Matariki Star Stories

Lesson 3: Pohutukawa – The Star of Remembrance

Duration: 30 minutes
Year Level: Year 1
Class size: 15 students
Curriculum Area: English
NZ Curriculum Level: Level 1
Unit: Matariki Star Stories (Lesson 3 of 3)

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Learning Outcome

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

• Identify Pohutukawa as the Matariki star associated with remembrance.
• Reflect on someone special they remember fondly.
• Use guided sentence starters to write 1–2 sentences about that person.
• Share their writing orally with a trusted peer or small group.

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Key Competencies

• Thinking: Reflecting on memories and emotional connections.
• Using language, symbols and texts: Writing simple sentences with support.
• Managing self: Engaging independently and respectfully in reflective writing.
• Relating to others: Listening to and responding to peers’ stories with empathy.

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Resources Needed

• A picture book or teacher-written story about Pohutukawa (e.g. a simplified narrative about a child remembering a grandparent during Matariki).
• Printed Matariki star chart (labelled with te reo Māori names).
• "My Memory Star" writing template: A star shape with sentence starters.
• Markers, crayons or pencils for drawing and writing.
• Calm instrumental music (optional, for the memory reflection).

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Lesson Sequence

1. Welcome & Karakia Timatanga (2 mins)

• Begin the session with a short karakia to focus and set intentions for learning.
• Encourage calm and respectful listening to prepare for a discussion about memories.

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2. Whakarongo Mai – Story Time (8 mins)

• Teacher reads a short, age-appropriate story that introduces Pohutukawa as the star of remembrance.
• Pause to emphasise:
  • Pohutukawa reminds us of loved ones who have passed.
  • Matariki is a time when we remember people we love and think about them with warmth.

Think-Aloud Strategy: While reading, model remembering someone from your own life – e.g. “This reminds me of my nan who used to sing to me. I remember her when I see the stars.”

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3. Think–Pair–Share: Who Do You Remember? (5 mins)

• Ask students to quietly think about someone they remember fondly — it could be a whānau member, a pet, or even a teacher.
• Provide sentence starters orally:
  • “I remember my ____ because ____.”
  • “My special memory is ____.”
• In pairs, students share their memories using these scaffolds.
• Circulate and support conversations to ensure sensitivity and inclusion.

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4. Creative Writing Activity: My Memory Star (10 mins)

• Each student gets a "My Memory Star" template.
• Students write 1–2 sentences using provided sentence starters.
• Incorporate drawing: Students illustrate their memory in the star’s centre.
• Teacher and support staff/teacher aides assist with spelling, sentence structure and encouragement.
• Roleplay key vocabulary beforehand, e.g., "remember", "special", "miss", "love".
• Calm music can play in the background to support focus.

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5. Sharing Circle (Optional) (3 mins)

• Invite 2–3 confident students to share their Memory Stars with the class.
• Ensure a quiet and respectful environment. Applaud all efforts – focus on gentle encouragement.

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6. Reflection & Karakia Whakamutunga (2 mins)

• Reflect as a group:
  • “Why do we remember people during Matariki?”
  • “How does it make you feel to talk about someone special?”
• Finish with a closing karakia, giving thanks for the stories shared and the learning experienced.

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Assessment & Support

Observation: Use an informal checklist or learning journal to record student participation in paired sharing, sentence writing, and how well they express ideas orally.

Support/Differentiation:

• Visual sentence starters posted on the wall or whiteboard.
• Adult support available during writing.
• Option for students to dictate their sentences if unable to write independently.

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Teacher Comment

This lesson blends cultural identity, emotional intelligence, and literacy development in a powerful and age-appropriate way. Embedding mātauranga Māori into your English programme strengthens cultural responsiveness and adds authentic purpose to early literacy tasks.

As it is the final lesson in the ‘Matariki Star Stories’ unit, it also encourages reflection — not just on loved ones, but on the students’ learning journey across the three lessons.

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Follow Up Ideas

• Display completed “Memory Stars” as part of a classroom Matariki display.
• Write and send memory poems or mini-books home as gifts.
• Integrate drama or music in future lessons (e.g. composing gentle songs about someone remembered).

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Teacher Reflection Prompts (Post-lesson)

• Did students engage emotionally and respectfully in the memory reflection?
• Who needed extra support during the writing process?
• How might the lesson be adapted for different cultural contexts or emotional needs?

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“Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou – We will remember them.”
– Matariki is a time to hold close the memories that shape us all.