Maui and the fish

This week for Inquiry we have started learning about Maori myths and legends. 

The first one we learnt about was Maui and the fish, which is where New Zealand came from (or so the myth goes...)

First we watched this clip - 

First we talked about who was in the story and what happened...

Then the next day we watched it again and had a more in-depth brainstorm and discussion. 

As we watched it again, we paused it and talked about what had just happened.

All the words in red are words we used to describe what we saw, then later we tried to use these in our writing. 

Here are some students writing - 

Vaimoana

Tisharn

Dyzon

Junefia

Marlene

Janett

Learning about prefixes, suffixes and root words.

This week we are learning about different kinds of words, and things that make up a word.

Then we did a sorting activity on Tuesday for prefixes and on Wednesday for suffixes.

We had to sort out all the words we were given into groups of what prefix or suffix they had..

Here is the 'ly' suffix group

and some others

On Thursday we did a cut and paste activity where we cut up words and separated its pieces into prefix, root word or suffix. 

Learning how to play Ki-o-rahi

Today we had our second Kiwi-sport session.

We learnt that there are different parts of the 'field', that relate back to the Legend. 

This is what it looks like..

But the cones seperate the different areas.

The red sticks on the outside are the pou.

Standing in te ara (the ice bridge)

Standing at tupu 

Geography of New Zealand

Later in the term, our inquiry will be about the history of New Zealand (starting week 5). 

First, Miss Ashley decided that we needed to build up our general knowledge about New Zealand otherwise when we learnt about the history, we couldn't relate it to anything and wouldn't really connect to the information.

First she gave us a puzzle map. We had to cut out all the little pieces and then try to put them onto the New Zealand outline. It was really difficult for some of us. 

When we could do that, Miss Ashley gave us a giant puzzle of New Zealand to complete in groups. It was the same one as the paper, but way bigger. 

Everybody worked together to figure it out.

We had a timed competition who could put the map together the fastest. Some brave students even tried the next level, which was to put the puzzle together, then label each region of New Zealand correctly. 

Next, we were given the name of a mountain in buddies or small groups to research. 

We had to find out 

- English and Maori name

- location

- how high it is

- how many summits it has

- what city or town it is near

Miss Ashley displayed our Google Drawings next to the map. This helps us see where our mountains actually are.

Next, we were given a city each in buddies or small groups to research. 

We had to find out

- English and Maori names

- location (what region it is in, north or south island?)

- population

- any famous landmarks around there

- what the city is famous for

Miss Ashley displayed our city work on the wall next to the map as well. 

We have learnt so much about New Zealand!