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Showing posts with label Summer Learning Journey Day 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer Learning Journey Day 1. Show all posts

Saturday, 28 December 2019

Summer Learning Journey Day 1, Week 3

DAY 1: Driving Digital Innovation 

Activity 1: The World Wide Web [4 points] 
You may not have heard of Tim Berners-Lee but this man completely changed
the world for us when he invented the World Wide Web (otherwise known as
the ‘www’). All of the information on the internet is stored and accessed on the web. 
TimBL, as he is known, also created the first ever website. We all spend a lot of
time looking at websites, don’t we? One of my favourite websites is the Te Ara
site. I use it when I am creating lessons for students or working on assignments
for school. 
I haven’t always used the internet. In fact, when I was in primary school we didn’t
have access to the internet and, instead, got all of our information from books. In
order to do my school work I would borrow books from the school library or the
public library in my town. 
For this activity, let’s imagine that you were born back in 1970 and didn’t
have access to the internet at home or at school. How would you feel? Would
you find it difficult to live in a world without the internet? Why or why not?
Post your answer to this question on your blog when you are able. 

If I was born back in 1970, I would have a hard time at school because right
now, I have quiet brown skin. Kids would make fun of me and some will want
to beat me up. But back at home, It would be alright living without the internet in
my family (except my Mum, She goes on Facebook 24/7!) because my parents
would always take away our devices and we would always play cards! So it
would seem normal for me and my family living in 1970!

Activity 2: Influencers[4 points] 
YouTube is a video sharing website, where people can watch, create, share and
comment on videos (a bit like when you Learn, Create and Share at school). YouTube
was created in 2005 by three men - Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim who
later sold it to Google for $1.65 billion dollars! 
Did you know that anyone can have their own YouTube channel? People who create
videos and post them on YouTube are called ‘YouTubers’. YouTubers post videos on
a huge range of topics from music to make-up, fitness to cooking, etc. 

Most YouTubers create their own YouTube channel. People can subscribe to their
channels and follow their videos. Do you watch or subscribe to any YouTube channels?
If so, who are your favourite YouTubers? In New Zealand, there are many YouTubers,
including Kiwi beauty YouTuber Miria Flavelland guitar guru, Nat Pua
For this activity, please imagine that you had the chance to create your own
YouTube channel. What would it be about? What kinds of videos would you
create and post? Write a description of the YouTube channel you would like
to create. Post your work on your blog.

If I had a youtube channel, I would make most of my content doing helpful things

just like Mr Beast. I would give money to homeless people, Host challenges and
Just do lots of random things! If I was a Famous Youtuber, with a lot of money, I
would donate a lot of money to different charities, make sure that the homeless food
Banks are full and try to help with global problems.

Activity 3: Apple vs Microsoft[6 points] 
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are two big names in the field of digital technology. Bill Gates
is the founder of Microsoft while Steve Jobs was a co-founder of Apple. Both men are
very creative and inventive. In fact, Steve Jobs invented the Apple computer, iPod,
iPhone, and iPad. Sadly, he passed away in 2011. 
Bill Gates, on the other hand, invented Microsoft software, like Microsoft Windows
and Microsoft Office. He is now one of the richest people in the world, and with his
wife, Melinda, has created a charity called The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Both men worked in the same field (digital technology) and were seen as competitors
or rivals. They are not the only rivals in the world. In fact, there are famous rivalries
between sports teams (e.g. the All Blacks vs the Wallabies); cities (e.g. Sydney vs
Melbourne, Australia); colleges (e.g. Christ’s College and Christchurch Boys High
School); and even meals. In England, there are two different kinds of breakfasts -
one is called a ‘traditional English breakfast’ and it includes hot food items like eggs,
bacon, beans, fried mushrooms, toast etc. The other is called a ‘continental breakfast’
and it consists of foods like cereal, yoghurt, fruit, croissants, muffins, etc. 

For this activity, we would like to know which of these two breakfast options you
prefer. In your opinion, which one is better? Why? Post your answer on your blog

If I had to choose between both breakfasts, I would choose the "Traditional
English Breakfast". The reason why I would choose the Traditional English Breakfast
is because I normally have cereal for breakfast and trying something new wouldn't
hurt. Traditional English Breakfast, which contains eggs, bacon, beans, fried
mushrooms, and toast, sounds more appealing than cereal, croissants, muffins, and
fruits!

Monday, 23 December 2019

Summer Learning Journey Day 1, Week 2

WEEK 2: “I Have a Dream...” - Politics and Activism

Kia ora and welcome to Week 2 of the Summer Learning Journey! If you have just joined us, it’s great to have you! This week we are going to be learning about people who have changed the world through politics ad activism. This is a small selection of people who made an impact on others through politics and protest. On Day 5 you will get the chance to choose someone you are interested in and share what you learn about them on your blog.

Get ready to learn about some people who have fought hard for what they believe in!

