Once A Panther

LI: To identify the key historical context and events related to the Polynesian Panthers and the Dawn Raids as depicted in the graphic novel.

For our reading we read the text ‘ Once a Panther ‘ a graphic novel that narrates New Zealand’s history about the Polynesian Dawn Raids and how it looked, felt and probably sounded like when becoming a victim to these dawn raids ! After our concentrated reading and guided reading doc, we had been gifted the task of making our own comic strip, that illustrates another example of prejudice, racism or stereotypical behavior towards people, in this practice we learnt how to use dialogue speech bubbles properly ! What I found challenging about this challenge was trying to create my own, because I never really experienced any harsh racism comments, but it was interesting finding out peoples experience with racial behavior directed to themselves, or to one of their family members !

Dino Eggs

  • LI: To understand how scientists discover, record and learn from fossils.

For our researches on our chosen dinosaur eggs, we had a challenge to imagine that ourselves were like Mary Anning, a paleontologist, and find some dinosaur eggs in the bushes ( outside ) , then excavating the rare phenomenon, and also taking a photograph of the eggs. We then opened up Adobe Express to refine our image to what it might’ve looked like in a prehistoric/ old-fashioned picture way, after our research on our dinosaurs ! My buddy and I had an ankylosaurus as our fossil, and what an interesting fact we found out was that, scientists think that an ankylosauruses armour could change its colour whenever in danger. This task was amusing to do because we had to create our own egg then after we all picked random eggs, while excavating it was a blast !

‘Shameful stain on NZ history’: Polynesian Panthers push for dawn raids apology’

LI: To evaluate (form an opinion) the text and respond to the provocation

For reading we were given the task to read a text explaining the Polynesian dawn raids, and how it affected people. Then after reading the text we had to form a DLO about the provocation on , if the government of today ( 2021 ) apoligise for the mishaps of the government (1969). During this task we had a lot of reasons to think why and why they shouldn’t of had done this, but ultimately we all came to the conclusion of agreeing on they should of apoligised because without the confirmation of their wrong doings, the next generation will probably carry on the generational trauma . Something I found interesting was that when Jacinda Ardern was apoligising they put a mat on top of her head and it was lifted off, making it very interesting to watch because it was the first time I witnessed such a thing ! I really enjoyed this because we were learning about the past of NZ and acknowledging on what people have done to our culture and what they’re still doing.

Mary Anning

LI: To create a DLO that tells Mary Annings story from her perspective story.

LS2 was tasked with capturing the inspiring story of Mary Anning, a pioneering fossil hunter and paleontologist from the early 19th century. Born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, England, Mary grew up in a family that faced financial challenges. Despite these hardships, she developed a fascination for the natural world around her, particularly the fossils that could be found along the Jurassic Coast, a region renowned for its rich geological history.

We have also created a Kahoot that will be coming shortly.

In 1823, Mary made a remarkable discovery that would change the course of paleontology: she unearthed the first nearly complete skeleton of a plesiosaur, a marine reptile that had long puzzled scientists and fossil enthusiasts alike. This groundbreaking find not only showcased her keen observational skills but also highlighted her relentless determination in a male-dominated field. Furthermore, her work on the skeleton of an ichthyosaur, another significant marine reptile, further solidified her reputation as an astute researcher and contributed valuable knowledge to the scientific community.

Despite facing significant obstacles, including gender bias and financial difficulties, Anning’s contributions to paleontology were profound and lasting. She is often recognized as one of the first paleontologists, paving the way for future generations of women in science. Her ability to meticulously extract and analyze fossils, as well as her dedication to sharing her findings with the broader scientific community, laid the groundwork for numerous discoveries in the field.

Mary Anning’s legacy lives on today, not only in the fossils she unearthed but also in the inspiration she provides to aspiring paleontologists and scientists. She remains a symbol of perseverance and passion for natural history, reminding us of the importance of curiosity and resilience in the face of adversity. As LS2 prepares for their own dinosaur dig, understanding Mary Anning’s contributions serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one dedicated individual can have on the scientific world.

I really like this activity as it gave me the opportunity to learn about the various discoveries made by Mary Anning throughout her career as a paleontologist.

Something I learnt was that plesiosaurus is actually not a dinosaur, but a large reptile that has been extinct for many centuries, while I also learnt that she got struck by lighning, and still managed to be one of the two children , out of TEN to have survived childhood ! 

Fossil DLO

LI : To recognise different types of fossils, and how they are formed.

