Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the youngest star in the Matariki cluster. Hiwa grants the “wishes of your heart” and helps us to realise our aspirations for the coming year. When Hiwa i te rangi is bright you are to plant your feet in the soil and say a karakia to help make your wishes come true.
This activity pack includes nine pages of rauemi. Including paper lanterns, karakia, star wishing activity, creating a time capsule and a poster of our phases of the moon.
Otherways to incorporate Hiwa-i-te-rangi into your teaching practice:
Encourage tamariki to express their hopes and dreams. Activities could include drawing or storytelling about their aspirations, fostering a sense of agency and self-belief.
Use Hiwa-i-te-rangi to teach tamariki about goal-setting and the interconnectedness of their personal aspirations with their community and environment. This can be through collaborative projects that reflect shared dreams.
Involve whānau in activities where they share their hopes and dreams for their tamariki and community. This could include family wish-writing sessions or community events where aspirations are shared and celebrated.
Promote emotional well-being by helping tamariki articulate their hopes and dreams, providing a sense of direction and purpose. Activities can include mindfulness and reflection sessions where tamariki think about what they wish for themselves and others.
Create a sense of belonging by integrating cultural practices related to Hiwa-i-te-rangi. Celebrate Matariki and involve tamariki in activities that express their dreams and ideas for the future, fostering a connection to their cultural heritage.
Encourage tamariki to contribute to the community by setting and working towards collective goals. This can include projects where they wish for positive changes in their environment and then take steps to make those changes happen.
Foster curiosity and exploration by encouraging tamariki to dream big and explore ways to achieve their aspirations. This can involve creative play, inquiry-based learning, and problem-solving activities that align with their hopes.
Integrating Hiwa-i-te-rangi with Te Whāriki involves creating an environment where tamariki aspirations are valued and nurtured. By aligning the hope and dreams represented by Hiwa-i-te-rangi with the principles and strands of Te Whāriki, kaiako can foster a sense of purpose, cultural connection, and community, providing a rich, meaningful learning experience for all tamariki.
