Teaser Week: Day 1

Teaser Week: Activity 1
Arts & Entertainment 

Summer Learning Journey - Week 4: Day 5

DAY 5: The Sky’s the Limit!

Activity 1: Environment Day - Beat Plastic Pollution [4 points]

Every year we celebrate World Environment Day in June. On World Environment Day we do what we can to protect our planet. This year the focus is on reducing the use of plastic bags and water bottles. Watch this Environment Day video to learn more about it!

What could you and your family do to protect the planet?

On your blog tell us three things that you could do to help save the planet.

* First we could buy metal straws so that when we go to Mcdonalds we don't have to use the plastic ones.

* Instead of plastic waterbottles, we could buy reusable waterbottles and fill it up with tap water.

* My family could pick up rubbish thats on the ground outside whenever we see it.

Activity 2: Adoption Day [4 points]

Not only can you help the planet by reducing, reusing and recycling, you can also help to save animals and plants by ‘adopting’ them. To ‘adopt’ an animal through the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), you need to visit their adopt a species page, read through the list of animals and choose one.

With the WWF, you don’t actually adopt the animal and bring it home! It’s a symbolic adoption. In this case you pay a fee ($55.00) and the money is used to provide food and care for your chosen animal. Visit the WWF site and take a look at the animals who are available for adoption. Choose your ‘top three’ animals from the website.

On your blog, list the three animals that you have chosen and then compare and contrast them. How are they similar? How are they different? At the bottom of you post, tell us which of the three animals you would most like to adopt..

Similarites - They are all in need of help and are almost extinct

- They are all endangered because of habitat loss and of poaching.

Differences - They are all different species.

- All three of them live in different types of habitats.

Amur Leopard - I would like to adopt the leopard the most.

Slow Loris

Sumatran Rhino

Activity 3: Concluding the Journey [10 points]

Sadly, the Summer Learning Journey has now come to an end. It is time to reflect on everything that you have learned about the environment and, particularly, about how you can protect and preserve it.

On your blog please tell us:

1. What is one thing that you learned from participating in the Summer Learning Journey programme this year? I learned that a lot of animals in NZ are close to extinction.
2. What is one thing that surprised you? I was surprised that someone came up with the idea to create a fashion show but the models have to wear outfits out of recycled resources.
3. What is one thing that concerned or upset you? A lot (more then I thought) of animals are dying because of habitat loss and that is because of us humans.
4. What is one thing that you (or your family) can do, moving forward, to help protect our natural environment? Pick up rubbish outside whenever we can.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 4: Day 4

DAY 4: Making Promises

Activity 1: Campaigning for Conservation [4 points]

New Zealand is home to so many beautiful, unique and, sometimes, endangered animals and habitats. The Forest & Bird organisation is working really hard to protect vulnerable animals and places in NZ. They are doing everything that they can to raise money and to raise awareness so that everyone knows about these issues. These are called ‘campaigns.’ Check out the Forest & Bird campaigns site to learn more about them.

Imagine, that you have been hired by Forest & Bird New Zealand to work on one of their campaigns. It is your job to come up with a catchy slogan for the campaign. A slogan is a short phrase or sentence that is used to advertise something. Check out examples of common slogans and logos below.

    

On your blog, tell us which campaign you have chosen to support and provide us with a slogan for that campaign.

Protect our Penguins: Hoiho needs your help!

Activity 2: The Plastic Pledge [4 points]

Over the past few decades some of New Zealand’s beaches have become dumping grounds for waste and rubbish. Almost 80% of this waste is made up of plastic items. Yikes!

Some companies in New Zealand have heard about the problem and agreed to cut down on their use of plastic. Countdown supermarkets, for example, have announced that they will stop giving out plastic bags to customers.  What do you think of this idea? What do your friends and family think? Is it a good idea or not?

For this activity, please ask one member of your family and/or a friend what they think about Countdown’s decision to go ‘plastic bag free.’

On your blog, tell us what they think about Countdown’s decision to stop using plastic bags.

Sister:

Its good for the enviourment. It'll help people from disposing plastic bags in the ocean and it'll help save our marine life.

Activity 3: Restricted Access [10 points]

While much of our programme has focused on New Zealand, it is important that we also consider the environment in other places as well. One of the most unusual and spectacular sites to visit outside of New Zealand is called Machu Picchu. It is an ancient city that was built high up in the mountains in the country of Peru in South America. You have to take a train and/or walk through a series of mountains and valleys to reach it.

    

Over the past few decades millions of tourists have made the trek to Machu Picchu. Unfortunately, this has damaged the area and the local government has decided to restrict the number of visitors to the site each year. This decision has upset a lot of tourists who really want to see Machu Picchu but aren’t allowed to go.

