Matariki Stars Unveiled

Overview

This 30-minute introductory lesson to Matariki invites preschool students (ages 3-5) to explore the Māori New Year through storytelling and visual discovery of the Matariki star cluster. Students will connect to te ao Māori by learning the names and meanings of the Matariki stars, fostering their awareness of cultural identity and community. The book Matariki: The Māori New Year will be read aloud to deepen understanding and inspire curiosity.

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Curriculum Alignment

Social Sciences – Early Learning Goals (The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh)

• Understand that stories and traditions connect people to places and communities.
• Recognise that people have different ways of celebrating important events.
• Develop curiosity about the world and growing awareness of time passing through seasonal and cultural changes.

Key Competencies

• Relating to others: Foster whakawhānaungatanga by sharing stories from te ao Māori.
• Participating and contributing: Engage in collective storytelling and group reflection.
• Thinking: Encourage curiosity about the meaning of Matariki and the significance of its stars.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Identify Matariki as the Māori New Year and a time of celebration.
• Name some of the Matariki stars and orally connect some of their meanings (e.g., warmth, food, reflection).
• Show enjoyment and participation in storytelling and visual activities.
• Begin to understand that Matariki marks a special time to come together as a community.

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Resources

• Visual chart or projected images of the Matariki star cluster with star names.
• Illustrated book Matariki: The Māori New Year.
• Star-shaped coloured cut-outs or stickers for each star of Matariki.
• Soft music or ambient sounds related to night skies (optional).

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Lesson Plan

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Greet the children warmly in te reo Māori (e.g., Kia ora koutou!).
• Introduce the topic: "Today we are going to learn about Matariki, a special time in Aotearoa when the stars in the sky come together to celebrate the New Year."
• Show a simple star chart or image of the Matariki cluster to spark interest.
• Briefly explain that each star in Matariki has a special name and meaning.

Teaching note: Use concrete objects and clear language with plenty of gestures to help young learners connect meaningfully.

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2. Storytime: Reading Matariki: The Māori New Year (10 minutes)

• Gather students on the mat for a calm and immersive storytime.
• Read aloud using expressive voice and pause to show illustrations.
• Encourage children to point to the stars on the images and respond to questions like:
  • "Can you find the star named Matariki?"
  • "What do you think this star helps us with?"

Teaching support: Reinforce new vocabulary gently and allow students to repeat key Māori words.

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3. Interactive Visual Activity: Meet the Stars (10 minutes)

• Show each star one by one using star cut-outs or digital images.
• Name each star and share one simple meaning (e.g., Pōhutukawa star means remembering those who have passed, Waitī is about fresh water and food).
• Invite children to find the matching star sticker or place a star on a large mural/starry sky poster.
• Use songs or a chant introducing the stars to build memory and engagement.

Teaching tip: Use repetitive, rhythmic speech and encourage peer support for shy learners.

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4. Reflection and Sharing (5 minutes)

• Ask children what their favourite star is or something they learned about Matariki.
• Link the learning to their own experiences: "Matariki is a time to remember and celebrate — what do you like to celebrate with your whānau?"
• Close with a waiata or quiet breathing to reflect the peacefulness of the starry night.

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Assessment and Next Steps

Formative Assessment

• Observe students’ participation in naming stars and responding during the story.
• Listen for use of new vocabulary or concepts related to Matariki.
• Note social interaction and engagement in group activities.

Next lesson preview

• Planning a sensory and creative exploration of Matariki symbols and colours (Lesson 2).
• Build on vocabulary and deepen connections to community and environment as per unit plan.

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Differentiation & Inclusion

• Provide visual aids for all students to access content regardless of language proficiency.
• Use Māori greetings and simple te reo Māori phrases to scaffold language learning.
• Offer physical movement breaks integrated into star placement activity for kinesthetic learners.
• Celebrate Māori culture inclusively reflecting local iwi and school community context.

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Teacher Tips

• Explicit teaching through storytelling and visuals aligns with the curriculum’s emphasis on structured, scaffolded learning.
• Reinforce positive relationships and cultural pride by incorporating local Matariki practices if appropriate.
• Optimize instructional time by balancing whole group storytelling with interactive learning.

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This lesson draws on principles from the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum ensuring holistic development in social sciences and weaving in literacy and te reo Māori enrichment thoughtfully for early learners .