Bay Bush Action

Last week in Te Ngahere we had two Bay Bush Action members (Stella and Brad) come in and explain to us what they do in the Ngahere. We all talked about the pests and threats to our native and endemic birds. They showed us some traps that they make to kill pests in the forest. They also demonstrated to us how each of the traps work. They kindly gave us 10 rat traps to place around the school. We made it our goal to become the first school to become rat free in New Zealand.

Moment in time draft

Last week in Te Ngahere we wrote a piece of writing describing a moment in time. We had to describe a forest using present tense verbs. We were learning to use the correct structure to describe a moment in time. I enjoyed describing the forest and trying to find new words to describe one part. Next time I could write more in my introduction and conclusion.

Plantation disperses across the forest floor. Birds chat away up high in trees.

Beams of sunlight shine through the canopy as people walk through the serene trail.
Long white clouds are spread across the sky as Sparrows and Fantails soar through the air.
Vines are hanging from tall trees swaying side to side in motion with the wind.
A Falcon’s screech echoing across the forest.
The continues smell of damp soggy wood smacking your nose as people wander around the forest.
Little insects scamper along the forest floor as their surroundings are silent around them.

The forest is an untroubled peaceful place.

Ecosystems Explanation Writing

Since the past term, Te Ngahere have been working on an explanation about ecosystems. We were learning to use the correct structure for an explanation. I enjoyed learning about ecosystems and what they need to have in them. This explanation is better than any of my other explanation writings.

What an Ecosystem needs?

Living in all ecosystems are inorganic matter and organic matter. Inorganic matter is a non living thing but is very important in an ecosystem. Organic Matter is a living thing. Producers and consumers are organic matter because they are all living things. All ecosystems need these to become a healthy ecosystem.

Inorganic Matter

Inorganic matter is a big part of the ecosystem even though it’s not alive. There are many different types of inorganic matter such as rain, grass, rocks, sand and much more. All these things help producers and consumers to stay alive. For example grass helps consumers because they produce food for them to eat.

Producers

Producers are plants that can produce energy on it’s own. Like trees, seaweed and kelp they create energy from sunlight. Without producers food chains would be unbalanced. They also produce energy for consumers because consumers can’t produce food for themselves. For example, kelp produce energy from sunlight then consumers come along and eat the producers to take the energy from them.

Consumers

Consumers are a big part of the ecosystem. Some consumers feed off producers which means they are herbivores. Other consumers eat each other to stay alive and survive and they are called carnivores.

Decomposers

Decomposers are a bit different to the other living things. A decomposer is a nonliving thing. They break down dead matter with chemicals inside of them. Example worms are decomposers. They recycle the dead matter into chemicals which they release into the air and water. This is very important because without decomposers recycling the dead matter and releasing chemicals into the air plants won't be able to get nutrients that they need.

Ecosystems are very fragile. When you damage one part of the ecosystem you affect the whole area. The food chain will become unbalanced and it won't be good. For example at Matai Bay there is no kelp because people were overfishing and taking to much snapper and crayfish so there were to many kina eating all the kelp. Ecosystems are very fragile and us kaitiaki need to protect our environments.

Metaphor Poem

A couple of weeks ago in Te Ngahere we posted a draft of our Metaphor poems. After we improved and changed our poems to make them sound better. We had the same learning intention but improved on them. The changes I made was I had to extend my sentences to make it sound better.

Izaiah is …

Izaiah is a hyena giggling and smirking with my pack

Izaiah is a spider, active when I learn new things

Izaiah is a dolphin, eager in what I learn

Izaiah is a honda NSX, accelerating down the track of knowledge

Izaiah is a Lamborghini Aventador, slick and beastly

Visual Pepeha

In Te Ngahere we have been revising our Pepeha. We have been learning how to say and read our Pepeha confidently. The purpose of learning our Pepeha is to know the tikanga behind it. I really enjoyed revisiting and learning my Pepeha. We were learning to introduce ourselves and our whanau as well.

Ocean Conservation

On Monday Te Ngahere was visited by Libby Bowles. She explained to us about why we should stop using plastic and what she works as. She showed us many photos about what she does and what she has seen. We also went for a little walk to find and pick up rubbish around our school. She also talked to us about many sea animals that she works with like Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. Libby was very helpful and was enjoyable to have her in with us.

Kiwiana Christmas Art Comp

Last week in Te Ngahere we made a four framed Kiwiana Christmas picture to show what we do on Christmas or what reminds us about Christmas. If you win the competition you will get to watch the new movie called Kiwi Christmas in your own class.