On your blog, tell us what you think about the government’s decision to restrict the number of tourists able to visit this special site. Is it fair? Be sure to tell us why you feel the way that you do.

I think the goverment has the right to do that anyways because its their country, and if something is damaged there because of tourists they should do something about it and tourists shouldn't complain.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 4: Day 3

DAY 3: Taking Action

Activity 1: Predator Free 2050 – A Call to Arms [4 points]

There is currently a huge drive to get rid of all predators from New Zealand. Predators are animals that, in some way, damage our natural environment. Many organisations are working hard to accomplish this goal.

Click on the links below to watch videos about three of the current projects operating to make New Zealand ‘Predator Free by 2050.’

Predator Free Video #1: Cacophony Project

Predator Free Video #2: Taranaki Mounga Project

Predator Free Video #3: Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP)

On your blog, tell us which one of the videos you liked the best and why..

 I really liked the 'Taranaki Mounga Project' because it is a community project and they are also protecting Tarankis Mountain. Predators have been eating away at their birds who live in the forests/mountains and they are doing something about it!

Activity 2: Protecting the Most Vulnerable - Fact or Fiction? [4 points]

Here in New Zealand we have a native dolphin, the Māui Dolphin, that is on the verge of extinction (disappearing forever). As of this year, there are only 63 Māui dolphins left and people predict that they will be extinct by 2033. Environmentalists and activists, including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), are working hard to save the dolphin because it is such a special and unique animal. To learn more about the Māui Dolphin, please follow this link. If you would like to sign a petition from the WWF encouraging the New Zealand government to take action to save the Maui Dolphin, please follow this link.

Once you have learned more about this unique dolphin, it is time for you to share your learning with us.

On your blog, post three facts that you learned about the Māui Dolphin. Then, using your imagination, create three more statements about Māui dolphins that are not true (i.e. false). Please don’t tell us which of your statements about Māui Dolphins are true and which are false. It will be the job of the students and staff who read your blog to figure it out.

* Male Maui dolphins are slighter larger than females.
* They can live up to 25 years. 
* Maui dolphins use sound to 'see'. 
* When Maui dolphins swim in groups, they usaully swim in their own genders. Males are seperated from the females and calves.
* Maui dolphins don't appear close to the shore in groups.
* Maui and Hector dolphins look the same, but they are physically and genetically different.

Activity 3: The Power of Ten [10 points]

Sir David Attenborough is a famous TV presenter from England who loves nature and the natural world. He has spent his career filming documentaries about the planet and working hard to protect it. In a recent interview, Sir David was asked to reflect on all that he had learned and to imagine that he had suddenly been given the power to save 10 animals and/or plants from extinction (disappearing forever).

After thinking about the question, he listed these 10 species (animals/plants):

1. Black Lion Tamarin (pictured to the right)

2. Sumatran Rhino

3. Solenodon

4. Olm Salamander

5. Spatuletail Hummingbird

6. Darwin’s Frog

7. Sunda pangolin

8. Priam’s Birding Butterfly

9. Northern Quoll

10. Venus’s Flower Basket

Let’s imagine that you had the same power and that you could save 10 species (animals or plants) from extinction. Who would you save? If I had the choice I would probably save animals like the elephant, white tiger and rhinoceros because they are unique and have lived for centuries on earth. I would also like to save some of my favourite flowers including hydrangeas and calla lily flowers. What about you?

   

Left to right: White tiger, Hydrangeas, Calla Lily

On your blog, list 10 species (animals or plants) that you would protect from extinction. For each one, give a reason as to why you think it is important to protect.

* White Tiger - because they are really beautiful and I would like a chance to see them before they go extinct.

* The Bornean Orangutan - because they are going extinct because we keep on cutting down their habitat and I just think that is so wrong.

* Amur Leopard - It is one of the most endangered animals and they are already extincted in China and Korea, I don't want them to face any more deaths in any other places.

* Vaquita - It looks very unique and is one of the most rarest marine animals out there.

* Giant Panda - They are very beautiful and cute animals, I would hate to see them extinct before the next generation can see them in real life.

* Javan Rihno - There are only 40 - 60 indivuals left which means they are very rare.

* Hainan Gibbon - They are very pretty and there is only about 23 left. I do not want them to be wiped out and hope people can help keep them alive.

* Jamaican Rock Iguana - It was believed to be extinct in 1970, but there are now 100. I do not want them to be extincted again.

* Olm Salamander - I think they are very cute and unique. They are special because they are the only know amphibian that lives entirely aquatic.

