Historical Pictionary, Exams, and other games of chance

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....

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

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

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!

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

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

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.