We were ecstatic when we got a comment from a class in Foxton, New Zealand. They left a comment for us on the Fall into Autumn blog post. Here's their comment:
First, our current season in the northern hemisphere is fall. Fall is very mild here in southern California. In fact, the weather has been quite warm lately.
Our New Zealand friends also asked us to tell them about California, our state. Well, we have many facts to share about the state of California. Here are some fun facts! (All photos provided by Pixabay.)
1. California is divided into four geographic regions: the mountain region, the central valley, the desert region, and the coast.
2. California has the highest population out of all fifty states. There are 39 million Californians. Texas has the second greatest population with 30 million, and Florida ranks third with 22 million.
3. The capital of the state of California is Sacramento. The building where California government takes place is featured below. The city is called the capital and the building is called the capitol. (Notice the spelling!)
4. The California state bird is the quail. Quails are part of the pheasant family along with turkeys and peacocks. They have strong bodies. Their strong beak helps them break open seeds and gather berries.
5. Our currency is the dollar. Other common values for paper bills are: $2, $5, 10, 20, $50, and $100.
6. Every state has a flag and here is the California flag. The white represents purity. The red stand for courage. the grizzly bear represents strength and independence.
7. Many mountain lions live in California. They are also known as puma or cougar.
8. One of the many national parks in California is the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. Mrs. Yollis and many other students have camped, bouldered, and hiked in this desert spot.
9. Another famous national park is Yosemite! Unlike Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite is known for its many beautiful waterfalls.
10. Tourists enjoy seeing and driving across the Golden Gate Bridge. This suspension bridge is not really painted gold. Instead, it is painted international red so that it is more visible in the frequent San Francisco fog.
We would love comments from New Zealand and any other classrooms from around the world.
What are you still wondering about California?
Tell us about your state or location!
How many kids are at your school.
ReplyDeleteHas any of your students been to New Zealand
ReplyDeleteAre there any Rattlesnakes in California?
ReplyDeleteYes. There are 7 different types of rattlesnakes in California.
DeleteFrom: Clara & A-Train
Have you guys ever had a big tsunami
ReplyDeleteNo, we have not experienced a tsunami. We live too far away from the Pacific Ocean.
DeleteHave you ever experienced a tsunami? If so, tell us about it!
Your California friends,
Mrs. Yollis' class
We have had some very small ones here. We have earthquakes all the time, but most are little and we don't really feel them. We can see an active volcano from our class window - its called Mt Taranaki.
DeleteKarley, Room One, Auroa Primary School.
Does your school start from grade 1-8?
ReplyDeleteOur school goes from TK (age 4) - Grade 5 (ages 10-11)
DeleteWe have 23 classes.
How many classes do you have? What age is grade 1?
From,
Mrs. Yollis' class
We have eight classes at our school. We start school when we turn five and go to high school when you are thirteen. One interesting thing that is in New Zealand we don't wear shoes in the classroom or around school much.
DeleteIzzy, Auroa Primary School
Do you have any type or snakes, if not what Is the most dangerous animals?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you guys eat on a weekly basis? (Chips fruit etc.) And are any of your pupils vegetarians or flexitarians?
ReplyDeleteHave you guys ever came or wanted to come to New Zealand?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the most popular sport in California?
ReplyDeleteIs there any police stations in California
ReplyDeleteWhat’s your population of your school
ReplyDeleteThe population of our school is 538 pupils. We use the word student or children. Pupils was a new word for the class.
DeleteWhat is the population of your school?
Your new pupil friends,
Mrs. Yollis' students
We have about two hundred students at our school.
DeleteMacgregor, Auroa Primary School
Mrs Yollis
ReplyDeleteWe had a great time in class thinking about Califorina. In our class in New Zealand no-one has been to America, so we weren't really sure about some of the questions and information. For instance we asked the class about how big Califorina was and how many people lived in Califorina - we thought it was as low as six thousand and one group said it was three million in your state and everyone laughed at first we were AMAZED when we realised how big it was!
Mr Webb and Room One, Auroa Primary School, New Zealand.
What time does your school end??
ReplyDeleteOur school day ends on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday at 2:05pm. On Wednesdays, we have an early dismissal, so we get out at 12:23pm. When do you get out and do you have a short day?
DeleteClara & A-Train
Do you guys start at 9:00Am in the morning or early/later?
ReplyDeleteWe start at 8:00 AM. We have to wake up at 6:30. School ends at 2:05.
DeleteWhen do you wake up and start school? When does it end?
From,
Li and Nora
We start school at 9:00am and we finish at 3:00pm. Most students get to school in cars and in buses because we are a rural school.
DeleteMacgregor, Auroa Primary School
Does your class have school uniforms?
ReplyDeleteNo, Our school does not have uniforms. We can wear whatever we want. Does your school have uniforms? If so, what do they look like? Do you like wearing uniforms?
DeleteFrom,
Anita
Yes we have uniform and everyone has to wear it. There is some pictures of it on our school website. Our main colour is orange. We think that its funny that you spell colour color in America.
