Let's Begin Our Journey!

SLJ Wk 4 Day 5: Dancing Queens

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Activity 1: The World of Hip Hop [4 points]

Parris Goebel has taken over the world of dance! You might already have heard of her as she is pretty famous in New Zealand and around the world.

Parris was born in Manurewa, South Auckland, and she is of Samoan/Chinese/Scottish descent. Parris loved dancing when she was very little and she began hip-hop lessons when she was 10. By the age of 15 she was so good that she started her own all-girl dance crew called ReQuest, and they went on to win several first places at the World Hip-Hop Championships.

Parris later started The Palace Dance Studio in Auckland, and formed five more dance crews that won competitions worldwide. She has also worked as a choreographer for famous musicians like Justin Beiber, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Janet Jackson. In 2019, Parris and her new dance crew, The Royal Family, won the World Hip Hop Dance Championship.


Image Attribution: Photograph of Parris Goebel, First Access Entertainment, CC BY-SA 3.0

For this activity, watch this video of their award winning performance. What do you like about the performance? What did the dance crew do well? What could they work on?

On your blog, write a review of The Royal Family performance. Please talk about the dance, dancers, costumes, and the music. What did you like? What didn’t you like as much? What do you think could have been improved?

*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!




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What It Means To Me?
This quote means that I don't need to fit in to be someone better, just be you. It doesn't mean I need to be better to stand out to others just being you is already enough, don't worry if others judge you. Stand out, express your talents and what makes you happy, never feel ashamed of it. Stand out as much as you can because you were born to do it. 

Activity 2: En Pointe [4 points]

Most successful ballerinas start learning ballet when they are very young - 3 or 4 years old. World famous ballerina, Misty Copeland, wasn’t like most other girls. Instead of starting at age 3, she started ballet lessons at age 13!

By 14, Misty had won a national competition for ballet dancers. She continued to work very hard and, in 2015, she became the first African Amercian principal (lead) dancer of the Amercian Ballet Theatre - this is amazing because there were, and still are, very few African American ballet dancers in the country. When interviewed, Misty has said that she would like people to be able to “see dreams through me”. This is an example of an inspirational quote. Please click on this link to read more inspirational quotes.


For this activity, please choose your favourite inspirational quote from this website. Create a text graphic using this quote.

On your blog, share your text graphic and underneath it, explain what it means to you.

*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.


*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!



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Activity 3: Concluding the Journey [6 points]

Sadly, the Summer Learning Journey has now come to an end. It is time to reflect on everything that you have learned this summer about people who have had an impact, or changed the world, in some way.


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For this activity, please reflect on your experience with the Summer Learning Journey programme this year.

On your blog please tell us:

Which activity you enjoyed the most
Which activity you enjoyed the least
Three things that you learned while completing the programme
What changes/improvements you would make to the programme for next year
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!

SLJ Wk 4 Day 4: Arty Designers

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Activity 1: Fashion forward [4 points]

Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer from the early 1900s. She was very influential because she designed clothes for women that were beautiful, but also comfortable and practical. Before Coco came along, European women wore corsets which pulled in their waists, and dresses that had lots of lace. Coco Chanel introduced a completely new style, influenced by men’s fashion - trousers (pants), monochrome (black and white) fabric, and looser tops.

Twenty Seven Names is a contemporary (current) New Zealand fashion label that is also influential. The founders of the company are two friends, Rachel Easting and Anjali Burnett. Rachel and Anjali met when they were at primary school. When they left school, Anjali studied fashion design and Rachel studied art, before they set up their own business designing and making clothing. Where possible they employ young women and they keep as much of their production (making) in New Zealand as possible.


For this activity, please read this article about where some famous New Zealand brands got their names from. Brand names are very important to companies as this is how they are known.

On your blog, tell us how Twenty Seven Names got their name. Looking at their clothing brand, tell us whether you think this is a good name for them, or if they should change it to something else!

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!





Activity 2: Try Your Own Tapa [4 points]

Fatu Feu’u is a Samoan artist who lives in Aotearoa/New Zealand. He is mostly known for being a painter but he also creates sculptures, pottery, prints and glass works.

