Kuranui College Social Sciences

The Model U.N.

2011-11-21T17:09:00.001-08:00

This post comes live from the model UN... During the day, we have been privileged to host the model UN here at Kuranui. Schools from master ton and beyond have joined us to debate issues around climate change, refugees and earthquake relief.After an initial fear, the students involved have got right into the debate. Watching the smaller countries turn on the student representing the USA was fascinating, and seeing students taking the traditional stances of each of the member nations is awesome.The whole day has been great, and I really hope we get to host it again.

The Learning Process

2011-02-24T00:07:00.000-08:00

This week has been about Understanding Oneself, and how we learn.

In History we have been using Spinning Plates as a method of understanding how we learn new and difficult concepts. The task itself is fairly simple, but takes some people longer than others. The ways in which we react, both openly and inside, illuminates the struggles we have when learning.

Some people find it easy, others hard. Some continue to work at the task until it is done, no matter how long it takes. Some give up when the challenge seems insurmountable. Some flaunt their success or feel the need to show others. Some quietly succeed without anyone else batting an eyelid. Some demand help, others feel helpless. Knowing how we respond is handy to the greater learning picture.

All students should get a handle on how they learn best, and how to deal with the struggles. Some need to learn to ask for advice. Others need to just let others do their thing.

And above all else, it was a fun lesson. ;)

Lauren masters the skill

The Learning Process

Blair feels Proud

Discussing the process

Working towards success

Social Science goes all creepy

2010-12-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

10GV have been working on a unit about the spreading of infectious disease, and incident response plans. Here are some images of them investigating different micro-organisms and the effect they have on people.

Revision programmes

2010-10-26T00:09:00.000-07:00

As exams are looming large, remember that History revision will be offered in the Drama room on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes. All levels are invited.

Tuesday 26 October- Essay structuring
Thursday 28 October- Resource interpretation
Monday 1 November- Essay planning (topics and guidance issued)
Tuesday 2 November- Useful timelines and study tips
Thursday 4 November- Essay writing (topics and guidance issued)
Monday 8 November- Mindmapping
Tuesday 9 November- TBA

There may be waffles on Thursday..... just sayin'....

Examinations and revision

2010-09-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to really get thinking about revision and being sensible about what you have to do.

Harrang and harrass your teachers for information and advice. And seek advice elsewhere. You all know about studyit.... the website with information about English, Maths and Sciences.

Finding help for the social sciences can be more challenging. However, we will try to steer you in the right direction with some advice. Today is a shameless plug, and a financial outlay. But it is worth it. Not all of us have great notes from the year..... let's be honest people! Buy some! You have options- ask for the notes of people who were in the class last year. Shamelessly beg for them. Look for revision guides in bookshops and online...

Shameless plug... check out the author..... ;)

ESA is a New Zealand company who specialise in revision books. They have ones for course outlines, and ones focussed on examinations. You can buy them from their website- or bookshops.

The ESA Website- all of their books.

These range between $20-$30 for each title. You can always re-sell your book next year to the following class and get back some of the cash. Or check out Trademe, which always has a range of secondhand titles listed.

There are also other brands of study aids. These just seem to be more comprehensive than some of the others. Ask your teacher....

Longman produce "Write-on" study notes. These have short notes, a space to write stuff down, and quizzes to test your knowledge. They have less information but are easy to use, and cheaper to buy. Again, ask your teacher for advice and guidance.

Get in quick and they may have a copy of a book to lend you.

Massey University History Day

2010-08-13T00:39:00.000-07:00

Every year the lecturers at Massey University give up their time to give a series of seminars on topics relating to the Year 13 History course. This year we went along to hear the lectures in the England Stream on Puritanism and Religion.

While we did not take a large group of students, those that we took were keen and made excellent notes. It was great to see Blair using his italk and ipod to record the lectures as well as taking notes. Phone cameras were also invaluable for catching those slides that flew by awfully quickly. These tips are BRILLIANT for getting the most out of lectures, and really a good time to reflect on our preparations for the upcoming examinations.

