Hey bloggers! I am so excited and thrilled to participate in this years Summer Learning Journey for 2017 - 2018! I've been waiting for this day ever since the beginning of this year! How about we start? Let's begin!
Activity 1 : The First Settlers
It's widely believed that the first people to arrive in New Zealand originated in Polynesia. The settlers eventually evolved and formed into their culture and people. Now they are called the " Maori " They have their own language, culture, traditions, food, and lots more. I have been asked to visit a link to read some short stories of a legendary mythical Polynesian Hero " Maui ". I have to post 3 facts on my blog that I have learned about Maui!
I've finished reading the text and here are my personal facts I have come up with!
* Fact 1 ~ Based on some mythical legends, Maui the Polynesian God was a shape-shifter and could change into anything such as a bird, shark and heaps more you could think of which is awesome!
* Fact 2 ~ In Polynesian Mythology, Ancient Polynesians would navigate across the Pacific waters using stars. According to myths Maui's Hook could be seen in the sky and Polynesians would navigate to the end of the hook. That's how they would discover new islands.
* Fact 3 ~ It is said that Maui was fishing one evening with his brothers in a waka. Then he pulled out his fishook to go fishing. It is said he pulled up the big fish which is widely known as the North Island and his waka became the South Island.
Activity 2 : Setting Sail
The first settlers that arrived in New Zealand must've been really brave! They had to leave their homes, maybe crops too, and sailed thousand miles across the Pacific Ocean to find new land to own. I have been asked to imagine that I was sailing in one of the Waka. I have been asked to write a letter to a friend about my voyage to New Zealand. In the letter I have to be sure to tell them how I feel about moving to a new country.
Here is my letter I've written:
I just wrote about how the experience was and I also made up an address!
Bonus Activity : Waka Ama
Now days the people of New Zealand still use Waka. Instead of using the waka for transportation they sometimes use it for Waka Ama races in the ocean. I have been asked to watch a video about Waka Ama and I have to tell you if I would like to join one day or not. I've finished watching the video and it was really interesting. My opinion would have to be No. I would not want to join because it looks like you have to train alot and I don't like training for around 10 hours straight! Haha!
I hope you enjoyed today's blog post!
Thanks for reading!
By Mitchell.M
18/12/17
