Activity 3: Ice, Ice Baby

For this activity we had to explain how to create a Positive Digital Footprint inside a digital foot print. Here is mine.

Activity 1: Top 3 Facts

For this activity we had to look at the New Zealand tourism website and choose three facts from it about New Zealand. 

• The Auckland City Sky Tower is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere at 328 meters tall.
• New Zealanders have 2.5 million cars for 4 million people which means we have one of the highest car ownership rate in the world.
• 30% of the country is forest.

VE Day

After six long years of fighting, World War II finally came to an end in 1945. The entire country was ecstatic and parties where thrown all over New Zealand to celebrate VE Day (Victory in Europe). For this task we had to imagine we were living in New Zealand in 1945 and are planning a VE party at your house, who we would invite and what we would do. I would invite my family gran parents, sibling e.c.t., all our friends, and everyone we know. I would have a huge fest and most of all hang out with everyone, just have a bit of fun group time after the long hard days.

Women at Work

Both men and women severed in WWII. Many women chose to enlist as nurses and be stationed overseas caring for wounded solders. For this activity we had to imagine that we one of the nurses working on one of the large medical ship, and finish this story...

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, quickly sweep the door open and rush to the patients. Rushing to one bed to another trying to calm the men. Some of the men are wailing loudly and others are trying to get out of their beds. You look up to see there are no other nurses around to help, they must be searching the ship to see what happened, you reason. You are finally able to calm everyone down when one of the men cry "we're sinking, look there is water coming through the floor!" Everyone looks down and a new wave of panic spreads through the room, the men even more agitated than before. Suddenly your older sister Mary, and fellow nurse is at the door, "the ship is sinking" she cried, confirming the men's worst nightmare! Everyone is suddenly in at state of shock at the news, too scared to freak out. "Get the men to the lifeboats the others are sorting out the boats and will be here to help soon" Mary shouts trying to get hold of the situation. Mary and you take a end of a stretcher after laying a man down and rush out the door, you get there as more nurses rush behind you with stretchers. You make it to the lifeboats and drop the man you are caring down and start running back, after a few more trips you and the other nurses manage to collect all the men and sit them in the boats, then you push the boats onto the water. Then you and the other nurses hop into another boat, and slip it into the water too. You look back to see the ship disappearing from view, you finally let out a sigh after the panic everyone has calmed down all knowing tomorrow will also be as eventful as today.

A Call To Arms

Over the course of WWII, approximately 140,000 New Zealanders were sent over seas to serve in the war. Many were sent to fight in huge battles, including the Battle of the Atlantic that lasted for 2064 days or 5 years. The Battle of Atlantic came to a 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 New Zealand Government for his bravery, it was called the Victoria Cross. For this task we had to chose a VC winner and learn more about them. I chose Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu, he was a second lieutenant in the 28th (maori) battalion. He fought bravely, though he had many injures. His team was successful in destroying a few machine-guns and holding their position in to the night. His medal was awarded to his family as he was unable to make it home.

An Eventful Experience

World War ll was made up of many battles and events. For this activity we to choose two key events and learn more about them. Here are my choices.

1939
3 September: Britain, France, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany

Britain and France declared war on Germany as Germany attacked Poland. New Zealand deceling war the same time as Britain.

4 October: New Zealand Goverment announces the formation of a Maori battalion of 2 NZEF

After waiting the Maori men could join the battalion of 2 NZEF, which was New Zealand's best fighting force.

Paying It Forward

In the mid-1930's, things began to change for the better in New Zealand. More people were able to find work and receive a steady paycheck. They were still careful, however, with their money and rarely, if ever, brought treats or gifts for one another. For this task we have to imagine that we are able to travel back in time to visit a family in the 1930's and give them gifts. I personally would take the Harry Potter books back because I believe that reading is important and these books are interesting to almost everyone. I would also like to take back some Cadbury chocolates like Boost and Crunchie bars.

Offering a Helping Hand

During this period, people struggled to find work both here at home and overseas. It was a really tough time for people living in the great plains of the United States because they were hit with a huge drought that lasted for most of the decade. Many of the crops were damaged an farmers were not able to make enough money to feed their families. For this activity we have to imagine we are there and have think up three ways to help make money for our family's. 

1. In summer grooming all the cats around the town.

2. Find and remove fleas in homes.

3. Go hunting with family and sell some of the meat.

Dealing with Stress

In New Zealand, many people lost their jobs during this decade. Experts predict that as much as 30% of the population was unemployed. It was a very stressful time for families. For this task we have to write about how we deal with stress. When I am stressed I like to read, or maybe watch a YouTube video, or possibly draw. When I am working on something at home to help me work I like to listen to some music, to help keep me calm and on task.

Crossing the Tasmen

In 1928, a crew of four men flew, for the first time, across the Tasmen from Australia to New Zealand. One of the men on board the Southern Cross airplane was a New Zealander named T.H. McWilliams. His job was to operate the radio in the airplane. Unfortunately, the radio stopped working shortly after take-off and the rain and ice were so heavy that the pilot, Kingford Smith, couldn't see out of his front windscreen! For this task we had to imagine if we were part of the crew, and to write a poem about how we would have felt when they landed safely in Christchurch after the long trip. I chose to write a Limerick, here it is.

Oh sunshine, oh beautiful sunshine.

Finally outside, trees twine.

Flowers everywhere are blooming.

