Summer Learning Journey Day 3 Week 4

Summer Learning Journey
Day 3


Sorry readers, for not posting in a while, but I have had many family issues and problems lately, including departure from this world. A lot of my parents' close friends and family have been passing away in the past few weeks, and we've been moving all around! I thank you for your understanding, Jazire.....


Activity 1 - In 1996, New Zealand adopted the MMP voting system. In September of 2017 we had a national election. Everyone in New Zealand, over the age of 18, was invited to vote for who they wanted to form the next government in New Zealand. The race was really close and in the end, three different political parties (Labour, New Zealand First and the Green Party), came together to form the new government. It is called a ‘coalition government’ because it includes different people from different political parties.

Imagine that you had to form a coalition government with two other people.  Who would you choose to partner with?

I would form a coalition with my son, Aronui, and with my friend, Amber. Aronui would be a great addition to the coalition because he is funny and kind. He would make us laugh and take care of us. Amber would be great because she is really smart and thoughtful. She is also good at making decisions. I think that we would form a great team. What about you? Who would you choose? Why?

I would choose my best friend, Chozyn and his younger brother, Tumanako. Chozyn is thoughtful and smart. Tumanako is cheeky and he cracks me up! And I am very intellegent!

Activity 2 - Over the past few decades, there has been a huge rise in the number of people coming to New Zealand to live and/or travel. I was one of those people! In fact, I moved with my family to New Zealand in 2010 and I am so glad that I did. It’s a pretty amazing place to call home! At the moment I live about 10 minutes from three stunning beaches and a beautiful national park.

Speaking of home, where do you live? On your blog, please post a picture of your hometown and provide a list of three things that tourists, like us, could do if we came to visit. What do you like most about your hometown? (Remember the guidelines for being Cybersmart, and never post your address online).

My hometown of Almonte, Ontario

I live in Auckland, right here in New Zealand. If tourists came to visit, they would have heaps to do! But if it were me, I'd do this....

1. Explore the great volcano of RangiToto

2. Discover wonderful beaches all around!

3. Enjoy my time there by going out with friends!

Bonus Activity - Over the past few years, a number of schools have changed the way that they teach. Instead of one teacher working in one classroom with one group of students, some schools have built huge classrooms where many teachers work together to teach a big group of students. This is called a ‘Modern Learning Environment’ (MLE).

Some people prefer Modern Learning Environments while others aren’t so sure. Take a look at the pictures above. The one on the left is a photograph of a traditional classroom, and the picture on the right is of a Modern Learning Environment.

Imagine that you are a teacher, and design your own classroom. What would it look like? What furniture would you have? I would love to have some beanbags for reading on.

Draw a floorplan of your classroom (either in Google Draw or on paper) and upload it to your blog. Describe what is special about your classroom and why you designed it this way.

I’ve drawn a classroom with pink carpet and bright coloured tables. I also included a kitchen so that we can do cooking every day and a HUGE bookshelf because I love to read! What would you like to see in your classroom?

This is what my classroom would look like...

Summer Learning Journey Day 2 Week 4

Summer Learning Journey
Day 2


Activity 1 - Over the past 17 years New Zealand has experienced a number of sporting highlights, perhaps none larger than the back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. In both competitions our national rugby team, the All Blacks, was captained by a man named Richie McCaw. He is arguably one of the best rugby players of all time. A movie called Chasing Great was recently created to document his incredible rugby career.

Please watch the trailer for Chasing Great and read about Richie McCaw online. On your blog tell us three things that you learned about Richie that you did not know beforehand. What else would you like to know about Richie?

3 things I did not know before...

1. He has written his own books

2. He starred in a movie about himself!

3. He was born in Oamaru

I would like to know why Richie was so passionate about Rugby League.

Activity 2 - In 2015, a kiwi golfer named Lydia Ko became the youngest woman in the world to reach the #1 ranking.  She was only 17 years old. Many people from here in New Zealand and overseas really admire her and think of her as a modern-day sporting hero. Who is your sporting hero? They can be a famous athlete, or even a member of your family or community. It’s completely up to you.

On your blog tell us about your sporting hero. Who are they? Why are they a hero? Include a photo of them in your blog post.

My sporting hero is Lisa Carrington. She is an incredible rower, and last year she was awarded the prestigious  Lonsdale Cup for her amazing results in 2016! She spends hours training, and I think her commitment to her sport is inspiring.

My sporting hero is Simone Biles. Biles is a fantastic gymnast who won a gold medal in the individual, all-round, vault and floor comp. She is an American lady and is very passionate about gymnastics!

