Summer Learning Journey | Week 1

In the beginning (1800 - 1870)

Day 3 - It's all in the family

Activity 1 | The More, the merrier?

In the 1800s, most families were pretty big. In fact, many parents had an average of seven to nine children.  Imagine that you were a child in the 1800s and you had nine siblings.

On your blog, please tell us how you would feel. Would you enjoy being a member of such a large family? Why or why not?

Being in a big Family | My Thoughts

Since I already live in a gigantic family, and my parents who grew up with nine siblings, I think it won't bother me much. But that doesn't mean I won't get angry at times like I do now.

Activity 2 | Acknowledging Ancestry

All of us are members of a family. Some of us have large families and some of us have very small families. When I have the opportunity to talk about my family and my ancestry I sometimes choose to use a pepeha. It is a very special way of identifying who I am and where I come from. There are many different versions of pepeha but most provide people with information about who you are and where you come from (i.e. your whakapapa). Use the template provided below to prepare your own unique pepeha. If you need help please watch this short movie clip on preparing a pepeha.

My Pepeha

Ko Mt Wellington te maunga. The mountain that I affiliate to is…

Ko Tamaki River estuary te awa. The river that I affiliate to is….

Ko ? tōku tīpuna. The waka that I affiliate to is…

Ko Laufa tōku iwi. My founding ancestor is…

Ko Patai tōku hapū.  My tribe is…

Ko Almonte tōku marae.

Ko Almonte, Canada ahau.

Ko Leslie rāua, ko Ron oku mātua.

Ko Rachel tōku ingoa.

Ko Mt Wellington te maunga. The mountain that I affiliate to is…

Ko Tamaki River te awa. The river that I affiliate to is….

Ko Te ? Waka. The waka that I affiliate to is…

Ko Laufa tōku iwi. My founding ancestor is…

Ko Patai tōku hapū.  My tribe is…

Ko Timu tōku hapū. My sub tribe is...

Ko ? tōku marae. My marae is...

Ko Auckland, New Zealand ahau. I am from…

Ko Epi rāua, ko Joe oku mātua. My parents are … and …

Ko Aaliyah tōku ingoa. My name is …

Bonus Activity | Fun Family Facts

Everyone’s family is unique. What makes your family special? Choose three people close to you and ask them what their two favourite things to do in summer are.

On your blog, write two fun facts about each person. For example, my Nana plays the bagpipes!

Family Members | Summer Fun

My Niece:

- "I love going out to places like Mission Bay to enjoy some Ice-cream."

- "I also like to play water games outside since it has been blazing hot."

My Mum:

- "I love going to the beach when it's hot."
- "I also love to read books while in the shade or indoors."

My Nephew:

- "I like to play rugby with my cousins"
- "I love eating Ice blocks, my favourite is the lemonade flavour."

Family Fun Facts

My Brother:
He is a skilled guitarist.

My Niece:
She has a collection of shells from every beach she has visited.

My Cousin:
She has learnt to play the saxophone.

Summer Learning Journey | Week 1

In the beginning (1800 - 1870)

Day 2 - It's all in a day's work

Activity 1 | A House or Home?

In the 1800s, most Māori lived in villages called pa. Each village had many buildings – kauta where people cooked, pataka where they stored goods and wharepuni where the Māori slept. A traditional wharepuni had a thatched roof and walls made of timber, fern, rushes and bark. Look at the picture below of a traditional wharepuni. Does it look like your house?

On your blog, compare the wharepuni to your own home. What are two similarities and two differences between a wharepuni and your house?

Differences & Similarities | Traditional Wharepuni & Modern House

|| Differences ||

- The Traditional Wharepuni's doorway is small, so children and adults alike have to bend down on all fours just to get in. Modern Houses have larger doorways so children and adults can enter without a problem.

- The roof of the Wharepuni is made out of flax or hay and is supported with a bunch of solid sticks. Modern Houses' roofs have titles to withstand all weathers alike.

|| Similarities ||

- Both Houses are suitable (maybe) for anyone to live in.

- Both use earth based materials like: Wood, Adobe and Cobe. 

Activity 2 | The Rules of Engagement

During the early years in New Zealand, men and women would often marry at a young age. Women were expected to have babies and remain in the home caring for their children. Few, if any, left home in search of work. Men, on the other hand, were expected to work outside of the home.

These days, we don’t have the same strict expectations about work. Girls and boys can choose their own path in life. In fact, I was lucky enough to go to university and to follow my dream of becoming a teacher!

What is your dream job? Draw a picture of yourself doing your dream job and post it on your blog. You could be a doctor, an actor or even a zookeeper! I have drawn myself taking a picture of a beautiful castle in Poland because I would love to become a travel blogger and photographer one day.

