Developing Study Skills & General Knowledge

The Aquatic Environment is very much a part of the New Zealand experience. We enjoy these aquatic environments for their beauty, for relaxation and for sport and recreation. But just how much about our aquatic environment do your students really know?

Could they name the strait between Stewart Island and the South Island?

Do they know the name of the two Auckland Harbours?

Where does whale watching take place in the South Island?

Use the following exercises to not only improve general knowledge but to revise study skills.

Research … What's It Like There

Using personal experience, Google, library research, internet, parents and friends, have each student prepare and deliver a 1 minute oral presentation describing one of the above aquatic locations or an aquatic location in your district such as a lake or wetland.

Each student now designs a two page tourist brochure (including pictures) to supplement their oral presentation destination.

Dictionary Skills

Before using a dictionary, have groups discuss and write preliminary definitions for the following water environments

• lake
• river
• sea
• ocean
• bay
• fiord
• sound
• harbour
• gulf
• straight
• channel
• inlet
  

Check definitions against those in the dictionary. Have students evaluate the accuracy of their definitions.

Was their definition easier to understand?

Write a defintion that a junior class pupil could easily understand. (Try it out)

Aquatic Quizzes

Have each student prepare at least two 'Aquatic Quiz' questions to contribute to a class quiz box.This can added to and be used throughout the year to increase general knowledge about the Aquatic Environment of New Zealand, eg

Name three towns/cities on the Waikato River

Where would we be standing in the Sth Island if we were looking out over Foveaux Straight

NOW TRY THIS EXTENSION

Have your students try our web based Great New Zealand Scavenger Hunt. Click here.