Kia ora, my name is Manea. My goal is to improve my learning and challenge myself every day. In my free time, I like creating art because it helps me relax and express my ideas. I’m always trying to get better at the thing I enjoy, and I love learning new skills that can help me grow as a learner and an artist.
For Summer Learning Journey, I had to make a poster about the kea. I learned new facts about where kea live, what they eat, and why they are special birds in New Zealand. It was fun creating the poster and choosing facts to share.
This artwork was created as part of my Summer Learning Journey (SLJ) project. The task was to choose a sea creature and design it as a mosaic using only lines and shapes. I followed the instructions by placing my drawing inside a black background and using simple patterns instead of colour.
I chose a seahorse because it is a unique sea creature and works well with curved lines and repeating patterns. I used the line tool to carefully create mosaic shapes and added patterns inspired by Pacific designs.
I enjoyed this SLJ task because it helped me improve my digital art skills and be creative while following clear instructions. I am proud of how my final design looks and how it fits the mosaic style.
For my Summer Learning Journey, I made a picture of a tuatara in its habitat. I tried to show where it lives in nature, like under rocks and among plants. It was fun drawing the habitat because I got to think about what a tuatara needs to survive.
I think my tuatara looks like it could really be there in the wild! I enjoyed using colors and adding details to make the habitat look real.
One thing I learned is that tuataras need a safe place to hide and warm sun to stay healthy. I’m proud of how my picture turned out!
Writing this story about the Pouākai was so much fun and really amazing! I loved imagining a giant bird flying over the mountains and creating the adventure of meeting it. It was exciting to think about what it would be like to see the Pouākai in real life and how I would feel.
Today’s task was for the Summer Learning Journey (SLJ). I enjoyed it because it let me be creative and also learn about Māori legends at the same time. I’m proud of my story and how I described the Pouākai it felt like I was part of the adventure!
Long ago, people in my village told stories about a giant bird called the Pouākai. It was bigger than any eagle, with sharp claws and glowing eyes. They said it lived in the mountains and could swoop down on anyone who got too close.
One day, I decided to see the Pouākai for myself. I climbed the steep cliffs, hiding behind rocks, my heart racing. Suddenly, I saw a huge shadow. The Pouākai had landed! Its wings were so wide they almost blocked out the sun.
I froze. The bird looked at me with its glowing eyes. I remembered my grandmother’s song about respecting the birds and the land. I sang softly. The Pouākai tilted its head and slowly stepped back, letting me pass safely.
I ran back to the village and told everyone what had happened. I wasn’t scared anymore. The Pouākai was not just a monster it was a guardian of the mountains. From that day, we all treated the forest with more respect.
For the Summer Learning Journey, we did a fun activity where we wrote a story about a kiwi. It was really enjoyable because I got to use my imagination and think of what the kiwi might do if it had a different plan or could move in a new way. I liked creating little details about its actions and challenges, which made writing the story really exciting.
Ruru The Kiwi
feel like to fly. She watched other birds glide and swoop through the clouds while she stayed on the ground. Sometimes Ruru felt different and wished she could be like them, even though she was brave in her own way.
One night, a strange new bird arrived in the forest. It had long legs, tiny wings, and soft purple feathers that shimmered in the moonlight. “My name is Tahi,” the bird said. “I can’t fly either.” Ruru was surprised and curious. Tahi explained that instead of flying, he explored rivers, rocks, caves, and all the hidden places on the forest floor.
Ruru realised that not flying didn’t make a bird weak it just meant they explored the world differently. Together they created The Ground Explorer Club, and they discovered glow-worm tunnels, secret tree roots, and places no flying bird had ever seen before. Ruru began to feel proud of who she was.
Soon the other birds asked why she stayed on the ground. Ruru lifted her beak and said, “Because the ground has stories too.” The birds understood that some explored the sky and some explored the earth, and both were special. Ruru no longer wished for wings because she had courage, curiosity, and a friend beside her.
Today task was to learn about the weta for the Summer Learning Journey and turn my learning into a comic strip. I enjoyed this activity because I love making digital comics and using pictures and panels to tell a story.
Here are 5 facts about the weta that I learnt:
Weta are native to New Zealand.
Some weta can grow very big, especially giant weta.
Weta are nocturnal and come out at night.
They use their legs and jaws to protect themselves.
Weta are important because they help the environment.
I liked making my comic because it was fun, creative, and a cool way to share my learning.
Kia ora everyone,
This week in SLJ we learned about Flying Foxes, and I found something really cool “Flying Fox” can mean two very different things!The first Flying Fox is a fruit bat, which is a mammal. They fly at night, eat fruit, and live in forests. Here are 3 fun facts about them:
Flying foxes have really big wings, up to 1.5 meters wide, so they can fly long distances.
They eat fruit and nectar, helping plants grow by spreading seeds.
Some flying foxes sleep hanging upside down in trees during the day.
The second Flying Fox is a zip line, a metal contraption made with poles, ropes, and a seat. It’s super fun and thrilling! Here are 3 fun facts about zip line Flying Foxes:
They can slide really fast, sometimes reaching speeds over 30 km/h!
They are usually made with metal poles, ropes, and a seat so you can glide safely.
Zip lines are used for fun in playgrounds or adventure parks, and some even go over rivers or forests.
Even though one is an animal and one is a playground ride, they have things in common. They both move through the air, are called Flying Fox, and can be exciting to watch or use.
Which one would you rather see a Flying Fox bat flying in the forest, or zooming down a Flying Fox zip line?
Today’s task was to design a feather necklace for the Summer Learning Journey.
I used the polyline tool to draw the feather layers and then chose different coloured feathers to match my pattern. I tried to make the top layer darker and the bottom layer brighter so it looks like real feathers. It was fun resizing and arranging them to make it look even and tidy.
One thing I learned is that feather cloaks and necklaces are special because they show respect, culture, and identity. My favourite part was choosing the colours and making sure the layers overlapped properly. I enjoyed this activity because it felt creative and I like how my final design turned out.
Today the Octopus Oddities – Kick Start on the Summer Learning Journey was really fun! 🐙
I enjoyed learning cool facts about octopuses and seeing how strange and amazing they are. It was exciting because I didn’t know they had three hearts and could change colour. This task made learning feel fun and not boring, and it got me excited to do more Summer Learning Journey activities.
The top 3 facts
Octopuses have three hearts that help pump blood around their body.
They can change colour and texture to hide from predators.
An octopus has eight arms, and each one can move and feel on its own.
