For Term 2, I have continued to do CRT for all classes throughout Tautoro School and tried to explore and interpret whakatauki and use kiwaha especially those more relevant to the Aotearoa Histories Curriculum.
Much discussion has taken place with akonga from different classes regarding Maori settlement, exploration and occupation of Aotearoa (after watching various relevant videos and sharing texts.) Inevitably, there have been opportunities to learn whakatauki which help explain key moments in history, important places and celebrated ancestors. I, myself, have found it extremely interesting to find the origins and meanings of the sayings and associated stories to help understand the history of Maori people and the land, particularly of the Taitokerau. Thus AKO (reciprocal learning) has been prevalent.
As my knowledge has increased, I have enjoyed sharing whakatauki with akonga who in turn have made efforts to learn them and interpret them. These sayings have been a positive introduction to a world so far from the reality and understanding of akonga.
When Maori people arrived and settled in Aotearoa, the kiore (Pacific Rat) came with them. A number of whakatauki about kiore indicate that these creatures were an everyday part of Maori life and an important source of protein.
Ka titi kiore, ka hoki mai means when you hear the squeak of the rat, return home. (This whakatauki directs children to come home as evening falls- the time when the kiore became active.)
This saying stimulated the interest of the akonga regarding 'homes' and 'play activities' as well as 'time' of tamariki during the Colonisation Phase (1200-1400) and provided much comparison with their own realities.
As part of the inquiry into Matariki/Puanga there was an opportunity for Year 6 akonga to use charades to describe Matariki whakatauki . The akonga had fun guessing which whakatauki were being shown and then they interpreted them. Most were able to recall several whakatauki and explain them.
Ka kitea a Matariki, ka maoka te hinu'. When Matariki is seen, the fat of the kereru/kukupa is cooked. (Kererū (wood pigeon) were snared and preserved in fat during Matariki.)
Matariki hunga, Matariki ahunga nui. Matariki has many admirers, Matariki brings us together. (Matariki is a time to join with others to remember the past, celebrate the present and look to the future.)
