interaction and change
 : Legends
Approach: One to one
1.8Mb
Resources: Video, five proverb cards, 4 pictures.

Maui and the Sun

A long time ago the sun moved so quickly across the sky that the people couldn't get their work done. Maui decided to catch the sun to make it move more slowly. He couldn't do this on his own so he asked his brothers to help him.

After making strong ropes Maui and his brothers travelled through the night to surprise the sun.

When they reached the pit where the sun hid they got ready for it to rise.

 As its fiery dazzling flames rose they threw their magic ropes and caught the sun. And that is why the days are now long enough for people to do their work.

The great big enormous turnip.
Once upon a time an old man planted a little turnip and said "Grow, grow little turnip, grow sweet. Grow, grow little turnip, grow strong". And the turnip grew up sweet and strong and big and enormous. Then one day the old man went to pull it up. He pulled and pulled again, but he could not pull it up on his own. So he called the old woman. They both pulled together but couldn't pull it up. So they called their granddaughter to help. But still they couldn't pull it up. They called the dog to help, but they still couldn't pull it up. The dog called the cat to help but they still couldn't pull it up. The cat called the mouse to help. They pulled and pulled again, and up came the turnip at last.

Questions / instructions:
We'll start this activity by looking at a short video of two legends. I want you to think about the important messages in the stories you watch.
Show video
% responses
y4
y8

1. As well as telling stories, legends often have special meanings or messages for people. What do you think is the main message that both of the legends are telling us — not the stories, but the messages for people?

Explanation of main message: correct and clear
on right lines, but vague
13
14
43
20

Place the proverb cards on the table in front of the student in order A–E
Here are some cards with messages on them. I'll read them to you using the words written in English.
2. I want you to choose two cards that have messages similar to the message in the legends, then tell me why you have chosen them.

A What I hold and look after belongs to me.
Na-ku ano- ra- ta-ku whakairanga.


B You at that handle and I at this handle of the basket.
Ko koe ki te-na-, ko ahau ki te-nei ki-wai o te kete.
Cards match chosen message: first choice
38
67
C I can get food by using my own hands.
He kai kei a-ku ringaringa.
second choice
43
74
D It is good to be joyful and full of high spirits.
Kei te kamakama te tikanga.
Explanation of choices clear: first choice
16
54
E Haul in, all together, haul on the canoe.
Hui e, to-ia mai te waka.
second choice
16
57
 
1
2
   
3
4
Place the picture card in front of the student.
3. Two of the pictures on this card show things being done in ways that follow the message of the legends. I want you to chose two pictures and tell me why you think they are similar to what the legends tell us.
Pictures match chosen message:
first choice
second choice
63
56
81
85
Explanation of choices clear:
first choice
second choice
23
23
69
71
Commentary:
There is a distinct growth in ability to understand, interpret and explain the underlying meanings in legends and proverbs from year 4 to year 8, although quite high numbers of students at both levels struggled to identify the messages intended in the two traditional tales as they related to human enterprises. Year 8 students, in particular, were more confident in the part of the task that required them to identify parellels between traditional contexts and contemporary activities.
 
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