Jump Jam was in the hall. We were able to watch the Jump Jam DVD and learn new Jump Jam routines as we followed the movements on the screen.
Our pavement art depicted the story of Matariki or some of the legends that we had been listening to. Here the moon and the Seven Stars are being drawn.
A range of tabloid activities were included. The students rotated around the activities. Whanau leaders guided students in the activities.
Here the students are listening to Maori legendsWe ended the second term with a Matariki Whanau Day. Matariki is the Maori New Year. We had been talking about Matariki and its significance to Maori in the past. We have listened to stories and researched our information.
June and July are the months of Matariki. It begins when the Stars of the Seven Sisters rise into sight. A number of Maori legends give different accounts of how it came into being. If the stars were bright then it would be a good year for crops. If they were dull then crops were left a little longer before they were planted.
Matariki traditionally was a time to remember those that were no longer with them. It was a time of learning of culture. It was a time to feast with family and friends. The crops were harvested and the foods from hunting had been preserved. It was a time to fly kites so that they would reach close to the skies.
We celebrated our Whanau afternoon by listening to Maori legends, producing pavement art about the stars and the legends that we listened to, taking part in tabloid sports and by doing Jump Jam.
