Pumping Pedals Reading Activities

“ Pumping Pedals” by Maggie Lilleby SJ Part 4 Number 3 2004 1. Recall Give a brief summary of the story. It was a Friday evening at the Tahunanui BMX tracks in Nelson. Sally Davies the only girl in the competition against the boys. She use to go and watch the BMX race with her dad and she thought that she would have a try. She says that BMXing appeals to her favourite sport. When she races, she gives it everything that she got. Sometimes she beats the boys. She wanted to see girls on the track, joining in. She wears protective gear like long sleeves, top and bottom, thick gloves and a full face helmet. She really enjoys BMX. 2. Infer What kind of a person is Sally Davies? Tell why you think this. She is a sporty kind of person because, she is into BMX and try out everything. 3. Evaluate Explain why you think the author entitled the story as “Pumping Pedals” I think that the Author titled the story ‘Pumping Pedals’ because BMX, you have to pedal hard and faster. 4. Think about it Why do you think Sally would like to attract more girls to the sport of BMX racing? Because she doesn’t want to be the only girl in the sport and wants more girls to join in. 5. Recall How are the bikes designed and what are they made of? They are designed to have good pedals and strong wheels. They are made of steel, chains and rubber. 6. Think about it. Why did Sally groan as she remembered her first racing bike? She groaned because the bike was a freestyle bike, it was heavy, with huge tyres. 7. Please explain the racing technique called “pumping” and why it might be important? "Pumping Pedals" Pumping is important because we have to pump the pedals to make the bike go. 8. Do you think BMX racing is a dangerous sport. Tell why or why not you think this. It is a dangerous sport and when someone falls in front of some, the person behind might trip over the person in the front, and they will get hurt. 9. Synthesize Please tell what you liked most about the story and why or why not you would like to be a BMX racer. I like the racing bit and I would like to try BMX and because I love biking just like Sally. 10. Design a flyer to attract and introduce new riders to the sport. Be sure to tell when and where it meets and what equipment is required. When you are finished please upload to your blog.

My Reading Activities

"Chris Pither - Racing Driver" by Jane Bu xton SJ Part 4 Number 1 2002 1. Recall How did Chris finally get started into race car driving? Chris finally get started on car racing by winning New Zealand champion three times. 2. Recall Why do some people think that New Zealand will soon lead the world in motor sports? Because the drivers are starting so young. 3. Infer/ Make a Judgement What kind of a person is Chris? What details in the story lead you to believe this? Chris is a kind of person who loves anything on wheels like cars, go-karts, motorbikes, and Formula Ones. The details on the story say, “Even as a really little kid, I love anything on wheels”. 4. What is a sponsor, and why is it important to have one in motor racing? A sponsor is a company or group which support the team or person. Like the New Zealand sailing team was sponsored by ‘Emirates’. 5. What precautions are taken to to protect the drivers when they are racing? In your opinion, do these precautions go far enough to make the sport safe? The precautions is far enough to make sport safe, because, everything they’re wearing is fireproof. Even the car itself is safe, because when the car crashes, the fire extinguisher will spray at the driver and the engine to protect the driver from going on fire, and the engine exploding, or getting on fire. 6. Use details from the text to tell why the sport is dangerous. Although Chris has several accidents during his karting career, so far he’s had only one major accident in car racing. 7. What is your opinion of motor sport? Could you see yourself being a formula 1 driver? Why or why not would you want to do this sport? I would like to try the sport, because it looks fun how they race. I would also like to drive a vehicle someday. 8. After reading “ Chris Pither - Racing Driver” design a poster to promote the sport of motor racing and upload to your blog.

Where No Boats Could Live Activity

7. Please give a brief summary of the article. The Moriori people lived like farmers and survivors.

8. Why were the Moriori considered backward? The Moriori people learned very fast to live in a new environment.

9. What do you think about the skills and designs of the Moriori and why? Please upload questions 7,8,& 9 to your blog with a picture to support your ideas.

The skills of the Moriori people is amazing and there designs looks identical to the Maori people.

My Reading Activity: Abracadabra

This is my reading activity that I have completed:

Comprehension Questions: Learn, Create, Share

   4.    What do you think is the main idea of the poem? Explain your answer.

          Upload your explanation to your individual blog after conferencing with the

          teacher.(Task 1)  The main idea is about some magic fails.

   5.    What is the new trick the magician is training to do?

Trying to make a goat float.

   6.    Does Alfonso use complicated tricks or words in his show any more?

          Explain your answer.Upload your explanation to your individual blog after

          conferencing with the teacher. (Task2) No, because the magic word or tricks don’t work anymore.

Application Questions: Learn, Create, Share

   7.   Do you think the information in this poem would be useful if you wished to become a

         magician? Explain your answer.   Upload your answer to your individual blog after

         conferencing with the teacher. (Task 3) No, because I might half a lady in half and killed her.

