Maori Language Week

This week we celebrated Maori Language Week.

As the Lead Teacher for Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga is it my responsibility to engage all staff and tamariki in celebrating this important kaupapa.

As a committee we meet to discuss possible activities for the week.  In light of the many varied learning opportunities already planned for term 2 and given the fact that we have just celebrated Matariki at the end of term 2 we chose to keep our celebrations 'low key' this year.

The following is a copy of the information/expectations shared with the staff regarding Maori Language Week.

Maori Language Week 2015

Term 3, Week 2, 27-31 July

Celebration Expectations and Events

Theme: Whangaihia Nga Matua—Helping Parents to pass on Te Reo Maori to their tamariki.

It is expected that all children will be involved in activities related to celebrating and learning Te Reo Maori with the main focus being to pass on this knowledge to their parents/caregivers.  The suggested way of doing this is for the tamariki to make and then take home something/a resource each day to help encourage their parents/caregivers to learn and share Te Reo Maori as well.  If they do not make something for each day it is expected that they will have a more major resource to take home on the Friday instead.

Suggested resources for children to make are …

Make a board game, phrase cards—one for each day, Phrase booklet, jigsaw puzzle, flashcards (Quizlet), bingo games, online games (http://www.classtools.net/_mobileQuiz/index.php) slideshows, a mini resource box with a variety of activities inside, posters, labels for around the home, make titi torea, make Mutorere game boards.  Brainstorm ideas with your tamariki and have fun learning Te Reo Maori!!!

Website links for ideas and information:

http://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/te-wiki-o-te-reo-maori-maori-language-week

www.maorilanguage.net

www.nzhistory.net.nz/.../maori-language.../history-of-the-maori-language...

www.korero.maori.nz

Resources from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo will be ordered and distributed when the arrive.

Kia ora, Kiri :)

In Ti Kouka we chose to make something to take home each day.  We made bookmarks, kiwaha placemats, and Mu Torere game boards.

Overall the feeling from the staff was that our celebrations were appropriate and successful.  Several classes worked with their Tuakana Teina class which enhanced whanaungatanga, ako and manaakitanga!

Tapatapahia ana!  Whakanuia Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori!

Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga - Staff Workshop Week 3

On Tuesday 5 May I facilitated a refresher staff workshop.  The focus was to revisited the three main second language acquisition methodologies that we use to teach Te Reo Maori kupu and kiwaha.

We revisited the IRDPX and iPpit methodologies.  We revisited the Sandwich methodology which we use mainly for kiwaha/phrase teaching.  We also reconnected the 11 Principles of Instructed Second Language Acquisition (Ellis Erlam Sakui 2) with these methodologies.

It was a timely workshop especially for a few staff who are new to our school/different year levels this year.

We also discussed the Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga committees plan for our Matariki Celebration in Week 9 and gave the staff a 'heads up' in regards to Maori Language Week in week 2 of Term 3.

The workshop ran smoothly and everyone felt it was a good refresher!  Mauri ora!

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Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga - Staff Meeting update

This afternoon Norah and I shared our reviewed Maori Achievement Strategy and Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga Implementation with our staff.  At the end of 2014 Norah and I met to revise/update these two documents.  They were first written at the end of 2011 and were due for revision.

I lead the meeting with support from Norah.  We displayed the documents using the projector.  Both Norah and I spoke to the documents explaining the updates and making clear links to why and how we meet the needs of our Maori learners.  Some key concepts that we have now made more explicit is the concept of Student Well-being being more than just ensuring our tamariki are fed, clothed and ready to learn.  It includes providing learning opportunities for our tamariki to engage in learner that is appropriate for them and their whanau - knowing our learners and catering to all their needs not just physical needs but mental and emotional needs as well.  This is at times challenging but worthwhile and rewarding.  We intend to build the leadership of our tamariki this year by providing opportunities for them to develop and share their 'hidden' talents and abilities.

This was a timely update as often we get stuck doing what we are doing because it's what we do.  We do know why we are doing or teaching something but our Implementation Plan which links directly to our Maori Achievement Strategy are the basis for our teaching and including Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga into all aspects of learning at James Street School.

Week 2 Staff Meeting - At Risk 2015

This afternoon Ana Byrne lead us through identifying prior learners for our At Risk registers.

We identified children who were at risk when measuring their end of 2014 data with the current national standards. From their we established SMART goals for one or two children in preparation for completing the rest of the At Risk IEP's.

This workshop was valuable for recognising the need for accurate data collection and knowing your learners.

Bring on the At Risk register!!! Due to Ana in week 4 - teach it daily for 5 weeks, then review and hand in to Ana in week 5.

Powerpoint

Back into 2015!

Well the 2015 school year has begun. Had our first Senior Syndicate meeting today. Was great to see everyone again. Roz lead our meeting which consisted of revisiting expectations for teaching. This year Roz has given us each a folder which contains relevant but important information about J.S.S and what we believe, think, do and expect in regards to teaching and learning. It will be added to throughout the year but it is our 'go to' folder. We also discussed up coming events and lastly collaboratively planned our Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga unit for term one. It was a good way to wake our brains up and get them thinking again after having a rest during the holidays. A great start to the year!

Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga at James Street School

So today I met again with our Principal Norah Schreiber.

As Lead Teacher for Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga it is my responsibility to lead the Te Reo Maori Committee in order to meet our Charter goals and policies.  In 2011 Norah and I co-contructed our school's Maori Achievement Strategy, our Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga Implementation Plan and our Two-yearly Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga Foci Plan.

The aim of our meeting to-day was to reflect and revise these documents now that we are three years on since their implementation.

We have therefore made some additions to the M.A.S and I.P to include greater emphasis on Student Leadership, Well-being, Engagement and Hauora as well as fostering productive partnerships with students, whanau, teachers, school and community.

So we are all set now to continue teaching Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga in 2015 with our updated documents which will be added to each teacher's resource Kete for future reference.

It was a productive, engaging and exciting meeting in regards to the future of Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga at James Street School.

Parakuihi i te Kura

Parakuihi i te Ata

So I tried to blog this event when it happened but seems like the school's network doesn't like my phone and won't let me upload directly from my phone.  But anyway, I digress ... So these photos we taken at our whole school breakfast which is a community event we host usually once a year.  We invite all our whanau's to attend.  All staff are involved in preparing and serving breakfast.  Today was a lovely day!  

My first blog post for labels