Matariki Art

Overview

This 120-minute lesson introduces Year 2 students to Matariki, the Māori New Year, through engaging and creative visual arts activities. Students will explore Matariki’s cultural significance and create artworks inspired by the stars, traditional symbols, and stories related to this important celebration. This lesson aligns with The New Zealand Curriculum's expectations for The Arts in Years 1-3, fostering understanding of local culture and identity while developing creativity and key competencies.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Visual Arts: Experiment with art-making materials to create images that communicate ideas about Matariki.
Cultural Understanding: Recognise the significance of Matariki in Aotearoa New Zealand and its relevance to local iwi and communities.
Key Competencies: Develop their thinking, managing self, participating and contributing by working collaboratively and reflecting on their artwork.
Express ideas and stories about Matariki visually.

New Zealand Curriculum Links

The Arts – Visual Arts (Level 1: Years 1-2):

Achievement Objectives:
Explore and express ideas, feelings, and stories through images from their own experience and imagination.
Use the elements of art (line, shape, colour) and materials with purpose.
Respond to their own and others’ work.

Key Competencies:

Thinking – Students develop ideas and problem-solve while planning their artwork.
Managing Self – Students plan and organise materials and time effectively.
Participating and Contributing – Students work together during group discussions and share ideas.

Values:

Cultural Diversity – Respect and appreciate Māori culture through learning about Matariki.

Curriculum References

The New Zealand Curriculum - The Arts, Levels 1-2 Visual Arts.
Emphasis on inclusion of local tikanga Māori, tikanga Māori tohu (symbols), and te reo Māori where appropriate.
Support for development of the five key competencies.
Links across learning areas including Social Sciences (understanding Matariki as a cultural event).

Materials Needed

Coloured paper (dark blue/black for night sky backgrounds)
Star stickers or small star cut-outs
Paints, crayons, and coloured pencils
Glitter or small shiny sequins
Glue sticks and scissors
Simple Māori star constellation diagrams (e.g., Matariki cluster)
Storybook or video about Matariki (age-appropriate)
Chart paper for discussion notes

Lesson Breakdown (120 minutes)

1. Introduction to Matariki (20 mins)

Gather students in a circle.
Use a storybook or short video telling the story and significance of Matariki.
Discuss the importance of Matariki for Māori as a time of remembrance, celebration, and planting new crops.
Show pictures or diagrams of the Matariki star cluster.
Ask questions to prompt students’ prior knowledge and curiosity (e.g., "What do you see in the night sky? What do you think the stars mean?").

Key Competency Focus: Thinking & Relating to others

2. Explore Visual Elements of Matariki (15 mins)

Show examples of star shapes, lines, and colours found in traditional Matariki art.
Demonstrate how to create a starry night sky using dark paper and paint or crayons.
Introduce art elements: line (star points), shape (constellations), colour (night sky - blues, purples, blacks, and bright stars).
Invite students to experiment with drawing stars and lines.

Key Competency Focus: Using language, symbols, and texts

3. Create Matariki Star Art (55 mins)

Students create their own Matariki star artwork on dark paper.
Encourage use of star stickers, glitter, and paint to make the stars shine.
Prompt students to think about how they can represent the Matariki stars and what the festival means to them.
Teacher to circulate providing support and prompting reflection on their choices of materials and colours.

Differentiation:

For students needing extra support, provide pre-cut shapes and step-by-step guidance.
Extend more able students by inviting them to draw the Matariki constellation and name the stars.

Key Competency Focus: Managing self & Participating and contributing

4. Sharing and Reflection (20 mins)

Display all artworks around the room.
Facilitate a gallery walk where students view and comment positively on each other’s work.
As a whole class, discuss what they learned about Matariki and what they like about their art.
Encourage students to share what their artwork tells about Matariki or the night sky.
Teacher models how to give constructive feedback.

Key Competency Focus: Relating to others & Thinking

5. Conclusion and Clean Up (10 mins)

Recap key messages about Matariki and its celebration through art.
Reinforce respect for cultural practices and pride in sharing stories.
Guide students to tidy materials and prepare for next activity.

Assessment

Formative: Observation of student participation, use of art materials, and ability to express ideas during discussion.
Student Self-Assessment: Students identify one thing they enjoyed and one thing they learned about Matariki or making art.
Teacher Assessment: Assess if students can experiment with visual elements and express ideas about Matariki visually according to the achievement objectives.

Extension Ideas for the Week

Matariki Weaving: Use paper weaving techniques to create symbolic star or kete (basket) art.
Language Integration: Learn Māori star names and simple waiata (songs) related to Matariki.
Maths Link: Counting stars, shapes in art, or measuring lengths of star points with simple rulers.
Storytelling: Create a class Matariki storybook with student illustrations.

Notes for Teachers

Incorporate te reo Māori language throughout the lesson, using vocabulary such as "waka," "whetū" (star), "pō" (night), "Matariki," and "whakapapa" (genealogy).
Encourage whanau participation by inviting parents or caregivers to share their knowledge or traditions about Matariki.
Foster a classroom environment that celebrates Māori culture respectfully and inclusively in all arts activities.

This lesson plan honours the cultural significance of Matariki while engaging Year 2 students with hands-on art experiences that link directly to the New Zealand Curriculum's visual arts learning area and key competencies. It supports students to learn through creating, reflecting, and sharing within a culturally responsive framework.

Teaching Instructions