Year Two - Takahe vs Pukeko

 Year Two continued their native bird study by comparing and contrasting Takahe and Pukeko.  We've all seen Pukeko wandering around our local wetland area but did you know they have a very special endemic cousin called the takahe?  We research and recorded how pukeko and takahe are the same and different.

We especially liked learning about Manaaki and Walter the cheeky takahe pair that escaped from Tawhranui Reserve.

Year 6 Valuing our Estuaries and Mangroves

Today, Year Six explored the value of of our estuaries and mangroves as carbon sinks, habitats, places of recreation and flood preventatives. We listened to experts talk in a radio interview and read a newspaper article.  To check our understanding we took part in an exciting Kahoot.

Next, we wondered how we could collect data on how our local community valued and used our estuary.  We used Google Forms to devise our own surveys that we will be able give to our friends and family.  We can use the data to help inform the actions we are going to take. Take part in one of our surveys here.

We were particularly interested in finding out more about the shy Banded Rail that lives in the mangroves, but is rarely seen. 

 

Fabulous Whio with Year Two

 Today, Year Two began their investigation of New Zealand's unique native birds by focussing on the Whio (Blue duck).  

We thought about what we already know about ducks and then we recorded what we wanted to find out about the Whio:

Jonny "Can the whio fly underwater?"

Atarah "What do whio eat?"

Jackson "What is inside the whio?"

Evelyn "How do they move?"

Isabel "How are whio different from other ducks?"

Bryn "Do they search for fish and put their bums up?"

We discovered how the whio's body is especially adapted for their habitat.

Ryder "Whio eat larva".

Rosemary "Whios have 4 - 6 chicks"

Maverick "I learned that males whistles and females make a growling sound".

Qiurui "Whio live in fast flowing clean rivers"

Rohan "Both parents look after the chicks"

Archer "The blue duck has webbed feet to swim".

Kevin "They drink water".

Eden "Whio have waterproof feathers"

Naira "They rubbery lips"

Collins "They have yellow".

Oliver "They have a rock proof beak".

Leo "Whio blend into rocks".

Holly "Predators eat their eggs"

Amy "Their body is streamlined".

Next time we are going to learn about pukekos and takahe.

Exploring the Sustainability of Paris 2024

 

Today Year Six critically analysed the sustainability strategies of Paris 2024. We worked in groups to define sustainability by re-ordering statements.  This is the result:

"Sustainability is about​ meeting the needs of ​current generations without ​compromising the needs of ​future generations, while ​ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental ​care and social well-being.​"

Then we brainstormed the possible environmental impacts of big sporting events.  Next we researched and summarised the strategies France is using to make the Paris 2024 the most sustainable Olympics to date. These were:

Sustainable Buildings

Air Taxis

Carbon Offsetting

Recycled plastic Chairs

Water Cooling

Reusing Venues

Public Transport

In our groups, we thought critically about the effectiveness of these actions and ranked them.

Our highest ranks were for the new forests in Africa to carbon offset and reduction of construction.  Our lowest rank was for the electric helicopters as these are just a trial scheme at the moment and can only take one passenger each.

What are you looking forward to seeing at the Olympics?