Recognising a Commitment to Tangata Whenuatanga
What?
We need to embrace Te Reo Maori at Southwell School and celebrate how unique New Zealand is to have its own national language. Our Year 5 Production was a reflection of our Camp in Rotorua. The students learnt about the Tarawera eruption and the times and lives of those involved. This gave them a great opportunity to learn about Maori culture.
The Buried Village
Waimangu Valley The Buried Village
So What?
When we came back the Year 5's scripted their own production to share with the rest of the school. They showed the interactions between the Maori and Pakeha during this time.
Each class was responsible for a particular event and within that groups made their own portrayal of these. The creation of these was student driven with support from me as their classroom teacher.
In music the students learnt a Maori song Etu Kahikatea and a dance which they developed with the New Zealand dance company and these were performed as a syndicate.
Year 5 Production Folder 2017
Video of Production
This was so important for one of my students who has a strong connection with his Maori heritage and we used him as an expert in the production. He played the part of the Maori chief and spoke fluent Maori throughout in several parts of the production. This was incredibly powerful for him and his peers.
As the teacher I reiterated the importance of being respectful of the Maori culture and what happened at the time of the eruption.
Now What?
- Going to greet students in Maori.
- mōrena
- kia ora, kia ora kōrua, kia ora koutou
- mā te wā
- mahi
- kura
- Kāhui Ako
- tamariki
- karakia
- tino pai rawa
- ka mau te wehi
- What other words related to schools and learning could I incorporate in my presentations???
- Learn songs that help with the pronunciation of Maori vowels.
- Learn and sing Grace before meals in Maori.
- Use Millie and Turongo as my experts (both Maori speaking students).
Both Millie and Turongo wrote their information reports about the Death of the Maori Language. This shows how important it is to make them feel like their heritage is valued and respected in our school and our classroom.
Attached a link to their reports:
7/9/17
Every morning when we complete the role we greet each other in Maori. The students have become more fluent with their responses and it has become more normalised.
14/9/17
Maori Language Week
Students working on an Activity book but we looked at pronunciation of the words. I used the Maori Dictionary to help with this. It actually pronounces the word for you.
then I taught my students the song to help them get the correct vowel sounds for Maori.
Class Singing
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