The day is always rewarding, from the information, to the company, to the discussions, to the chance to see what University is really like. We enjoyed the atmosphere, the ducks and just getting to spend a day out of the school in the wider world. Thanks Mr. Buckham for putting in the legwork to get this trip underway.

The small crew at Massey

Jaimee making notes in the lecture theatre

Blairs recording set-up- completely an excellent idea

Historical Pictionary, Exams, and other games of chance

2010-05-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

Well, the girls are the current champions in Historical Pictionary.... sorry boys. It was a close run thing, boys leading the whole way, at once being 5 points ahead, but the girls clawed back a miraculous victory with the drawing of "Serbia". Kudos to Karl Whittal, who managed to spend 1 minute without drawing anything on the board, and to the boys who won one round in 3 seconds, setting a new pictionary room record.

Exams are coming up shortly. Be aware of what is being asked of you.

Year 11 History:
1.3 - Resource Interpretation
1.4 - People and their role in History- on the NZ topic
1.6 - New Zealand Identity.

Year 12 History
2.3 - Resource interpretation. I may weaken and make this a unit standard assessment.
2.5 - Essay on a force or movement

Year 13 History
3.3 - Resource interpretation (on Tudor Stuart England)
3.4 - Decision essay.

If you are sitting in a class off-line.... you will have a slightly different exam. Please check with your teacher about what to revise and what shall be in the exam.

History and Potatoes....

2010-03-27T23:30:00.000-07:00

Mr Potato Head has long been an integral part of the Kuranui College History Curriculum. He made his debut this year.

Simple task: Build a Mr Potato Head that represents each country and their feelings about the first and second Balkan Wars. The Potato will then be presented and discussed as a class. The whole concept relies on a lot of higher order thinking, and a whole lot of fun.

Finding the right pieces to make a good metaphor.

Delivering the description of Great Britain.

From the left: Great Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, Germany, Austria, Italy and the Rest of Europe.

Year 13 History - The Google Group

2010-03-25T01:40:00.000-07:00

Year 13 History is 'in the clouds' with its own Google Group.

If you want to be a part of it you have to be invited, so flick me your gmail addy (preferred) so I can return-flick you an invite to be a part of this l33t g-group.

Be a part of the m-learning evolution - sign up TODAY!

( this message brought to you by M-Le@rn_1nc., a subsidiary of MrBR0x_C0rp.;P )

Year 11 Field Trip to Wellywood

2010-03-12T14:49:00.000-08:00

The Adventure! The Drama! The Fast Food!

(all names have been thinly veiled by the use of initials in a pathetic attempt to protect the... innocent?)

Who can say what madness took place as our intrepid young historians journeyed to Wellington?

As for me... I read a book. But it was a scary book, ok!? ooooooohhhhh!
The wait at the station was in-termina-ble (get it? No? Look it up!)

They gathered at the appointed time: heads were counted, emergency cell numbers distributed, second breakfasts consumed. The Fellowship (of the... Ring-tones) was complete and we set out for the Archives.
They journeyed through the Mines of Moria (Featherston Street underpass) and crossed the Ford of Bruinen (crossings at Lambton Quay and Kate Sheppard Place).

After negotiating the Swinging Door of Doom, they entered the Archives and were a little underwhelmed by the lack of supporting displays (renovations). At least they respected the space in the Document Room (cough!)... on to the public tour of Parliament!

Mana was earned here as the young historians were polite and attentive throughout - many also gave insightful answers to the questions posed them by the guide. Many positive comments were made to me about the group - RESPECT!

Ambling along Lambton Quay gave an opportunity to browse the dazzling displays of shoes and accessories in shop windows. Many were tempted, but resisted the urge to indulge in retail therapy.

Maccas was indeed blessed by our visit. Even the grumpy tray guy grunted as though he appreciated the extra work we gave him to do. I also thought they were being very tolerant by allowing JS and SJ to consume Subs at our table while MB stole chips from RC & JH. It's all a learning experience. Honest!