Bees are always zooming.

Oh sunshine, oh beautiful sunshine.

Art Deco

In the 1920's a new artistic movement emerged in New Zealand (and around the world). It was called the 'Art Deco'. For this activity we have to rate a painting in this style out of five. (1 star= terrible painting 2 stars= pretty bad painting 3 stars= okay painting 4 stars= good painting 5 stars= amazing painting). I personally give it five out of five I love this painting, it is very detailed and look very realistic. The shading is awesome too. Here is a photo of the painting, this is Self Portrait by Tamara de Lempicka.

The Silent Movie

The 1920's saw a massive surge in the number of people going to movies. Huge new cinemas were built in both Auckland (The Civic Theatre) and Dunedin (Empire De Luxe). The most popular type of movies showing at New Zealand cinemas were 'silent' films. For this task we have to try and figure out what the movie is about and do you think you would enjoy watching a silent film. For this I am doing it on the Lion Cage, this clip I got to watch was hilarious. It is about a man who is being chased by a donkey into a lion's cage, and accidentally locks himself into the cage with the lion. Lucky the lion is asleep on the floor. Here is the clip if you want to watch it.

In Flanders Fields

As the new century dawned, New Zealand settled into a period of relative calm. The calm lasted for about 15 years but came to a sudden end in 1914 when World War 1 erupted in Europe. The war lasted almost five years and claimed the lives of 18,000 New Zealanders. It also claimed the lives of thousands of men and women from countries around the world. Ever year, we remember these brave men and women on A.N.Z.A.C. day. There is one important poem that is read out called 'In Flanders Fields', it's written by John McCrae. For this task we had to read this poem and think do we like it? How does it make you feel? I love this poem, it tells the horrors of the war and how we are so lucky that we do not have to go through that violence, and uncertainty of whether we are going to make into tomorrow! I myself do not know how I would feel having that going around me, it's terrifying because of how easily war could break out! 

The Right To Vote

At the turn of the century, New Zealand elected its first ever government. Richard John Seddon served as the leader of the Liberal Party from 1893 - 1906. Prior to 1893, only men were legally allowed to vote. This all changed in the late 1800s when a women named Kate Sheppard. New Zealand was the first country to let women vote. For this task we have to write what we think about the fact that women are not allowed to vote in Saudi Arabia until 2015. I don't think that is very fair. Women are just as important as men, men may have a small physical advantage but women are quite intelligent. Over all women are great at making those sorts of decisions.

St Joseph's Cathedral

At the turn of the century, there was a great deal construction happening in New Zealand. Many of the new British settlers wanted to build homes and community meeting places, such as churches. One of the largest building to be constructed during this time was St Joseph's Cathedral in Dunedin. For this task we have to search up another famous cathedral. Here is the cathedral I chose to use, this is the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy.

Photo taken by Jim, the Photographer  

 It was built in 311 to 314 it took three years to build but it had to be rebuilt multiple times.

#Earn The Fern

After the Treaty of Waitangi was singed, New Zealand became a British colony. Many other countries in the world are also British colonies including Canada, South Africa, Australia, India and Malaysia. As a group they are called, the 'Commonwealth' countries. For this activity we had to think of four questions we would like to ask Bill Kini, Bill Kini is a New Zealand heavyweight boxer. Here are my questions I would like to ask him.

1. What inspired you to become a boxer?

2. Did you ever dream, that you would go this far when you started boxing?

3. Who is your biggest supporter?

4. When you where younger was this your dream job, if not what was?

The Treaty of Waitangi

On 6 February 1840, a very special document was signed by the Maori chiefs and the British settlers in New Zealand. It was called the Treaty of Waitangi. For this task we have to find three fun things you can do in Waitangi as a visitor. One thing you might enjoy visiting the treaty ground and watching a live Kapa Haka. Maybe even take a tour along the Waitangi river. When I am older I would like to visit the treaty grounds.

Translating Phrases

Unlike Maori, many of the European settlers didn't speak Te Reo Maori. Instead the spoke English. As you can imagine, it was very difficult for the two groups to communicate because they didn't have a dictionary or translator. For your task we have to translate five phrases with google translate.

Phrases
1. Nau mai ki Aotearoa,                            Welcome to New Zealand
2. Tia is my name,                                       Ko Tia toku ingoa
3. What is your name?                                  He aha to ingoa
4. He pai taku ki te takaro i te whutupaoro.   I like to play ruby
5. Where do you come from?                         No hea koe?

Musical Festivals

In  New Zealand, a huge festival is held every two years, called Te Mataini. This performing arts festival celebrates the tikanga of Maori. For this task we got to watch three videos from previous years and rank them 1st your favorite to 3rd lest favorite.  I'm starting at number three, this is here because in my opinion it was very bald and boring. Here is a link to the video. Number two, much better than the second, great vocals. This one is here because it is in my opinion it's much better than the other one but is missing one thing which make my top pick my favorite. Here is a link to the video. Finally number one. This is my favorite because, not just the vocals but there is a lot of energy and movement. This is my top pick.

Playing Games

Hundreds of years ago, young Maori children where taught a number of different games. For this task we had to pick one game they use to play. 

I choose Poi Rakau, this game is to help with hand eye coordination. 

Rules pass the rakau without hitting other players or dropping it. If one player throws it with their left hand other players must throw it back with their right and so on.

Here is a link to more information about the game