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.

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.

It's Nearly The End Of Term 3!

It is now week 9 the second to last week of Term 3 and I can't wait until the holidays. I like the holidays because I can spend some quality time with my family.

The worst part of the holidays is being without my friends! I only have a week and a half left to make the best of Term 3.

 Next term I'm going to have mixed emotions because I'm nearly going to college. We still have cultural groups, prize giving and many more stressful things as Year 8 students.

Making My Charity Box At Technicraft

On Wednesday Vika, Pupuke and I were continuing with our charity box. Making our charity box was easier since Pupuke joined our group because after all the more the merrier.

 The shape of our box is a cross shape which is meant to represent a hospital which is why we chose to make a charity for all the sick patients. There were a lot of different charity boxes like an animal shaped one, a house and many more.

Our last step was to dry the paper mache then it was completed.

Kahurangi!

On Wednesday we were lucky enough to watch the Kahurangi group perform and sing. They retold some myths and legends and they sang a waiata (song). The dances were quite humorous and funny.

The funniest part of the whole performance was when they selected three boys to participate. The participants were Texas, Kingston and Mr Reid. We all enjoyed the show so much that we lost track of time and it was already home time before we even arrived at our classes.

Technicraft Rotation

Toady I hopped on the bus excited for Tech rotation. When we had arrived  at Tech Mr Pineda was sadly absent but I was still happy because our teacher was Miss Kasipale. The task  that was  assigned to us was to draw our names and the width had to be approximately 60mm long which is equivalent to 6cm.

We were  instructed to try and make each letter of our name different and unique. As I looked around at everyone else their drawings were nearly ready for coloring. Then I looked at mine and saw only three letters and some weird looking shapes. I felt really frustrated because I didn't know how to draw with detail so I remembered our mindfulness session.  I stopped,  took a deep breath then I carried on. At first I didn't think it was going to work but after I finished my drawing I actually had time to add some detail.

After the bell rang for first period a new reliever came in and took over Miss Kasipale. When I was adding my detail I was distracted by Mr Stag. I couldn't help laughing,  he was just so hilarious. When I was about to color in my drawing the bell rang for the second period.  We sadly had to go but I had fun for the first time in graphics.