DAY 5: Blink and You’ll Miss It
Activity 1: Towering Timbers [4 points]
There is a long and rich history of logging in New Zealand. Logging involves cutting down trees. The people who cut them down are called loggers. The trees that they cut down are sold and used to build things (eg. houses), to make products (eg. paper), and to generate (create) heat and power. Over the past two centuries, many of the trees in New Zealand have been cut down by loggers.
Left: NZ native forest Right: A logged forest
Some people like logging because it creates jobs for the loggers and generates money for New Zealand while others are against (opposed to) logging. Many of those opposed are worried that logging will damage the environment. It might also force animals who live in trees (eg. owls) to find new homes.
What do you think about logging?
On your blog tell us whether you think logging should be allowed in New Zealand. Be sure to provide at least two reasons to support your argument.
In my opinion, I think that we shouldn't do logging, it's because it will harm the environment. I think that there is logging in New Zealand because there are heaps of forests and most of New Zealand is covered with trees and forests. But, still, I think that there shouldn't be logging.
- It will harm the environment.
- It will damage the animal's habitat.
Activity 2: Living on the Edge [4 points]
While it can get quite cold in New Zealand, it rarely drops below freezing (00C). Most of the time the temperature in New Zealand is pretty mild. This is not the case in the tundra. The tundra is an area of land (biome) that is cold, dry and completely treeless. Did you know that the average temperature in the tundra is -280C?
Over the past few years, however, the temperature in the tundra has been rising and the weather has been changing. Let’s imagine that your teacher decides to take you on a class trip to the tundra before the weather changes too much and you aren’t able to go.
On your blog, write a letter to your best friend or a family member telling them about your trip to the tundra. To earn full points your letter must have a greeting (eg. Dear…) followed by 5 – 6 sentences of information about what your experience.
Dear Dad,
I've reached northern Scandinavia and it's freezing cold out here. The
temperature is below zero degrees Celcius and there is no one here to find me. I can
see Arctic Foxes, Snowy Owls and lots more. There are some weird plants
which survive in temperatures like -25°. I could see the snowy
mountains in the distance. I wish that I would have someone with me.
Over the years, scientists have made some surprising discoveries. One of these discoveries is that we have entire cities (e.g. Jakarta, Indonesia and Venice, Italy) that are slowly sinking into the ocean. Scientists believe that, one day, the cities will disappear completely under the water. Yikes!
Activity 3: Going, going….gone [10 points]
Over the years, scientists have made some surprising discoveries. One of these discoveries is that we have entire cities (e.g. Jakarta, Indonesia and Venice, Italy) that are slowly sinking into the ocean. Scientists believe that, one day, the cities will disappear completely under the water. Yikes!
Some of the residents (people living in the cities) have taken pictures of their neighbourhoods and written stories about their lives in order to make a record of what ‘life was like’ in their city before it disappeared.
Let’s imagine that New Zealand was going to sink to the bottom of the ocean next week (Eek!). Before it sinks you are asked to write a blog post telling people what life was like in New Zealand in 2018.
On your blog, post a description of life in New Zealand in 2018. Please remember that the people who read your post will have never been to New Zealand or even seen a picture so it is your job to ‘paint a picture’ of New Zealand using your words. You can also post pictures, if you wish. Be sure to fully attribute the pictures.
New Zealand is one of the cleanest country in the world and New Zealand is a safe country to live in. New Zealand is second out of 163 countries on the 2018 Global Peace index. New Zealand is famous for its natural places and attractions. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful country in the world. There are awesome sports to watch live like Rugby (international), Cricket (international) and Football (domestic).
New Zealand is one of the cleanest country in the world and New Zealand is a safe country to live in. New Zealand is second out of 163 countries on the 2018 Global Peace index. New Zealand is famous for its natural places and attractions. New Zealand is one of the most beautiful country in the world. There are awesome sports to watch live like Rugby (international), Cricket (international) and Football (domestic).
On the top is North Island, it is famous for its cosmopolitan cities, Maori culture and bubbling volcanic activity. At the bottom is South Island where South Island is famous for its majestic landscapes and snow-capped mountains. Be sure to visit New Zealand.
