Topic Study - Tuna Kuwharuwharu (Longfin Eel)

This term the students have been learning all about the Longfin Eel. The New Zealand longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) is New Zealand’s only endemic freshwater eel. Our shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) is also found in Australia and some Pacific Islands. We also have a recently introduced longfin eel from Australia (Anguilla reinhardtii). 


 The longfin eel is a species in decline which means if it is not looked after it could become endangered. The students learnt about the challenges that the Longfin Eel faces whilst practicing our class assembly. Our assembly item was based on the story Velvet and Elvis. This was a story about the migration journey that the longfin eel takes and the challenges that its faces on that journey. Click here to view our Te Manga Class Blog Assembly Post

The students learnt about digital learning objects (DLO) and they created 3 to share their learning on this topic.

The first was a poster that they created in their topic books about the challenges to the long fin eel. I took a photo and  they posted it onto their blogs.

 They then created a Longfin Eel Life Cycle on google drawing and made a poster on google docs to share five interesting facts that they had learnt. They had to embed the drawing on their blogs and post a photo of the poster too.

 Each of these learning areas required the students to comprehend new learning, persevere through challenges when using the different google applications and collaborate with their peers. 

 We all thoroughly enjoyed learning about this precious NZ taonga and the migration journey that it takes for it's survival.

Eel Art with Mrs Seddon

The students have been very lucky to work with Mrs Seddon this term. Mrs Seddon is an expert art teacher who has certainly brought her creativity and passion for art into our classroom. The students used our eel topic study as a subject for their art work.

The students completed two pieces of art. The first was a pastel and dye combination  and the second piece was a gold and silver pastel creation. The students were very pleased with their results and so was Mrs Seddon. Their art work has brightened our walls and impressed our visitors!