Week 4: All the World's a Stage
Arts and Entertainment
(Year 6-8)
Kia ora and welcome to the final week of the Summer Learning Journey! This week we are going to be learning about people who changed the world through the arts and entertainment industries. The people included in this programme are only a small number of the exceptional, influential and inspirational authors and entertainers in the world.
Get ready to learn about some very creative people!
DAY 1: Bookworms
Activity 1: Rags to Riches [4 points]
J. K. Rowling is one of the most well known authors in the world. She wrote the Harry Potter series of books. Over 500 million copies of her books have been sold, making J. K. Rowling the world’s first billionaire author.
While she was writing the first Harry Potter book, she was a single mum with very little money. She used to write while her daughter Jessica was asleep. She used her initials ‘J.K.’ instead of her name (Joanne) because her publisher thought that boys might not want to read a book written by a woman.
J. K. Rowling has done many interviews which have revealed things about her as a writer and as a person. One of these interviews was conducted by a very famous television personality, Oprah Winfrey (you can find more about her on Day 3, Activity 1!).
As well as books needing to be engaging and interesting for the reader, it is important that they are engaging and interesting on the cover too. We sometimes say “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” but we often choose books (if we don’t know much about them) when they have an attractive cover!
For this activity, design a book cover for your favourite book. You will need to think about what needs to be on the cover (the title, author, illustrator), pictures, colour, etc. Please create all of the images yourself (draw or photograph) rather than using images that you find online.
On your blog, share the book cover you have designed.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 2: Romeo and Juliet [4 points]
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was an author, poet and playwright. He is best known for the plays that he wrote while living in England in the 16th Century. Although they were written a long time ago, they are still popular because they talk about things that are familiar to us - love, revenge, confusion, betrayal, jealousy, hurt, etc. You might have heard of some of his plays: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear. Many of them have also been made into movies.
Shakespeare wrote his plays in English, however, it is not the same version of English that we have now. In fact, many of the words that we use today, in 2019, weren’t used back in 1600 (and vice versa).
For this activity, we would like you to learn more about ‘Shakespearean English’ - the version of English that Shakespeare used to write his plays. To do this, please write a short recount about what you did this morning in regular (2019) English, and then use this translating tool to turn it into Shakespearean English.
On your blog, share both your English and Shakespearean translation of your recount.
Here is an example:
This morning I got up early when my daughter Laila woke up. We had a delicious breakfast of steaming hot porridge before heading out the door to start the day. It was cold, sunny and clear outside.
This m'rning I did get up early at which hour mine own daught'r Laila did wake up. We hadst a delicious breakfast of steaming hot p'rridge bef're heading out the doth'r to starteth the day. T wast bitter cold, sunny and cleareth outside.
Activity 3: The Diary of Anne Frank [6 points]
Anne Frank was a very brave girl. She was born and raised in a Jewish family in Germany in the 1930s. When World War II started, Anne and her family were forced to hide because the German politicians (Nazis) did not like Jewish people. She and her family hid out in a secret room in their house for two full years. During this time, Anne wrote in a diary. When the war ended, Anne’s dad found the diary and made it into a book. He called it The Diary of Anne Frank or The Diary of a Young Girl.
I know lots of people who keep a diary. Often they will record what they did during the day or recount stories about special events that have taken place.
For this activity, we would like you to imagine that you have a diary. In your diary please write a story about your most extraordinary day. What happened? You can tell us about an actual event or you can make one up. It’s totally up to you! Please be as creative as you can.
On your blog, post a diary entry about your extraordinary day. Please start your post with the words “Dear Diary”.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
DAY 2: Musos
Activity 1: Getting Stronger [4 points]
Aaradhna is a Samoan-Indian singer from New Zealand. As a girl, Aaradhna sang traditional Samoan and country songs with her family, eventually joining the senior choir at her high school (Porirua College). She gained international recognition in 2004 when she paired up with Adeaze to release the song, “Getting Stronger.” The song went to number one on the New Zealand Singles Chart and it is still one of my all-time favourites, to this day!
Speaking of favourite songs, we would love to know who you listen to and what songs you like the most.
For this activity, please give us a list of your ‘Top 5’ favourite artists (singers or bands) and your ‘Top 5’ favourite songs. They can be from any time period and any genre (type) of music.
On your blog, post lists of your Top 5 Artists and your Top 5 Songs.
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 2: K-pop heroes [4 points]
BTS, or Bangtan Boys, is a seven member boy band from South Korea. They have sold over 15 million albums in South Korea, which make them the best selling artists in South Korea of all time. They have topped the music charts in the United States of America and around the world.
They began singing hip hop but now sing mostly K-Pop (Korean Pop). Most of their songs are sung in Korean - their first language.
BTS is famous for making great music videos and for singing about topics that many people can relate to - love, self-confidence, etc. They have a huge and very loyal fan base. Their fans are called the BTS A.R.M.Y.
