Sunday, November 28, 2010

Melville Intermediate - Maori Creation Story

In November 2010 I had the privilege of working with some students while on practicum at Melville Intermediate School. This group of Room 8 students studied the Māori Creation Story – Ranginui and Papatūānuku. The students learnt by listening and reading the creation story, using artworks to depict the kaitiaki (guardians / Gods) and learning about each kaitiaki in Te Reo Māori. Collaboration between Matua Hone and the students enabled a music piece to be set against the re-enactment drama that the students performed. The majority of the music soundtrack was Taonga Puoro (Māori musical instruments), the only exceptions being the heartbeat and the eruption sound at the end. The students played an instrument and their sounds can be heard within the music track. A fantastic group of students to work with and the results show that.
Mauri ora, Matua Hone.

The Maori Creation Story from myles webb on Vimeo.

5 comments:

  1. Dear Room 8,

    You did an amazing job retelling the Maori creation story! The way you mixed movement, text, and sound together to give a sense of the turbulent beginning was fantastic.

    I don't know anything about Maori creation stories (well, I guess I do now), but it was clear that there was a serious conflict that resulted in the beginning of the world. You did a great job portraying the mysterious beginning times and the brothers' struggle for freedom.

    Just excellent.

    From,
    Mr. Salsich
    Connecticut, USA

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  2. Oh Wow, Room 8 - I think this is your best "Creation" yet - please excuse the pun! How lucky you have been to have Matua Hone working with you!

    Mr Webb, I set you your next learning step... just imagine what this would like on green screen! ;-) I only say that because I shared at our breakout at U-Learn that was my goal for term 4... :) Easy as... he he.

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  3. Dear Room 8,

    Terrific work on the Maori Creation Story! The acting was supurb, the music added so much to the drama of the piece, and I thought the text slowly being revealed with each scene was perfection!

    Well done everyone!

    Your friend,
    Mrs. Y♥llis
    California

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  4. Congratulations Room 8. You have created a sensitive musical piece to accompany your mimed actions and narrative. I'm particularly impressed with your use of indigenous instruments, it's a very special taonga you have presented.
    I;d love to hear from the learners themselves as to what each one of you learned from this experience with Matua Hone.
    Well done
    Catherine Short - a colleague of Hone's

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  5. Dear Room 8
    You have certainly made a video story that you can all be proud of.
    I imagine the process of making the story has been just as important: learning about the instruments, creating the artworks, and deciding on the way you would tell the story.

    Well done.

    Kia Kaha
    from Mrs M♔K

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