Bonus Activity - In recent years, many New Zealanders have embraced a new form of exercise called Zumba©. It was developed by a man named Alberto Perez who lives in the country of Columbia. He created Zumba by bringing together many different dance styles including: cumbia, mambo, hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, tango, merengue and mambo.

            The Merengue                                      The Tango

Choose one of the dance styles mentioned above and click on the name to read more about it. Once you are done, post three interesting facts about the dance style on your blog. In which country did it originate? Who originally created it?  

The Tango

1. The tango was originated in Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

2. It is not completely verified (whoever created the tango) but it could be an American - African, or a European that did!

3. The tango is very popular in Spain, and even children do the tango!

Hello readers! I haven't posted in a while and I just managed to remember that I had 4 more Summer Learning Journey activities to do before time runs out, so here you are! Read and enjoy...

Summer Learning Journey Day 1 Week 4

Summer Learning Journey
Day 1


Activity 1 - In 2000, the country of New Zealand celebrated when Russell Coutts and his sailing team won their second straight America’s Cup. This was the first time that a team from New Zealand had won back-to-back championships! Many people celebrated the victory with their friends and family.

On your blog, tell us what you and your family do to celebrate special events, such as birthdays. Do you have a special meal or go to a specific place? In our house, we usually make a pizza and bake a special cake. What about you?

In my family, on special occasions, we celebrate by having all of our closest friends and relatives come over. They each bring something that can be either a gift, meal, or something to do throughout the day.

Activity 2 - Arguably one of the most famous movie trilogies of all time, The Lord of the Rings, was filmed in New Zealand. All three movies were directed by a New Zealander named Peter Jackson. The first movie was released in 2001, the second in 2002 and the third in 2003. The movies cost an estimated $300 million to produce!  

Imagine that instead of spending the money on the movies, Peter Jackson decided to give all of this money to you. Lucky you! On your blog, tell us what you would do with $300 million dollars. How would you spend it? It is a lot of money so please think carefully about it and spend it wisely :-)

If I had as much money as 300 million dollars I'd probably give most to a charity of my choice. (most meaning 150 million / 1/2.)

I'd give part of the remaining money to my siblings and parents and save the rest for myself, in my bank! What a way to use 300 million dollars!

Bonus Activity - Although most of you are quite familiar with the idea of taking a ‘selfie’ (picture of ourselves), this was not always the case. In fact, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that people started talking about the idea of a selfie, taking selfies and posting them online.

In honour of the rise in popularity of the ‘selfie,’ take a selfie and post it on your blog. Try to show us at least one of your hobbies or one your favourite things (maybe a special toy or book). For example, here is a selfie of Hazel drinking a big mug of tea, and Rachel with her son, Aronui, attending a Paw Patrol show!

I took this photo with my godsister, We used one of our favourite apps, Snapchat to do this.

Summer Learning Journey Day 5 Week 3

Summer Learning Journey
Day 5


Activity 1 - In 1990, one of the largest national parks in New Zealand, Tongariro, was listed as a World Heritage Site. It is a truly spectacular place to visit! Thousands of people go to Tongariro every year and hike the Tongariro Crossing. Visit the Tongariro website to learn more about the one-day hike.

On your blog tell us what you would need to pack if you were going to hike the Tongariro Crossing. What should you bring with you? Write a list of at least 5 items.

* Water

* Some snacks

* Whatever clothes are necessary

* Hiking boots

* A rucksack

Other than making sure that you have the right equipment, what else should you do before heading out on a big hike? Click here to learn how to stay safe while you’re hiking.

Plan the hike. Where are you going? What will you do there? Know every detail before you go.

Make sure to notify someone about it.

Activity 2 - In the 1990s, four different individuals served as the Prime Minister of New Zealand – Geoffrey Palmer, Mike Moore, Jim Bolger and Jenny Shipley.

On your blog, write a short profile of one of our former Prime Ministers. Upload a photo of them with your post. Click on this link to find a copy of the template. Click on file and then click make a copy. This will save the blank template to your Google Drive so that you can fill it in. Post the completed template to your blog to earn points for this activity.

Bonus Activity - In 1990, for the first time in New Zealand’s history, universities and polytechnics started charging students money to go to school. Prior to then, it had been free to go to university or to a polytechnic. Since 1990, students have had to pay thousands of dollars to attend post-secondary (after high school) education.

The new Labour government have promised to give up to three years of free post-secondary education to all New Zealanders by 2020!

On your blog, tell us what you think. Should students have to pay money (tuition fees) to go to university? Why or why not?

I don't think people should have to pay because they need the education and the learning that will help them throughout the many years left in their lives.