Getting to know Papatūānuku
Our new inquiry cycle explores Māori atua. We will be learning their stories, family connections and roles in Te Ao Māori. Tales of atua are used to explain aspects of the natural world. Viewing nature and our familiar places through the lens of atua can help to bring us closer to the natural world. Atua can also provide a way to understand and express our moods and emotions.
We are beginning our learning with Papatūānuku because she is the beginning of everything in the natural world. Here is what Te Ara has to say about her:
'In Māori tradition and history, Papatūānuku is profoundly important. Papatūānuku is the land, a mother earth figure who gives birth to all things of the world and imparts many blessings to her children. '
We often find that our Autahi students come to school with lots of knowledge about Te Ao Māori. We asked them what they knew already about Papatūānuku (Papa).
Many students know that Papa is the Earth. They are also familiar with the story of Rangi and Papa. This student has drawn Tāne separating his parents, and has even included a blue, tearful Tāwhirimātea in the picture (who would rather the separation did not happen).
Our aim is to expand our students' knowledge of Papa beyond this story. We hope to deepen their understanding of who she is and what she represents. Our Autahi students have also told us that they are interested in exploring how we can care for her, introducing the theme of environmental responsibility.
This week, we took our place as a starting point and went for a walk together to see where we could find Papatūānuku in our school grounds.
We captured our ideas in our writing.
Already, we have begun to think more deeply Papatūānuku and where she can be found and experienced. Our explorations will continue next week!
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