All about me

All about me

Raheal

Short, 11 years old, girl, soccer lover

Sister of Helen, Wondim, Mekbeb, Moses, Ferede, and Samrawit

Who loves to read, cook, play on her iPod, and chat with her friends online

Who feels excited when she wants to do something so badly, and also feels for people when they are sad or hurt

Who needs an alarm to wake her up to go to school on time, and her family to help her with her school work,

Who gives time for practices, school notices to mum and dad, and homework during the weekend,

Who fears spiders, high heights, scary places, and vampires,

Who would want to go to Ethiopia, and stay there for a year while doing her job,

Resident of Mt Albert, Auckland, in Richardson Road,

Mengistu

Peace Poem

Peace Poem

Peace sounds like silence where no one distracts you.

Peace feels like happiness shared with other people around you.

Peace looks like teamwork when people cooperative with each other.

What is Peace?

Peace is a sign of forgiveness and the opposite of arguments, war and other negative emotions.

What is the colour of Peace?

The colour of Peace is white and other bright colours.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Haiku Poem

 Haiku Poem

       There was a man who loved to cry,

         But before he cried, he ate his pie.

              He met a famous rapper,

             And acted like a snapper,

  So he changed his mind to be that guy.

    By: Raheal Mengistu

Plight of the Sea Turtle

Plight of the Sea Turtle

        By: Raheal

Sea turtles have swum in the oceans for over millions of years, longer than when the dinosaurs lived. A long time ago, they were easy to spot in the surfaces of the ocean. But now, there are a lot of sea turtles who have been dropped down. Today, each of the 7 species of the sea turtle is either threatened or endangered. The situation is so serious that many children in the Pacific want to see a live one!

Sea turtles are very important to the Pacific people. The laws controlled a lot of sea turtles so that they could be hunted to be eaten. They were eaten by important people on special occasions. People used the sea turtle’s shell to make tools, spears, fish hooks, jewellery, and combs. These items were highly used for trading things. Sea turtles were also mentioned in Pacific legends. In the past, they were described as the gods in other legends.

There are 7 species of sea turtles: Kemp’s ridley, flatback, green, olive ridley, loggerhead, hawksbill, and leatherback. The leatherback sea turtle is the biggest of the 7 species. The adult can grow up to 2 meters and weighing 600 kgs. It is the only specie without a hard shell.

Each year, thousands of turtles die when they drown in fishing nets, getting tangled in plastic bags or choke in plastic rubbish. Turtle products are now banned and illegal to trade. Each year, thousands of sea turtles are killed for the black market.

The visit to the Mary Mackillop Centre

WALT: WRITE A RECOUNT

The visit at the Mary Mackillop Centre

It is CTK’s School 60th Jubilee. The school decided we could go to Mission Bay to visit the Josephite sisters who founded our school. It was a long way away from our school because the ride was time consuming. We arrived and started off with a mass with Fr. Peter leading it. After mass, we went exploring the house of the Josephite sisters.

Everyone was amazed when they took one step in the house. It was beautiful. There were a lot of belongings that belonged to Mary Mackillop a long time ago. There was also her chair she used to sit on to write.

After exploring the house of the Josephite sisters, the sisters gathered the children from the learning zone and Room 4 so that we had a good question and answer time with them. They started telling us stories about how it was like in C.T.K long time ago. They also replied with amazing answers from children who asked the sisters.

While the sisters were talking, they told us many astonishing facts we didn't know. While they were talking to us, I was thinking about the past in C.T.K. Memories flashed in my mind and took me back 60 years ago. I imagined I was there back in their time and the sisters were teaching the children about God. There were only 2 classrooms. Can’t you believe that C.T.K was opened 60 years ago with 2 classrooms only? I wasn’t even born that time.  

After the sisters talked to us, we sang to them “Mo Maria” and we went back to the field to sit with our classes. That was the best moment I will never forget.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Book Review 7

A Picture Of Freedom

Clotee Henley is a 12-year-old girl who is a slave living in Belmont Plantation, Virginia, USA. She has the most wonderful terrible secret. While doing her job of fanning her master’s son during his daily lessons with his mother or his tutor, Clotee has taught herself to read and write. She knows that if she shares her secret with anyone who she can’t trust, then she will face death or bad punishment. Suddenly, she knows that the master’s son’s tutor, Ely Harms, has a secret of his own as well. Clotee uses her secret to save herself and her friends.

