Manukura Writing Challenge

 

For this challenge we had to use a genorator that gaves us three words to use in our story. My words were Hockey, Firemen & Artists

Hockey—rough, painful, and violent—is the sport that I am playing over the winter. I'm the smallest person on my team, and it's amazing that I am the fastest player on my team and can outrun anyone on skates. That's why I'm our go-to left winger. When I get my chance to speed down the side of the rink, I take it. I have been playing ice hockey my whole life. My dad also grew up playing it and taught me everything he knew—all the skills, plays, tricks, and cheats. One day during my 5th season playing for the local hockey team, I was knocked out. I was kept in the hospital for a week to make sure my brain could recover properly. After I was out, I got straight back into it and started my goal streaks again. On November 11th, 2010, I was walking home after training. I was walking through town past the street performers and artists when I stopped off at my favorite cafe. Sitting there, waiting, my coffee finally arrives as a fire truck siren wailing goes flying past and speeds off down the street. I step outside and notice the buoyant smoke in the clear blue sky. Curiously, I followed the firemen as they rushed towards a house that was in a blaze. When I finally realized the way I was walking, I froze. My bag dropped with the rattle of a hockey stick. I ran. My mind was racing, and my body was not caring how much it hurt to run so fast. As I got to the gate of the house, I shrank. My house in front of my very eyes was being turned to ash. Then it all went blank. The boiler room of Jack's house had exploded, killing not only him but also 20 of the brave firemen attending the house. Jack had been taken to the hospital, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. November 11th, 2010 was the day that the entire Harlow family was killed in a raging fire. To this day, no one knows how the fire started. They will be missed but never forgotten; this is One News and Goodnight.

Reflective Writing

Reflective writing about our Manukura class and how it's going so far

• What was the purpose of this change in structure, and why did it interest you?

The purpose of Manukura Class is to make learning fun instead of sitting in a classroom full of noise that lacks productivity. It helps the many of us that find school too boring and that don't try in our core classes as much as we could, and it puts our capable minds to work by getting our mahi done in a better learning environment. The main reason that the class interested me was that I struggled with the work our teachers were giving us, and I couldn't keep up with the major distractions (students) in the class.

• What you, as part of the Manukura class, are being asked to do

Currently, I have been learning about leadership by making slideshows about myself and an inspiring leader that I look up to, for which I chose Caleb Smith, Otaki College Head Boy. But also the obvious things, like staying on task and getting my work done. One main thing has been to do my work to the best of my abilities, not just get by with crappy work.

• How well do you think you are keeping up with work in comparison to beforehand?

Right now, I feel like this is probably the most focused I have ever been on my work. Because the work that we are achieving is in my interest, I have better ideas for input into my work. Even when I'm not in manukura class and I'm in math, I transfer the need to get work done from manukura and use it to get my math work done.

• Comparison of how you feel about coming to school each day compared to beforehand

After joining Manukura Class, it became a lot easier to show up to school and know that you wouldn't have to sit through a long, boring period of English or science (sorry, Ms. Frost and Ms. Torley). And to sit down in a class of people that you know and trust always helps, especially when we are all doing the same work.

• Pros and cons of this kind of blended learning compared to 'traditional'

Pros:

Less interruptions

More interesting work

Staying in one place and not moving around every hour

Everyone is respectful.

Cons:

People can be too relaxed.

Sam can't always be with us.

It can be easy to be off-task.

Not many others will listen to the person in charge if they are not teachers.

• How do you feel you have been working when left to take charge of your own learning?

When left on my own, I have found that I struggle more to keep on task. It is also harder when I don't have Sam to help when I have questions. Other than that, I think it is good to be able to think while being by yourself, and it helps to avoid distractions.

 

• If you could improve or change the course in any way that helped support your learning, what would you do?

Personally, I would probably add more skill learning to it, like learning to write essays or how to vote. It would be nicer to still be learning the skills that we need for other classes and developing them into our manukura work.