My DLO | Dream Job

Unforuntaely, I didn't have any paper at home so I had to resort to making a DLO instead. My dream job was to be a photographer, all of the famous landmarks on the left are all the places I would like to take photos.

Click the photo above to get a better view

Bonus Activity | Special Meals

Back in the 1800s, most Māori ate a simple diet. They ate foods that they could catch in the water (eg. fish) or grow on the land (eg. kumara). They did not have access to a supermarket to buy food for their meals! Speaking of meals, what is your favourite meal? Mine is wood-fired pizza. Yum!

On your blog, post a picture of your favourite meal. Be sure to tell us what it is and why it is your favourite. You could also include the recipe if you have it so that we can all try it!

Lasagna, Yum!

My mum always makes this meal on special occasions, sadly I don't have a recipe to provide, but trust me, it is delicious!

Summer Learning Journey 2017 | Week 1

In the Beginning (1800 - 1870)
Day 1 - Arriving in New Zealand

Activity 1 | The first Settlers

It is widely believed that the first people to arrive in New Zealand came from Polynesia. Most historians believe that they landed in New Zealand over 700 years ago. Although they were originally from many different countries, these settlers learned to live together and, eventually, formed their own distinct culture known as ‘Māori.’  Māori have their own language, traditions, and culture.

Follow this link to read a short story about a famous man in Māori mythology – Maui. On your blog, post three facts that you learned about this interesting man. What other stories have you heard about Maui?

Maui | Three interesting facts

- Maui owns a fishhook that is made out of a jawbone his ancestor, Murirangawhenua gave him which he then tied to some flax.

- While Maui was fishing, the canoe he was in with his brothers is now known as the south Island of New Zealand, and the fish he caught with his hook is the north Island.

- Whenever Maui says his old karakia, it always helps him in difficult situations.

Other Stories | Maui

- Maui and the Sun
- Maui and Tuna

Activity 2 | Setting Sail

The first settlers to come to New Zealand must have been really brave! They had to leave their original homes and sail thousands of miles across the ocean on a special boat called a ‘waka’ to reach New Zealand.

Imagine that you were on board one of the wakas. On your blog, write a short letter to a friend telling them about your voyage to New Zealand. In the letter be sure to tell them how you feel about moving to a new country. If it was me, I would have felt really nervous…

My Letter to a Friend

Dear Mikaela,

I will be going to New Zealand, a new Continent we have just found! I was excited when they asked me to join them on their voyage, but whenever I think about it, I just feel so anxious. I mean, I don't know what to except! A lot of things has been going through my mind lately, I think getting a letter back from you will help me calm my nerves.

Well, wish me luck on my voyage!

From, Aaliyah

Bonus Activity | Waka Ama

To this day, the people of New Zealand still use waka. Instead of using their waka to transport them from one place to another, they sometimes use waka in special events and in sporting competitions such as Waka Ama. Both boys and girls compete in Waka Ama boat races.

Watch this short video of a Waka Ama race. On your blog tell us whether you would like to be in a Waka Ama race one day. Why or why not?

Waka Ama | Will I join or not?

Well, to be honest I wouldn't want to be in a Waka Ama race because judging by the people in the wakas, it seems like you need a lot of muscle to get past that finish line. But other then that, I think it looks like a great sport to participate in, but just not the sport I would enjoy playing.

Silent Reading

Silent Reading

Today, the book I have been reading is: Emil's Clever Pig by Astrid Lindgren

From what I have read, I have come to an understanding that Emil is famous in his little town, Lonneburga for being the most naughtiest boy. 

In this book, the author talks about all the mischief he gets in and some of the good deeds he has done.

Overall, I think this book is very interesting and hilarious to read. I recommend this book to anyone who can get their hands on it.

Compare & Contrast | Reading

Compare & Contrast

Granddaughter and Teacher

Today in my group, we had to compare the granddaughter's and teacher's similarities and differences. Surprisingly we  found out that both are not that different.

Click the picture above to have a better view

Please feel free to leave a comment!

Character Study Diagram

Character Study

This morning, my group and I decided to study on the main character from "Butterflies", the granddaughter. We came up with an conclusion that she is a very well behaved child based on what she does and says in the text. 

|| Feel free to leave to leave a comment below ||

Analysing a Text

This Afternoon, I learnt to summarise a text using these the five finger questions:

We summaries a text called Butterflies by Patrica Grace.

Who is in the text?

What happened in the text?

When did it happen?

Where did it happen?

Why did it happen?

How did it happen? On the palm