As an artist, Fatu Feu’u is primarily influenced by tapa cloth (siapo) patterns from Samoa, as well as tatau (tattoo), weaving, carving, and mask designs.

Many Pacific Islands have their own versions of tapa cloth. In Tonga it is called the ngatu, in Fiji - the masi, in Niue - the hiapo, in the Cook Islands - the tapa, and in Hawaii - the kapa. You can learn more about tapa cloth here.


Image Attribution: Fatu Feu'u, 

For this activity please create your own tapa cloth design. You can draw your design on paper or using a drawing app such as Google Draw.

On your blog, post an image (photo or screenshot) or your tapa design and describe what each part of your picture represents (means).

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!







Activity 3: Top Secret Street Art [6 points]

“Banksy” is an influential artist from England. He is very private and secretive. In fact, almost no one knows who he really is - he always creates his art in secret! Banksy often uses stencils to create his street art.

Street art, or graffiti art, is all around us. Sometimes the art tells a story, sometimes it makes a building look more interesting, and sometimes it makes us think hard about something. In 2011, the city of Christchurch experienced a huge earthquake. A lot of the central city buildings fell down. It takes a long time to rebuild a city, and there are areas of Christchurch where buildings are still damaged and/or need to be rebuilt. Street artists in Christchurch have seen this as a chance to create artwork that helps to make the city beautiful again. You can see lots of amazing street art in Christchurch at the moment! Here is a site that shows you where to find it.


For this activity, take a look at the Christchurch street art website and choose two different pieces of artwork. Look carefully at both pieces of art, and identify similarities and differences between the two.

On your blog, post screenshots of the two different pieces of art that you have chosen. Below the pictures tell us about the similarities and differences that you see in the two pieces of street art.

*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!

SLJ Wk 4 Day 3: Screen Legends

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DAY 3: SCREEN LEGENDS


Activity 1: Talk Show Host [4 points]

Oprah Winfrey is a bit of a television legend! She is best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show which ran for 25 years. Some people have said that she is one of the most influential women in the world. She is certainly very successful and has spent a lot of time helping others.

Like so many others, Oprah had to work very hard for her success. She had to overcome challenges and she experienced many struggles during her life, however, she persisted and eventually became a radio presenter, TV news presenter, and daytime talk show host. She now owns her own production company (HARPO), and television station (OWN). She also produces a magazine called ‘O.’

Oprah is passionate about education. She believes in the power of learning and has even started her own school in South Africa called The Oprah Winfrey Leadership School for Girls. She is keen to provide young people with opportunities to follow their passions.


Image Attribution: Oprah Winfrey (2004), Alan Light, CC BY 2.0

For this activity, we would love to know more about your interests (passions) and your future plans. What do you think that you would like to do when you are older? Do you have a specific job in mind?

On your blog, please tell us about your future plans (i.e. what you plan to do when you finish high school or college). Would you prefer to start working right away or to continue with your studies?

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!





Activity 2: Plot Points [4 points]

Lupita Nyong’o is a Mexican-Kenyan actress. She spent most of her childhood living in Kenya, Africa with her family. She is one of six children.

When she graduated from high school, she decided to move to the United States of America to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. She was cast in her first American film, East River, in 2008. She went on to write, produce and star in a number of films, including Black Panther and 12 Days a Slave, for which she won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (otherwise known as an ‘Oscar’). Not only did Lupita win the Oscar but she was the first ever Kenyan and/or Mexican woman to win the award. Amazing ‘eh?!

Over the past few years Lupita has continued to act, she has earned a masters degree from Yale University and has written a children’s book called Sulwe. She has also written and produced her own movies.


For this activity, imagine that you had the chance to write your own movie. What would it be about? Who would be your main characters? What are the important events that would take place?

On your blog, provide a synopsis (overview) of your movie. In particular, tell us the name of your movie, the main events that take place in your movie and the names of the main characters. If you wish, you could do this as a storyboard.

*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.

