Summer Learning Journey - Week 2 Day 3 Activity 1: Night Owls

DAY 3: First You ‘Sea’ Me, Now You Don’t…

Activity 1: Night Owls [4 points]

Here in New Zealand we have many amazing and unique sea creatures, including penguins. The blue penguin, or kororā, is particularly special because it is the smallest penguin in the entire world! Blue penguins are typically found on the east coast of the South Island in places like Oamaru but they can be hard to spot as they rarely leave the water. If they do come onto land it is usually at night, when most of us are sound asleep! That’s because they are nocturnal. Not all of us, however, sleep all night. In fact, some people love to stay awake late into the evening. People who like to stay up late are called ‘night owls.’ Are you a night owl or are you an early riser, like me? I typically wake up every day around 6:00 a.m. and jump out of bed, ready to start the day!

On your blog, tell us whether you are a night owl or an early riser. Then, tell us about the rest of your family. Are they the same as you?

I would say that I am both night owl and an early riser. It is most likely for me to fall asleep late in the weekends and holidays. Most weekdays I wake up early like around 5:00.

My family is also both, but only because they like watching a lot of movies during the night time, or sometimes we eat dinner late. Sometimes my family is likely to wake up early because we all like traveling and going out.

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.