ANZAC Commemoration

This week New Zealanders have been preparing for the 100th year commemoration of our ANZAC's. As part of our learning we have been investigating the history of the ANZAC's. 

Today we experienced life as a soldier by building trenches and then hiding out in them while we listened to the sounds of war. We then wrote letters home to our parents letting them know how we felt.

Indian Talking Sticks

Today we made Indian talking sticks in class.

The talking stick is an instrument of aboriginal democracy used by many tribes. The talking stick is passed around a group or used only by leaders as a symbol of their authority and right to speak in public. In a tribal council circle, a talking stick is passed around from member to member allowing only the person holding the stick to speak. This enables all those present at a council meeting to be heard, especially those who may be shy. Talking sticks have high ceremonial and spiritual value, and have proved to be exceedingly useful during current implementations (Wikipedia, 2015)

We will be using our talking sticks within the classroom as a tool to help us follow the Golden Rules (we listen, we work hard and we are kind and respectful) by respecting the person who has the class talking stick and is talking.

All materials were provided to the children. However, to help make our talking sticks more personal children brought along a small token to identify their own stick. For example, an old necklace, beads, odd earrings or old coins. 

Kapa Haka

Every Tuesday morning we have Kapa Haka. We have been learning lots of new songs. This week we also got to play a game with rakau. The children are learning to understand and use directions in Maori. They are learning left (maui) and right (matau). 

St Joseph's Day

On Thursday 19th March was St Joseph's Day. We celebrated the day with a School Mass followed by a tabloid challenge. It was great too have Matata join us.