America's Favorite Giant Panda Celebrates First Birthday

Every animal turns one so why was Bao Bao's first birthday so special?

While first birthdays are always special, this one was even more so, given that only one other giant panda born at the National Zoo, Bao Bao's brother Tai Shan, has survived to celebrate this all-important milestone. Both are offspring of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, giant pandas on loan from China as part of the conservation effort to revive the amount of population, of these beautiful animals. The zoo's first panda couple, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing that were a gift from the government of China, bore five cubs. Unfortunately all of them died within a few days.

How did the zookeepers celebrate it? 

It was therefore no wonder that the zookeepers went all out to celebrate the momentous occasion. In keeping with ancient Chinese tradition, the party commenced with the young panda being offered a choice of three honey-dipped bamboo shoots. Next to each, was a colourful hand-painted poster labeled 'Long Life,' 'Good Health' and 'Many Cubs'. Given that the panda's first choice is believed to predict its future, it was fortunate that Bao Bao immediately gravitated to the 'Long Life' bamboo.
Bamboo sticks were not the only treats for this panda whose name means 'precious' or 'treasure'. The zoo's nutrition department had also made adelectable tiered cake that was crafted from frozen diluted apple juice and dyed various shades of pink, with beet juice. Frozen in between, were slices of Bao Bao's favorite fruits - apples and pears. Flower appliques carved from carrots and sweet potatoes adorned the top and a large number '1', carved from frozen apple juice, completed the perfect treat. Like any one-year-old, Bao Bao attacked his birthday cake with a vengeance and kept it in a tight embrace, until it was all gone.

What are some of the things Bao Bao has learnt during his first year? 

Bao Bao learnt to respond to her name and stand tall on the scale, during her monthly weigh-ins.
Which is really good to be able to do.

What are some of the things in store for her before she turns two?

They are want to teach Bao Bao to present her paw when she needs to get her blood drawn and lie down, for her monthly ultrasound. As the year progresses, she will gradually stop drinking her mother's milk and then just like pandas in the wild, move away from 'home', which in Bao Bao's case means shifting to a separate enclosure

Word Search

Homework (Academic Excellence)

A5. Improve your study skills: Research Rimu

Rimu/Pine Wood

Where do you find it?
You can find Rimu throughout the North,South and Stewart islands. Main standing reserves are on the West coast of the South Island.

Why is it important to Maori?
Rimu is used for medicine the aromatic leaves of this conifer were used in vapour baths.

What uses does it have?
Rimu is used for making bowls and other wood turned objects, .eg: Tables,Chairs andCabinets.

Why is Rimu the best tree in the school?
Rimu is the best tree in the school because it is a native tree to New Zealand, People make things out of Rimu wood for every day uses life furniture and floor boards ect. Rimu is the best tree also because it looks nice and they are tall and short and green. 

Information:
Rimu is a slow-growing tree, eventually attaining a height of up to 50 m, although most surviving large trees are 20 to 35 m tall. 

Another name for Rimu is Pine Wood.

   Rimu

Dangerous Decibels

Today we had our first Dangerous Decibels lesson with a lady call Toni, she talked to us about our ears and what noises we should and shouldn't be around and how long we should be around things if they are over 85 Decibels. She gave us a Tuning fork and at ping pong ball with a pice of string on the end and we had to whack the tuning fork and hold the end of the string and the ping pong ball would bounce off the tuning fork because of the vibration.

I learnt that you can damage your hearing very easy and if you are over 85 dB you should either turn it down, walk away or protect your ears. I also learnt that if you are really close to firecrackers it is not safe for your ears because firecrackers have 140 dB. One thing that I never knew is that 85 dB and under is the safes amount of sound you could listen to, any thing over 85 dB is not safe for your ears and can damage them. Also did you know that our ear drum is as thin as tissue paper which is why you do not stick things in your ears.

World’s Largest Trampoline Park

How is Bounce Below different from other trampoline parks?

It is the world's biggest underground trampoline park. The trampoline park is located inside a 100ft deep and 60ft wide former slate mine, it gives visitors an amazing bouncing experience like none other trampoline park. There is a series of trampolines in a whopping 10,000 square feet, it is all connected by slides, the biggest of which is a mind-blowing 60-foot plunge, as well as, chutes and ladders. The whole experience is made even more surreal, by the vibrant colours that illuminate the cavern.

What are some of the things visitors will experience at Bounce Below?The trampolines are all connected by slides, chutes and ladders. Which would be very fun to play on.

What are the two ziplines called? 

Velocity and Titan are within 45 minutes of each other.

What is special about each one?

They are for every one and they are suitable for kids and adults. 

Maui And The Giant Fish

Homework (Physical Activity and the Outdoors)

Compete in a sport for an entire season

Netball

I have played netball for my whole entire life and I love it, t is one of my favourite sports. This year I play in the year 8 D netball team with Aysha. It has been really fun and I have learnt new things like new drills and new strategies. My main position for netball and C and WA because they are both fun to play and it is great excise. 

Last week was one of our hardest games and we played against the Year 8 C netball team which my twin sister Sophia was in. I played C the whole game. It is really had to play C because you have to round around and all ways be there to help the other player of they need you. 

Last week I also played in a tourment and we won !!!! I was very fun and one of our team mates mum said if we won the netball tourment she would buy us Mc Donald's but she hasn't yet. The game we player where really easy which was great so then we could try and win. Our team all got a block of chocolate each and we got 1 team netball ball and 2 packets of snack logs, witch our couch will keep until the end of the seasons she said that she will give someone I think.

On Saturday 15th August 2014 It was our last netball game for the whole entire session we played the T.I.S E Team which Zahra was in. It was a friendly game but I do not know who won. I played the whole game and I played C & WA. When I played WA I versed Zahra because she was WD she was my defender. I wish there was more netball games to play but no that was the end of the session.

I really enjoyed play netball this session because I made new friends and heaps more but our games where at like 11 am or 12pm which was annoying because then half of the day was all ready gone, but owell at least I liked playing netball. :)     

Homework (Service in School and Community)

Service in School and Community

The Assembly Box

This year I got chosen to do the assembly box. I do it with 2 other people. I do it every friday for 2 weeks and then I get a 1 week break. We set up the box in block 2 and put out the micro phones and set up the guitar, then in block 3 we control all of the sounds and songs. I like doing the box because you get to learn new things and sit up in the box at assembly. 

Last Friday (Friday 8th August 2014) I did the box and I had to set up the box with my partner. We set up really fast because the class only had 1 thing to give us, normally class have heaps of things to give us so then we take longer but not this time. When we finished assembly we packed up really fast because we both had to go somewhere and normally we have to stay after the bell and finish packing up. 

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