Week 3, Day 4, Activity 1,2,3

DAY 4: Like a Scene Out of a Movie

Activity 1: The Southern Lights [4 points]

Once in a while a very special event takes place in New Zealand. It is a show of beautiful, bright lights that appear in the sky over the South Island. The lights are called the ‘Aurora Australis’ or ‘Southern Lights.’ They are similar to the ‘Northern Lights’ that are often seen in places like Northern Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. The southern and northern lights are so stunning that they often leave people, who are watching them, speechless.

For this activity, you are to write a short acrostic word poem about the beautiful lights. Hazel has written an acrostic poem about summer to give you an example.

S - Sun outside,

U - Umbrellas in the sand.

M -  My friends and I, having fun,

M - Making sandcastles,

E - Enjoying ice cream on a hot day,

R - Racing to the beach!

On your blog, use the word ‘LIGHTS’ to write an acrostic poem about the Southern Lights. Be as creative as you can!

For more information and examples of acrostic poems, check out this poetry website.

Lightning streaks light the sky

Intense colour bursts paint the sky

Gathering families come together to view the beautiful sight

Heavenly lasers and flashing lights beam across the sky

These lights are like a dream come true

Stars shining among the bright colours

Activity 2: The Seven Sisters [4 points]

In the middle of winter, a very special cluster (group) of stars appear in the sky over New Zealand. This cluster is called the ‘Matariki star cluster.’ It re-appears in the sky each May/June and signals the start of the Māori New Year. Many songs (waiata) and stories have been written about the cluster. One of these is called ‘The Seven Stars of Matariki.’ It was written by a New Zealander named Toni Rolleston-Cummins. She is from Maketu. Click here to listen to Toni read her story.

On your blog, write a short summary of the book. What was it about? Try to summarise the story in 6-8 sentences.

There was once a young man called Mitai who lived with his seven brothers. He had been raised by his kororia, which he had learnt magic from. All his brothers weren't married because they wouldn't settle for anyone less beautiful than themselves.

One day Mitai and his brothers were out hunting. There were entranced by the most beautiful signing, curious they followed the sound to the top. Where they found the most beautiful wahine. When the wahine caught the eyes of the brothers, they all fell in love except Mitai. They brought them back to the village to make them there wives.

Mitai brothers didn't go hunting anymore, they took there time fishing for food for there wife's. They stopped worrying about feeding themselves, they soon turned skinny. Mitai grew more suspicious and asked his kororia what to do. Mitai hid behind a tree and when they flew away, he followed. He heard all about the secret plan and told his brothers. The next day they got a magic net and caught all the wife's. Mitai flew them to a god in the sky and said take them far, far, away, and so he did.

Activity 3: Crazy, Cool Clouds [5 points]

Have you ever looked up into the sky and seen a cloud that had a really cool shape? I certainly have, and so have dozens of other people. Take a look at the three pictures of crazy, cool cloud formations below.

From left to right: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3

Clouds are formed when small drops of water stick together. To learn more about clouds and how they are formed, you can watch this cool video. Once you have learned about clouds, please choose your favourite cloud picture.

On your blog, tell us what you see in the photo. What shape(s) do you see? Be sure to tell us which picture (1, 2 or 3) you have chosen and describe what you see in lots of detail!.

I am choosing photo number two.

I look up and see the one big cloud in the sky, my eyes trying to adjust to the beautiful shape. My heart skips a beat as I think its a tornado. I glance up again in panic and realise its just a cloud, but not a normal one. I see the swirling design which reminds me as a spintop. The light shines straight inside it, reminding me of a stage light. Its so beautiful.