Our students have been learning about being safe in the home. Fire safety is the topic which Mr Nath taught during his Science Intensive session. Here is Luisa's drawing reminding us of what to do if we ever (and we hope not) catch on fire.

Our wonderings. Room 7 have started what we have called 'Our wonderings'. It is an opportunity for students to inquire into any topic of their choice. It is a time for independent learning exploring. There are so many topics being covered during our wonderings from actors, sports players, dinosaurs, sports, motor vehicles and much more. Here is Luisa's first presentation about one of her favourite actors.

Lindakiki, Maara and Luisa have been looking at the changes in the Glen Innes shopping centre over the years. This is the presentation they create to show what they learnt from their research.

Luisa wrote her report about Chow Chow dogs. Luisa worked tirelessly to write, edit and use feedback to complete her report.

Introduction

The Chow Chow is a dog breed that originates from Northern China, where they are indicated  as Songshi Quan (鬆獅犬), which means “Puffy Lion dog”. It is also referred to as Tang Quan, “Dog of the Tang Empire”.

Appearance

Chow’s are very fluffy animals with thick fur, that come in a variety of colours. This is including  fawn, cream, red, blue, dark brown and black coloured fur. They are sturdily built, with a broad skull and with, triangular, upright ears. Chow chows are eminent due to it’s bizarre blue-black/purple tongue and straight hind legs. The blue-purple tongue is dominant. Many mixed breeds that come from a Chow Chow contain that feature. Chow’s are the only dogs with a peculiar coloured lip. Other dogs have black or piebald patterned rims and the Chow Chow’s lips are bluish.  Their eyes are customarily almond shaped and deep set. Another distinctive aspect, is it’s curly tail. It has a thick amount of hair and lies curled on it’s back. Female Chow’s weigh 20-27 kgs, and male Chow’s weigh 25-32 kgs. They’re average height being, for females, 46-51 cm high and male Chow’s are 48-56cm high.

Personality

Chow chow’s are not your typical looking dogs, they are more loyal, independent, dignified, intelligent, aloof and quiet dogs. This distinctive breed has a noble, subservient spirit that some describe as cat like. It’s said that the Chow has the dignity of a Lion, the drollness of a Panda, the appeal of a teddy bear, the agility and independence of a cat and the allegation and devotion of a dog.  It’s look might make you think it’s mean or testy, but a well-raised Chow Chow isn’t aggressive.

Characteristics

They have a variety of impressive/weird characteristics. Types such as adaptability, all around friendliness, trainability and health grooming. When it comes to these dogs, their ability to adapt is adequate. Chow’s can adapt to an array of homes. From palaces to apartments. Chow’s can tolerate being alone and cold weather but not hot weather, so keep them indoors when the weather is oppressive. They are more suitable to live with older children or adults, who know how to treat dogs sensibly(most adults!). If the Chow has positive encounters with strangers during it’s more innocent and impressionable years as a puppy, it would handle strangers with more composure as an adult dog. adaptability

Having an amicable chow is not very common. Because Chow’s are very aloof, they wouldn’t show much affection towards some owners, they aren't  dog friendly towards kids, or strangers. They aren’t very fond of hugs or loud commotion but they’ll be a silent, observant companion to its cherished person, and their adherence enhance other family members. All around friendliness

As for their ability to be trained, they are quite obedient, though it takes time for them to be tamed. Their potential for mouthiness is very likely, they like to gnaw on humans at times. The same goes for their potential to gain weight, they have a high risk of gaining weight so owners of this breed have to be careful what they feed them. Health/grooming

One of the greatest of the Chows characteristics is that their tendency to howl or bark is very uncommon. They aren’t energetic, nor are they playful. If you are looking for a dog to run, exercise, play with, Chow chow’s aren’t for you!. Trainability

History

Songshi Quan, very ancient dogs, are believed to be one of the first dog breeds and genetic testing has proven this to be true. Depictions of dogs that resemble Chow chows appear in pottery and paints in Han Dynasty(the second imperial dynasty of China). One emperor had stated that he had kept 2,500 pairs of Chow Chow’s for hunting. In addition to hunting, Chow’s were used to guard their owners most prized possessions.

In China, the breed has been called by several names. Black-tongue dog (hei shi-tou), wolf dog (lang gou), bear dog (xiang gou), and Canton dog (Guangdong gou).

British merchants incorporated some of the lion like dogs in their cargos. Sundry items, including canines, were referred to as “chow chow” and the name stuck to the breed.

The dog breed was quite popular in England. Queen Victoria, who loved dogs, took a interest in them which made their popularity grow. In 1895, a breed club formed in England because of Chow’s. Chow Chow’s have also encountered with President Calvin Coolidge, yes!, that’s right President of America!. Calvin and his wife kept a red and black Chow Chow. They were indeed very famous.

According to Chinese legend, chow’s got it’s tongue colour at the time of creation, when a Chow licked up drops of the colour as the sky was being painted.

FoodDiet

How much Chow chow’s eat and what they eat depend on their size, age and activity level. Chow Chow’s have been found to have a very delicate diet, so they should be fed carefully. In China, the Chow’s were fed various  food that other live stocks were fed, including rice, soy, and certain kind of fish. Modern day chows, who are living a more civilized life, can still eat these kind of food as well. Rice can be fed to the dogs, but should only be served a small amount, for they could get nightmares. Vegetables are also part of their diet, their diet should contain at least 50% of Protein. Introduce new food gradually. That way you can wait to see for bad or good reactions. As for normal dog food, it’s been recommended that they be fed  2 to 2 3/4 cups of a high-quality dog food daily. The trick for a healthy diet, is to balance those foods with the food us modern people know are favourable.   

Conclusion

These puffy lion dogs are unique. From its blue tongue feature to its fascinating history.  A dog who shows signs of maturity through their actions and their body language itself, would be easily recognized as a Chow Chow. These canines have been revered by many, for centuries. It is very likely that they will continue to be kept by pet lovers for many years to come.

Luisa's created a profile about the Chow Chow dog and she created this Google drawing to present her work.

Luisa decided to research Queen Victoria. She found some key information about her majesty and she also wrote a speech as Queen Victoria for our school assembly.

Queen Victoria was Queen of the United kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Queen Victoria was married to Prince Albert Consort(Fact: Apparently Prince Albert is her cousin!), who died on  the 14th of December, 1841( by a fever and died at 42 years old). As for Queen Victoria, she died from Intracerebral hemorrhage, (A type of stroke). She died. on the 22nd of January 1901. Victoria had 9 children, she had 5 daughters and 4 sons.

Victoria sent James Busby as a representative on her behalf to create the treaty and to convince the Maori to sign. She also sent a few other europeans too. Some Maori chiefs had to protect the Queen back then which was part of an agreement in the treaty.

“Victoria is my name, Queen Victoria to be exact.  I am the Empress of India, Queen of England and the Queen of Ireland also. As the  queen of England I am  prepared to take on any country I come face to face with, allies or non allies. As one of the most longest reigning monarchs who has ever ruled England, I need to make the days of being a Queen count. Speaking of rules, New Zealand(Odd name, soon to be New England) needs a couple of them. What a great opportunity to rule another country, and help of course, they seem reasonable. Creating a treaty is a great way to settle things between our countries, though we need the Maoris, is that correct term, Maoris?, to sign the treaty before the French get to them first. I put my trust in William to accomplish this for me, as well as James too. From what i've heard, Maori warriors are very fierce men and women. I could use some more protection up in the Palace, perhaps I could add that to the treaty, but that is to be determined later.”      

Luisa describes chocolate in a very sweet way

WALT - use our senses to describe food.