How Do Bills Become Laws?

For the last week in social studies we have been learning about parliament and we've also learnt seven key concepts that are relevant to laws and law making. The seven key concepts we've learnt are lobby,petition,bill,reading,select committee,submission and act. These words have a few meanings but the definition that is relevant to the topic we have been studying are the ones that have to do with politics,laws and other things to do with the parliament. And just in case you were confused as to which meanings are linked with these words here are the definitions we were taught and have been memorising.

• Lobby - When you try to convince or persuade someone into agreeing with what you want to change in your community.
• Petition - a document signed by members of parliament that shows that they all agree to changing something for the better of the country.
• Bill - a draft law.
• Reading - a debate held to make sure that they are making the right decision by making that certain law official.
• Select committee - when a member from each political parties gathers together for an important purpose whether it's debating about a law or discussing issues that are very important.
• Submission - When you present your ideas and opinions to the committee and you can present it to them by writing it on paper or presenting it to them in person.
• Act - When a bill is proposed to become an official law or it is when they choose to make a new law which changes an existing law.

I enjoyed learning about parliament and how laws are made and I've learnt that the government are not so bad after all because after I've learnt about how parliament works and how it is run I appreciate that a group of people are dedicated to their country and their people and most of all their safety so just a reminder to everyone follow the laws because they were made for a reason and that reason was to ensure that we are all safe and happy kiwis. 

Learning About NZ Laws

Today in social studies we learnt about the laws and the legal ages to do certain things in New Zealand.

Did you know that the legal age for adopting a child that you are not related to is 25 and the legal age for adopting a child that you are related to is 20 years old. This law is interesting to me because I hadn't really thought of the legal age to adopt a child. Before learning about this law I just thought that you could adopt after the age of 18. 

We also learnt about our gun laws and we learnt that the government is starting to ban certain guns such as firearms. The government have started to ban guns because of the outcome of the Christchurch shooting. I believe that guns shouldn't be banned because guns are only dangerous when it's in the wrong hands but in the right hand's they are safely used.

After learning about the laws and legal ages to do things we should all be good citizens and follow the laws because they were made for a reason which was to protect us and keep us all safe.

Social Studies

Today in social studies we were learning about the government and how it works. I learnt that the Parliament is the supreme legislative power in New Zealand and is also made up of two groups, the Sovereign and the House of Representatives. The parliament also has 5 functions which are, to represent the people of New Zealand, to provide a government, scrutinise and hold the government to account, make laws, and to approve how taxpayer money is spent. There are 120 members in parliament that are elected to be in parliament by people and their parties. The Sovereign, Dame Anne Reddy is The Governor General who represents the queen, and is the one who opens and dissolves Parliament and officially signs off laws. I enjoyed today’s lesson because now I have a better understanding of how the government works and how they run our country.

Chocolate Muffins

Today in Food Tech we made chocolate muffins which were delicious. The ingredients and the measurements we used to make the muffins were,

• 1 and a half cup of SRF (Self Rising Flour)
• half a cup of sugar
• 2 Tsp (table spoons) of cocoa
• half a cup of milk
• half a cup of oil and 1 egg

Next we had to mix it using the folding technique and then we put it in the oven to bake at 180 degrees. Then when we took them out they were baked and ready to eat.

Thinking About My Community

For the past few days we have been learning about what a community is. A community is an area where a group of people live, not all communities are the same. 

The community I live in is called Glen Innes or G.I. G.I is a great place to live in my opinion and it could be an ideal place to raise children. There are many wonderful places and aspects Glen Innes has to offer such as the halls, parks and a fun place to visit, Te oro. At Te oro you are bound to have a great time whether your watching a film, crafting or just dancing the night away. 

Although G.I seems like a nice community, there are many flaws G.I has yet to fix e.g the gas prices are shockingly the highest they've been.  

What's So Important About Migration?

To begin with what is migration? Well to my understanding migration is when people of a different country, culture or race moves to a destination for positive reasons which are pull reasons. Another reason for wanting to move to a certain country can be for negative reasons which are called push factors.

For example a country that I have been researching is China which is an interesting country that has made me want to research more about. One of the pull reasons for Chinese immigrants wanting to move to NZ can be for reasons such as raising and educating children in order for them to have a better future. One push factor about the Chinese people moving here was the language barrier between the two languages which were English and Chinese.

People are all different which means they all won't go in just on direction. Some people move to another country to have a better future while others move back to their home land because of family, friends and other reasons. Those two ways of moving are counter stream and mainstream. Counter stream is when you move back to where you came from and mainstream is when you migrate to another country for more opportunities.

Along the way everyone comes across an intervening obstacle which can be things like not being able to understand or speak English. But even though there is difficulty understanding each other they are still able to show empathy and express their emotions and feelings in other ways where everyone can understand e.g their dances, or cultural songs and other tradition.

In conclusion I hope this has given you a better understanding and insight into what migration is about.

Wood Work

Step 1: Measuring Finger Joints and Cutouts for Base

Step 2: Cutting the Finger Joints

Step 3: Gluing Together the Box

Step 4: Creating the Box's Lid