Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 2 Activity 3: Stranger Than Fiction

Activity 3: Stranger than Fiction [10 points + 5 possible points]

Here on earth there are more than 298 000 different kinds (species) of plants. Some of these plants live on land and some live in the water. Follow this link to read about 10 of the strangest plant species in the world. When you are finished, choose two of the plants from the list.

On your blog, list three similarities and three differences between the two plants that you chose. To earn five extra bonus points, post a picture of both plants on your blog.

1) immediately, closes when the mouth makes contact.

2) They are both found in cold areas.

3) They both have beautiful colors.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 2 Activity 2: Mighty Mangroves

Activity 2: Mighty Mangroves [4 points]

Here in New Zealand we have a native tree called a Kiwi Mangrove. Kiwi Mangroves grow in shallow water (harbours). The largest mangrove or manawa forests in New Zealand are located in Northland and in Auckland. According to many environmental experts, they are one of the toughest and strongest trees in the world because they can survive in really harsh (difficult) conditions.

For this activity you are asked to think of someone who is very tough and strong. They can be someone who you know personally or they can be a character that you have read about in a book, seen in a movie, or on a television show.

On your blog, tell us about this person. Who are they? Why are they, in your opinion, so strong and tough?

Dwayne Johnson is also known by his ring name 'The Rock'. Dwayne Johnson is an American actor, producer, and semi-professional retired wrestler. He has a wife and 3 children.

In my opinion, Dwayne Johnson is one of the strongest and toughest people I know. Dwayne Johnson has won 17 championships regions in WWE.  including 10 as a world heavyweight champion 

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 2 Activity 1: Fabulous Flora

DAY 2: Fabulous Flora

Activity 1: Weaving a Tall Tale…[4 points]

There is a long history in New Zealand of collecting natural plants, including flax (harakeke), and using them to create cloaks, baskets (kete), mats, traps and ropes. Flax weaving is an art form. It can take years for people to perfect the art of weaving. Have you ever tried it?

For this activity, you are asked to watch a short video of someone weaving a fish (ika) out of flax.

On your blog, tell us whether or not you would like to try flax weaving. Does it interest you? Why or why not?

I would like to try flax weaving, it seems interesting reading about it. Instead of buying these items we can make baskets, mats, traps, and ropes which saves money for more important things such as food, power, gas money and more.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 1 Activity 3 - Something Smells Fishy

Activity 3: Something Smells Fishy…[10 points]

One of the longest and largest rivers in the world is called the Amazon River. It is located in South America and is approximately 6400 kilometres (kms) long. That is four times longer than the entire country of New Zealand. Wow!

Scientists believe that there are over 3000 different kinds of fish that live in the Amazon River. Now, that is a lot of fish! To learn more about fish, we went online and found some really cool facts about fish.

For this activity, we are going to provide you with five sentences about fish. Some of them are true and some are them are not. It is your job to read these ‘facts’, and decide whether they are true or false.

On your blog, write out each fact and in CAPITAL LETTERS beside the fact, write the word ‘TRUE’ if it is a true fact or ‘FALSE’ if it is not true.

True or False?

Fish Fact #1False>: The oldest known fish in the world is a 65 year old Australian lungfish.

Fish Fact #2FALSE>: Sharks are the only fish that have eyelids.

Fish Fact #3FALSE>: Starfish are a type of fish.

Fish Fact #4TRUE>: Fish communicate with each other by making low-pitched sounds (moans, hisses, etc)

Fish Fact #5FALSE: Fish usually swim together in groups called ‘classes.’

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 1 Activity 2: The Great Taupo Cycle Challenge

Activity 2: The Great Taupo Cycle Challenge [4 points]

Every year approximately 7500 people arrive in Taupo, New Zealand to compete in a one-day cycling race around Lake Taupo. The race route is 160 km in length. Participants can choose to compete in the full race or the half-race (80 km). Let’s imagine that you were given a free ticket to compete in the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge next year and you were able to bring three people with you as your ‘support crew.’ Who would you bring with you?

If it was me, I would choose my son, Aronui, as one of my supporters because he’s really funny and energetic. I think that he would make sure that I had a great time and that I spent the entire day laughing and smiling. I would also choose my sister, Leigh, because she is very strong and fast. Thirdly, I would choose my co-leader, Hazel, because she is very organised and would make sure that we followed the trail and didn’t get lost!

List the three people you would like to have on your Lake Taupo Cycle Race Support Crew. Tell us why you have chosen each person.

Support Crew

Cousin Brazie - My cousin and I are very close and I know that he would be a great supporter.

Uncle - My uncle is a very supportive person and has always been there for me.

Mum - My mum has always been in my life and she's helpful and supportive.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 1 Activity 1: Surfs Up!

DAY 1: Swimming with the Fish

Activity 1: Surfs Up! [4 points]

In New Zealand we have many beautiful beaches and stunning waterfalls. One of the most spectacular waterfalls is called Kitekite and it is located in Piha, a small village west of Auckland. Tourists and locals flock to Piha during the summer season to enjoy the waterfall, the local beach, and the great surf. Have you ever tried surfing? Although I have never surfed many of my friends have and they absolutely love it. In fact, it is their favourite summer activity! What is yours?

For this activity, please take a picture of yourself doing one of your favourite summer activities. It could be anything! Here is a picture of one of our team members (Laura) doing one of her favourite summer activities.

I love going out places with my family. My family and I, love going places together such as restaurants, parks and more.  In this image, my family and I were at Rainbows End. We all really enjoyed having fun here and we were happy we went out instead of staying home doing nothing.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 1 Day 5 Activity 3: Going, going....gone

Activity 3: Going, going….gone [10 points]

Over the years, scientists have made some surprising discoveries. One of these discoveries is that we have entire cities (e.g. Jakarta, Indonesia and Venice, Italy) that are slowly sinking into the ocean. Scientists believe that one day, the cities will disappear completely under the water. Yikes!

Some of the residents (people living in the cities) have taken pictures of their neighborhoods and written stories about their lives in order to make a record of what ‘life was like’ in their city before it disappeared.

Let’s imagine that New Zealand was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean next week (Eek!). Before it sinks you are asked to write a blog post telling people what life was like in New Zealand in 2018.

On your blog, post a description of life in New Zealand in 2018. Please remember that the people who read your post will have never been to New Zealand or even seen a picture so it is your job to ‘paint a picture’ of New Zealand using your words. You can also post pictures if you wish. Be sure to fully attribute the pictures.

This year has been a good year, by next week New Zealand is going to sink. It's so sad to see this beautiful country leave the shore. New Zealand had a population over 4.794 million people. The most beautiful place in New Zealand is The city where there are buildings, lights and especially the sky tower. There are many friendly people here, and also support people. Families love going to the parks to entertain themselves and spend more time together. Many cultures live in this wonderful country such as Cook Island, Tongan, Samoan and much more but this country was ruled by Maori and New Zealanders mostly known as the kiwis. A lot of us will always except each other for who we are after all we are being our selves are we? :)