* Northern Quoll - Its population is currently decreasing and they are a native to Australia.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 4: Day 2

DAY 2: Protecting Our Own

Activity 1: A Flying Fox [4 points]

New Zealand has some of the most beautiful forests in the world. Both New Zealanders and tourists, alike, enjoy walking through these forests. Unfortunately, constantly walking through forests can damage the plants and animals (flora and fauna) that live there. In an attempt to protect the local flora and fauna, an eco-tourism company in Rotorua came up with an idea. The Rotorua Canopy Tours Company designed a series of ziplines that sit above the forest canopy (top). People can ‘zip’ from one section of the forest to another, looking down on the beautiful natural areas below. To see what ziplining looks like, check out this video.

I have tried ziplining and I really enjoyed it, however, I must admit that I was pretty scared to try it at first. How would you feel if you had the chance to go ziplining in Rotorua?

On your blog, tell us how you would feel about going ziplining in Rotorua. Try to use some descriptive words (adjectives) and action words (verbs) in your post!.

Zipling looks great and I would love to try it. I don't think I'll be scared because I'll be distracted by the beautiful nature below and around me. I think the best part would be feeling the brezze and getting to be alone.

Activity 2: A Protective Plant [4 points]

There are concerns about the water quality of some of the rivers, streams and oceans in and around New Zealand. Some people have suggested that we plant flowers and plants on the banks of our most polluted rivers to stop the spread of the pollution. Apparently, the plants can act as filters, absorbing some of the chemicals (pollutants) that are moving across the land, on their way to the river.

Planting can be a lot of fun! Have you ever planted a garden? Aronui and I are going to make our very own edible garden this year. We are going to plant a number of veggies, fruits and herbs, including mint, coriander, parsley, lemongrass, onions, tomatoes, beans, zucchinis, kumara and strawberries. Yum! If you could plant an edible garden what would you plant in it?

On your blog list 10 veggies, fruits, or herbs that you would plant in your garden.

* Strawberries

* Grape Vine

* Mint

* Basil

* Chives

* Kumara

* Potatoes

* Carrotes

* Apple Tree

* Pineapples

Activity 3: A House is Not a Home [10 points]

New Zealand is home to some unique wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. While we work very hard to protect our natural habitats so, too, do people living and working in other countries. One of the oldest international wildlife conservation organisations is called ‘Fauna & Flora International’ (FFI). They support a number of projects around the world, including those working to protect Lansan trees in the Caribbean, fruit forests in Tajikistan, and national reserves in Mozambique. Read about each of these projects and choose the one that interests you the most.

On your blog, tell us which project you find most interesting and why..

Lansan trees in the Carribean: I really liked this project because the trees are endangered. The trees are used for religious ceremonies, mosquitoe repellent and warding off evil spirits. The locals there have been  removing resin from the trees incorrectly, but the team there have been trained to remove the resin while keeping the tree alive. I think what they are doing is really good for the trees, but it is also good beacause it is creating jobs for people to work there. 

Summer Learning Journey - Week 3: Day 5

DAY 5: Here to Stay

Activity 1: Persistent Pollution [4 points]

In 2016, the World Health Organisation announced that Timaru, a small town in the South Island of New Zealand, had the highest recorded levels of air pollution in New Zealand. Some of this pollution was caused by natural events (eg. fires) but most of it was produced (made) by humans.

Watch this short video on air pollution. It will tell you more about natural and human causes of pollution.

On your blog, share three new things that you learned about air pollution from this video.

* There are different kinds of air pollution: Greenhouse Gases, Smog and Toxic Pollutants,

* Most air pollution is caused by man.

* Ait pollution makes the air warmer, which results in things like more pollen, rise in extreme weather and smog.

Activity 2: Changing Climates [4 points]

Over the past decade, the climate in New Zealand (and around the world) has been changing. In fact, the climate has been getting warmer and warmer. While many of us like warm weather, climate change is not good news. Higher temperatures can cause glaciers to melt (leading to flooding) and increase the amount of rain that falls.

Here in New Zealand, we have noticed the change. In fact, we sometimes have torrential (huge) rain storms causing flooding, landslides and road closures. When it starts to rain really hard, Aronui and I usually hide out in our lounge and play games like Yahtzee, Monopoly and Uno. If it rains all day, we will also spend some time reading, watching movies and baking.

What about you? What do you like to do on a rainy day?  

On your blog, tell us about five things that you like to do when it is too rainy to go outside..

* Make brownies with my sister.

* Watch horror movies.

* Play with my younger nephews and nieces.

* Watch movies with my younger nephews and nieces.

* Eat.

