|website] ... very easy and helpful read.//

//[|**Easter Island in 3-D**] **__--__** this is a great site for viewing, but you might need to make those 3D glasses, or risk going cross-eyed.//

//[|**Good Easter Island Site**]//

//[|**Easter Island Home page**]//



//[|**The legend of Easter Island**]//

//[|The 'official' history of Easter Island]//

//[|A great resource about the Moai of Easter Island]//

//[|The story of Tangata Manu -- The Contest of the Bird Man]//
 * //We will begin by reviewing any facts we discovered about Easter Island. Anything you find valuable should go into the **LEARNED** section of your KWL document.//
 * //Review the video about the Moai, and see another quick video about Easter Island.//
 * //Discuss the main theories on the destruction of the inhabitants of Easter Island.//
 * //ecological destruction//
 * //civil unrest (long ears vs. short ears)//

[|Wikipedia article]

[|Photos]


 * //'In Search Of...' video based on the idea that a massacre ended the Easter Island civilization.//**

Part 1 media type="youtube" key="yRdB0xWqw90&hl=en" height="355" width="425"

Part 2 media type="youtube" key="1BvqczdyUgQ&hl=en" height="355" width="425"

Part 3 media type="youtube" key="XAIgj-WBab4&hl=en" height="355" width="425"

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 * //Tourist video of various locations//**


 * //This is a somewhat controversial [|video] from Rapanui (Easter Island)...it is based on the premise that their governing country of Chile is not supporting them enough for their survival.//**

media type="youtube" key="c-lrE2JcO44&rel=1" height="355" width="425"
 * //[|The traditional Maori Haka]//**

media type="youtube" key="rulZOE8bDa8&rel=1" height="355" width="425" media type="youtube" key="FAmwpa52jxo&rel=1" height="355" width="425"
 * //The same type of dance, done by the NZ All Blacks Rugby team...can you imagine playing these guys?//**
 * //A tourist video of Sidney, Australia//**

media type="youtube" key="gszPHfHAy9k&rel=1" height="355" width="425"
 * //The Australian Outback//**