This book is a non-fiction book about freedom, the disloyalty of spies and traitors, the love of life and family, and the pain of death and slavery. I recommend this book 11-17 years of age. I rate it 5 stars.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Book Review 6

P.S. Be Eleven

P.S. Be Eleven is a book about a girl named Delphine Gaither who has 2 sisters; Vonetta and Fern. They are from Oakland and have recently moved to Brooklyn since their parents are divorced. Things have been changing when their father has a girlfriend and their Uncle Darnell has just came back from Vietnam from the war. When Delphine’s friend, Lucy, tells them to watch a show, they are very inspired by the Jackson 5. But there is only one thing that hasn’t changed. Big Ma still expects Delphine to do everything. That’s even harder now because her sisters don’t want to be bossed around and her father’s girlfriend is always correcting her opinions about other things. Since she can’t talk to her mother, they send each other letters while her mother reminds her to eleven while she can.

This is an outstanding book which has its own moving story of 3 sisters growing up. It also has the book taken into the 60’s. If you like books that have a change, then this is the right book for you. I recommend this book ages 8-12.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Book Review 5

The Last Thirteen

The Last Thirteen is a series of 13 books. This book is the 2nd book. The story is a book about a boy named Sam Smith who himself is a dreamer. There are other 13 people in the world like him as a dreamer. Sam’s nightmare is real and must face his destiny against the enemy, Solaris.

All the way from New York, he goes to Egypt with his friend, Xavier to find the Star of Egypt in Giza. After Egypt, he goes to Italy to find the 2nd Dreamer. The 2nd Dreamer is a famous  Italian popstar, Gabriella. She doesn't know that she is one of the Last Thirteen. When Sam tells her she is one of the Last Thirteen, she escapes from her mansion because their enemy is chasing them. Sam must find the Last Thirteen.

                             The race has begun.

This book should be recommended to ages 10 and up. I rate it 5 stars for this book.

By: Raheal Mengistu 

                                 

Kiwi Kids News Article (National)

Oh Lorde, you've done it  again!

New Zealand singer, Lorde, has been awarded the Best Rock Video award at the MTV Video music awards. This was awarded for her song, Royals which also won the Best Rock Song at the Billboard awards earlier this year. Lorde has also awarded for the Best Female Video but didn’t get the chance because it was for Katy Perry. However, she was awarded the Best Rock video over Linkin Park, Imagine Dragons, Arctic Monkeys and the Black Keys. Then Lorde introduced Taylor Swift as her good friend. Yet another win for Lorde!

By: Raheal Mengistu

 

Kiwi Kids News Article (Odd)

Dance of the Palace Guard

The Queen’s guards at Buckingham Palace are known for their odd headwear and their power to keep a straight face no matter what you do to make them laugh. But one guard decided to do something funny!

The guard planned that it was his turn to make the people surrounding him by the gates laugh. He succeeded in his task by twirling in slow motion in a odd marching dance. However, the British Army were not impressed. The guard is now under investigation for his foolery after the video went online around the world.

By: Raheal Mengistu

My trip to the Marae

My Trip to the Marae

On Monday morning, I was just in time in going to the Marae. Going with me to the Marae were the Y5-Y8 children. By 9:00, the bus had arrived and everyone was excited to go. As we entered in the bus, some people were sad because they didn’t get to go to the top of the double deck bus but that didn’t really matter. The engine was turning on and we were on our way to the Marae. It took a long time to get to the Marae because it was all the way in Pakuranga. Instead we played a game called Sweet & Sour. After the driver dropped us to the Marae, we walked to the Marae starting from the school call Edgewater College.

When we got there, we had to wait by the waharoa until someone would call us in. We were waiting and waiting and waiting… until a young lady called us in. Rose and Caroline led the karanga until we were outside the Marae. We took off our shoes and entered the Marae. Everyone wowed at the carvings on the wall because it looked so awesome. We sat down on the mat, and listened to the 3 ladies who were talking to us, the tangata whenua. We sat down as we listened carefully what she was telling us. After they talked to us, Bronson stood and said a speech. After his speech, the 3 ladies apologized because there was no gentleman to say something to him. After all that talking, the whole group stood up and sang “Mo Maria”. The ladies sang as well with us. After we sang, the ladies sang to us “Tutira mai nga iwi” and we joined in. After all that, we did the hongi, washed our hands, and went to the kitchen to eat. They served us each a biscuit which was fine.