DAY 1: Taking the Lead
DAY 2: Taking Action
DAY 3: Women’s Rights
DAY 4: Indigenous Rights
DAY 5: Humanitarian Heroes

DAY 1: Taking the Lead
Activity 1: Playing Favourites [4 points]

Barack Obama was the President of the United States of America (U.S.A) from 2009 - 2017. He made history as the first African American man (or woman) to be elected President of the USA. Barack Obama was born in Hawaii. His father was from Kenya, Africa, and his mother was American. His parents divorced when he was young and his father died in a car crash when Barack was 21 years old. As a young man, Barack studied law at university which is where he met his wife, Michelle. Together, Barack and Michelle have spent much of their adult lives helping others and giving back to their community.

 When they are not at work, they can be found doing their favorite things, including spending time with their family, playing with their dog, or going to the gym.    What do you like to do for fun? Do you also enjoy spending time with family? Do you have a special pet?

 For this activity, create a list of your ‘Top 5’ favorite things to do and take a photo of yourself doing each of these things. Post both your list and your photos on your blog.

(Sorry everyone but I really don't want to take photos of myself doing my hobbies. I never had a fondness of cameras!. But to make up for the missing photos, I'll write a bit of a background to my hobbies. Thanks in advance for understanding)
My five favorite things to do are...



  1. Draw! I really like drawing because it helps relax me after a long day at school. My brothers also like to draw, so it kinda brings us together when we have competitions. (here's a picture of one of my drawings)
  2. Playing Sports! I truly like sports because it really shows the competitive side of me. I'm not that good when it comes to sports, but it's still fun when I get the chance to play. 
  3. Helping others! I like helping others for two reasons. 1, It's because it's the right thing to do and 2, I like seeing a smile on other peoples faces!
  4. Eating! I Love eating my favorite foods! but I love pizza the best! I usually don't eat pizza that often, but when I do, It's a real treat!
  5. Playing video games! I started playing video games since I was a little boy and I think that's when my love for gaming started. I usually played with my cousin, but he'll always beat me. 

Activity 2: Rights and Wrongs [4 points]

Dr. Jessa Rogers (Metuamate) is an Aboriginal Australian and a leader in indigenous education. She grew up in Queensland, Australia, and when she fell pregnant while she was still at school, it seemed like her education would suffer. However, Jessa not only completed her high school
education, but she went on to University and completed several degrees, including a Ph.D. which means she is called Dr. Rogers!

Dr. Jessa Rogers became the first school principal (and youngest Aboriginal principal in Australia) of the Cape York Girl Academy, a school in far north Queensland for young indigenous mums and their babies. For her work on improving indigenous education in Australia, she won the NAIDOC Youth of the Year award in 2010, has gone on to win many more awards and write several books.

Dr. Rogers is a proud member of the Wiradjuri people, an Indigenous community in Australia, and has a strong connection to New Zealand. In fact, her husband is affiliated with two iwis in New Zealand - Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa, and he is also of Cook Island and Tahitian descent. Jessa is currently working at the University of Canberra as an assistant professor.

For this activity, we would like you to calculate Jessa’s age when she won the NAIDOC Youth of the Year award. She was born on 7 April 1985 and she received the award on 9 July 2010. Please provide the answer to this question in years, months and days (eg. 20 years, 6 months and 2 days). Post both your final answer and an explanation of how you solved this maths problem on your blog when you.



Activity 3: ‘Dear Jacinda’ [6 points]

The Right Honorable Jacinda Ardern is the current Prime Minister (PM) of New Zealand (NZ). You might have heard of her because she’s in the news a lot! Did you know that she is the second youngest person and the second woman ever to be elected PM of NZ?

As PM, Jacinda Ardern makes a number of important decisions every day. Before she makes these decisions, she meets with many people to hear their ideas and get their perspectives (views) on issues.

Let’s imagine you were to write a letter to Jacinda Ardern about an issue that is really important
to you and to ask her for help. It could be something serious to do with education, health or
welfare, or it could be something more fun and crazy - you decide!

For this activity, please write a letter that includes the issue you have chosen, why you have chosen it, and what you would like our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, to do about it. It is your job to persuade us (and her!) that it is an important issue. Share your letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on your blog.

Dear Mrs. Adern

I would like to inform you about an issue that has been affecting the teachers and possibly children too. My issue is about the pay for teachers in New Zealand. The pay is a way too small for the amount of effort the teachers are putting into schools and for children's education. Without higher pay, Teachers won't be able to buy materials and equipment needed in school. I'm sorry if I came in all bossy but, All I am asking is to fix the pay for the teachers because they do a lot more work than expected and without teachers, you wouldn't be the prime minister of NZ! 









Monday, 16 December 2019

Summer Learning Journey Day 1, Week 1

WEEK 1: Physical Limits - Exploration and Sport

Kia ora and welcome to the first week of the Summer Learning Journey! We are so glad you have joined us! This week we are going to be learning about people who changed the world through exploration and sport. The people included in this program are only a small number of the exceptional, influential and inspirational
explorers and sportspeople in the world. On Day 5 you will get the chance to choose someone you are
interested in and share what you learn about them on your blog.
Get ready to learn about some brave, strong people who have taken risks and pushed boundaries!

