Tuesday, September 23, 2008

whanau day



This past week I went to my second whanau day (pronounced fawn-o) since arriving.  Whanau day is parent's day at the  primary school and happens towards the end of each term.  The first time I went I was still so overwhelmed with the cultural changes that I did not absorb much of the day.  This time around I knew what to expect and so did Elena!  We began the day in the gym with the rest of the school for a singing time.  Each Thur. morning the kids have singing time in the gym.  The songs are sung in Maori and have a very Polynesian feel.  With the Maori's being of Polynesian decent, the same as the Hawaiians, the motions had a very soft hula feel to them.  The boys really got into the songs when they had parts that had haka elements.  (see previous blog)  Next we headed to Elena's classroom.  The only words I can think of to describe her room is "creative chaos"!  Miss Grant (the kids call her Miss) is very creative in her methods of teaching.  For example Elena has a project right now to start a business.  This includes working with a budget, buying a building, design and furnish building, create business cards, purchase equipment, hire and pay staff, etc.  This project is done by looking though the newspaper, adds, and searching the computer for information and items to buy.  All this is done with music playing.  You can see all the subjects touched in this one project.  The result of her creativity is no wall space to hang more learning tools.  Miss even has a fishnet attached to the ceiling with papers clothes-pinned to it!  After classroom it was tea time.  Parents brought a plate to pass (a snack) and we had a social time of visiting.  Whanau day has been a great way for me to get a glimpse of the cultural experience the kids are having.
No Worries - Kris

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