DeleteHave you guys ever left California?
ReplyDeleteWe also though the national or the state animal that was in Califorina was a bull, a bear, crododile, Cobra (snake), shark, rattle snakes. No-one thought that you might have Puma or Moutain Lions and suddenly we were very scared that they might be roaming around where you school is.
ReplyDeleteMr Webb and Room One, Auroa Primary School, New Zealand.
Do you guys have a cafeteria?
ReplyDeleteWhat the most deadly animal in California
ReplyDeleteWhat is the popular animal California?
ReplyDeleteDo you guys have a cafeteria???
ReplyDeleteYes, we have a cafeteria. That is were we get our lunch if we did not bring one. Each day you can order the "hot lunch". Some popular lunches are yogurt parfait, Caesar salad, and pizza.
DeleteDo you have a cafeteria? If so, what are some of the favorites?
From Li and Nora
We do not have a cafeteria. Once a week we can buy our lunch which we order from a local shop otherwise everyone brings there own lunch everyday.
DeleteConner, Auroa Primary School
What holiday does your class celebrate more. Christmas or Thanksgiving?
ReplyDeleteDo you guys get to bring your own lunch or do you have a menu at your school?
ReplyDeleteWhat’s your guys favourite animal. Mine is a dog
ReplyDeleteMy favorite animal is a cat. I have two cats. One is a rascal and his name is Cricket. He scratches me, climbs on everyone, and tears leaves off of plants. We love him even though he is a bothersome. My other cat is a Halloween cat. Hhas orange eyes and he is black.
DeleteAre there any mountain lions in New Zealand?
From,
Edgar
No. We have no dangerous animals in New Zealand. We don't have any animals that are poisonous (snakes or spiders apart from one that we never see) or scary.
DeleteAuroa Primary School
Is Disneyland far from your school?
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty far. It is about 1 and a half hours from our school. We travel by car. But we only go there once every 3 years.
DeleteDo you have a Disney Land?
From Li
Do you have Devices at your school?
ReplyDeleteYes, we have computers and I-pads at our school. We use them to blog, practice typing, and many other activities.
DeleteDo you have any devices at your school? If so, what are they? What do you use them for?
From,
Anita
Anita
DeleteWe have a school that has 1:1 iPads for our students and we also have lots of desktops, laser cutters and 3D Printers. We use them for our learning and making.
Auroa Primary School
Have you ever wanted to visit New Zealand?
ReplyDeleteYes I want to visit New Zealand one day. I wonder what life is like in New Zealand.
DeleteWhat foods do you eat in New Zealand?
Mrs. Yollis told me it is not fall where you live. What season is it?
From,
Eli
Eli - it is not fall where we live, it is Spring at the moment because our seasons are the opposite to yours (we also have Autumn not Fall). When it is Winter it doesn't really get cold - we had a small flurry of snow this year (in spring!) for the first time in ten years! Otherwise the weather is quite mild - our Dairy Cows are able to stay outside during Winter.
DeleteAuroa Primary School, New Zealand.
We also discussed what might be your favourite or most famous sport. We thought that you might play American Football, Rhythmic Gymnastic, Baseball, Football, and Volleyball. Here in New Zealand we have Rugby and Netball as our main sports.
ReplyDeleteMr Webb and Room One, Auroa Primary School, New Zealand.
How many class in your school?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the lengths of your school hours?
ReplyDeleteHow many classes are at your school?
ReplyDeleteDo you guys get 3 break ( break 1, break 2, lunch?)
ReplyDeleteWhat is the most dangerous animal?
ReplyDeleteDo you guys have a big school?
ReplyDeleteWe have a pretty big school. There are 3 levels. The lowest level is our after school program called Boys and Girls Club.
DeleteOur second level is our younger kids TK - 1st and our last level is the bigger kids 2nd - 5th.
We watched your Calves and Lambs video and we loved it! We notice you live a rural area. Are most of the pupils at your school farmers or ranchers? How many lambs and calves to pupils have?
I
From,
Li
Do you guys know dr seuss
ReplyDeleteYes, we do. We want to know what your favorite Dr Seuss book is. My favorite is Sam I Am.
DeleteFrom,
Nora
Trixie and Eva's favourite Dr Seuss book is Green Eggs and Ham. Taranaki has a mountain which is a volcano (it is also an active volcano) it is called Mount Taranaki which we can see from outside our classroom - some people are a bit scared by that but we are used to it and it hasn't erupted in a while.
DeleteAuroa Primary School.
What are your favourite cartoons?
ReplyDeleteDo you met lots of famous People? ( YouTubers, movie stars, ect)
ReplyDeleteNo, we do not meet a lot of famous people. Sometimes I meet some like at concerts and plays.
DeleteDo you meet a lot of famous people?
From,
Clara
No, We do not see a lot of famous people like YouTubers, movie stars, or any of the following people. Tell us if you have ever seen a famous person.
ReplyDeleteFrom,
Nora