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Activity 3: Feast or Famine [6 points]

Julian Dennison is a very funny guy! He is from Lower Hutt, near Wellington. He is only 17 years old but he has already starred in a number of movies and TV commercials. You may have seen him on Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool, or in the Lynx ads.

Julian is not only a funny actor. He recently joined up with World Vision to be a 40 Hour Famine Ambassador. He travelled with World Vision to Uganda to meet some of the refugees from South Sudan who are living there. Check out this video.


Image Attribution: Julian Dennison at the US Embassy in NZ, US Embassy, CC BY 2.0

For this activity, we would like to know if you would consider doing a 20 or 40 Hour Famine to raise money for charity.

On your blog, tell us whether, or not, you would participate in 20 or 40 Hour Famine. If you have already participated in a 20 or 40 Hour Famine, please share your experience, including why you decided to participate and some highlights and challenges of the experience. To get full points, please provide at least six sentences.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!


Fun Fact: Julian is a twin! His brother, Christian, is pretty different to Julian. He wants to study law and Te Reo Māori at university and then be a politician. Clever guy!

SLJ Wk 4 Day 2: Musos

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Activity 1: Getting Stronger [4 points]

Aaradhna is a Samoan-Indian singer from New Zealand. As a girl, Aaradhna sang traditional Samoan and country songs with her family, eventually joining the senior choir at her high school (Porirua College). She gained international recognition in 2004 when she paired up with Adeaze to release the song, “Getting Stronger.” The song went to number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart and it is still one of my all-time favourites, to this day!

Speaking of favourite songs, we would love to know who you listen to and what songs you like the most.


For this activity, please give us a list of your ‘Top 5’ favourite artists (singers or bands) and your ‘Top 5’ favourite songs. They can be from any time period and any genre (type) of music.

On your blog, post lists of your Top 5 Artists and your Top 5 Songs.

*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!





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Activity 2: K-pop heroes [4 points]

BTS, or Bangtan Boys, is a seven member boy band from South Korea. They have sold over 15 million albums in South Korea, which make them the best selling artists in South Korea of all time. They have topped the music charts in the United States of America and around the world.

They began singing hip hop but now sing mostly K-Pop (Korean Pop). Most of their songs are sung in Korean - their first language.

BTS is famous for making great music videos and for singing about topics that many people can relate to - love, self-confidence, etc. They have a huge and very loyal fan base. Their fans are called the BTS A.R.M.Y.


Image Attribution: BTS campaign, LG Electronics, CC BY 2.0

For this activity, please watch this CBS Sunday Morning Special about BTS.

On your blog, tell us your opinion on BTS. Please don’t just say whether or not you like them, but tell us what it is that you like (or don’t like) about them.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!






Activity 2: K-pop heroes [4 points]

BTS, or Bangtan Boys, is a seven member boy band from South Korea. They have sold over 15 million albums in South Korea, which make them the best selling artists in South Korea of all time. They have topped the music charts in the United States of America and around the world.

They began singing hip hop but now sing mostly K-Pop (Korean Pop). Most of their songs are sung in Korean - their first language.

BTS is famous for making great music videos and for singing about topics that many people can relate to - love, self-confidence, etc. They have a huge and very loyal fan base. Their fans are called the BTS A.R.M.Y.


Image Attribution: BTS campaign, LG Electronics, CC BY 2.0

For this activity, please watch this CBS Sunday Morning Special about BTS.

On your blog, tell us your opinion on BTS. Please don’t just say whether or not you like them, but tell us what it is that you like (or don’t like) about them.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!

SLJ Wk 4 Day 1: Bookworms

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DAY 1: BOOKWORMS


Activity 1: Rags to Riches [4 points]

J. K. Rowling is one of the most well known authors in the world. She wrote the Harry Potter series of books. Over 500 million copies of her books have been sold, making J. K. Rowling the world’s first billionaire author.

While she was writing the first Harry Potter book, she was a single mum with very little money. She used to write while her daughter Jessica was asleep. She used her initials ‘J.K.’ instead of her name (Joanne) because her publisher thought that boys might not want to read a book written by a woman.

J. K. Rowling has done many interviews which have revealed things about her as a writer and as a person. One of these interviews was conducted by a very famous television personality, Oprah Winfrey (you can find more about her on Day 3, Activity 1!).