After eating, we went back to the Marae and we were given an activity to do. The Y5 & Y6 girls were drawing an artwork of a carving on a wall and the Y5-Y6 boys were with the the Y7 & Y8 girls learning how to play and dance with poi. After we did these activities, we swapped over. After that, we had to say goodbye and went out of the Marae. Everyone felt sad, because it was only a short period of time to visit the Marae. That was the best trip ever.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Book Review 4

Whatever After Sink or Swim

Whatever After is a book about 2 siblings named Abby and Jonah who have moved in Sunville from Chicago. They have been used to the house and they know that there is a magic mirror in their basement. The magic mirror leads them to a fairytale.  They have to always end it, how its supposed to end. The first 2 times, they have messed up 2 fairy-tales. Until….. One night, when their parents are asleep, they have a sneak peak to the mirror and they are in a fairy-tale of Little Mermaid. They have no choice but to rewrite it. But the thing is, the story doesn't end happily. Together, they experience a great adventure and find a happy ending for the Little Mermaid.

This book should be recommended to ages 8-11 years. If you enjoy reading books that have a twist of a different fairy tale, then this the book you should read. 

By: Raheal Mengistu

Kiwi Kids News Article

Lionel Messi, All Time Top Scorer!!

Lionel Messi has become the all time top scorer in El Clasico games. He has scored a hat-trick over the weekend. His team, Barcelona has beat Real Madrid with the score, 4-3. Lionel also has scored 21 El Clasico goals, moving him ahead of the best player in the Real Madrid team, Alfredo Di Stefano. El Clasico was the name given to every match between Spain’s biggest clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid. While Madrid and Barcelona were playing, Lionel had scored 2 hat-trick goals in a row, making him the second highest scorer in La Liga history as well with 236 goals. Lionel Messi also plays for Argentina in World Cups.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Book Review 3

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy is a book about a young girl named Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard who doesn’t believe in anything that can’t be proven by science. After her mother died, Ophelia’s dad gets a new job as working in a strange museum in a city where it never stops snowing. On her first day going to the museum, Ophelia discovers a boy in a prison that has been locked away for over 300 years. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty, the Snow Queen. The boy has been waiting for a long time for Ophelia’s help. As Ophelia goes on a great adventure to rescue the boy, everything she believes is tested. Along the way, she’s getting nearer into saving the world.

This book is a modern-day fairy-tale about the power of friendship, courage, love, and the importance of never giving up. If you enjoy reading these kind of books, this is the right book for you to read. I recommend this book from 8-13 years of age. By: Raheal Mengistu

Book Review 2

Call Down Thunder

Call Down Thunder is a book about a young boy named Reve and a young girl named Mi where they are thrown to a world with guns, hatred, and  betrayal. Reve and Mi are siblings and they live in a small village in Rinconda. Ever since their dad died, Reve and Mi search for their mother where she was taken away from them. Calde, another man, is a bad person who tries to destroy Reve’s family. Together, Reve and Mi work as a team to find the mother who left them for 8 years.

This is a great book about challenges, families, and friendships. If you enjoy reading these kind of books, you should read it. I recommend this book from 7-11 years of age.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Book Review 1

Moon Pie

Moon Pie is a book about a young 11-year-old girl named Martha Luna whose use to being in charge of her family. After her mum died, her Dad falls off the roof and acts really strange. When he is taken to the hospital results have been shown as very bad.  Martha and her brother Tug (Christopher) find secrets of the family that their dad have been hiding from them for a long time. When Martha finds out that their dad is an alcoholic, they get a call from the Social Services and have to live with their grandparents.

This is a good novel about dreams, families, pies and funny experiences. If you enjoy these type of books, then you should read this. I recommend that this novel should be from 8-12 years of age.

By: Raheal Mengistu

An Ethiopian Legend

The legend of Kaldi

There once lived a young Ethiopian shepherd boy named Kaldi. He lived in a small village where he looked after animals and food. One day, he noticed

that his goats were behaving odd after eating the bright red berries from the

bush nearby. If he wanted to cure his sickness, he decided to try these fruits. Hed found the taste was sour. After a while, he started to stay alert and be full with energy.

On the way, he picked some fruits to give some to his wife. When he got there, he gave it to her and she described the taste of the berries. They both thought that this was a gift from God.

After a few days, Kaldi took some of the fruits and leaves from the bush to a monastery. As he entered in the monastery, Kaldi told his experience to the monks.  After believing of what Kaldi said was true, he encouraged other monks to cook the fruits and the leaves.