   8.   What question would you ask Bertie?

Do you want to be the world’s best magician?

Can you pull out other things out of the hat, other than Siamese cats?

    

Thinking beyond: Learn, Create, Share

Analysis:  Can you think of a possible problem with teaching a goat to float? Explain your answer. Upload your explanation to your individual blog after conferencing with the teacher. (Task 4) Put the goat under a giant fan.

Synthesis: Can you think of a solution to Bertie’s problems? His magic words and tricks didn’t work anymore because it ran out of magic.

Evaluation: Do you believe magician’s require much skill, practice and training?  Explain your answer. Upload your explanation to your individual blog after conferencing with the teacher. (Task 5) Yes, because magician train really really hard to confuse our brain and trick people looking like they are actually flying and making things disappear, just like Dynamo and Chris Angelo.

Sunshine Online

Today I read a book on Sunshine Online. It was easy. I can't wait for another book and another adventure.

Sunshine Online

Today I went on Sunshine Online to read My Sad Skeleton. The book was about a sad skeleton looking for a friend. I haven't read the the whole book but I don't know what's going to happen.

Sunshine Online

Today I read a book called 'Winds and Storm'. This book is about how winds are blown and what are storms. This book reminds me of last night. I have learnt a lot about winds and storms.

Book Review:Bottle From the Sea

Title:Bottle From the Sea
Written by Evan Croker
Illustrated by Christina Bernazzani
Setting:Lake
Plot:They found a bottle and it is a treasure map.
Conclusion:They found hidden golf balls under layers of leaves.
The story was easy and the activity was also easy.I am going to improve my reading.

Sunshine Online

Today I read a story called 'Kick the Can'. Written by Jen Storer. Illustrated by Tom Kurema. The story was about a basketball game and shooting water guns having fun.It was a excellent story.

Sunshine Online

Today I read a book called Creature at Camp Creepy. The story was easy to read and the activity was easy as eating an apple. Last time I did the activity, it was a bit difficult.

The Story of lake Bundoo Bunta

Today I read a book about Lake Bundoo Bunta. I learnt that how Bundoo Bunta first appeared. The activities were easy and I am proud of myself.

The Hubble Telescope

Today I went on Sunshine Online to read 'The Hubble Telescope'.It was about a telescope in space which takes photos of nebula,stars and galaxies.It sees thing which we can't see.I like reading because it will help in the near future.

I want to Act

Today I read I Want to Act by Felicity Gordon and Illustrated Barbara Vagonzzi.I read one chapter.I am going to read another tomorrow.The activity was very very easy.I am proud of myself.

China's Treasure

Today I read a story called 'China's Treasure'.Written by Lucy Hannah and Illustrated by Wang Wei and Kelvin Hawley.The story was about what China's treasure is like swords.The activity was called 'The Word Game'.It was easy for me and I'm proud of it.I am going to improve my reading by going on Sunshine Online.

Ninjas

Today I read Ninja,it was about a boy called Matt.He was so nervous about doing karate class.I like reading that book a give a picture of me doing karate class.I am going to read it again.

Canoeing the Whanganui River

Last summer we canoed down the Whanganui River for five days.The Whanganui River is very remote. There are no roads or towns. We paddled through beautiful bush for days. Birds were singing in the tall trees. The sun sparkled on the smooth water. We canoed through narrow gorges with high cliffs. Sometimes we paddled through rapids where there were rocks jutting out of the water. The river moved very quickly over the rapids. Our canoes bounced up and down. Once I fell out of my canoe. I had to swim down the river to catch it. That was exciting!

Each night we pulled our canoes up a bank to some flat grass. We cooked our food on stoves and we slept in tents. It was very quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed ourselves.

A. Read the story and then answer these questions.
1. What time of the year did they canoe down the Whanganui River?
They went canoeing at summer.
2. How do you know the Whanganui River is remote?
Because there are no roads or towns.
3. What is a gorge?
A narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it.
4. What are rapids?
A fast flowing part of the course of a river.
5. Name three things they saw while canoeing down the river.
The saw gorges with high cliffs,rocks jutting out of the water and birds singing in tall trees.
6. Where did they camp at night?
They camped at a bank where there are some flat grass.
7. Why did they pull their canoes up a bank?
So they can have a rest and eat.
8. What was canoeing on the Whanganui River like?
It was smooth and all of a sudden it was bumpy and fast.

B. Pretend you have canoed down the Whanganui River. Write a letter to a friend about your canoeing holiday.

C.Find nouns from the story to go with the words below.
Beautiful __river___, the __Whanganui__ _River__ is very remote, high _cliffs__,
tall __trees__, the __sun__ sparkled, _canoe__ bounced up and down,
smooth _waters__, narrow __gorges___.