As well as books needing to be engaging and interesting for the reader, it is important that they are engaging and interesting on the cover too. We sometimes say “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” but we often choose books (if we don’t know much about them) when they have an attractive cover!


Image Attribution: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by Gwydion M. Williams is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Image Attribution: Rowling, after receiving an honorary degree from the University of Aberdeen, S.J Hill, CC BY-SA 3.0

For this activity, design a book cover for your favourite book. You will need to think about what needs to be on the cover (the title, author, illustrator), pictures, colour, etc. Please create all of the images yourself (draw or photograph) rather than using images that you find online.

On your blog, share the book cover you have designed.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!




Activity 2: Romeo and Juliet [4 points]

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an author, poet and playwright. He is best known for the plays that he wrote while living in England in the 16th Century. Although they were written a long time ago, they are still popular because they talk about things that are familiar to us - love, revenge, confusion, betrayal, jealousy, hurt, etc. You might have heard of some of his plays: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear. Many of them have also been made into movies.

Shakespeare wrote his plays in English, however, it is not the same version of English that we have now. In fact, many of the words that we use today, in 2019, weren’t used back in 1600 (and vice versa).


For this activity, we would like you to learn more about ‘Shakespearean English’ - the version of English that Shakespeare used to write his plays. To do this, please write a short recount about what you did this morning in regular (2019) English, and then use this translating tool to turn it into Shakespearean English.

On your blog, share both your English and Shakespearean translation of your recount.

Here is an example:

This morning I got up early when my daughter Laila woke up. We had a delicious breakfast of steaming hot porridge before heading out the door to start the day. It was cold, sunny and clear outside.

This m'rning I did get up early at which hour mine own daught'r Laila did wake up. We hadst a delicious breakfast of steaming hot p'rridge bef're heading out the doth'r to starteth the day. T wast bitter cold, sunny and cleareth outside.

SLJ Wk 3 Day 5: Creativity +

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Activity 1: Ministry of Inspiration [4 points]

So you might have heard of the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Health, right? They are groups of people who give advice to the government. But have you heard of the Ministry of Inspiration? It sounds like fun, doesn’t it?! Well, this is a real organisation based in Nelson, New Zealand. Their aim is to get kids thinking creatively in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, maths and society (STEAMS).

The Ministry of Inspiration hosts many cool activities and events, including an Aquabot competition. Aquabots are underwater robots. Have you ever heard of them?


Image Source: Ministry of Inspiration.

For this activity please watch this video about the Pasifika Aquabots competition that was held in Nelson. The students had to navigate their Aquabots around a swimming pool, collecting things and visiting different ‘islands.’

On your blog, tell us whether you would like to join an Underwater Robotics team at your school. Why or why not?



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Activity 2: Caine’s Arcade [4 points]

Caine Monroy is a 17 year old boy who lives in Los Angeles (L.A.), California. When he was younger, he spent his summer holidays at his dad’s work - an auto parts store in downtown L.A. While his dad was working, he decided to build himself something that he had always wanted - an arcade! He built an arcade all by himself out of cardboard boxes and things that he found lying around the shop.

One day a man came into the store to buy a handle for his car and he met Caine. Caine showed him what he had made and the man was so impressed with the arcade game that he made a movie about Caine and invited all the people in L.A. to come and play the games in Caine’s Arcade!


For this activity we would like to know about your favourite game. It can be a board game, a card game, a game that you play outside with friends (e.g., rugby) or a quiet game that you play by yourself.

On your blog, tell us about your favourite game. What is it called? How do you play it?

*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!




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Activity 3: Choose your own

You have now made it to the end of Week 3 and have earned the right to choose your very own scientist, technologist, or inventor who you think has changed the world. There are no right or wrong choices for this activity, so find someone who interests you and tell us about them on your blog. It could be someone from your family, church or community or someone famous that you admire.

Here are some starting points in case you get stuck:

Taitusi Taufa

A J Hackett

Mana Vautier

Madame C. J. Walker

Te Rangi Hīroa

Mae Jemison


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For this activity, choose one person and read all about them.