People thought that the outcome was terrible so they the remains into the fire, thinking that was the devil’s work. All of a sudden, a dazzling aroma began to come out of the fire. A new idea got them at once. With roasting and boiling the grains, it became a wonderful flavour. After drinking this new drink, they found themselves to stay up all night. They finally used this new drink as a new type in order to stay awake longer to pray all night long.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Martin Luther King Jr

       Martin Luther King Jr

Martin Luther King Jr is famous for his well-known speech “I have a dream”. He was also famous for leading a non-violent protests to fight for the rights of the Afro -Americans for equality. He is one of the greatest speakers in American History.

Martin Luther King Jr was a Civil Rights Leader born in 15th January 1929 Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He had 2 siblings; a younger brother and a older sister. Martin’s dad was a preacher and his mother was a teacher. He studied in Booker T. Washington High School. He was so smart in every subject that he skipped 2 grades and started his college education at the age of 15. After when he got his Bachelors degree in sociology, Martin got another degree for Divinity from Crozer Seminary and then later on, he got his Doctoral degree in Theology in Boston University. In 1953, Martin got married to Coretta Scott King and together they had 4 children; Yolanda, Martin III, Dexter and Bernice.

In Martin’s first Civil Rights major action, Martin was in a Montgomery Bus Boycott. This was when Rosa Parks didn’t want to give her seat to a white person. So on, Martin led a Boycott of the public Transportation System. The Boycott took over a year and it was very strict at times of this. During this time, Martin was arrested and his house was bombed just for this incidence that happened in the bus. In 1963, Martin helped organize the famous march in Washington D.C. Over 250,000 people went to the march in a good way to show the importance of Civil Rights legislation. After marching, Martin read and gave his “I have a dream” speech. This speech became one of the best speeches in world history. The march and Martin’s speech was a great success. In 1963, Martin was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize from Gunnar Jahn in Oslo. He was the youngest person to be awarded this prize. When Martin was offered company at a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee, Martin was going to a meeting in the morning. When he was going, Martin was assassinated while standing on the balcony of the hotel in the room. He was shot by a criminal named James Earl Ray at 4th April 1968. Martin was rushed to St Joseph’s Hospital and was in the operating room at 6:00. They opened up his chest to see if they could see the bullet, but nowhere was to be seen. His family was told  that Martin was dead at the time 7:05. In every 3rd Monday of January, there is always a national Holiday called Martin Luther King Jr Day in America. Hundreds of thousands attend this special holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr’s Quote:

“Non-violence means avoiding not only external physical violence but by also internal violence of spirit. Not only do you refuse him to shoot a man, but refuse to hate him.”

By: Raheal Mengistu

Life on dairy farm

When a pregnant cow is giving birth , they lie down or stand up. After the mother gives birth, the calf is born. It usually pops out quickly out of the mother’s stomach. The calf is taken away from the mother and it is placed in a warm shed where other young calves are.

In the shed, the calves are always hungry. Some calves are greedy and want to be first to drink more milk than the other calves. As calves get older, they nibble on grass and mostly fed less milk. They also drink clean, fresh water.

Young calves have tiny horns. There horns are removed or disbudded by a hot iron. Cows are given injection to prevent infection. The calves will not grow sharp, dangerous horns because it is dangerous while playing with other calves. After the horns are removed, they can play happily in the field with other calves.

The farmers keep the best female calves for the best milking cows. Calves that are milked are called heifer and then kept as dairy cows. Each cow makes about 20,000 litres of milk. Farmers kill male cattles that makes beef. They save the best bull for breeding.

When getting milk from cows, people use machines and one person could make 650 cows in 2 hours. One person that uses hands to get milk makes about 12 cows in 2 hours.

About 35 million litres  of milk a day are nearly produced by cows in New Zealand.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Southern Lights

     Southern Lights

Southern light known as a Aurora is a natural light that can be easily seen in the sky. When the Southern Lights occur around the Earth, the colours usually change because of the oxygen that cause it in space. The oxygen usually produces green or red colours and the nitrogen produces blue and red also. These colours can combine to produce different colours such as purple.  The word Aurora means “Roman goddess of dawn”. It was named after an Italian scientist, Galileo Galilee. Another meaning for it in Greek which means in English “wind of north”. Aurora is caused by collision of charged particlesof atoms in the high thermosphere and atmosphere of the earth. Auroras can also take place in other planets in the solar system, for example; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Mars. The southern lights can also be seen in the Antarctic, areas in Tasmania, and southern parts of New Zealand.

