Stars and Identity

Curriculum Context

This lesson plan is designed for Year 5 Māori-medium students using Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, incorporating key concepts from the Māori worldview, cultural identity, and literacy learning as aligned with the curriculum's Principles, Values, and Key Competencies. It explores Matariki (the Māori New Year star cluster) and its significance culturally and personally, fostering understanding of identity through connection with the stars.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this 60-minute lesson, students will be able to:

• Understand the significance of Matariki in Māori culture, including its role in marking the Māori New Year and connection to the natural world and whakapapa (genealogy).
• Explore the association between stars and identity, recognising how Matariki stories and star names connect to personal and whānau identity.
• Express their own cultural identity through creative means linked to Matariki, deepening their understanding of belonging and whakapapa.
• Develop competency in oral language, storytelling, and visual arts within a Māori cultural framework as described in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa’s English and The Arts learning areas.

Curriculum Reference

• English Learning Area:
  • Comprehending and creating texts – understanding stories that give insight into culture and identity (Phase 2, Years 4-6)
  • Vocabulary and Context – understanding Māori cultural terms and expressions related to Matariki
• Social Sciences Learning Area:
  • Experience the significance of Matariki as a cultural event marking the change of seasons and cycles in Aotearoa
• The Arts:
  • Use visual arts to express cultural identity, inspired by traditional stories and natural phenomena such as stars (Te toi whakairo – artistic excellence)
• Principles of the Curriculum:
  • Treaty of Waitangi principle – affirm bicultural foundations and mātauranga Māori experiences
  • Cultural diversity principle – reflect local tikanga and values while empowering Māori learners
• Key Competencies Focus:
  • Relating to others – sharing and celebrating identity through storytelling and art
  • Using language, symbols and texts – interpreting star stories and conveying identity creatively

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Lesson Breakdown (60 minutes)

Time	Activity	Description	Resources	Curriculum Links / Notes
0–10 mins	Whakawhanaungatanga and Introduction

• Begin with a karakia/reflection to welcome the stars and the learning.
• Briefly discuss what Matariki is and why it is important to Māori people.
• Share a traditional story of Matariki or the stars in te ao Māori highlighting its significance for identity and renewal. | Storybook or pūrākau of Matariki (oral or printed), visual star chart of Matariki cluster | Emphasise oral language and listening skills; engage students’ tūrangawaewae — their place in the world | | 10–25 mins | Exploring the Stars and Identity |
• Show the Matariki star cluster on a star chart; explain names and briefly what each star represents traditionally.
• Discuss how stars have connections to ancestors and identity (whakapapa), asking: "How can stars tell a story about who we are?"
• Invite students to share any whānau stories or names connected to stars, if comfortable. | Matariki star chart (large visual for class), resource with star names and meanings | Supports social sciences understanding of whakapapa and cultural heritage | | 25–45 mins | Creative Exploration: Art and Writing |
• Students create a personal "Matariki star" that represents a part of their identity or something important to them using art materials (coloured paper, markers, glitter, etc.).
• Encourage students to write a short description or sentence (oral or written) about what their star represents using new vocabulary learned (e.g., whakapapa, whānau, aroha).
• Support ELL and learners with scaffolding through sentence starters: "My star is called...", "It represents...", "This is important because...". | Art supplies: coloured paper, crayons, glitter, glue; writing sheets or digital tablets for typing | Express cultural identity through arts and language. Incorporate English phase 2 skills and oral language opportunities ; promote creativity in line with arts standards . | | 45–55 mins | Sharing and Reflection |
• Students share their stars and stories in pairs or small groups.
• Reflect orally on what they learned about Matariki and how stars connect to their identity and culture.
• Facilitate kōrero (discussion) on the importance of Matariki and their place in the universe and community. | Students’ artworks and sentences | Encourages the key competency Relating to others and critical reflection . Develops confidence speaking in te reo Māori and English. | | 55–60 mins | Whakamutunga (Closure) |
• Group karakia/ waiata to close the lesson and honour the stars and learners.
• Teacher summarises key learning points.
• Inform students of upcoming opportunities to explore Matariki further. | Karakia resource or waiata | Builds tikanga and whanaungatanga, supporting positive identity formation |

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Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observe students’ participation in discussions and sharing for understanding of Matariki’s significance and star identity connections.
• Summative/Formative Combination: Evaluate students’ creative star representations and accompanying sentences/descriptions reflecting their understanding of identity linked to Matariki. This demonstrates their grasp of cultural concepts, vocabulary use, and personal identity expression.
• Students may also self-assess or peer-assess their work during sharing, reflecting on how their star tells their story.

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Resources

• Matariki star charts (visual tools showing cluster and star names)
• Traditional Matariki stories (oral or printed narratives)
• Art materials: coloured paper, markers, glitter, glue
• Writing support sheets with sentence starters in Māori and English
• Audio resources for karakia and waiata related to Matariki
• Digital device (optional) for writing or illustrating

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Teacher Notes and Extensions

• Include local iwi knowledge or invite kaumātua/kuia to share Matariki traditions where practical.
• Allow students from diverse backgrounds to connect Matariki themes to their own cultural identity, fostering inclusivity while affirming Māori cultural concepts.
• Integrate pepeha and whakapapa introductions linked to star identity for deeper engagement over time.
• This lesson sits well within a broader unit on Māori astronomy and seasonal changes celebrating Matariki.

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This detailed plan draws deeply from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa frameworks, prioritising cultural identity development through the lens of Matariki and the stars, ensuring te reo Māori immersion and creative expression aligned with curriculum progression at Year 5 level .