SLJ

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?

Over the past few years I believe my mother is the strong and tough person I know. My mother is the bravest person I know because she is not scared of anything. My mother is Courageous & confident. No matter how hard things get for my mother she will always stand tall and strong. My mum will always be the most strongest, tough & bravest person I know.

SLJ

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

It seems like flax weaving could be a new skill for me. I have seen some videos and people making baskets, bags and flowers out of flax weaving. I have tried flax weaving but it was very difficult. My mother is a professional at flax weaving she has tried to teach me but it is really hard to nail flax weaving. It takes time to perfect flax weaving. It interest me because flax weaving is apart of my culture and it has past down to my family generation.

SLJ

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 #1: The oldest known fish in the world is a 65 year old Australian lungfish. True or False

Fish Fact #2: Sharks are the only fish that have eyelids.True or False

Fish Fact #3: Starfish are a type of fish.True or False

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

Fish Fact #5: Fish usually swim together in groups called ‘classes.’True or False

SLJ

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!

On your blog, 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.

I would choose my brother Blessing because he is strong and knows what to do. Second I would choose my sister Revival because she has spend and spend is what you need in a team. Third I would choose my mother Tehillah because she is funny and would make me laugh plus my mum loves to organised things. These people would be great team crew mates. I wouldn't care if we came last or first at least I did it would the people I love and cared about.

SLJ

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.

On your blog, post a picture of yourself doing one of your favourite summer activities. Below the picture tell us what the activity is and tell us why it is one of your favourites.

knitting it something I love to do it helps me to clear my mind. Sometimes knitting can be hard because there is different
kids of materials. But be careful because you can hurt your self with the needle I should know because I poke myself with the needle like ten times. Knitting can be done my hand or by a machine.Knitting can help you make cloths or other kind of crafts.knitting is another way that thread or yarn can be turned into clothing. Knitting is Basically loops called stitches that are pulled through each other.Knitting can be easier to learn because there's only two stitches that are used.

SLJ

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 neighbourhoods 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.

Over the past few years life in New Zealand has changed. Scientists from around Aotearoa have discoveries different kinds of  species.

Christmas-Soon it will be Christmas,our traditions is having a Christmas in the park many people come to have fun playing games and eating different foods.

Sky tower-Have you ever been in the sky tower. The sky tower is in the city is it a tall building. It is 328 meatres (1,076 ft) tall. The sky tower is the longest and tallest tower in New Zealand. 

Aotearoa-There is many places in Aotearoa like,Oakley creek waterfalls ,Mission bay beach,Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongare wa,Queenstown,Christchurch, Rotorua and many more. New Zealand is a place filled with love and care.

SLJ

There is a long and rich history of logging in New Zealand. Logging involves cutting down trees. The people who cut them down are called loggers. The trees that they cut down are sold and used to build things (eg. houses), to make products (eg. paper), and to generate (create) heat and power. Over the past two centuries, many of the trees in New Zealand have been cut down by loggers.

Left: NZ native forest Right: A logged forest

Some people like logging because it creates jobs for the loggers and generates money for New Zealand while others are against (opposed to) logging. Many of those opposed are worried that logging will damage the environment. It might also force animals who live in trees (eg. owls) to find new homes.

What do you think about logging?

On your blog tell us whether you think logging should be allowed in New Zealand. Be sure to provide at least two reasons to support your argument.

I believe that loggers are destroying our environment. Trees make animals live but how can they live with all these loggers killing there home. Trees produce oxygen for humans and animals and oxygen is the only way to live for both animals and human. Plants store carbon, stabilise the soil and give life to the world. Trees cause rainfall and protect water resources under the ground. Trees give us clean water to drink, air to breathe, shade and food to human, animals and plants.

SLJ

Activity 3: Salt and Pepper [5 + 5 possible bonus points]

Deep in the heart of Bolivia (a country in South America) lies a natural wonder unlike anything else. It is a massive area of salt, over 10 000 km2 large, that is referred to as the Uyuni Salt Flats.

Tourists who visit the flats often stay in hotels made completely out of salt (salt hotels). This is not the only unique hotel that you will find around the world. In fact, you can stay in hotels made entirely of ice (ice hotels) or glass (glass hotel). Let’s imagine that you were given enough money to build your very own hotel.On your blog tell us where you would build your hotel and what you would use to build it. For an extra five points, use Google Drawings to design one room in your hotel. You can also use a paper and pencil to draw your room, take a picture of the drawing, and post it on your blog.

