Topic+Term+1

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=Term 1 = 

Summary
This term for topic we have been doing a unit called Take Action For Water. I have learnt a lot about pollution and the harm it is doing. I have also learnt alot about the animals and insects that live in our streams and rivers especially the mayfly which I did a report on [See Mayfly Report]. We have also learnt about the structure of a catchment and the life cycles of the different creatures. We went on a trip to Mt Holdsworth where we got to look at the creature in real life and examine the way they move and eat. That trip was lots of fun and it was very helpful to be able to see what we had been learning about in real life.

Production
Now that it is the end of the term we are doing a production showing what we have learnt. There is a dance and drama performance and there will be music that students have made being played while people come in and out. The dance is showing the legend of Papatuinuku and Ranginui and the drama is showing the legend of Maui And The Eel. I am in drama.

Report
This is my report on the Mayfly. It tells about its life cycle, habitat and eating habits.

The mayfly is a small aquatic insect that has an incomplete metamorphosis. They are invertabrates and are an important food source to trout. The mayfly is unique as it is the only insect that sheds skin after it is an adult.
 * The Mayfly**

The mayfly is a small delecate animal with six legs and two feelers. It uses the feelers to find food and to mix oxygen into the stream where it lives. The baby mayfly has three long tails and gills which help it breath. The adult mayfly has four wings, two large triangular wings at the front and two smaller ones at the back. Mayflies vary in colours including white, black, yellow and green. Some are also patterned.

The mayfly nymphs live in the riffles of the stream. They like to hide under rocks and branches that are stuck at the bottom and forage food off them. The adult mayfly lives on small trees and bushes on the river bank. Though they dont really settle in as their adult life is so short.

The Mayfly starts out as an egg which is laid on the surface of the stream by the adult mayfly. The egg then sinks to the bottom. When the egg cracks open the baby nymph comes out and spend several years living in the stream. It sheds its skin several times during this time as it grows through stages called ‘instars’. When it is ready to become an adult it swims to the surface and climbs on to a low branch where it sheds its skin for the last time and grows its wings. As an adult its purpose is to mate and for the female to lay eggs so this is what it does. The male mayflys die shortly after mating usually on the stream bank. The female just has time to lay her eggs on the stream before dieing and falling into the water.

The mayfly nymph breathes using its gills that are just to the side of its mouth. It uses the oxygen it mixes into the water with its feelers so it has nice oxygenated water.

The mayfly nymph feeds on algae and other bits of plants it can find. It often uses its feelers to search rocks and logs for food. The adult mayfly does not eat as its life is so short. It does not even have fuctioning mouth parts.

Humans tend to leave the mayfly alone accept for some tests which are only for their own good. The mauri of the streams they live in are only affected by the pollution. They to are affected by the pollution but have learned to adjust to this enviroment.

I think that I can help the mayfly by making sure that me and the people around me dont pollute the streams.

The mayfly is a great species that doesnt deserve to have its home wrecked so I hope that people will start to accnolage and respect this creature.