Summer Learning Journey Week 2 Day 4

DAY 4: Spectacular, Spectacular

Activity 1: Planes, Trains and Automobiles [4 points]

Arguably, one of the most dramatic and spectacular (beautiful) places to visit in New Zealand is Milford Sound. It has been referred to as the ‘eighth wonder of the world.’ It is a beautiful fiord (steep valley) that was formed when big pieces of ice (glaciers) melted. The melted glaciers created a beautiful river that is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and snow-capped mountains. People who visit Milford Sound are able to take a boat cruise through the middle of the fiord, walk around the area on the Milford Track or fly above the fiord as part of a private helicopter tour.

Let’s imagine that you had the chance to visit Milford Sound by boat, foot (walking) or air (helicopter). Which option would you prefer?

On your blog tell us which of the three options you would take to explore Milford Sound. Be sure to tell us why you have chosen this option.

I would rather choose to explore Milford Sound by flying in a helicopter. The reason why I chose the helicopter is that we can see more mountains and other things by flying other than walking or being in a boat. Another reason is that I haven't been in a helicopter.

Activity 2: It’s All in the Name [4 points]

Over the years, people have suggested that we come up with a new name for the pool. What do you think we should call it? Take a minute to let your creative juices flow. Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations. It is a city filled with incredible forests, mountain biking tracks, lakes, and geothermal wonders, including hot springs (geysers) and mud pools. One of the most famous geothermal pools is called the Devil’s Bath at Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. It is a neon green pool of stinky water.

On your blog, give us a list of three to five options for the name of this geothermal pool. Put a star (*) beside the name that you like the most.

Noisome Lake *
Demons Pool
Fetid Lagoon  

Activity 3: Picture Perfect [10 points]

While New Zealand is home to some beautiful waterfalls, there are a number of stunning waterfalls in places like Canada and South Africa. In Canada, the largest waterfall is called Niagara Falls. It sits on the border between Canada and the United States of America. Thousands of tourists flock (go) to Niagara Falls every year to see the falls and to have their picture taken in front of this natural wonder. Over the past few years, people have started taking ‘selfies’ and posting them online. Do you ever take selfies?

For this activity, choose one of the following three selfies. From left to right: Selfie #1, Selfie #2, Selfie #3

On your blog, write a short story about what you think is happening in the picture. Be sure to tell us where you think the people are and what you think they were doing at the time that they stopped to pose for the selfie. To earn full points, the story must be 8 – 10 sentences long.

Selfie #1

I really think that the guy in the middle is a well-known celebrity where he comes from. He also kinda looks like he's from the Pacific islands. The other people around him look so pleased and excited to be taking a photo with him. I'm not sure why he's famous but I either think he's a good sports player or he did something heroic. But if he does play any sports, I really think he is a rugby player. But if he did do something heroic, he should be appearing on the news or on the internet. I think that he is a rugby player more than a hero because he looks like he's a very good rugby player. But if he doesn't play rugby nor a hero, my other thought is he is a famous bodybuilder because he looks like he goes to the gym a lot.

Summer Learning Journey Week 2 Day 4

Day 4: Another World War (1939-1945)

At the end of the 1930s, the world has been shaken once more by the start of another World War (WWII). World War Two started on the 1st of September, 1939 when an army from Germany invaded a country called Poland. Two days later, England and France declared war on Germany and WWII began.

Activity 1: An Eventful Experience

WWII was made up of many battles and events. Follow this link to read more about the timeline of WWII.

Choose two key events and find out some more information about what happened on those days. On your blog, write a short summary of two events, including the names of people involved and where the event happened.

1. Assassination attempt on Hitler fails

The Assassination attempt on Hitler was set on 20 July 1944. Claus von Stauffenberg and other conspirators attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler, Fuhrer of Nazi Germany, inside his Wolf's Lair field headquarters near Rastenburg, East Prussia.

2.Dunkirk evacuation

The Dunkirk evacuation also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers during World War II from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, in the north of France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940

Activity 2:  A Call to Arms

Over the course of WWII, approximately 140,000 New Zealanders were sent overseas to serve in the war. Many were sent to fight in huge battles, including the Battle of the Atlantic that lasted for 2064 days (over 5 years)! The Battle of the Atlantic came to an end in 1943, in large part due to the heroic efforts of people like Lloyd Trigg, a pilot from New Zealand. He was awarded a special medal from the New Zealand Government for his bravery. It is called a Victoria Cross (‘VC’ for short). A total of 22 New Zealanders have been awarded VCs.

Click on this link to find a list of VC winners. Choose one from the Second World War, and read about him. On your blog tell us about him. Who was he? What did he do to earn a Victoria Cross medal?

Sergeant James Allen Ward
Date of action: 7 July 1941 
Date of award: 5 August 1941
He won his VC while returning from a raid on the German city of Munster on 7 July 1941. When his Vickers Wellington bomber was set alight by an enemy fighter plane, Ward climbed out onto the burning wing and smothered the fire. Although he was unable to block the leaking petrol pipe that was feeding it, the fire eventually burnt itself out and the badly damaged bomber limped back to base. Two months later, Ward was killed when he remained at the controls of his burning aircraft after it was hit by flak over Hamburg

Bonus Activity: Women at Work

Both men and women served in World War II. Many women chose to enlist as nurses and be stationed overseas caring for wounded soldiers. My nana was one of those nurses. She (Dorothy) spent much of World War II working on a large Red Cross ship that was stationed off the coast of Cairo, Egypt.   

For this activity, you are going to imagine that you are just like Dorothy and that you are working as a nurse on a large medical ship.

One day you are walking along the deck of the ship when you hear a loud bang. You start to run as you see smoke coming from the far end of the ship. You run towards the room where your patients are waiting to receive treatment from the doctor. Just as you arrive at the door to their room you hear another loud bang and you…

Complete the story provided above. To earn full points you must write, at least, 8-10 sentences. What happens next?

I went to go and look were it was coming from. A few seconds later the same bang appeared but louder. When i found out were was the sound coming from, I saw a man shooting the engine of the ship. It turns out that he was a Nazi disguise as one of us. i quickly try to pull out my gun but he was faster a shot me on the right shoulder. i tried to stop him but he was to fast. I ran to Davis ( The captain on the ship) to tell him that there was a Nazi in on board and sound the alarm. He turn on the alarm and tried to find him. Every one on the Ship was looking for him. Again there was a big bang. I ram to were the sound was coming from. I saw him trying to dismantle engine i quickly grab my gun a i shot him on the leg. I gave him, to Davis to deal with.

The end

BONUS POINTS: 20