SUMMER IS COMING TO AN END... (final SLJ post!)

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:

What is one thing that you learned from participating in the Summer Learning Journey programme this year?
I learnt a number of different things surrounding a variety of topics throughout the 2018-19 Summer Learning Journey... not only did I learn to make my blog posts more interesting through the use of Digital Learning Objects, and how to attribute images, I learnt all about New Zealand history, its forests, its animals, etc, etc. One example is: I learnt about the tomtit bird - what it looks like, what its call sounds like, their diet, among other things. I also learnt that New Zealand is 30% forest. Oh, and I got to put on my conspiracy theory hat when I learnt about the legend of the Taniwha! Overall I learnt so many cool things that I wouldn't be able to list them all, but I can confidently say that I totally enjoyed all of it. 

What is one thing that surprised you?
One thing that surprised me is... well, all of it! I actually remember saying to my form teacher, "I'm travelling throughout the holidays so I'll be able to blog my experiences!" - thinking that the objective of the Summer Learning Journey was to post as many personal blog posts as possible as your day. Well when I got into it I was very surprised to find that we actually had the opportunity to learn and share our creations with the world like I've always loved to do. I actually enjoyed the idea of learning rather than blogging about my day better than what I anticipated, so that's a plus. 


What is one thing that concerned or upset you?
If you have read some of my blog posts, or participated in the Summer Learning Journey yourself, we learnt about the NZ environment, its animals, etc. It concerned me to learn about the endangered native species of NZ, the natural resources of Earth that humans are depleting, the impact that deforestation has on our country, etc, etc. It made me concerned and upset for our environment, but it also inspired me to look after our environment a lot more.

What is one thing that you (or your family) can do, moving forward, to help protect our natural environment?
My family personally do our part for the environment through the use of eco-food wrap made from beeswax, resin, and Johoba oil, and banning the use of plastic bags (we use reusable bags not only for our groceries but for our fruit and produce we get). My older sister is probably the most protective of our environment out of all of us, she uses a wooden toothbrush (which I'm about to order) runs an environmental Facebook page, and is vegan, among other things. Ever since I got back from Indonesia and I didn't eat much meat I can say that I'm considering cutting out things like chicken and pork from my diet, one, because the way chickens and pigs are kept in cages is horrendous, and having been shown a video of how they're killed was disgusting, but that's another story.

Before we end the Summer Learning Journey I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who's commented on my blog, or even simply viewed it. Although I didn't manage to quite keep up with it as I was travelling for most of the time, I had a really amazing experience and I'm most definitely doing this again if I get the chance. I'm about to go into Year 10 with the best possible mindset I've had in a while. 

Well, I guess this is farewell to all you lovely little bloggers until the Summer Learning Journey 2019 begins! Bye!

SUMMER LEARNING JOURNEY: Protecting Our Own 🐬

Welcome to another Summer Learning Journey post! I'm writing this post at Sydney Airport, a few good hours away from boarding our plane to Denpasar, Indonesia. I hope you enjoy!

  

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!.

GIF provided by South Park on Giphy!

I believe I would be absolutely petrified if I ever got the opportunity to go on a zip-line in Rotorua. As my Mum says, it's easier said than done: this is something I've learned time after time here in Australia (like the time I held a snake on the Gold Coast!). However, I would at least try to build up some courage to go on the zip-line because the feeling of regret is one of the worst feelings in the world to me. One time I didn't go on a roller coaster at Sea World and I still shudder about it to this day...

The zip-line sounds like it would be a fast adrenaline-rush, that almost makes you feel as if reality has been altered. The trees below, no matter how beautiful they are, would be a blur, but the view of the mountains are crystal clear still water would be surreal. 

I think that after the zip-line, I would definitely not regret doing it, despite my immense fear at the beginning. It would truly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience as I've never been on a zip-line before, and I don't think there's a zip-line anywhere near Christchurch (at least, not to my knowledge). My older sister has been on a zip-line in Hawaii and she said it was awesome, so that helps. 

SUMMER LEARNING JOURNEY: Preserving The Past 🕒

DAY 1: Preserving the Past

Activity 1: World of Wearable (WOW) Art [4 points]

If we want to protect our natural world, we must be thoughtful about what we make, how we make it and how we dispose of it (throw it away). At the moment, the waste in New Zealand is separated into two main categories: 1. Recycled items (eg. bottles, cans, paper) and, 2. Non-recycled items (rubbish). Most of the rubbish is collected by rubbish trucks and taken to a rubbish tip (landfill) where it is dumped and never used again. Much of the recycled material is to taken to a place where it is sorted, separated and sent out to be used again.

