Te+Reo+in+learning+stories

To continue supporting our Te Reo in the centre we have made a commitment to incorporating this into our learning stories and documentation (Planning stories).

In November 2010 we reflected on the Halloween disco and used the following words: Kai (Food) Ka pai tau mahi ( your work is good) Whanaungatanga (Familiness)

May 2012 we added more reo to our documentation

Mana (prestige) Tamariki (Children) Kaiako (Teacher) whanau (Families)

July 2012 we learnt a new Waiata "Tutira mai nga iwi"

Tutira mai nga iwi Tatou tatou e Whaia te maramatanga Me te aroha ~ E nga iwi Kia ko tapatahi Kia kotahi ra Tatou, tatou e (Last time X 2)

It was interesting that when we went onto u-tube to access the actions that no early childhood group was featured, we then went to global and found a canadian primary school which we used. This has provoked us the thought that maybe when we become experts we can u-tube our actions.

October 2012

We created a video of a group of our older children who performed" Tutira mai nga iwi" and shared this link with our families. This interest has been shared in many different countries such as Fiji, Scotland, England, South Africa. These countries are where our whanau have their ancestral ties. To view go to www.youtube.com and search River Valley Kindergarten.

November 2012

Whaea Tina has introduced the Karanga e kaipara waiata which is the waiata the local schools and affiliated marae use. We wish to be able to perform this waiata for any guests we have who visit us and for important occasions such as powhiri and the opening and blessing of our new building next year.

Karanga e Kaipara e te iwi e haere mai haerea mai haere mai Mauria mai nga taonga te aroha e Whitiki tia ra i roto i Te manawa e kia rite ake nga wawata

February 2013

We purchased a set of books written by Sharon Holt and illustrated by Deborah Hinde. The books are titled: Maranga Mai! Kei te Peke Ahau Anei Ke.

Each book has a picture song book with a CD and we are beginning with Maranga Mai. An example of this book is:

He aha te tangi a te kau? (What does the cow say)? Mu Mu Te Tangi a te kau (That is what the cow says)

The book continues with the same sentence structure using Ngeru (cat), Hoiho (horse), Poaka (pig), Kuri (dog),Hipi (sheep), Tame heihei (rooster) and Kai pamu (farmer). We will offer this sentence structure for this term and revise it in term two 2013. We made a magnetic story using the picture of the animals and ask the children to contribute the names of the animals in Te Reo. We see this learning as professional development for teachers alongside our ability to continue out Te Reo language development.

June 2014

We have purchased the newest book in the set of 6 that is Matariki by Sharon Holt and illustrated by Deborah Hinde. This book has been very relevant as this month is the beginning of the Māori new year. The book is based on a family that wakes before dawn to see the Matariki stars and throughout the day the celebrations are enjoyed from extended family, harvesting produce and time for singing and games before the feast that everyone helps out with.

This term we have also been focusing on singing Karanga e Kaipara and the actions that has been huge benefit for all our children. Another song that we are currently teaching the children is Pungawerewere creating his web that has allowed a better understanding of our te reo within the song.