Matariki Stars Week

Overview

This week-long programme introduces Year 1 students to the importance of Matariki, focusing on one star each day. Each star’s meaning is shared through simple stories, fun hands-on activities, and easy reading practice with clear CVC sentences related to the star’s theme.

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Curriculum Links

New Zealand Curriculum:

• Learning Area: Te Reo Māori and English literacy
• Strand: Language (Listening, Reading, Writing)
• Level: Level 1 (Year 1)
• Learning Objectives:
• Students will build oral and early writing skills through simple storytelling and sentence reading.
• Students will recognise and read basic CVC words and sentences.
• Students will learn about Māori culture and Matariki in a simple, meaningful way.
• Key Competencies:
• Thinking: Listening to stories and remembering key ideas.
• Relating to others: Sharing ideas about Matariki kindly.
• Using language, symbols, and texts: Reading and saying simple sentences.

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Daily Structure (60 minutes per day)

Day 1: Matariki – The Cluster of Stars

Learning Objectives:

• Know that Matariki is a group of special stars for Māori.
• Practice reading simple CVC sentences.

Activity 1: Story Time (15 mins)

• Tell a short story about Matariki as a group of stars that start the Māori New Year.
• Show a big, clear picture of the star cluster.

Activity 2: Star Craft (20 mins)

• Make a simple star mobile with paper stars and string. Name the cluster “Matariki.”
• Talk about how Matariki means new beginnings.

Activity 3: Reading Practice (15 mins)

• Read the sentence:
  “The sun ran.”
• Read together, then in pairs, and finally by themselves.

Reflection and Sharing (10 mins)

• Students say one thing they learned about Matariki.

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Day 2: Pōhutukawa – The Red Flowering Star

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about Pōhutukawa, the red flowering star linked to summer.
• Practice CVC words in reading.

Activity 1: Story and Picture (15 mins)

• Share a short story about the Pōhutukawa tree and its red flowers.
• Show pictures and talk about summer.

Activity 2: Finger Painting (20 mins)

• Make red Pōhutukawa flowers with finger paint.
• Talk about colours and shapes.

Activity 3: Reading Practice (15 mins)

• Read the sentence:
  “Pat the cat.”
• Say the sounds in the words and read together.

Reflection and Sharing (10 mins)

• Students talk about their flower painting and Pōhutukawa.

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Day 3: Tupuānuku – The Growing Food Star

Learning Objectives:

• Learn that Tupuānuku helps food grow in gardens.
• Continue reading simple CVC sentences.

Activity 1: Story Time (15 mins)

• Tell a story about Tupuānuku helping food like kumara grow.
• Talk about gardens nearby.

Activity 2: Seed Planting (20 mins)

• Plant seeds in small pots.
• Talk simply about how plants grow.

Activity 3: Reading Practice (15 mins)

• Read the sentence:
  “Tom has a pot.”
• Practice reading and drawing the sentence.

Reflection and Sharing (10 mins)

• Students share what they hope for their seeds.

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Day 4: Waitī – The Freshwater Star

Learning Objectives:

• Know Waitī is the star of lakes, rivers, and fresh water food.
• Practice reading simple CVC sentences.

Activity 1: Story and Talk (15 mins)

• Tell a story about Waitī and freshwater places.
• Talk about fish and eels.

Activity 2: Water Play (20 mins)

• Play with water trays to see what floats and sinks.
• Connect water play to Waitī’s world.

Activity 3: Reading Practice (15 mins)

• Read the sentence:
  “Sit on log.”
• Read and act out the sentence.

Reflection and Sharing (10 mins)

• Students say what they saw during water play.

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Day 5: Waitā – The Sea Star

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about Waitā, the star of the sea and sea food.
• Practice reading simple CVC sentences.

Activity 1: Story and Talk (15 mins)

• Tell a story about Waitā and sea creatures.
• Talk about the ocean.

Activity 2: Shell Collage (20 mins)

• Make a collage with shells and blue paper.
• Talk about the sea.

Activity 3: Reading Practice (15 mins)

• Read the sentence:
  “The man can.”
• Read together and in pairs.

Reflection and Closing (10 mins)

• Talk about what each star means and what students liked best.
• Encourage students to tell their whānau one new thing they learned.

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This week-long plan blends Māori culture learning with early reading skills, supporting the New Zealand Curriculum’s goal of confident, connected, lifelong learners. Using stories, art, and hands-on activities helps young learners enjoy and understand Matariki.