The History Seminar was... there - enough said.

Then on to Te Papa! MANY treasure hunt forms were completed and returned... MANY!

The debrief on the journey home was extensive and covered comparison of notes, sketches and mind-maps, and uploading multimedia files on portable devices - phew!

We went, we saw, we got home safely (though I had to scrub my eyes with a steel brush after seeing Blanket Man in all his glory!)

More photographic evidence - of the trip, NOT Blanket Man!! - is available here

11 History- get yourselves sorted!

2010-03-06T23:08:00.000-08:00

With the trip on Tuesday, now is the time to make sure you have your permission slip returned. You need to pay your $15 to the office tomorrow, and to get yourselves a train ticket for Tuesday morning. Remember to make sure your clothing is clean and tidy for the trip as you will be on show.

Travelling with Social Science

2010-02-23T23:41:00.000-08:00

With just a couple of weeks before the first trip to Wellington, it is a timely reminder about trip protocols.

Remember to return your permission slips to Mr Buckham as soon as possible so we can compile attendance lists. You will need to pay the office the trip fee before next Friday.

You must wear your full and correct school uniform into Wellington, and you are expected to behave in an exemplary manner. We will be travelling by public train, so this behaviour begins while waiting for the train itself. Remember that many commuters take the train daily and do not like to be disturbed on their morning or evening journey.

You are encouraged to bring digital cameras, ipods etc with you on trips. That way you can gather the information in an easy manner. But do remember to be polite, do not take photos in areas which are prohibited, and watch your behaviour when photographing yourself or others. Remember that there are others present where we go, so respect their space and be polite. Do not wear your ipod in your ears when listening to a speaker, even if the volume is off. If you are recording with your ipod, always check that is this allowed first.

Trips are always fun with the History department, but you will need to follow the rules to get the most out of the day. A successful trip usually is followed by another.....

Newsletter #1

2010-02-04T00:59:00.000-08:00

Heya all,

Students in senior History classes will have come home with a newsletter about the course and the planned trip. If you did not get one, let me know and I will forward one on to you.

Subject Selection 2010

2010-01-24T15:17:00.000-08:00

Friday is re-enrolement for senior students. Bring in your NCEA results and confirm your course selection (or change it if need be). Year 11's should attend too, as you may have forgotten which classes you chose, or wish to change.

In the Social Sciences, you can study:

Geography
History
Economics
Tourism

You will need to see Mr Grant about Geography, Tourism and Economics, or Mr Buckham or Ms McLellan about History.

Most Social Science courses have trips that are compulsory, so expect to allow around $50 per year for day trips, and to be ready to catch up the classes you missed.

Year 13 Geography has a compulsory trip to the Tongariro Plateau to study Vulcanology in Term 1. This trip can be expensive, so talk to Mr Grant about it before opting into Year 13 Geography.

The Senior History courses (Yr 11, 12 and 13) are all invited to go on the road trip to Cape Reinga in September, which is strongly encouraged for all students studying (or planning to study) Year 13 History. The cost of the trip is usually between $600-$700, for just over a week. This includes all your meals, accomodation, activities, and transportation. You will have the opportunity to gain NCEA credits during the trip. This trip only goes every 2 years, and 2010 is one of them!

12 credits in each level is considered to be a pass, which will allow access into the next level up in your course. Scholarship options are given for Year 13 students, which involve a second examination, but no extra cost above your NCEA fees. These can be awarded for anywhere between $500 and $6000.

Social Sciences

2009-12-10T01:25:00.000-08:00

It's not about dates, events and places
- it's about people.

Welcome to the blog space of the Kuranui College Social Science Department. Here we will try to keep you all up to date with what's going on at school, especially with the Social Sciences! Hopefully over time it will support the Facebook class groups, moodle courses and supplement school Korero notices. It should become an exciting portal into the cool stuff we get up to.