On your blog, provide us with:

The name of the person
A description of the work they do/have done
An explanation of how they/their work has had an impact on the lives of others
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.

*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!

SLJ Wk 3 Day 4: Hauora

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Activity 1: Medical Mavericks [4 points]

Over the years, many important discoveries have been made by clever people looking to help others. Two of these are women - Florence Nightingale and Marie Curie whose work has been widely recognised and appreciated. Both women lived extraordinary lives.

Florence Nightingale was born in 1820 in England. When she grew up, she trained to be a nurse and, as an adult, was sent to Turkey during the Crimean War to look after wounded soldiers. When she arrived, the hospitals were very dirty so she spent money to clean them up and to provide the soldiers with quality care. She saved many lives.

Marie Curie was born in Poland in 1867. Eventually, she moved to France to go to university. While there, she learned a lot about physics, chemistry and maths. She spent her career conducting experiments that led to the discovery of chemical elements. She was also the first person to use an x-ray machine to look at the human body. She earned two Nobel Prizes for her work.

Nobel Prizes are given out every year to people who have done something extraordinary in six specific fields of study - Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economics.


For this activity, please follow this link to view the list of Nobel Prize winners, choose one, read about them and then share your learning on your blog.

On your blog, tell your readers who you chose and then tell us about them in five to ten sentences. Who were they? What did they do that was so special? Feel free to include a picture of your chosen Nobel Prize winner on your blog.




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Activity 2: iMoko [4 points]

Dr Lance O’Sullivan is a Māori doctor who lives in Kaitaia, Northland. He has committed his life to improving the health and well-being of both his patients and people in the local community. In 2014 he was named New Zealander of the Year.

Together, Lance and his wife, Tracy, have started some very cool projects in New Zealand including affordable clinics, the Kāinga Ora (healthy homes) initiative and the MOKO Foundation. The MOKO Foundation provides healthcare for students in school-based clinics. He has also started iMOKO, a digital initiative (programme) whereby people living in communities without doctors, can take photos of health issues and send them to doctors in Kaitaia. The doctors look at the photos, provide advice and can send a script to the local pharmacy so that the patient can get medicine. This programme is improving the health and well-being of people living in rural Northland.


Image Attribution: Dr Lance O'Sullivan, Nick Reed, NZ Herald

For this activity please think about your own health and well-being (hauora). What do you, or those in your family, do to stay healthy?

On your blog, share five things that you do to stay healthy and strong.

I try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and get plenty of sleep each night.




My poster has a white & light blue pastel style and making it simplest as I can because putting many colours makes it really unusual and it doesn't go well together. I put a ocean tide background that goes well with the style and put a quote from Les Brown from the website. This poster is basically representing their organisation and helps people donate for Charitable Trust bringing services to those who needs it.

SLJ Wk 3 Day 3: Intentive Inventors

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Activity 1: Nanogirl [4 points]

Michelle Dickinson, AKA “Nanogirl”, is a nanotechnologist. That is an engineer or scientist who works with very small items called “molecules.” Michelle is famous for creating cool shows about science which she performs in schools around New Zealand. When she isn’t performing, she is working as a scientist in her own lab in Auckland. Over the years she has written two books and won many awards including the New Zealand Women of Influence in Innovation and Science Award and The New Zealand Order of Merit for her innovative work.

Like Michelle, many people in New Zealand like to create nano-sized (tiny) things. Some people even like to build tiny houses.


Image Attribution: Dr Michelle Dickinson, Andy Jackson, Fairfax NZ, stuff.co.nz

For this activity, please visit the ‘Build Tiny New Zealand’ website and scroll to the bottom of the page where you will find a series of Video Tours of tiny houses. Watch any three videos on the site.

On your blog, tell us whether, or not, you would like to live in a tiny house one day. Please be sure to tell us why you feel the way that you do.


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Activity 2: Printing Prosthetics [4 points]

In 1983 a man named Chuck Hull invented the first 3D printer. A 3D printer follows a design that has been created on a computer. The printer simply ‘prints out’ the design in layers, often using a material like plastic.

