On Mondays Whaea Debbie comes into our class to help us to develop our Māori language with songs, games, stories and other language and cultural experiences.
This week we learnt the names for some of the buildings in our school as we had a walk around the school.
We have been practicing our Te Reo Māori greetings at the start and end of the day. You can take part too, try using "mōrena" instead of "good morning" or "ka kite anō" for "see you later"
The theme for Māori Language Week this year is "ākina te reo" which means "behind you all the way". This theme is all about using te reo Māori to support people and to cheer them on.
You can cheer your child on and introduce them to some new Māori words by using "Tau kē" to say "awesome" or "Karawhiua" to encourage them to "give it heaps".
On Thursday Team Awa attended a Matariki performance with the rest of Isleworth School.
Three performers from the Court Theater came to entertain us with their amazing acting, singing and puppets, while teaching us some more about one of the stories of Matariki
Matariki is the name given to a group of seven sister stars, which is visible in the night sky at this time of the year signalling the Māori New Year. If you would like to know more abut Matariki you can watch one of the stories we have heard in class. This is just one of many Matariki stories. During buddy class some students heard legends about seven kites with sparkling eyes or about throwing paua shells into the sky. You might know of different Matariki legends you could share with your child.
After making stars with our buddy classes we learnt about the meaning behind some different Māori designs, which we used to decorate our oars. These will become a part of the whole school waka mural.
We have also been using the stars of Matariki to work out sets within seven at maths time by covering the stars with two clouds to create different combinations. You can see some of the students' work below.