Just visualise that everywhere you look in any direction is jam-packed full of nature, there seems to be no end in sight, only plants, and exotic, strange, mysterious living organisms. Thump , thump, thump … there seems to be a big bellowing thing heading your way, making your way passed the muddy land, moments passed, then out of nowhere your survival instincts catches on… RUN. Your calves start aching your heavy heart hasn’t stopped pumping adrenaline, strangely you break a cold sweat then CHOMP! Well luckily that thing that had just ate you up is now underground, extinct and forever encased in mother nature’s arms, dating back into the ages of middle earth lived dinosaurs! These animals were part of the reptilian family and are presumed to be apex predators in the days, while also being named friendly giants for some of them being strictly herbivores, but then after the ‘ catastrophe ’ most of life vanished out of existence, leaving nothing but memory. Then Humanity started to take over and then we started discovering bones, patterns, strange dents in the surface of earth, most discoveries being Body fossil meaning that it were the leftovers of prehistoric animals, and if you look towards the image on the left it shows a picture of an animal’s skeleton cemented in the ground floor, this tells how might’ve the animal appeared to be with its features, structure, ect. In contrast to the picture on the right is showing rand streaks of lines into the ground, these are called ‘ Trace Fossils ’ where the animal had left either footprints, teeth marks and also unhatched eggs, these are utilised to help our further understanding on how they live and what they did on a daily basis of life in the Jurassic Period! 

Division Algorithim – Using algorithim

LI : How to divide decimal numbers, using algorithim

For our weeks learning towards math, we have been on the subject that focuses on decimal numbers using the four arithmetic operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. In these exact same order we had learnt to do each one of these, but with decimal numbers instead of the basic whole number things, not only did this whole week of the summary facing to decimal numbers teach us the operations to these, but this has also taught us to always put the numbers in their correct place holding value such as tenths, hundredths, thousandths, ect, while guiding us on to be more fast in our working with only a week and a half to learn all these equations!

 

Multiplying Decimals – Using Algorithim

LI : How to multiply decimal numbers, using algorithim

For our learning we had been learning about decimals and we have been learning how to do the calculus of multiplying two decimal numbers together! During the process of this insight to these types of equations, we have now the  knowledge on how the method works towards multiplying two decimal places together, which was very interesting on finding out because its very basic, being very similar of multiplying two whole numbers together. We also found out that this was a very curious journey of learning because for most of the equations we were solving, was that instead of multiplying it bigger than the original number it would go smaller than the original numbers!

What is a Paleontoligist ?

For our inquiry learning this term we will be focusing on the age of dinosaurs and to kick start our learning journey for term 3, we got the chance to research about paleontoligists, on what they do and why these fossil finding scientists are so important to the next step into evolution, with a challenge of explaining using exactly 50 words , no more or less! During this process we also found out that Fossil findings are absolutely crucial to have the understanding of the history that makes the present and the future, because these fossils contain the DNA from extinct animals and other living organisms. Fossils are preserved underground by the amount of pressure it builds up over time therefore becoming a fossil, while paleontoligists do mainy focus on animal bones instead of microscopic, and other living organisms, its also very important to know that fossils arent just bones, but other things that had been preserved and stored underground for ages!

Subtraction Algorithim – Using Decimal

LI : How to subract decimal numbers, using algorithim.

For this Maths activity we took a step up from the last lesson and the step up it was to learn how to subtract two decimal numbers together ! This activity is also very similar to subtracting whole numbers, because all that there is to minusing decimal equations together is that all you have to do is add a decimal point, to the given equation! Something we also learnt during this lesson is that you always have to line up all your decimal points and when subtracting, and the number you can not divide get crossed off and gets replaced with a number in the front of that number, which you have to subtract one from the number in front of the number you have to divide.

Addition Algorithim – Using Decimals

LI : How to add decimal numbers, using algorithms.

For this math lesson we have been continuing on to learn about how to do basic math with decimals like addition, subtraction, ect, but in this particular lesson about decimals we started off with learning how to add decimals together. To also do this task you have to sort out the place values of each number from tens, ones, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and more, while everytime you add the chosen numbers you have to always start from the number farthest to the right working your way up to the left. Another thing to remember when doing this maths calculation is to always carry the ones to the correct place holders and a very simple trick to do this is to make your working out very neat and tidy, so it will be easier to look at and figure it out. Something I found interesting was we learnt how to add numbers using decimal points, and we learnt a rule while adding decimal numbers is that you always have to line up the decimal points with each other.