We are working with the Kaiaua Primary School to create a learning module for 10 weeks to teach them about invertebrates and biodiversity. Daunting task really, though it's a chance to get really creative about activities for the kids to do. We actually go to the school tomorrow to meet some of the kids. Should be fun.
Ever since we got back from Northland, we had been working on our introductions for our DRPs. I had to research the New Zealand curriculum and try to write about it. I feel like a teacher. There is so much information about the curriculum, and its all woven into each other. Hard to explain. Just trust me. Anyways we wrote our introductions (first drafts at least) and they came back with very few corrections to be made. Apparently we are on track, and maybe even a little ahead of the game. Sweet As!
On our day off (Sunday) we woke up late, ate breakfast, and then walked over to the marae for the tukutuku. Tukutuku are the woven panels between the carvings in the Wharenui. Each tukutuku is made from woven flax and has a multitude of colors. Unfortunately we missed the actual weaving process, but went anyway. We met a bunch of adorable children outside the Wharekai who captured our attention for quite some time. They were so gregarious. They were quick to memorize our names. After that they started singing us songs. Some of the girls even sang us the song "Billionaire" in Maori. That I have to admit was really cool. Then we met up with Hermoine who showed us the weavings, and we got to see the new carvings that were put up in the wharenui. Later in the day we sat down and talked with a traditional carver. He was interesting but talked a lot and filled (rather crammed) our heads with information. Interesting fact: New Zealand was named by Abel Tasman (who has a national park named after him...where I spent my 5 day break on the south island) who thought he was in Chile. Turns out, he wasn't. So they named it New Zeeland after Old Zeeland a peninsula off the coast of Denmark. Then James Cook spelled it wrong, naming this beautiful country New Zealand.
Came home and made friendship bracelets out of harakeke, a broad leaf grass endemic to New Zealand. Tough work, but they are pretty cool. A game of scrabble then commenced. I love scrabble, truly I do. That night we made stirfry for dinner. Yum!
Celebrated Hope's birthday with mamosas and Cinderella.
Monday we had to turn in our papers...ew. Then we spent the entire day sorting invertebrates. Frozen invertebrates. For like 6 hours. Didn't find much, but got to listen to some awesome music and talked about movies. Pretty sweet day. It was Hope's birthday so we made a delicious meal of homemade meatballs (my first time, and they came out amazing. Watch out mom you have competition) and spaghetti. We also made a rainbow cake. It came out a little thin, but still tasted delicious.
Today we went to the Auckland Museum! It was incredible. Part science museum, part natural history museum. We did not spend nearly enough time there. Oh well, I'll be in Auckland for a few days before leaving for Fiji so I'll just have to go back. Here are some pictures.
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