Matariki

As part of our learning about Matariki, Haumia has been looking at deep space images of the Helix Nebula, the Pinwheel Galaxy and the Butterfly Nebula.

We used chalk pastel on black paper to create our own star systems.

(Thanks to 'Your Matariki Kete' published by Stardome for the idea)

This amazing art is on display down the hallway from our classroom...you should check it out!

We have also joined in with the rest of the middle school with learning sessions that focused on Matariki.

In one session, students created stars by weaving flax...

In another session, students were able to learn about the game Mū Tōrere as well as traditional string games from Maori culture and create their own patterns with string...

And in a third session, students were read the book 'Matariki' by Melanie Drewrey. 

During this time, students learnt that there are different stories about the stars in the Matariki constellation.

Some people say that the stars are:

- seven sisters

- houses of the gods where the spirits of the departed go

- seven chiefs looking down with one eye open each

- the prow of a giant waka in the sky

- a mother and her six daughters

- a star that Tane became jealous of so he smashed it into seven pieces

...these stories became inspiration when creating a feather for a korowai...

What an awesome time of learning it has been!