Unit #4: Matariki Stars Shine

Curriculum Area:

Aotearoa New Zealand Histories (ANZH)
Curriculum Level: Level 1 – Years 1–2
Focus Concept: Tūrangawaewae – personal connection to place and identity
Context: Celebrating Matariki – The Māori New Year
Class Level: Year 2
Age Range: 5–6 years
Lesson Duration: 40 minutes
Class Size: 13 students

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WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Understand that Matariki is a special time for whānau and communities in Aotearoa.
• Connect personally to the celebration by expressing our place in the world.
• Identify ways Matariki is celebrated and why it matters today.

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Success Criteria:

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

• Explain one thing they know about Matariki.
• Share something special about where they come from or who they are connected to.
• Participate in a creative activity linked to a Matariki star and their personal identity.

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Key Big Idea:

Through Tūrangawaewae, learners explore their place in the world and the cultural significance of Matariki as a time to reflect, remember, and celebrate.

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Lesson Structure (40 minutes)

1. Karakia + Whanaungatanga Circle (5 minutes)

• Begin with a simple karakia (in te reo) to start the day.
• Sit in a circle and greet the class with "Ata mārie tamariki mā!”
• Each child shares how they are feeling today using a feeling card if needed.
• Discuss today’s learning: “We will remember our loved ones, think about our whānau, and celebrate what makes us special – just like Matariki helps us do.”

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2. Story Time: “The Seven Kites of Matariki” (7 minutes)

Dyslexia-friendly reading strategy:

• Use a large big-book version or digital story with strong visuals.
• Read slowly, using finger tracking or a reading wand.
• Include retelling prompts throughout.

Book Focus:
The Seven Kites of Matariki by Calico McClintock

• Pause at each star to ask: “What do you think each star might stand for?”
• Let tamariki predict what might happen before turning pages.

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3. Whole Class Discussion – Our Place, Our People (8 minutes)

Use a large classroom wall map of Aotearoa. Prompt questions:

• “Where do you live?”
• “Who do you live with?”
• “What makes your whānau special?”
  Use simple thumbs-up/thumbs-sideways gestures during discussion to keep engagement up.

Teacher models with a personal story: “I live in Tāmaki Makaurau. I go fishing with my cousin every Matariki... that's how we remember our grandparents.”

Differentiation strategy:
For ELL or quieter students, provide picture prompts or sentence starters:

• “I am from _______.”
• “I live with _______.”
• “My whānau...”

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4. Creative Activity: Star of Me (15 minutes)

Objective: Children create their own Matariki star to reflect their tūrangawaewae.

Materials:

• Star templates (on yellow card with wide outlines)
• Crayons or vivid markers
• Stickers, feathers, wool scraps – cultural and sensory elements
• Pre-printed sentence starters for dyslexic support:
  • “My name is ____.”
  • “I live with ____.”
  • “On Matariki, I….”

Instructions:

• Each child writes or dictates their name, draws whānau or their home.
• Decorate the star with 2–3 things that show who they are.
• Stars will be added to the Matariki Whānau Constellation Wall on display.

Extension for advanced learners:

• Make connections between the meaning of a Matariki star (e.g. Waitā for the sea) and something they enjoy or come from (e.g. “My uncle works on a boat – I belong to the sea.”)

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5. Reflection and Sharing (5 minutes)

• Sit back in whanaungatanga circle.
• Invite each child to share one thing from their star.
• Revisit the WALT: “Did we learn about Matariki today? How is it like your own life?”

Exit strategy:
Use call-and-response:
Teacher: “Mata-”
Class: “-riki!”

• Children leave by placing stars on the constellation wall.

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Differentiation Strategies:

• Neurodiverse learners: Provide tactile materials, reduce noise during creative activity, offer choice to work alone or in pairs.
• ESOL learners: Visual vocabulary cards, bilingual support (if applicable), gestures and repetition.
• Dyslexia support: Sentence scaffolds, strong visual cues, speak text aloud as they write.

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Extension Activities:

If time permits or for early finishers:

• Create a group mural of Matariki in chalk pastels with night sky.
• Record tamariki short videos explaining their star in their own words (teacher-assisted).
• Introduce waiata "Te Iwa o Matariki" and teach simple actions.

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Teacher Notes:

• Emphasise gentle pace, affirm identity and ensure every tamaiti feels seen.
• Model whakapapa proudly with your own star.
• Have display ready for “Star of Me” entries to foster pride and visibility.
• Check for pronunciation of Matariki stars ahead of lesson.

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This lesson aligns with Aotearoa New Zealand Histories curriculum's focus on understanding identity through personal and community connection to place, and exploring how Māori ways of seeing the world shape how we understand time and tradition.