3D printing has changed the way we are designing and manufacturing (creating) all sorts of things. It is possible to 3D print parts for machines, buildings and even humans!

If you have ever broken an arm and needed a plaster cast you will know that they’re not much fun to wear - especially in summer! Here in New Zealand, a man named Jake Evill has designed a lighter 3D printed plaster cast that is strong, recyclable, waterproof, and ventilated (let’s air in). Check out his design here.


For this activity, we would like you to learn more about 3D printed prosthetics (artificial body parts, like hands or arms). Please watch this video about 3D printed prosthetics (artificial body parts, like hands or arms).

On your blog, tell your readers:

One thing that you learned from watching this video
One thing that surprised you when watching this video




Activity 3: Need for Speed [6 points]

We have had many inventors here in New Zealand who have created things that have changed the world. Two of these inventors were Bill Hamilton (1899-1978) and John Britten (1950-1995).

Bill Hamilton grew up on a farm in the South Island of New Zealand. One of his first inventions was a tow rope to pull skiers up a ski field. His most famous invention, however, is the development of the modern jet boat engine. It allows boats, like the Huka Falls Jet, to travel at lightning speed along rivers. Bill Hamilton invented the jet boat to solve a problem.

John Britten, on the other hand, loved to rebuild vehicles, including motorbikes. He set up the Britten Motorcycle Company from his garage in Christchurch, New Zealand. One of his bikes, the V1000, won a number of international races and set a world speed record for going 304km per hour! Wow! Now that is fast…!


Image Attribution: Authors personal photo from Motorcycle Show in New Zealand, Jeremy Gray, CC BY-SA 3.0

Speaking of fast, for this activity we would like you to design your own fast vehicle. It can be anything! Please draw your super-fast vehicle on paper or use an app to help you. If it was me, I would make my super-fast vehicle something that I could use to get to school and home again each day!

On your blog, post a picture of your speedy vehicle along with a written description of how it works. Tell your readers what your vehicle is made of, any special features, how fast it goes, and who might use your vehicle.

SLJ Wk 3 Day 2: Cracking The Code

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Activity 1: Through Careful Observation [4 points]

There are many incredible people in history who have changed the world. Some have changed what we know about the world and about how it works. We often call these people ‘scientists’ or ‘theorists.’ Famous scientists include Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Katherine Freese, Maria Goeppert Mayer and Sau Lan Wu.

Each of these scientists came up with a new theory (idea) about how things work. Much of what they discovered came from observing (watching) things closely.


For this activity, we would like you to select one of the pictures below and to study or observe it closely. What do you see?

On your blog, describe the painting in detail. What do you see when you look at it? Please give us as much detail as you can!



Activity 2: Overcoming Adversity [4 points]

Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) was an English scientist who was interested in studying the origin (beginning) of the universe. When he was just 21 years old, he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease and, over time, he lost the ability to walk and talk. He needed to use a wheelchair to move around and a computer to help him to talk. The computer made his voice sound a bit funny but, most importantly, it meant he could still communicate with people.

Despite his diagnosis, Stephen Hawking lived a long and very productive life. He showed great determination and perseverance because he didn’t let his physical challenges stop him. He didn’t quit. Instead, he ‘overcame the odds’ and achieved a huge amount in his life.


Image Attribution: Stephen Hawking at NASA's StarChild Learning Center, NASA, Public Domain

For this activity, we would like to hear about a time when you, or someone you know, experienced a challenge and overcame it.

On your blog, recount a time when you or someone you know experienced a challenge and overcame it.




Activity 3: Hidden Figures [6 points]



Ada Lovelace, born in 1815, is considered to be the ‘first computer programmer’, even though computers had not yet been invented. She was called a computer programmer because she worked out a series of algorithms (instructions) that a machine could use to compute (calculate) difficult maths questions.

Katherine Johnson was another brilliant mathematician who worked with NASA - the North American Space Association. NASA was responsible for sending rockets and people into space. It was Katherine’s job to check all of the calculations that the engineers and astronauts used when designing the spacecraft and flying them into space. In 2016, a movie was made about Katherine Johnson and the other women who worked at NASA during this time. It is called ‘Hidden Figures.’ In the movie, the women had to learn how to do basic coding when NASA started using computers. 

