Tēna koutou katoa!
Mb3 has been non stop since our return from isolation, and we have so many amazing stories to share with you all! It’s been all hands on deck, getting all our schools back on their feet and ensuring that the technology in schools is running smoothly alongside the amazing work of our teachers.
We’ve also had the chance to create some really cool content and resources for our tamariki, and with Matariki soon approaching, we’d also like to share a little something special with you too.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades, that rises every year in mid-winter. It is a common misconception that Matariki is made up of 7 sisters, however in the Māori tradition, there are in fact 9 stars that we see from earth that make up this cluster, and they are Matariki (the mother of the stars in the constellation), Pōhutukawa, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipunarangi, Ururangi, and the youngest star Hiwaiterangi. Each star has a purpose, and represents something different, but together they represent Ngā Mata o te Ariki, and the start of the Māori New year. ✨
So in celebration of Matariki and the Māori New Year, which we will see rise in the coming days between the 13th and the 20th of July, we have created a fun resource to use in your class as an activity for your students. A template that you can either print off, and have students draw a representation of each star in the blank shapes, or a digital copy where they can drag and drop images, photos or their own digital drawings of what they think each star looks like. They can label them using the keyboard, or annotate with scribbles and arrows to personalise it a little more. Add a photo of each student at the bottom and print and hang up in the classroom, or frame and gift to Mum and Dad as a gift for the start of the Māori New Year. Easily made on Pages, and can be edited changed to suit every student in your class. There is a sample attached to this blog, but if you would like a copy of this template too, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Mb3, and our Apple Professional Learning Specialist, Maiau Houltham will send one out to you!
For more information about Matariki, click on the link below: