Matariki Bird Art

Learning Objectives

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Understand and retell the Matariki star Tupuārangi story, recognising its cultural significance in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Explore how traditional Māori stories inspire visual art.
• Create a bird symbol inspired by the Tupuārangi story using drawing techniques.
• Express ideas and respond to others’ artworks, connecting story to art visually.

This aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum’s Arts learning area for years 5 and 6, specifically:

• Achievement Objective: Understanding how the visual arts communicate meaning and ideas from different cultures, including Māori perspectives.
• Making: Using materials, processes, and symbols to develop and communicate ideas.
• Responding: Communicating their understanding of art works by discussing and reflecting on them.
• Key Competencies: Thinking, Using language, symbols, and texts, and Managing self through planning and working independently with confidence.

Success Criteria

• I can retell the Tupuārangi story with key details.
• I can identify the bird symbol related to Tupuārangi and explain its meaning.
• I can create a clear, detailed drawing of the bird symbol using line, shape, and pattern.
• I can respectfully share my artwork and describe what I have learned about Tupuārangi and Matariki.

Resources

• A simplified but authentic version of the Tupuārangi Matariki story (prepared for reading aloud).
• Visual examples of bird symbols inspired by Māori art and Tupuārangi imagery.
• Drawing materials: A4 paper, pencils, coloured pencils or markers.
• Dyslexia-friendly reading aids: story in large clear font, supported with illustrations.
• Whiteboard or large paper for story mapping.

Lesson Outline (30 minutes)

1. Introduction & Storytelling (8 minutes)

• Introduce the star cluster Matariki and explain its importance.
• Read aloud the Tupuārangi story, using expressive voice and pause for questions. Show illustrations or use a story map to visually support comprehension (supports dyslexic learners).
• Invite students to retell parts or share what they imagine when hearing about Tupuārangi and the bird symbol.
• Briefly discuss the cultural meaning of birds as symbols in Māori stories — connection to nature, identity, and the stars.

Differentiation:

• Provide sentence starters and visual prompts for learners who find oral storytelling challenging.
• Encourage ELL or learners with language difficulties to draw or act out parts of the story in pairs.

2. Exploring Bird Symbol Art (5 minutes)

• Show examples of bird symbols inspired by Tupuārangi and Māori art forms, pointing out patterns, shapes, and styles used.
• Discuss with students how shapes and lines can tell a story or represent ideas.
• Ask students what shapes or patterns they notice and how they think the art connects to the story.

Differentiation:

• Have simplified, bold examples for visual clarity to support all learners.
• Ask higher-achieving learners to consider why the artist might have chosen certain shapes or colours.

3. Drawing Activity (12 minutes)

• Students will create their own bird symbol inspired by Tupuārangi using the drawing materials.
• Encourage creative use of shapes, repetition of patterns (like koru or feathers), and personal interpretation while respecting traditional styles.
• Teacher circulates, offering scaffolded support: breaking down shapes for struggling students and challenging advanced learners to add symbolic elements or create a background suggestive of stars.

Differentiation:

• Provide templates with basic bird outlines for those needing extra support; others draw freehand.
• Extension: Create a quick story explaining the meaning of their bird symbol or design a starry night background symbolising Matariki.

4. Sharing & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Invite volunteers to share their drawings and what their bird symbol means, linking to the story.
• Highlight different interpretations and encourage positive feedback.
• Summarise the lesson’s learning, affirming the cultural value and artistic expression.

Assessment for Learning

• Formative: Observe students’ engagement and understanding during story retell and discussion.
• Artistic technique and effort during the drawing activity, checking use of shapes and signals of inspired meaning.
• Student verbal sharing reflecting comprehension of the Tupuārangi story and its link to their art.

Additional Notes

• This lesson consciously builds on students’ prior knowledge of Matariki and Māori symbolism as per the New Zealand Curriculum guidance on integrating cultural perspectives authentically.
• Dyslexia-friendly strategies include oral storytelling supported by visuals, clear reading fonts, and multimodal responses (drawing, acting).
• By linking story to art, the lesson supports holistic learner engagement — thinking, creativity, cultural identity, and communication competencies.

This 30-minute art exploration thoughtfully integrates New Zealand cultural heritage and visual arts curriculum goals tailored to year 5 and 6 learners’ developmental stage and diverse needs.

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If you need, I can also prepare a simple, clear worksheet to accompany this lesson or suggest further cross-curricular links with literacy or social sciences focused on Māori culture and astronomy.