Have you ever tried coding?


For this activity we would like you to give coding a try. Click on the link for the website: code.org. If you try an activity and it is too easy, try a harder level!

On your blog, post a screenshot of your completed shape. Underneath the shape tell us what you thought of the coding app. Is it good? Why/why not?

Wk 3 Day 1: Driving Digital Innovation

Link To Mathletics
Link To Xtramath
Link To Studyladder
Link To Moneytime


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. Are there websites that are particularly helpful for your learning?

For this activity please take screenshots of four different websites that you find helpful for your learning. They can be websites that you use in class or websites that you use on your own at home. Present the screenshots as a poster or put them into a presentation.

On your blog, share your poster or presentation of your favourite learning websites.




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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 Flavell and 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?

On your blog, write a description of the YouTube channel you would like to create.




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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, some of the most famous rivalries occur between sports teams. One example is the rivalry between the All Blacks and the Wallabies rugby teams.


Image Attribution: Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, Joi Ito, CC BY 2.0

For this activity we would like you to use your best researching skills to find three more examples of common rivalries. They can be in the sports world or not - it’s totally up to you!

On your blog, describe the three rivalries that you have found. Who is involved? To gain the full 6 points for this activity, please provide a picture for each rivalry. The picture should represent the rivalry.

SLJ Wk 2 Day 5: Humanitarian Heroes

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Activity 1: Everyday Heroes [4 points]

Every day, the men and women in the Emergency Services provide help and support people in New Zealand and around the world. At times, they have to risk their lives in order to save others.

Common Emergency Services include the Fire Service, the Police Force and the Ambulance Service. Other related services include the Air Ambulance, Search and Rescue, Coast Guard, Surf Lifesaving, and the Civil Defence (amongst others).

In Australia, Fire Services are currently fighting more than 150 wildfires burning in New South Wales, a province on the east coast of the country. The wildfires started in November 2019 and are not expected to stop for many weeks. It is a very challenging time for the men and women serving in the Emergency Services in Australia.


Image Attribution: Emergency services to tackle Alps 2 Ocean for charity, Tim Lucas, stuff.co.nz

For this activity, please brainstorm at least five ways we could support the people who are affected by the fires in New South Wales, Australia. You could think of ways to raise money, things to send them, and ways to keep them feeling positive.

On your blog, share your brainstorm of ideas and create a video or audio recording of yourself explaining each idea.

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Activity 2: Leading by Example [4 points]

Mother Teresa and Princess Diana were both people who wanted to do things to help others. They were very different people, however they both had a significant impact on the world.

Mother Teresa was born in Eastern Europe but decided at a young age that she wanted to be a missionary (a person who gets sent somewhere to share their religious faith and do charity work). She moved to India where she worked hard and cared for those who needed her the most. Her work was recognised by the Catholic Church, which gave her the title of ‘Saint’ Teresa.

Diana, while not officially a saint, was a real-life princess. In her role as a princess, she travelled the world raising awareness about a number of important issues. Through her work, Princess Diana helped the world to see that all people, including those affected by illness and disease, needed love and respect. Princess Diana and Mother Teresa both led by example with acts of kindness towards others.


For this activity, we would like you to follow in their footsteps and perform a random act of kindness.

On your blog, describe your random act of kindness. What did you do? How did the person react? How did it make you feel? 




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Activity 3: Choose your own

You have now made it to the end of Week 2 and have earned the chance to choose your very own politician or activist who you think has changed the world. There are no right or wrong choices for this activity, so find someone who interests you and tell us about them on your blog. It could be someone from your family, church, community and/or someone famous who you admire.

Here are some starting points in case you get stuck:

Bill English

Xi Jinping

Pania Newton

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Willie Apiata

Jane Fonda


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For this activity, choose one person and read all about them.

On your blog, provide us with:

The name of the person
A description of the work they do/have done
An explanation of how they/their work has had an impact on the lives of others