Category Archives: New Zealand

Penguins! Resources to Learn about these Unique Southern Birds

Posted on January 23, 2013 | 4 Comments

Do your kids love to learn about penguins as much as mine do!? There are 17 different kinds of penguins, and although they look different, there are some similarities. All live in the southern hemisphere, normally on the coasts of: Antarctica, South Africa, parts of South America, parts of Australia and New Zealand, and many different islands including the Galapagos (where I swam with some!)! All penguins have blackish backs and white bellies, and are flightless birds who are excellent swimmers. They feed underwater on krill and other creatures, and their predators are orcas, sharks, sea lions, and fur and leopard seals. Groups of penguins are called rookeries. Today penguins are threatened because of reduced food supply (due to over-fishing and global warming), pollution (such as oil spills), and reduced habitat (due to melting ice from global warming). Learn more about penguins with these phenomenal resources:

Penguin Resources: Web Sites

Download a free, high-quality poster of the Emperor Penguin’s life cycle from the US government’s Antarctic Program. Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Australia, Australia and Oceania, Games and Toys, Literature, New Zealand, Polar Regions

Tagged education, non-fiction children's books, on-line activities, penguins, science

The Flightless Birds of New Zealand and Australia

Posted on November 24, 2012 | 5 Comments

My children really enjoy learning about animals. They like to catch and release critters, visit animals at the zoo, do animal science projects like dissecting owl pellets, watch movies like Whale Rider and The Story of the Weeiping Camel, do craft projects like this blue morpho butterfly craft, and read books like thes e about Australian animals. We are animal lovers! So on a recent visit to the zoo, we learned about ratites: large flightless birds. They share several characteristics, even though they are spread widely among different continents. Many scientists believe that their similarities and distance from each other suggest that the earth’s land masses were once much closer together than they are now. Scientists also believe that flightless birds on islands like Australia and New Zealand evolved because they had little reasons to escape flying because there were few predators. These birds developed short wings, great running or swimming skills, and special defenses like large toe claws. Let’s discover some special characteristics of these unique birds! Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Australia, Australia and Oceania, New Zealand

Tagged birds, environment, science

Maori Culture Shines in the Film “Whale Rider”

Posted on June 21, 2012 | 3 Comments

I am always on the look-out for films with positive messages, and especially when they give kids insights to another country or culture. The New Zealand film “Whale Rider” tells the story of 12-year old Pai, a Maori girl whose ancestor Paikea was the whale rider. While Pai lives in present day Whangara, New Zealand with her grandparents, Maori tradition maintains that the leadership should only be inherited by males. Koro, her grandfather, is the current chief and is adamant that she cannot lead her people because she is female. Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Australia and Oceania, Movies, New Zealand

Tagged indigenous, Maori, whale

Learn about Unique Australian & New Zealand Land Animals

Posted on April 3, 2012 | 1 Comment

Because Australia and New Zealand are islands, far and isolated from other land masses, many of their animals aren’t found anywhere else on Earth. They have evolved and adapted well to the ecosystems found here: the large desert, forests, grasslands, and mountains. Here are some wonderful picture books and video clips that highlight the very unique animals of Australia and New Zealand. There are silly stories with animals as their main character, and others are based on true adventures had by animals in this part of the world. All are delightful and colorful, and will compliment and add a global dimension to lessons in science and social studies. The incredible clips offer a live view of animals in their natural habitat. Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Australia, Australia and Oceania, Literature, New Zealand

Tagged education, fiction children's books, kangaroos, koalas, non-fiction children's books, possums, wallabies, wombats

Meet Shrek, the famous New Zealand Sheep

Posted on November 18, 2011 | Leave a comment

Who is Shrek the sheep and why is he so famous? Shrek the sheep was born in 1994 near Tarras, New Zealand. When he was around 4 years old, he decided he did not want to be shorn (have his wool cut, that is) and so he began to hide in caves to avoid being caught. When they finally did catch him, it took a professional 20 minutes to do the shearing, which was broadcast on national TV, CNN and the BBC. His fleece had enough wool to make 20 suits, which were all auctioned off to charity. Shrek became a national icon in New Zealand and was invited to meet the prime minister, Helen Clark, in 2004. He was made famous in photographs, videos, and children’s books; even though New Zealand has 10 times more sheep than people, Shrek stood out and captured the hearts of people with his delightful story. He raised money for charities, boosted the publicity of the wool industry, made public appearances around the country, contributed millions to the economy— and Shrek was even shorn on an floating iceberg to celebrate his 10th birthday. Continue reading →

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Posted in Animals, Australia and Oceania, New Zealand

Tagged education, multicultural, sheep

Anzac Biscuits: Cookies from Australia and New Zealand

Posted on November 12, 2011 | 4 Comments

You will love these chewy cookies- don’t forget the milk!

Cookies- the snack that everyone loves. Bake some of these sweet oatmeal biscuits and teach your kids a bit about history and the lands down under. Continue reading →