Matariki Star Art

Overview

This 60-minute art lesson celebrates Matariki, introducing Year 2 students to the cultural significance of Matariki and encouraging creative expression through art. The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, particularly the visual arts learning area and key competencies.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the significance of Matariki as the Māori New Year and celebration of community, reflection, and renewal.
• Recognise the stars of Matariki (the Pleiades cluster) and their cultural importance.
• Develop skills in using art materials to create representations of stars and Matariki themes.
• Express personal ideas and feelings about Matariki through their artwork.
• Engage collaboratively and respectfully in art activities, demonstrating the key competencies of participating and contributing and relating to others.

Curriculum links:

• The Arts / Visual Arts
• Develop ideas in response to experiences, imagination, and observation (Living World strand).
• Explore and use the elements of art (line, shape, colour, texture) through a variety of media.
• Develop confidence and enjoyment in creative work.
• Key Competencies
• Participating and contributing: Students work together and share ideas during discussions and activities.
• Thinking: Students use their imagination and prior knowledge to express culturally relevant ideas.
• Using language, symbols, and texts: Students understand and use te reo Māori terms related to Matariki and stars.

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Materials Needed

• Large black A3 construction paper or cardstock (one per student)
• White, yellow, silver, and blue paint or pastels (for star depiction)
• Small paintbrushes, Q-tips, or sponges for painting stars
• Star-shaped stickers or glitter (optional for decoration)
• Glue sticks
• Pre-cut shape templates for stars (various sizes, including the seven main Matariki stars)
• Picture book or visual resource about Matariki (e.g., simple illustrated stories or images showing Matariki stars)
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Markers or felt-tip pens
• Te reo Māori word cards: "Matariki," "whetū" (star), "tāwhirimātea" (god of weather), and other relevant vocabulary

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Lesson Activity Plan

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief storytelling or shared reading using a picture book or images about Matariki, focusing on why it is important in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Introduce the concept of Matariki as the Māori New Year and how the stars signal a time of remembering, celebrating, planting, and hope for the future.
• Show images or a simple diagram of the Matariki star cluster, naming the key stars. Use the te reo Māori terms for the stars and encourage students to say them aloud.
• Use questioning to check understanding:
• What do you think Matariki means?
• Why do you think the stars are special to Māori?
• Write key vocabulary on chart paper.

2. Demonstration and Exploration (10 minutes)

• Demonstrate how to create star shapes with paint or pastels on black paper using brushes or Q-tips for dots and lines to represent stars and constellations.
• Show how different sizes and colours can be used to create depth and interest.
• Explain that students will create their own Matariki inspired artwork using stars and colours that remind them of the night sky and celebration.
• Encourage them to think about what Matariki means to them as they create.

3. Art Creation Time (30 minutes)

• Distribute materials.
• Students paint or pastel star shapes on their black paper, focusing on creating a starry night sky and highlighting the Matariki stars if they wish.
• Provide star-shaped templates for students who want to create cut-out shapes to glue on their artwork for texture and dimension.
• Allow optional decorating with star stickers or glitter for sparkle.
• Circulate to support and encourage use of art vocabulary, te reo Māori terms, and their own creativity.
• Encourage conversations among peers, sharing ideas about their art.

4. Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes)

• Invite students to share their artwork with the class or in small groups.
• Ask them to describe their art and explain which stars they painted and why.
• Reinforce key vocabulary and cultural significance.
• Ask reflection questions:
• How did creating your artwork help you understand Matariki?
• What did you enjoy about making your starry sky?
• Provide positive feedback and highlight the diversity of creative expression.

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Assessment

• Formative Assessment:
• Observe students during discussion to assess understanding of Matariki’s significance.
• Listen to students’ use of te reo Māori and art vocabulary during activities.
• Note engagement and creativity in their artworks.
• Summative Assessment:
• Collect and review artworks, checking if students have incorporated the concept of Matariki stars and made choices reflecting their understanding.
• Use a simple rubric:
• Knowledge of Matariki (can name or describe significance).
• Use of art elements (use of colour, shape, and texture).
• Expression of personal ideas through art.
• Participation and cooperation during activities.

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Teacher Notes

• Ensure cultural authenticity by consulting trusted Māori resources or local iwi if possible.
• Use te reo Māori respectfully, modelling correct pronunciation.
• Adapt materials for any students needing additional support.
• Connect this lesson with other learning areas such as oral language or storytelling about Matariki and social science topics focused on Māori perspectives.
• Consider displaying students’ artwork in a classroom Matariki exhibition with labels including te reo and English explanations.

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This lesson offers a cross-curricular opportunity to integrate cultural knowledge, creative skills, language development, and community celebration within the New Zealand Curriculum framework for Year 2 students, ensuring a rich and respectful experience of the Matariki celebration.