Activity 1: The First Settlers
It is widely believed that the first people to arrive in New Zealand came from Polynesia. Most historians believe that they landed in New Zealand over 700 years ago. Although they were originally from many different countries, these settlers learned to live together and, eventually, formed their own distinct culture known as ‘Māori.’ Māori have their own language, traditions, and culture.
Follow this link to read a short story about a famous man in Māori mythology – Maui. On your blog, post three facts that you learned about this interesting man. What other stories have you heard about Maui?
1. Māui took a jawbone which his ancestor Murirangawhenua had given him.
2. Maui caught a fish that his grandmother Murirangawhenua said will be gifted to them.
3. Māui's giant fish became known as the North Island of Aotearoa, and Māui's canoe the South island.
4.Another Story of Maui that I have heard about was Maui and the Sun when Maui and his brothers made flax ropes and pulled the sun down so it can slow down.
Activity 2: Setting Sail
The first settlers to come to New Zealand must have been really brave! They had to leave their original homes and sail thousands of miles across the ocean on a special boat called a ‘waka’ to reach New Zealand.
Imagine that you were on board one of the wakas. On your blog, write a short letter to a friend telling them about your voyage to New Zealand. In the letter be sure to tell them how you feel about moving to a new country. If it was me, I would have felt really nervous…
Dear Thomas,
I am going on a trip to New Zealand.
They have asked me if I want to come I said yes.
I was so terrified because the so many waves and one almost flipped the boat I terrified after that it was super windy so I was freezing then I catch a cold because it was to cold and then everyone else catched a cold and then we saw some so we tried to get them but we were to sick.
From Christopher.
Hey there Christopher, my name is Billy and I am from the Summer Learning Journey programme. I am one of the people that will be blogging with you this summer. Welcome! And congratulations on completing the first two activities of the programme.
ReplyDeleteI love the facts you have included about Maui. I find the fact about how the North Island is the fish he caught really interesting because when you look at a map of New Zealand the North Island actually looks like a fish!
I have enjoyed reading your letter you have written too. You've done an awesome job organising your writing like it was an actual letter. I like how you've used paragraphs and some great adjectives.
What sort of sea creatures did you see along the way?
What did you do when you first arrived in New Zealand?
Thanks, looking forward to hearing back from you!
Billy
Hey Christopher, Fantastic work!. I love how you are imagining things like everyone got a cold and it was windy. Keep it up. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne,
DeleteThank you really much for saying my work is fantastic and because how everyone got a cold. Thank you
Hi Christopher,
ReplyDeleteNice work.I like it how you were using adjectives and how you said that one wave almost made the boat flip.Good Job.
Hi Laki,
DeleteThank you for for say how you really liked it when I used a adjective.
Kia ora Christopher,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Emiely (pronounced “Emily”) and I work alongside Billy at the Summer Learning Journey!
Activity 1: Thank you for sharing these interesting facts about Maui. Maui sounds like a very strong person to be able to catch a fish that turned into the North Island and also slow down the Sun! I don't think I am even strong enough to lift up a big box of books! I think he must be crazy strong! What kind of person do you think Maui is?
Activity 2: Awesome letter writing, Christopher. I like the way you have used the structure of a letter - greeting Thomas, explaining your voyage and then signing off with your name. This reminds me of the same structure I use to write emails, birthday cards and post cards!
I hope you have been enjoying the summer sun and enjoying your holidays. I'd be interested to hear some things you have been getting up to these holidays. :)
It is great to see you have made a start to the Summer learning Journey! I know the Summer Learning Journey team have enjoyed reading and commenting on your blog. We can't wait to see what else you will blog!
Noho ora mai,
Emiely :)