Matariki 2018

Kia ora koutou,

Tenei wiki kei te ako matou e pa ana ki Matariki. 

Our chat will be on Wednesday 13 June.

Matariki is the Māori name for the star cluster known as the Pleiades. Traditionally for Māori when it appeared just before dawn in late May or early June, it signalled the start of the Māori New Year. Different tribes celebrated Matariki at different times.  For some it was when Matariki rose in May/June. For others it was celebrated at the first new moon, or full moon, following the rising of Matariki. In the 21st century it is the new moon following the rising of Matariki that signals the New Year. This year Matariki begins on the 15th of June.
I think that it is awesome to develop our knowledge of our collective heritage and identity.  

This made me wonder.........in your opinion or culture, when is New Year?  So get your curiosity and wondering brains in gear and challenge yourself to ask..... Is today really today? Does everyone around the world have the same date and time, or calendar as we use in New Zealand.

In preparation for our chat:

1. Design a poster to advertise Matariki (incorporate the star cluster and the time of year)

2. Watch the following videos 

This clip will help you learn all the names of the Matariki stars - enjoy singing along with Room 5 from Mahora Primary School- Awesome effort Miss Boaler and Rm 5



Questions:

1. What is Matariki?

2. There are two meanings to Matariki. Can you tell us what they are?

3. Matariki is referred to as the 'Māori New Year'.  When do other cultures/religions celebrate the New Year?

4. What does the rising of Matariki signal to the Māori?

5. Matariki played a significant role in determining when to plant foods such as kūmara (sweet potatoes). What did clear, bright stars indicate?

6. Matariki is a cluster of stars.  Do you know of any other star clusters or constellations in our southern skies?

7. Share with us the poster that you have designed and tell us about it.

8. In your opinion is Matariki important enough to be recognised as a National Holiday in NZ, if so why?



Have you tried a digital breakout with your class? There is a Matariki one coming soon.
Check out the link here

https://sites.google.com/view/mldavidson/digital-breakouts

See you on Wednesday 13 June.

Juliet Revell