Summer learning journey week one day three: It's all in the family

Activity 1: The More The Merrier?

In the 1800s, most families were pretty big. In fact, many parents had an average of seven to nine children. Imagine that you were a child in the 1800s and you had nine siblings. On your blog, please tell us how you would feel. Would you enjoy being a member of such a large family? Why or why not?

Personally I wouldn't like to have seven to nine brothers or sisters, especially if I was the oldest! The stress wouldn't only effect my parents, it would effect me as well! It's hard enough having one sister and one brother but seven, eight or nine! My parents probably wouldn't have enough time for me because they would wither be working to provide for us or be looking after the younger ones. But if you weren't the oldest you would probably be okay because you would have older siblings to confide in without worries of them judging you. So no, I wouldn't like to have seven to nine siblings. It would be too stressful!

Activity two: Acknowledging Ancestry

All of us are members of a family. Some of us have large families and some of us have very small families. When I have the opportunity to talk about my family and my ancestry I sometimes choose to use a pepeha. It is a very special way of identifying who I am and where I come from. There are many different versions of pepeha but most provide people with information about who you are and where you come from (i.e. your whakapapa).

I did my mihi in Malay my mothers language. I speak it lightly and I did this myself. The translations on the slides are lightly translated. I did this in my own language to show my Ancestry. I am half Malaysian half European aka Eurasian. I wanted to showcase my language and took the chance to celebrate it.  

Bonus Activity: Fun Family Facts 

Everyone’s family is unique. What makes your family special? Choose three people close to you and ask them what their two favourite things to do in summer are. Then on your blog, write two fun facts about each person.

My mothers favourite things to do in the summer is going to the beach and having picnics.

My younger sister Jordan's favourite thing to do in the summer is go to the swimming pool and go on our water slide.

My fathers favourite thing to do in the summer is to relax in the sun and eat ice cream.

Fun facts about my mother...

1. My mum works in a factory called Tegal. Tegal is a chicken and turkey factory. Which means our family gets chicken at a special price.

2. My mother also is from a country called Malaysia, the city/town my mother is from is called Johor Baru!

Fun facts about my sister...

1. My sister Jordan (age 8) is a really good swimmer. She enjoys swimming in her own time.

2. Jordan is also very bold, she is not afraid to tell you what she thinks.

Fun facts about my dad...

1. My father is originally from Invercargill, he moved to Christchurch when he was 12.

2. My father is a cleaner at my school, so before I went to the school last year, he already showed me where some of the classrooms where.

Fun facts about my brother...
1. My brother lives in Kalgoorlie Australia, he works as an engineer in the mines, he fixes the big machines.
2. My brother was born and raised in Malaysia, he and my mother moved to New Zealand when he was nine.