DAY 1: Explorers
DAY 2: Up in the Air
DAY 3: Team Players
DAY 4: Individual Pursuits
DAY 5: Against the Odds

DAY 1: Explorers

Activity 1: Setting Sail [4 points]

People from Pacific nations have always been expert explorers and navigators. In the
past, they used the stars, sun and ocean swells to find their way (navigate) around the
The Pacific Ocean. Master navigator, Nainoa Thompson, has used the ancient Polynesian
wayfinding skills to navigate around the world. In 2013, Nainoa led a crew across the
The Pacific Ocean on two large canoes (Hokule’a and Hikianalia). The crew stopped off in
Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2015 on their journey and visited the Manaiakalani Schools
in Auckland.
I think that it would be difficult to be ‘at sea’ for weeks at a time. I would miss my family
but I would also enjoy the adventure. Let’s imagine that you were invited to join Nainoa
for three weeks at sea. As part of the journey, you have to pack your own food.

For this activity, make a list of ten food items that you could take with you. Please think carefully about what you will take
as you won’t have access to a refrigerator or freezer while at sea. Please explain why you would select each item.
Post your work on your blog

My 10 food items will be...


  1.  Canned food! Canned food would be great when you're traveling at sea because it's very easy to store and it has a very very long shelf life (meaning it doesn't expire that quick)
  2. Powdered milk! Powdered milk has a shelf life of 1 to 1.5 years so it would be great to bring along on your journey at sea. Powdered milk is also very convenient when making.
  3. Water! Obviously, I will have to bring water onboard because freshwater is critical when it comes to traveling at sea
  4. Frozen Grapes! Frozen Grapes are a perfect snack on a hot, sunny day. Even if the grapes defrost, it would still be delicious
  5. Raw Pasta! Raw Pasta is great when it comes to dinner! Just add hot boiling water and you'll have a great dinner
  6. Raw Noodles!  Raw Noodles are both great raw and cooked. It stores very easily and it fits perfectly if anyone cupboards
  7. Muesli bars! Muesli bars are great when it comes to snacks! It fits easily in your pocket and you can eat it anytime your feeling peckish
  8. Tea Bags! I'm not sure if it counts as a food item but I'll count it anyway. Teabags are awesome when it comes to relaxing, just pour some hot water and you'll fall asleep in no time
  9. MRE packs! MRE packs are a great source of food used by the military. It has a shelf life of five years! which makes it perfect if you ever get stranded on an island.
  10. Sugar! No one likes having a cup of tea without sweating it. Sugar also has a shelf life of two years!  that's why sugar is great to take onboard
Activity 2: Discovering Aotearoa [4 points]

Many people believe that Kupe was the first explorer to discover Aotearoa, New Zealand in
about 1300. He navigated his way by waka to Aotearoa from Hawaiki using traditional
Polynesian navigation techniques - just like Nainoa Thompson (from Activity 1) did much later
on. Legend says that he followed a great octopus all the way to Aotearoa/New Zealand and
finally destroyed it in Cook Strait (the water between the North and South Islands).

Many years later, a Dutch explorer from The Netherlands, Abel Tasman, was exploring the
The Pacific Ocean when he came across New Zealand. He thought that he was the first person to
‘discover’ the country (despite the fact that Māori already lived in New Zealand!) and made the
claim in 1642 that he had ‘discovered’ a new land. His exploration of New Zealand inspired
many other European explorers to follow his lead and travel to the Oceania.

Kupe and Abel Tasman were two different men from two very different backgrounds (cultures)
who shared a common interest - exploration.

For this activity, we would like you to think about your own experiences and your own
cultural background. Where does your family come from? Do they come from Europe like
Abel Tasman, Polynesia like Kupe, or somewhere else?

Post your work on your blog

My family background comes from the islands of Tonga! I don't know much about my ancestors but I know that my grandparents are Tongan from both my Mums and Dad's side. My grandpa's dad is Samoa so I do have a bit of Samoan blood in me!

Activity 3: Scaling New Heights [6 points]

Sir Edmund Hillary and his sherpa (guide), Tenzing Norgay, were the first people to
reach the summit of Mt Everest, the tallest mountain in the world in 1953. At the time,
Edmund Hillary was an apiarist (beekeeper) from Auckland, New Zealand. During the
summer he worked as a beekeeper, and during the winter, he climbed mountains.
Becoming the first person to summit Everest was not easy. In fact, Edmund Hillary
attempted (tried) to climb to the top of Mt Everest three times before he succeeded.
He was determined to reach the top!

While this famous explorer and climber is mostly remembered for being the first
person to reach the summit of Mt Everest, he has also made a huge impact on the
world through his charity work. In 1960, Sir Edmund Hillary set up the Himalayan Trust to bring education, healthcare and safe
drinking water to the people of Nepal - the country where Mt Everest is located.

For this activity, please read about two other charities - the SPCA and OXFAM. Choose one of the charities and write a short description of what they do. Who do they help?

Post your work on your blog.

The charity I decided to write about is the SPCA charity. The full acronym of "SPCA" is called "Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals". The purpose of the charity is to prevent cruelty towards animals and to protect and to provide shelter to stray dogs and other animals in danger. The SPCA deals with proper pet care and animal adoption