Matariki and Education

Incorporating the Celebration into School Curriculums

Matariki is a significant event in New Zealand that is celebrated every year in honor of the Māori New Year. The celebration usually takes place in June or July and is a time for reflection, giving thanks, and setting intentions for the upcoming year. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to incorporate Matariki into the school curriculum as a way of promoting cultural awareness and understanding among students.

Why Incorporate Matariki into School Curriculums?

One of the key reasons to incorporate Matariki into school curriculums is to help promote cultural awareness and understanding among students. New Zealand is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage, and Matariki is an important part of that heritage. By incorporating Matariki into the curriculum, schools can help students learn about and appreciate the cultural traditions of the Māori people.

In addition to promoting cultural awareness, incorporating Matariki into the curriculum can also have a positive impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. Studies have shown that students who are taught in culturally responsive classrooms are more engaged and have better academic outcomes than those who are not.

How to Incorporate Matariki into School Curriculums?

There are many ways that schools can incorporate Matariki into their curriculums. One of the easiest ways is to integrate Matariki into existing subjects, such as social studies, language arts, and science. For example, students can learn about the cultural significance of Matariki in social studies, read Māori myths and legends in language arts, and study the astronomy of the Pleiades cluster in science.

Another way to incorporate Matariki into the curriculum is to hold a school-wide celebration. This can include activities such as creating Matariki art, cooking traditional Māori foods, and performing cultural dances and songs. Schools can also invite members of the local Māori community to share their knowledge and experiences with the students.

Benefits of Incorporating Matariki into School Curriculums

Incorporating Matariki into school curriculums has many benefits for students, teachers, and the wider community. Some of these benefits include:

1. Promoting cultural awareness and understanding among students
2. Increasing student engagement and learning outcomes
3. Fostering a sense of community and connectedness among students and teachers
4. Encouraging the preservation of cultural traditions and heritage
5. Helping to promote a more inclusive and culturally responsive society.

Matariki and Education: How Incorporating the Celebration into School Curriculums Can Benefit Students and Promote Cultural Awareness

Incorporating Matariki into school curriculums is an important step towards promoting cultural awareness and understanding among students. By teaching students about the cultural traditions and significance of Matariki, schools can help foster a more inclusive and culturally responsive society. Additionally, incorporating Matariki into the curriculum can have a positive impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. As such, it is important for schools to consider incorporating Matariki into their curriculums in order to reap these benefits.