Matariki Week-The Maori New Year

            Matariki Celebrations in School

You may have heard of Matariki, you may not. Come and explore this unique annual celebration in New Zealand (Aotearoa) with us.

This week was Matariki celebration in the school. We celebrated Maori new year by doing different activities of Matariki with students and Teachers. There were various weaving competitions for the students and games for the teachers. All the winners get prizes. That's was excellent and encouragement for their participation in the celebration of Matariki. I also participate in teacher's quiz and won a grand prize. It is the first time I am celebrating Matariki in NZ, and I enjoyed it. All the arrangements were made by a Ruihia(Maori teacher). Staff briefing was in WhareNui this whole week. I was fascinated and curious to learn and to see this culture, and I feel blessed to be a part of these celebrations. ON the last day of the celebration week, there was lunch for teachers and Students in WhareKai. 

What is Matariki?

Matariki is the Māori name for a seven-star cluster also known as the seven sisters of Pleiades (the ancient Greek name).

In translation, Matariki means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki).

For some Māori iwi (tribes), the first pre-dawn rise of Matariki in late May or early June signals the beginning of the Māori New Year. 

“Ka puta Matariki ka rere Whānui.
Ko te tohu tēnā o te tau e!

Matariki reappears, Vega starts its flight.
The new year begins!

Look for Matariki in the night sky.

Source: Richard Hall, Astronomy NZ

You’ll have to be up early! From early June, before sunrise (between 5.30-6.30am), look towards the north-east horizon for the stars that look like a pot.

They make up Orion’s belt (Tautoro). Then trace a line northwards. Look for a faint sparkle of tiny dots, about the same width as Orion’s belt is extended. This is the Matariki star cluster. 

Here are the Matariki song and a Short story!!!!!

"Understand and recognise the unique status of Tangata Whenua in Aotearoa 
New Zealand."
"Practise and develop the use of te reo and Tikanga Māori." 

Create a Circuit(Reflection)

This week I started a topic Saving energy and Creating a Circuit with 7 &8 STEAM. I have planned a few activities for the students. First, one is making a simple circuit by using a Light bulb holder, Clips wires and switch. The second experiment was to create a circuit by using a light bulb holder, clip wires, voltmeters, switch.

How to make a Circuit: Connect one end of each wire to the screws on the base of the light bulb holder. Connect the free end of one wire to the negative (“-“) end of one battery. Attach the free end of the other wire to the positive (“+”) end of the battery.

Blogger- as PD Plateform!!!

      The Importance of Teacher Bloggers😀 

I believe that it is necessary for teachers to be writers and to share our strategies, lessons, and resources with one another, as we are able to provide glimpses into our daily lives, while sharing effective ideas that are realistic and classroom-tested.  In the past, teachers would submit articles to various teaching journals, wait several months for approval, then finally see their work published. Now, blogging has become a fast, effective, and easy way for teachers to become writers and publish content. 

When I first began teaching, I did not know of any colleagues who wrote teacher blogs and I would have been hard pressed to explain why teachers would even become bloggers.  Not only have I now become teacher bloggers ourselves, but I also regularly refer to many other teacher blogs as sources of inspiration for my own teaching, strategies to apply in the classroom, and places to learn about the newest trends in teaching.

Expand your PD

There are several reasons why teaching, writing, and blogging complement one another.  Following various teacher blogs, commenting on the entries, and interacting with other teachers is an excellent form of professional development.  Instead of only having local teachers in your professional learning community, you can now have teachers from all over the world to exchange stories, strategies, advice, and lessons.  

When teachers become writers, they share their professional knowledge and learning with other teachers.  Sharing your insight with other teachers allows you to discuss the best ideas to use in the classroom to meet the diverse needs of your students.  What better way to improve your teaching than to have hundreds of teachers in your professional learning network?

Outlet for Personal Reflection

The process of writing allows you to learn more about your own teaching, as it forces you to reflect—on your teaching, the concepts you are focusing on, how your students learn, how you can improve your teaching, and why your ideas are valuable.  By taking the time to think back on your teaching, the students in your class, and the strategies you are using, you will be able to discern what is working and what needs improvement.  