For this activity, please watch this CBS Sunday Morning Special about BTS.
On your blog, tell us your opinion on BTS. Please don’t just say whether or not you like them, but tell us what it is that you like (or don’t like) about them.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 3: Girl Power [6 points]
Jessica Mauboy is an Aboriginal Australian singer. She rose to fame when she was runner-up in the 2006 Australian Idol, and has gone on to record a number of very successful songs. She is a role model for both girls, and indigenous Australians as she has been so successful in her music and acting career.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is an opera singer from Aotearoa/New Zealand. She became one of the best sopranos (a female singer with a high voice) in the world. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is Māori, however she was adopted when she was a baby and very little is known about her birth family.
For young singers, both of these women can serve as role models - people who have faced challenges and overcome them in order to achieve their dreams of becoming professional singers.
For this activity, we would like to choose one role model and tell us about them. What makes them a role model? They can be people you know personally, people you have seen on television or the internet, people you have heard on the radio or people you have heard about from a friend of family member. You do not have to know them personally.
On your blog, tell us about your chosen role model. Please be sure to tell us why you think they are a role model.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
DAY 3: Screen Legends
Activity 1: Talk Show Host [4 points]
Oprah Winfrey is a bit of a television legend! She is best known for her talk show The Oprah Winfrey Show which ran for 25 years. Some people have said that she is one of the most influential women in the world. She is certainly very successful and has spent a lot of time helping others.
Like so many others, Oprah had to work very hard for her success. She had to overcome challenges and she experienced many struggles during her life, however, she persisted and eventually became a radio presenter, TV news presenter, and daytime talk show host. She now owns her own production company (HARPO), and television station (OWN). She also produces a magazine called ‘O.’
Oprah is passionate about education. She believes in the power of learning and has even started her own school in South Africa called The Oprah Winfrey Leadership School for Girls. She is keen to provide young people with opportunities to follow their passions.
For this activity, we would love to know more about your interests (passions) and your future plans. What do you think that you would like to do when you are older? Do you have a specific job in mind?
On your blog, please tell us about your future plans (i.e. what you plan to do when you finish high school or college). Would you prefer to start working right away or to continue with your studies?
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 2: Plot Points [4 points]
Lupita Nyong’o is a Mexican-Kenyan actress. She spent most of her childhood living in Kenya, Africa with her family. She is one of six children.
When she graduated from high school, she decided to move to the United States of America to follow her dreams of becoming an actress. She was cast in her first American film, East River, in 2008. She went on to write, produce and star in a number of films, including Black Panther and 12 Days a Slave, for which she won the 2013 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (otherwise known as an ‘Oscar’). Not only did Lupita win the Oscar but she was the first ever Kenyan and/or Mexican woman to win the award. Amazing ‘eh?!
Over the past few years Lupita has continued to act, she has earned a masters degree from Yale University and has written a children’s book called Sulwe. She has also written and produced her own movies.
For this activity, imagine that you had the chance to write your own movie. What would it be about? Who would be your main characters? What are the important events that would take place?
On your blog, provide a synopsis (overview) of your movie. In particular, tell us the name of your movie, the main events that take place in your movie and the names of the main characters. If you wish, you could do this as a storyboard.
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.
Activity 3: Feast or Famine [6 points]
Julian Dennison is a very funny guy! He is from Lower Hutt, near Wellington. He is only 17 years old but he has already starred in a number of movies and TV commercials. You may have seen him on Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool, or in the Lynx ads.
Julian is not only a funny actor. He recently joined up with World Vision to be a 40 Hour Famine Ambassador. He travelled with World Vision to Uganda to meet some of the refugees from South Sudan who are living there. Check out this video.
For this activity, we would like to know if you would consider doing a 20 or 40 Hour Famine to raise money for charity.
On your blog, tell us whether, or not, you would participate in 20 or 40 Hour Famine. If you have already participated in a 20 or 40 Hour Famine, please share your experience, including why you decided to participate and some highlights and challenges of the experience. To get full points, please provide at least six sentences.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Fun Fact: Julian is a twin! His brother, Christian, is pretty different to Julian. He wants to study law and Te Reo Māori at university and then be a politician. Clever guy!
DAY 4: Arty Designers
Activity 1: Fashion forward [4 points]
Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer from the early 1900s. She was very influential because she designed clothes for women that were beautiful, but also comfortable and practical. Before Coco came along, European women wore corsets which pulled in their waists, and dresses that had lots of lace. Coco Chanel introduced a completely new style, influenced by men’s fashion - trousers (pants), monochrome (black and white) fabric, and looser tops.
Twenty Seven Names is a contemporary (current) New Zealand fashion label that is also influential. The founders of the company are two friends, Rachel Easting and Anjali Burnett. Rachel and Anjali met when they were at primary school. When they left school, Anjali studied fashion design and Rachel studied art, before they set up their own business designing and making clothing. Where possible they employ young women and they keep as much of their production (making) in New Zealand as possible.