Here is a legend I want to share with you about southern lights: snce Tama-rereti was a child, he was so interested in the stars. One evening, as he lay his back watching the beautiful, shining stars, the night quickly became alive with the colours green, blue, and crimson lights that danced and jumped across the southern sky. Tama-rereti became more interested. As he grew older and became a powerful chief, he decided to build a big waka and sail south in it to find where the southern lights came from.

By: Raheal Mengistu

Where does wool come from?

             Why are sheep important and how do they help man?

There are about 7 times more sheep than people in New Zealand that is around 31 million sheep. Wool is very strong and it is measured in microns. The higher the number of microns, the stronger the wool. A single wool’s fiber is stronger than steel of the same diameter. Every home has wool in it and because it doesn't burn easily, it is very safe. It takes less than 2 minutes for a professional shearer to shear a sheep. The world record is 30 seconds (naturally set by a New Zealander). Sheep are shorn so the fleece comes off in one piece. N.Z is one of the top 3 wool-producing countries in the world exporting 130,000 tonnes a year. Wool is long lasting which means that wool can bend back to 20,000 times without breaking. Together, cotton fibers can only bend up to 3200 times. Wool can be extended up to 70% of its natural length and when the tension is released, it returns to its natural length. Llama wool as well could make clothes too.

By: Raheal Mengistu

My wild-self

My name is Raheal and I want to share what my wild self is. I have monarch butterfly wings, domestic rabbit ears, a peacock crest, anaconda snake tongue, Grevy’s zebra hooves, and a seahorse tail. I live in Central park zoo, New York. I have a lot of friends that I can’t name all. This is everything about me.

Peacock crest- I have a crest of feathers on top of my head. Other peacocks have this as well.

Domestic rabbit ears- Animals like rabbits have to be on the lookout for danger all the time. My large ears can help me listen for trouble.

Anaconda snake tongue- My snake tongue can smell with its tongue. Its forked anaconda tongue collects sent molecules from the air and it brings them back to tiny grooves in the roof of their mouth letting them “taste” the air.

Grevy’s zebra hoofs- I can get up and start running. I can stand up for 6 minutes after being born and can run after 45 minutes.

Pot bellied seahorse tail- My seahorse tail has a long, prehensile, tail which can curl around things such as seaweed to keep from being swept away by currents.

Monarch butterfly wings- My monarch butterfly wings can beat 5 times per second.

BY: Raheal Mengistu

The Lost Girl

There once lived a beautiful girl named April who her father owned a beautiful building that could fit all her family members. One sunny day when she was outside doing some exercise in the fresh air, an unknown stranger was walking by, and then suddenly he kidnapped her and he took everything that was owned by her. Not even a single thing was found by April’s things. The next few days later, the father was very worried about his daughter where she had gone. He was stressed out a lot. He called the police and asked them if they could help him find his daughter. But they didn't respond back  because they were not available and it was in the middle of midnight that time. He couldn't find any other ways to help finding his daughter. He kept, thinking, thinking, thinking………… AT LAST! He had another option. He hurriedly went to the living room and dialed the number. He called the CSI (criminal scene investigation)  because they were the only business that was available. The CSI were just on time and the father was pleased to see them to help him find his daughter. The father told everything about this mystery that had happened to his daughter. As the CSI had entered in the house, they had a lot of questions to ask him. They asked “Do you have security cameras?”. The father nodded his head “Yes”. When they entered the security room, the CSI were surprised because there were lots of people working there.  They checked the tape and saw the video where exactly April was exercising. When they saw the stranger pass, they stopped the tape and zoomed the picture. The father thought that this person was familiar. They had checked again, When they saw the last part, they saw that the stranger dropped something. The words were blurry on the computer screen because they couldn't read properly. They rushed outside and saw the card lying on the floor. They read it and this is what it said:

Address: 789 Hilton Avenue

Name: Wilson Blake

Number/mobile: 0214567893

The father looked confused. The father himself and the CSI drove to the address. As they got there, they knocked on the door three times. The door was open and the stranger was frightened because the was a lot of people at the doorway. The father asked “You must be Wilson Blake”. The stranger nodded his head “Yes”. When they entered the house, the father noticed a lot of things that belonged to April. The CSI went through all the rooms but they still hadn't found April yet. There was a garage next to the house. The stranger was at full speed he yelled at the father and the CSI “ Don’t you dare go in there!”. But they went in. Everyone gasped and they were terrified because they saw April tied up on a chair. Her legs, hands were tied up and a bandage was around her mouth. The CSI were so mad, they under arrested the stranger for 30 years. The father got April back home and everyone was so glad she was back.

By: Raheal Mengistu