🌟 Day 1: Explore and Plan

Learning goal: Read about Matariki, learn key vocabulary, and take notes to plan your writing.

📖 Reading Passage

Matariki is a cluster of stars, also known as the Pleiades, that rises in the winter sky. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Matariki marks the Māori New Year. It is a time for remembering those who have passed away, celebrating the present, and planning for the future. The name Matariki can mean "eyes of god" or "tiny eyes." Traditionally, families would gather to share food, tell stories, and give thanks. Today, Matariki is a public holiday celebrated across New Zealand with festivals, concerts, and community events. It is a time to connect with whānau, the environment, and the stars above.

📝 Vocabulary Check

🗒️ My Notes (Keywords & Phrases)

Use the boxes below to jot down key words and phrases from the reading. These will help you write your paragraph on Day 2!

What is Matariki?

Why is it important?

How is it celebrated?

My writing goal for tomorrow: I want to make sure my paragraph _______________________________.

✏️ Day 2: Draft Your Paragraph

Learning goal: Use your notes from Day 1 to write a clear paragraph about Matariki with a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.

📐 Paragraph Planner

Fill in the planner below before you write your full draft.

Topic Sentence (What is your paragraph about? Use a sentence starter below.)

Sentence starters: "Matariki is…" / "Every year in Aotearoa…" / "The Māori New Year, Matariki, is…"

Supporting Detail 1 (A fact or idea — use a linking word like also, for example, together with)

Supporting Detail 2 (Another fact or idea)

Concluding Sentence (Wrap up your paragraph. Try: "Overall…" / "Matariki is important because…")

📄 My Draft Paragraph

Now write your full paragraph below using your planner. Remember: capital letters, full stops, and linking words!

After sharing with a partner, one thing I want to improve tomorrow: ___________________________________________

🔍 Day 3: Peer Feedback & Final Writing

Learning goal: Give kind, helpful feedback to a classmate, then revise and write your best final paragraph.

🤝 Peer Feedback Checklist

Reader's name: __________________________    Writer's name: __________________________

Read your partner's draft carefully and tick each box honestly. Write one helpful comment at the bottom.

One thing I really liked:

One suggestion to make it even better:

⭐ My Final Paragraph

Use the feedback you received and your own ideas to write your best, final version below. Take your time — this is your finished piece!

🌟 Well done on completing your Matariki Writing Journey! Ngā mihi nui — thank you for your hard work.