For this activity, please read this article about where some famous New Zealand brands got their names from. Brand names are very important to companies as this is how they are known.
On your blog, tell us how Twenty Seven Names got their name. Looking at their clothing brand, tell us whether you think this is a good name for them, or if they should change it to something else!
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 2: Try Your Own Tapa [4 points]
Fatu Feu’u is a Samoan artist who lives in Aotearoa/New Zealand. He is mostly known for being a painter but he also creates sculptures, pottery, prints and glass works.
As an artist, Fatu Feu’u is primarily influenced by tapa cloth (siapo) patterns from Samoa, as well as tatau (tattoo), weaving, carving, and mask designs.
Many Pacific Islands have their own versions of tapa cloth. In Tonga it is called the ngatu, in Fiji - the masi, in Niue - the hiapo, in the Cook Islands - the tapa, and in Hawaii - the kapa. You can learn more about tapa cloth here.
For this activity please create your own tapa cloth design. You can draw your design on paper or using a drawing app such as Google Draw.
On your blog, post an image (photo or screenshot) or your tapa design and describe what each part of your picture represents (means).
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 3: Top Secret Street Art [6 points]
“Banksy” is an influential artist from England. He is very private and secretive. In fact, almost no one knows who he really is - he always creates his art in secret! Banksy often uses stencils to create his street art.
Street art, or graffiti art, is all around us. Sometimes the art tells a story, sometimes it makes a building look more interesting, and sometimes it makes us think hard about something. In 2011, the city of Christchurch experienced a huge earthquake. A lot of the central city buildings fell down. It takes a long time to rebuild a city, and there are areas of Christchurch where buildings are still damaged and/or need to be rebuilt. Street artists in Christchurch have seen this as a chance to create artwork that helps to make the city beautiful again. You can see lots of amazing street art in Christchurch at the moment! Here is a site that shows you where to find it.
For this activity, take a look at the Christchurch street art website and choose two different pieces of artwork. Look carefully at both pieces of art, and identify similarities and differences between the two.
On your blog, post screenshots of the two different pieces of art that you have chosen. Below the pictures tell us about the similarities and differences that you see in the two pieces of street art.
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
DAY 5: Dancing Queens
Activity 1: The World of Hip Hop [4 points]
Parris Goebel has taken over the world of dance! You might already have heard of her as she is pretty famous in New Zealand and around the world.
Parris was born in Manurewa, South Auckland, and she is of Samoan/Chinese/Scottish descent. Parris loved dancing when she was very little and she began hip-hop lessons when she was 10. By the age of 15 she was so good that she started her own all-girl dance crew called ReQuest, and they went on to win several first places at the World Hip-Hop Championships.
Parris later started The Palace Dance Studio in Auckland, and formed five more dance crews that won competitions worldwide. She has also worked as a choreographer for famous musicians like Justin Beiber, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and Janet Jackson. In 2019, Parris and her new dance crew, The Royal Family, won the World Hip Hop Dance Championship.
For this activity, watch this video of their award winning performance. What do you like about the performance? What did the dance crew do well? What could they work on?
On your blog, write a review of The Royal Family performance. Please talk about the dance, dancers, costumes, and the music. What did you like? What didn’t you like as much? What do you think could have been improved?
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 2: En Pointe [4 points]
Most successful ballerinas start learning ballet when they are very young - 3 or 4 years old. World famous ballerina, Misty Copeland, wasn’t like most other girls. Instead of starting at age 3, she started ballet lessons at age 13!
By 14, Misty had won a national competition for ballet dancers. She continued to work very hard and, in 2015, she became the first African Amercian principal (lead) dancer of the Amercian Ballet Theatre - this is amazing because there were, and still are, very few African American ballet dancers in the country. When interviewed, Misty has said that she would like people to be able to “see dreams through me”. This is an example of an inspirational quote. Please click on this link to read more inspirational quotes.
For this activity, please choose your favourite inspirational quote from this website. Create a text graphic using this quote.
On your blog, share your text graphic and underneath it, explain what it means to you.
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Activity 3: Concluding the Journey [6 points]
Sadly, the Summer Learning Journey has now come to an end. It is time to reflect on everything that you have learned this summer about people who have had an impact, or changed the world, in some way.
For this activity, please reflect on your experience with the Summer Learning Journey programme this year.
On your blog please tell us:
Which activity you enjoyed the most
Which activity you enjoyed the least
Three things that you learned while completing the programme
What changes/improvements you would make to the programme for next year
*Remember to attribute any images that you borrow from the internet or from other people.
*Please check out the Eye-Catching Blog Posts page for ideas!
Thank you for blogging with us this summer and sharing your thoughts, ideas, and opinions. We have really enjoyed reading your blogs. We hope you have enjoyed participating in the activities. All the best for a great school year ahead!