Making a Change

If we look back through history there are many people who have made a difference in the lives of others. They did this by standing up for what they believe in, in some cases by just what they did or who they are.

People like Elvis, Michael Jackson and Madonna used their music as a way to make change. Each was idolised and people soon began to follow the new trend they started with their music. Music lovers around the world started to dress like their idols. Not only a new music trend was born but also a fashion trend as well. Other musicans like Bob Dylan have used their music to protest about things like the Vietnam War.

David Beckham came from a country that is totally into their football. Most people would have a team that they followed at a national level. On his move to the USA, he found a culture that were not so obsessed with football but he managed to still make a change. He is so well known for his football that the amount of kids playing football in the States increased.

Others who made change in a subtle way, are people like Rosa Parks. Rosa lived in time when black and whites were treated differently. They had drinking fountains that said 'whites only' and 'coloureds'. On the bus the people were seperated by the colour of their skin. Rosa refused to be treated badly when the bus driver moved the 'coloureds only' sign further back so she had to stand up. She was thrown off the bus and this began a very famous bus bycott by the Negroes of Montegomery. The bus company's funds were down so badly with no Negroes travelling on the buses they had to start to treat the Negroes better.

Many films have been made about how a single everyday person or a football team have helped change the attitude of people especially realted to the black and white issues in the USA. Films like 'Blindside', 'We are Marshall' and 'Remember the Titans' are based on true stories that have made changes to the lives of others. 'Pay it Forward', though it is not true, is a great way the a small boy at school managed to change the lives of many. If we all tried to help others in some way, we could certainly make a big difference in this world.

Today you have a choice of assignments:

1. Write about someone famous who has made a postive change in the world. It could be through their music, deeds or another way. There are things like BandAid, LiveAid, stars who give and telethons. Write what they did, how they did it and what the outcome of what they did was.

2. Write about if you could make a change in the world what would you do, why would you do it and what change are you hoping to make.

For both assignments you must write at least 150 - 200 words. You are welcome to use the internet for research but your write up must be in your own words. Please remember to edit your work.

Happy writing!

This is your life

Each of us is unique and has many talents to share with others. Today we are going to celebrate your life.

This is your life: Angela Tutty

Born in a small town in New Zealand called Timaru. Your parents, Beverley and Colin, were excited to have a new member in their home. Not so long after that a new addition was added to the family, your brother Simon. The family now complete, life in this small town was just like many others.

Your teenage life was like many others, school, friends, socilising and fun. After school life for you took a more serious turn with you getting a job. The job was at the council and it was to become a very important beginning for you. A special someone was to enter your life but you did not know the importance of this person.

With itchy feet you left the council for the larger pastures of Australia. The life in Oz was good with lots of new friends,things to do and places to go. This part of your life was not to last forever and after a year you returned to NZ.

That special person came back into to your life and the importance of the earlier meeting became more obvious. This special person was Chris who was to become your husband. Marriage and children were the next section of your life.

After the children went to school it was time to think about what was next in your life. You were to study to be a teacher. Your first job was at Mountainview High School. This job was to offer you many exciting opportunities and challenges that ended in successess.

The successes in NZ lead to you travelling again and this time to Singapore. Singapore for you had many wonderful opportunties for your career and personally.

This is all the past but what is the future for you?

Today's blog:
Write a recount of your life as it has been up till now.

You must:
* write in third person (this means as if someone else is telling the story of your life)
* add in your inspirations/dreams for the future
* write at least 150 words

You may include:
* your family details
* funny stories
* any other interesting facts about you

Heroes

There are many heroes in this world that can be role models for others in the world. These people can be found as leaders, activtists, businesmen, artists, actors, singers, athletes and everyday people who are close to us like our family members.

Each of these people set a goal to achieve what they did. Not all goals set or those who become role models are honourable. It is important that we make informed choices in who we choose to follow and admire. Look for the good in people but we can also learn from others' mistakes.

Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, left school with no qualifications and went onto run a multi billion company. Through his hard work and his creativity he was able to establish a company that has become an internation icon.

Some celcbrities make not only a statment in their chosen field but influence other areas such as fashion. Both Madonna and Michael Jackson are a good example of this. Their followers could be seen wearing similar outfits to look like their hero. Nowdays performers are even releasing their own fashion labels and perfume.

Each celebrity, no matter which field they choose, have had to set goals and work hard to achieve their goals. They each will have faced obstacles but have overcome them by seeing them as challenges. It is important that we all set goals and then we go out to achieve them. ,The world is your oyster, so make the most of it.

In 150 edited words complete a blog on who you have chosen to research and why you have chosen them.

A life worth celebrating

Sam Worthington was born in England in 1976 and then migrated to Australia. His English accent is long gone and now he delights audiences around the world with his Ozzie twang.

Like many actors before him he started in a very different field of work - building construction. He left school at 17 and his father sent him north to Cairns. Sam was to earn his passage home and so he became a brinklayer. He applied and won a scholarship to the National Institute of Dramatic Art. This was the beginning of his acting career.

Sam made his film debut in 2000 in a film called Bootman, for which he was nominated for Best Lead Actor by the Australian Film Industry. Sam made appearances in several well known Australian television series including Blue Heelers and Water Rats. He also had roles in Australian films. He continued to act in Australia until 2005 when he started his career in Hollywood. Of late Sam has starred in Terminator Salvation and Avatar.

We wait to see what next this hot star will be in.

Tenses

To be or not to be, that is the question but what is the answer? Today that is for you to find out.When you are writing it is important to make sure that the tense of the verb is correct. Are you guilty of changing your tense when you are writing? Are you not sure what past, present and future tenses are? Do you mix up your subject/verb agreement? Are you not even sure that you know what subject/verb agreement is? If you said yes to any of the above, you need to go to the webpage

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/tenses/getting_the_right_tense/

When you arrive there you will find a quiz and game. Choose one or both but be wary in the game because the pirates and you are going for the same treasure! Work at the level that you are most comfortable with and then progress. Let's see how many people can complete Level 3 all correct and with the treasure.

SUFFRAGETTE'S TIME IS UP

Chch: Today a country is in mourning for a woman who was a pioneer among her peers but also for women throughout the world. On July 13, 1934 Kate Malcolm Sheppard pasted away in her home in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Sheppard lead the campaign in New Zealand to get women the right to vote. This was not an easy campaign for her personally as she was timid by nature but she was able to overcome this to ensure that the word was spread to the people of New Zealand. Sheppard spent a lot of time on the road traveling from town to town to give women the courage to fight the cause. Kate shared the message of other suffragette movements in England an United States of America.

The suffragette movement in New Zealand was the first to achieve their objective and get women the equal rights to vote. This happened in 1893. Kate Sheppard may have passed but the legend that she has left will be remembered throughout time as a major achievement for all women.


28 assignment: Choose an event in history and write an account as if you are present at the event. Make sure that you write to a publishable standard so you will need to proofread your work. Your work is going to be marked by a peer.

Rascal Gal: Treatment of People

You are starting to state your ideas and well done on your examole. Try to make sure that you fully explain your idea then add the example.