The act of getting words on paper (or typing out those words!) is very cathartic and allows you to analyze your thoughts and actions in a much more reflective manner than it would be to simply think back on your day.  While writing and reflecting, you will soon realize that your ideas are valuable and your insights are profound.  We believe that reflecting and writing about our own teaching practices has made us better teachers and allowed our students to benefit as well.  Writing is a very powerful tool that all teachers should have in their toolkit.

I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.

- Socrates

Samoa Language Week

Tālofa lava! Afio mai!

Samoa Language Week / Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa is being held in 2020 from Sunday 24 May to Saturday 30 May. The theme for this year is 'Tapena sou ōso mo lau malaga' which in English means 'Prepare yourself a gift for your travels'.

Samoa Language Week / Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa is organised by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to maintain and promote the language and culture of Samoa. Gagana Samoa is the second most spoken language in some cities like Auckland and Porirua, and the third most spoken language across New Zealand. 

Samoa Language Week celebrates the identity, language, and culture of students from Samoa and students whose families are from Samoa; supporting this group of learners to engage and achieve success.  

This special week helps all New Zealanders journey towards shared cultural understandings. This year’s theme is Tapena sou ōso mo lau malaga/Prepare yourself a gift for your travels. The theme provides an opportunity to reflect on preparations for different journeys. Covid-19 has brought about a new way of journeying online and that’s what we are celebrating this year. The ōso/gift of not only resources but ongoing relationships, collaborations and wellbeing are important, especially so during these challenging times.  Enjoy these gifts below as you celebrate Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa.

When greeting people in gagana Sāmoa, talofa is used at any time. The response is Talofa lava or malo lava. Or, you could say talofa or malo. Practice your language skills using the list below:

Talofa lava: Hello (formal)
Talofa: Hello (informal)
Malo: Hello
Tofa soifua: Goodbye (formal)
Tofa: Goodbye (informal)
Fa’amolemole: Please
Fa ‘afetai: Thank you

There will be online presentations from staff and students and will end with celebrating Samoan Language week the Tamaki Way – with free food!!(Social distancing will be in place)

Fa’afetai tele lava

Importance of Student-Teacher Relationship

The Secret Sauce To Developing Positive Teacher Student Relationships One of the most pure and deeply inspirational relationships is that of a devoted teacher and a willing student. Everyone has a favorite teacher. Even now we cherish the memories and relationships that were made in school. It is how the student teacher relationships were developed, nurtured, and given space to evolve.

The ability to forge a positive, powerful relationship between a student and teacher may seem like a difficult task first but can be easily accomplished by creating a strong learning environment. While students learn a particular subject from a teacher, the teacher learns how to improve her teaching skills and make the lessons more interesting by gaining insights from the students.

 

1. Healthy Communication

A consistent and healthy communication between the teacher and student is crucial. A teacher who understands the problems of his or her students and then shapes his or her teaching style in order to interact better with the student can see success, but this takes not simply observation, but communication.

2. Trust and Respect

The foundation of any relationship is mutual respect and trust. The teachers that show respect towards their students and are keen to help them through their difficulties become the object of respect themselves and it triggers a passion among students to learn and make their teachers proud.

3. A Safe Environment

Students need to feel safe when asking questions, safe in the belief that they won’t be taunted or criticized and that their question or comment will be answered with patience and respect.

4. Equity

Disparity in learning is a barrier to academic performance. Whether you’re talking about technology access, access to literature, or related socioeconomic trends, equity matters.

 Our first job as teachers is to make sure that we learn our students, that we connect with them on a real level, showing respect for their culture and affirming their worthiness to receive the best education possible. This foundational relationship has allowed me to stretch, embrace and provoke, when necessary, to help my students reach self-actualization. Their learning and high achievement were just the fruits of this labor. But the truth is before the seed is planted, the ground must first be prepared.

"A good education can change anyone; a good teacher can change everything.”