If I was given enough money to build my own hotel I would build it here in Auckland. I would make my hotel out of glass. I believe that owning your first hotel is important and I where else would I build my hotel. I would like to build my hotel in Auckland because it is surrounded with the people I love and the people who will support me on my way to success. 

SLJ

Aotearoa New Zealand is home to many spectacular sights and natural wonders. One of these is the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes located on the West Coast of the South Island. The Punakaiki rocks attract tourists from all over the world who are keen to see these amazing rock formations. Many people think that they look like pancakes stacked on top of one another. Pancakes are one of my favourite foods! They are delicious and pretty easy to make.

For this activity you are asked to choose one of your favourite foods. On your blog, write the name of your favourite food and then tell us how to make it. You may need to ask a family member, friend or Google (!) for help, if you do not normally make this food for yourself.

Fruit salad a lovey meal that can help your body. Keeping you healthy. What do you put n your salad?. Fruit salad is a healthy and amazing meal that people should have for breakfast?. Do you enjoy fruit salad. What is your favourite food?. 

SLJ

We have a number of small lizards (geckos and skinks) living in New Zealand. One of the least common is the Chevron Skink. According to the Department of Conservation, Chevron Skinks live mostly on two islands - Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island. These islands are ‘animal reserves.’ Very few people, other than staff working for the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), are allowed to live there. The DOC staff are called ‘Rangers.’ Their job is to protect the wildlife (animals and plants) living on the island.

Would you like to be a DOC ranger and live with the animals on Great Barrier Island?

On your blog list three pros (good things) and three cons (bad things) about working as a DOC ranger. At the bottom of your post, tell us whether you would like to be a DOC Ranger or not.
Our assignment for SLJ (summer Learning Journey) was to list three pros and cons about working as a DOC ranger. At the bottom of my post I had to explain whether I would like to be a DOC Ranger or not. It was fun learning about different kinds of animals like the lizards and geckos even though Im not a fun of them. 

Exploring and finding out new things. Becoming a DOC Ranger mean to leave home and help out Animals. It would be an honour to become a DOC Ranger. Helping animals and learning many things on my way. Its will always be my dreams to help animal. I believe it would be a pleasure and a great opportunity to be a DOC Ranger if I had a chance to become one.

SLJ

Activity 1: Scaling New Heights [4 points]

Aotearoa New Zealand is a country of mountains and valleys, dense forests, and sparkling oceans. At the centre of the South Island sits the tallest mountain in the country, Aoraki Mt Cook. It is the place where Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the top (summit) of Mt Everest, learned how to climb mountains. It was pretty difficult for him, at first, but Sir Edmund Hillary did not give up and, in 1953, he achieved this dream of climbing Mt Everest. His face can now be found on the New Zealand $5 note!

Let’s imagine that you met Sir Edmund Hillary in real life and were able to interview him.

On your blog, post five questions that you would like to ask Sir Edmund Hillary about his life.

Q 1-What was it like to go through the wonders of Mt Everest?.

Q 2-How was it climbing up 8,844 miles up?.

Q 3-How was it like to reach the top completing your Journey?.

Q 4-Was your dreams always to become a hiker?.

Q 5-How is it like to have your face on our New Zealand $5 dollars bill.

THE BEAST

In New Zealand we have many unusual animals. One of the most unusual is the kiwi bird - a bird that does not have wings and can not fly. Pretty strange, eh?! J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, has recently written a new book about strange or unusual animals called ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.’

For this activity, please watch this cool book trailer. Year 7 and Year 8 students in South Auckland, New Zealand helped to make it. Once you have watched the video, use your imagination and create your very own beast. What does your beast look, smell, feel, and sound like?

For our SLJ (Summer Learning Journey) assignment we had to write a story about a Beast or a Monster. My story is about I beast who snatch children out of there beds. You can never see him coming. WATCH OUT HE MIGHT COME FOR YOU. Do you have a beast in your room?. Tell me what your beast would look,smell,feel, and sound like. Leave it in the comments below. I hope you enjoy my piece of writing.