Activity 3: Let It Rain [10 points]

Over the past few decades, we have seen an increase in the amount of rain that falls here in New Zealand. We are lucky, however, that most of the rain that falls is regular rainwater and not polluted acid rain. Acid rain is rain that has bad chemicals (pollutants) in it. When acid rain hits the ground it can enter the water system, killing plants and animals. Click here to learn more about acid rain.

Let’s imagine that New Zealand was hit by a massive acid rain storm. Acidic rain fell for three days and three nights. When the rain fell, you stayed inside with your friends and family. When it stopped, however, you and your family decided to go for a walk outside. You opened the door and...

On your blog, write a short story about what happened when you opened the door and walked outside after the acid rain storm. To earn full points, you must write a story that is 8 – 10 sentences long.

And we saw something that looked like an aftermath of a tornado. The trees outside were bare and the grass outside looked like it was balding. It was silent, no chirping, just the sound of nothing. We decided to go on a walk . The trees everywhere had no leaves and the world looked sad. It had no colour, nothing interesting about it. We got to the beach when we saw lines of crab and small fish washed up on the sand. We walked up cautiously to the small fish, it was dead. I couldn't believe I was seeing this. If it rains again, who knows what kind of damage it could do.

Summer Learning Journey - Week 3: Day 4

DAY 4: Like a Scene Out of a Movie

Activity 1: The Southern Lights [4 points]

Once in a while a very special event takes place in New Zealand. It is a show of beautiful, bright lights that appear in the sky over the South Island. The lights are called the ‘Aurora Australis’ or ‘Southern Lights.’ They are similar to the ‘Northern Lights’ that are often seen in places like Northern Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. The southern and northern lights are so stunning that they often leave people, who are watching them, speechless.

For this activity, you are to write a short acrostic word poem about the beautiful lights. Hazel has written an acrostic poem about summer to give you an example.

S - Sun outside,

U - Umbrellas in the sand.

M -  My friends and I, having fun,

M - Making sandcastles,

E - Enjoying ice cream on a hot day,

R - Racing to the beach!

On your blog, use the word ‘LIGHTS’ to write an acrostic poem about the Southern Lights. Be as creative as you can!

For more information and examples of acrostic poems, check out this poetry website. :

L: Lots of colours

I: I am enjoying my time

G: Gods creation

H: Harmony in the Air

T: Time to remeber

S: Speechless

Activity 2: The Seven Sisters [4 points]

In the middle of winter, a very special cluster (group) of stars appear in the sky over New Zealand. This cluster is called the ‘Matariki star cluster.’ It re-appears in the sky each May/June and signals the start of the Māori New Year. Many songs (waiata) and stories have been written about the cluster. One of these is called ‘The Seven Stars of Matariki.’ It was written by a New Zealander named Toni Rolleston-Cummins. She is from Maketu. Click here to listen to Toni read her story.

On your blog, write a short summary of the book. What was it about? Try to summarise the story in 6-8 sentences.

Once there was a man named Metai who was raised by a man who knew many magic, he taught Metai how to turn into a bird. Metai had 6 other brothers who were very handsome. One day he and his brothers went to a hill where they saw 7 beautiful ladies. The brothers (except for Metai) fell deep in love with the ladies, but Metai warned them they were faires because of the bright white skin and their golden hair. The brothers took the ladies back to the village but they were very picky. The brothers were so spell bound that they never looked after themselves and soon became skinny and ugly. Metai was suspicious so one day he waited behind a tree when he noticed 7 birds sitting closly to each other. They transformed into the ladies and were talking about starving their husbands to death. Metai heard this and went to go tell his brothers and then they made a plan. The brothers caught the sisters in magical nets and then Metai turned into a bird and took the sisters to the god of the sky. The god of the sky trapped them in the heavens and once a year, their beauty shines from the sky.

Activity 3: Crazy, Cool Clouds [5 points]

Have you ever looked up into the sky and seen a cloud that had a really cool shape? I certainly have, and so have dozens of other people. Take a look at the three pictures of crazy, cool cloud formations below.

From left to right: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3

Clouds are formed when small drops of water stick together. To learn more about clouds and how they are formed, you can watch this cool video. Once you have learned about clouds, please choose your favourite cloud picture.

On your blog, tell us what you see in the photo. What shape(s) do you see? Be sure to tell us which picture (1, 2 or 3) you have chosen and describe what you see in lots of detail!.

1) In the first photo, it looks like an bunny, or maybe a kangaroo. The clouds enhances its fluffiness which makes the cloud even more adorable.

2) This cloud reminds me of a tornado. It looks like it is spinning. It also looks like cotton candy.

3) This cloud looks like the old timey mustaches.