The idea of reusing materials was taken to a whole new level by a woman named Dame Suzie Moncrieff who, thirty years ago, created an event in New Zealand called the ‘World of WearableArt’ (WOW). WOW takes place in Wellington (and in other cities) every year. Artists from around the world create outfits made entirely from recycled materials.

Let’s imagine that you were invited to this year’s WOW awards and you were able to interview the creator.

On your blog, list five interview questions that you would like to ask Dame Suzie Moncrieff.

Activity 2: Guardians of the Sea [4 points] One of the largest rivers in New Zealand is called the Waikato River. It is found in the central part of the North Island of New Zealand. The river (awa) was given the name ‘Waikato’ (meaning flowing water) by a group of men and women from the Tainui iwi who, legend has it, travelled down the Waikato years ago and settled in the area. According to Māori legend, the Waikato River has hundreds of taniwha (mythical water spirits) living in it, guarding the sea. Unfortunately, the Waikato River has become polluted in recent years and is, sometimes, closed to the public. This is very upsetting for many people, especially for those who believe that taniwha live in the river. Please click here to read about taniwha and watch this short video about taniwha. Once you have finished learning about taniwha go to your blog. On your blog tell us whether, or not, you believe that taniwha exist. Be sure to explain to us why you feel this way.

A rock carving of a Taniwha near Lake Taupo.

I honestly believe there is a possibility that taniwha exist. I'm a conspiracy theorist/alienist/believer of the supernatural, and to the best of my knowledge of random facts, only 5% of the ocean in the entire world has been explored. That would 
provide a substantial area of space for taniwha to breed without being seen by anybody. More evidence to the 'Taniwha Conspiracy' includes, well, evolution was a thing. Back in the Jurassic period of the Earth, there were aquatic animals. It would come as no surprise that these aquatic animals evolved into many more species that lived underwater, but in the deepest, unexplored parts. The taniwha, according to Maori legend, is recognisable by it's reptile-like appearance. Maybe if the Taniwha was described as an enormous, sparkly purple and pink neon unicorn-thing, I wouldn't be so invested in researching this theory, because, well, it's obviously not going to be real. But the taniwha description is so similar to what could possibly be the result of evolved species of crocodiles, turtles, and other aquatic creatures back in the early periods of Earth. However, because of the fact that Taniwha were only widely-reported to be seen in a time period that was a time long, long ago, and the lack of evidence of living Taniwha in the present, DESPITE the development of much aquatic-based technology development, I don't believe Taniwha are around now, or were around for much longer after Aotearoa became more populated. I don't know. Maybe my conspiracy radar is a little wonky. But in conclusion, I believe the Taniwha were once creatures of this Earth. What about you? 

SUMMER LEARNING JOURNEY: Here To Stay ☀️

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..

top 5 things to do on a rainy day by Jaime Burns

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.

Tāwhirimātea

Tāwhirimātea sent rain
with the force of a thousand oceans
i didn't think our tin roof
was going to make it

at night it was like it
couldn't make a decision
whether to stay
or to go
but in the morning
Tāwhirimātea still hadn't found his hiding place
at least not yet

the Pounamu was
corroded
dissolved
worn down
as if Maui had taken a hammer to it
tap tap tap

the trees
they were singed
as if Mahuika had sent fire to their roots
and it had crawled
up
and up
until it left the tips wilted and rusted. 

the grass resembled straw
the clouds resembled coal
as Tāwhirimātea lingered
in the sky
pondering whether or not to pay another visit
to the place we call
home. 

SUMMER LEARNING JOURNEY: Like A Scene Out of A Movie ⚡

Welcome to 2019! I'm already feeling amazing as the year begins, and I hope you are too! I spent New Year's in Caroline Bay (Timaru) with family and friends, what did you do for New Year's? 

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. 

MY NOTE: I'm really interested in the Northern Lights, but it was the sound of it that got me hooked. These are the unique, mysterious sounds of the Northern Lights. I have to admit, they're pretty freaky!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIhiNcXLvxE

For this activity, you are to write a short acrostic word poem about the beautiful lights.

Activity 3: 

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.

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!.

I chose Picture 1 (the rabbit) for this :) 


Fur looking as fluffy as ever, ears perked and tall as if it has just spotted a carrot... the rabbit is perched with her paws at her chest. The white cloud contrasts against the dark blue sky like black spots on a white rabbit. It's as if the sky is swallowing the bunny into heaven as it fades away into nothing but white swirls of nothingness. The dense cloud is shaped perfectly like a bunny, with shadows to add dimension to this furry creature. The sun makes the bunny glow at a certain angle making it even more beautiful and captivating. Life is good.