D. Research for information and answer the following questions.
1. Is the Whanganui River in the North Island or the South Island?
North Island
2. What is the name of the city at the mouth of the Whanganui River?
Putiki Wharenui
3. Which sea does the Whanganui River flow into?
The Tasman Sea
4. Is this on the west coast or the east coast?
West Coast
5. What is the name of the National Park through which the Whanganui River flows?
Matemateaonga Walkway
6. Name a town on the ‘upper reaches’ of the river.
King Country
7. Where is the ‘source’ of the Whanganui River?
Mt Tongariro
8. How long is the Whanganui River?
290 km
E. Make a list of things you would take on a canoeing trip. Compare your list with a partner’s list. Discuss why you think the things in your list are necessary.
Camping,canoeing,swimming,
F. Explain how and why canoes were used as a means of transport in the past.
They use canoes because that is another transport in water.
G. If you designed a canoe to use as transport in the present times, what features would your canoe have and why? (You can work with a partner)
My future designed canoe is going to have an automatic rowing machine,boost,storm and sinking emergency kit,life jackets and a protective helmets.

Towed Away

One night Mr and Mrs McDonald went to a restaurant for dinner. The street where the restaurant was situated was crowded. Mr McDonald couldn’t find a place to park his car. Finally, he came to a bus stop. He parked the car at the end of the bus stop. There was still plenty of room for a bus.

Mr and Mrs McDonald went to the restaurant. They had a leisurely dinner. Several hours later they left the restaurant. They walked arm in arm along the street to their car. It wasn’t there! “Isn’t this where we parked the car?” Mr McDonald asked his wife. “Yes,” she said, puzzled. “Where is it?” asked a worried Mr McDonald. “It must have been stolen,” whispered
Mrs McDonald. But it hadn’t been stolen. Do you know what had happened to the McDonald’s car?

A. Read the story and answer the questions.
1. Why couldn’t Mr McDonald find a place to park his car?
Because the street where the restaurant was located was crowded.
2. Where did he finally park his car?
At the end of the bus stop.
3. How long did Mr and Mrs McDonald stay at the restaurant?
They stayed at the restaurant for several hours.
4. How did they walk along the street?
They walked arm in arm along the street.
5. How did Mrs McDonald feel when she saw the car was missing?
Mrs McDonald felt terrified and frightened.
6. How did Mr McDonald feel?
Mr McDonald felt confused,puzzled and terrified.
7. What did they think had happened to their car?
They thought there car was stolen.

B. Fill in the spaces with words from the story.
The _street_where the restaurant was __situated__ wasn’t_crowded_.
Mr McDonald found a __space_ to _park_ his car.
He didn’t _park_ at the __end_ of the __bus_ stop_and Mr McDonald didn’t have a __leisurely_ dinner.

C. Now rewrite the sentences so that they tell the true story.
Towed Away

The street where the restaurant was situated was crowded.Mr McDonald couldn’t find a space to park his car.He parked his car at the end of the bus stop.Mr McDonald and Mrs McDonald had a leisurely dinner.

D. Find words from the story in these boxes.

r

s

t

a

i

n

e

r

n

l

s

t

d

r

t

a

a

e

n

d

t

i

n

t

u

e

s

o

e

u

resaurant stolen   situated       dinner

w

e

e

l

p

r

d

h

s

i

y

p

e

t

n

whispered        plenty
If you park your car in a ‘No Parking’ area, on a bus stop or across an entrance saying ‘Keep Clear’, your car is likely to go missing. It won’t have been stolen. Your car will have been towed away by a tow truck. Instructions to tow it away will have come from the Traffic Department. Your car will be locked up in a tow yard. To get your car back you will have to pay a fine to the Traffic Department. You will also have to pay a towing fee.

E. Read the text above and answer the questions:
1. What do these mean? ‘No Parking’ ‘Keep Clear’
The first sign means no parking for cars and the second means there should be no cars at that area at all times.
2. Name three places which are ‘tow away’ areas. Can you think of anymore?
Unauthorized vehicles will be towed away,Tow away Zone and No Parking at all times.
3. Who gives instructions to have cars towed away?
The Traffic Depart
F. Devise five interview questions (with answers) for one of the characters in the story.
Mr McDonald
Q1.Why didn’t you wait for a car to get out of it space and then you can park your car?
Because I have to get to my table on time before it taken.
Q2.If you need to go to the restaurant on time why can’t you book in another time?
Because tonight was the only night we were free.Tomorrow we got work.
Q3.If you live close to where the restaurant was,why didn’t you walk to the restaurant?
Because it was raining.
Q4.Why didn’t you take the bus?
We only have enough money for the restaurant only.
Q5.Did you have a good dinner?
Yes!We had a leisurely dinner.
G. Identify and explain the major theme of the story.
Their car was towed away for parking at the end of the bus stop.
H. Explain how the story would have differed if the car was not towed away.
Everyone would be happy.