SLJ Day 2 Week 2

Activity 1

There is a long history in New Zealand of collecting natural plants, including flax (harakeke), and using them to create cloaks, baskets (kete), mats, traps and ropes. Flax weaving is an art form. It can take years for people to perfect the art of weaving. Have you ever tried it?

For this activity, you are asked to watch a short video of someone weaving a fish (ika) out of flax.

On your blog, tell us whether or not you would like to try flax weaving. Does it interest you? Why or why not?

I haven't done flax weaving before, it sounds fun, I want to try it because it's a great way to kill time, it's also a great way to show your creativity and imagination. It's very useful too, you can make a basket out of it without even spending money, you can just get the flax in your backyard. I think it would be nice if you use flax to decorate your room.

Activity 2

Here in New Zealand we have a native tree called a Kiwi Mangrove. Kiwi Mangroves grow in shallow water (harbours). The largest mangrove or manawa forests in New Zealand are located in Northland and in Auckland. According to many environmental experts, they are one of the toughest and strongest trees in the world because they can survive in really harsh (difficult) conditions.

For this activity, you are asked to think of someone who is very tough and strong. They can be someone who you know personally or they can be a character that you have read about in a book, seen in a movie, or on a television show.

On your blog, tell us about this person. Who are they? Why are they, in your opinion, so strong and tough?

I think that this person is really tough and strong, he is very famous for boxing and is currently serving as a senator in the Philippines, many people look up to him for his powerful fists, strong mind, golden heart, many of you probably know him or not. He is a great role model for everyone, even though he grew up in a poor family he managed to keep moving and is now the breadwinner of his family, he represents our country really well. He inspires children who want to be just like him when they grow up. That person is Manny Pacquiao.

When I was little my family and I used to watch boxing matches, especially when Manny Pacquiao is in the match. I really want him to meet in person too and ask him questions.

Activity 3

Here on earth there are more than 298 000 different kinds (species) of plants. Some of these plants live on land and some live in the water. Follow this link to read about 10 of the strangest plant species in the world. When you are finished, choose two of the plants from the list.

On your blog, list three similarities and three differences between the two plants that you chose. To earn five extra bonus points, post a picture of both plants on your blog.

I chose the Venus Flytrap and the Pitcher Plant

Similarities:

• They are both homologous, it means that they both use their leaves to trap insects and eat them
• They are both carnivorous plants, it means that they get their nutrients from trapping insects or animals

I can't really think of the third one soooooo moving on to the next

Differences:

•  An insect won't be able to get out when it's inside the Pitcher Plants because its wall is so slippery no insect can even escape, it prevents insects from crawling out
• When the Venus Flytrap is triggered, it's leaves will fold bringing both of them together, like bear traps for example
• They are different because of their shapes and how they trap insects

Thanks for reading my blogpost

:)