Saturday, July 19, 2014

Te Wiki o te Reo Maori

The theme is ‘Te Kupu o te Wiki', The Word of the Week’
This weeks word is:

āpōpō / tomorrow

Sample sentence:
Ka hoki mai au āpōpō.
I will return tomorrow.

Where āpōpō might be used:Weather forecast visuals on TV, radio, newspaper or Metservice, on meeting reminders.

He Whakataukī:
E tō ana te rā i te ahiahi e ara mai ana anō i te ata.
The sun sets in the afternoon and will rise in the morning.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Te Ao Maori - Photo Festival

This term we are learning to take photos for the Te Ao Maori Photo Festival.

1. Whanaungatanga - Relationships

Aroha, manaakitanga, kotahitanga, tautoko

2. Taonga Maori – Cultural Treasures

Objects, places, people, activities

3. Matariki – The Maori New Year

The end of one cycle and the beginning of another

We hope you enjoy our photos!

Whanaungatanga - By Whaea Nicky

What is it?

Matariki is a Māori word that can be translated as tiny eyes, or eyes of God. It is also the name for the Māori New Year celebration and the Māori name for a small group of stars (Pleiades) that drop below the horizon in April and reappear in June. When this happens, it is the signal for the Māori New Year to start. Early Māori sailors used these stars to help them find their way.

Matariki resources

Books about Matariki
Matariki – our heritage page
Matariki – includes information about how other cultures recognise Matariki
Matariki websites

What happens?

Different tribes celebrate Matariki in different ways. In the past, it was a time to:

Finish storing up food for the winter.
Create new woven clothes and baskets.
Remember our ancestors and listen to old tribal stories.
Learn about the natural world.
Learn to play string games.
Celebrate the coming year.
Make, decorate and fly kites.

Some things we might do now at Matariki include:

Have a celebration with friends and whānau.
Learn or do some weaving.
Learn about stars and see Matariki through a telescope.
Talk to people in our family about our family history and stories.
Fly kites.
Watch kapa haka performances.
Learn about Māori myths and culture.
Give respect to the whenua (land) on which we live.
Learn more about how we can care for our Mother Earth Papatūānuku

Matariki stories

There are many different stories about Matariki.
One is that Matariki is a mother with her six daughters around her. Another is that the god Tāwhirimātea was angry that the Sky (Ranginui) and the Earth (Papatūānuku) were separated and tore out his eyes and threw them into the sky to comfort Ranginui. Other countries also have their own stories about these stars.

Matariki Traditions

Kites: Kites were seen as connectors between heaven and earth, and were often flown at this event, especially on the first day of the New Year.
Food and kai: Preparing a meal for friends and whanau is traditional at Matariki.
Weaving: You can make lots of different things if you learn a little bit about weaving. Learn how to make a star or a putiputi (flower)

The Cross Country - By Phoenix

I came sixth in the cross country. My Dad and Mum and Grandad Ross came and they were proud of me and Sam and Natalia. Sam came fifth in the cross country. I was proud of them. I smiled too. We had a crunchie bar and got a reward.

The Cross Country - By Lucas

Yesterday we went to the cross country and it was at Nayland College and I came in 14^th place and Conner came first.

We went the long way and after we all got a crunchie bar and certificate. Richie and Poppy got a new drink bottle. My Mum came to watch me and my brother too.

Running - By Bella

I like running.

Cross Country - By Sean

I got first place because I won. It was easy because I am the fastest in my classroom. I felt tired at the end.

Cross Country Running By Philippa

Yesterday we had cross country. We lined up at the door and just before we went we picked a partner in the class. The 5 year old boys and the 5 year old girls went and then the 6 year old boys and 6 year old girls and then finally the 7 year old boys and girls.

We came back to school and Miss Mason made all of us a certificate and gave us all a crunchie bar.

We watched Shrek. We had to do a draw before we watched and had to put our hand up and the most votes won. It was either Shrek or Happy Feet 2.