All Articles
He hokinga maaramatanga – he hokinga maramataka
He hoa haaere te maanawatia aa Mataariki i te whakanuia te maramataka Maaori. Kei te whai ake aa Ako i ngaa koorero oo te waa mai ngaa kura puta noa i te motu, me ngaa painga oo roto.A return to wisdom – understanding maramataka Maaori
Alongside celebrations of Mataariki there has been a growing interest in the Maaori calendar. Ako finds out how schools around the country are benefitting from following the maramataka.
Pandemic innovations
COVID-19 forced schools and early childhood centres to rethink the way they delivered learning. Ako talks to educators who have found the silver linings and are looking to the future.
Don’t stream away my dreams
What is streaming and is it helping or harming our tamariki? Auckland University professor Christine Rubie-Davies gives her view on the problems with ability grouping in Aotearoa.
Time to learn from each other
As she steps down from her role as Kaihautū Rangahau Chief Researcher at NZCER Cathy Wylie shares some of her wisdom on how we can learn from each other.
Starlight Reserve
A poem by Rangi Faith
Spring 2022: Book reviews
Reviews of thirteen excellent new books for kaiako and ākonga.
Embracing change
As we emerge from one of the hardest winters in recent times, I’m pleased to share this spring edition of Ako, which imagines a brighter future for our tamariki.
The place we stand – connecting to the land in Tāmaki Makaurau
Exploring local history is one way schools can connect to the new Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum. Ako caught up with two Auckland schools who are uncovering local history right under their feet.
Nō hea koe? Where are you from?
Many schools and ECE centres already use Aotearoa histories as a powerful tool to engage tamariki in learning. Personal stories of migration are at the heart of it.
Kua tuku iho
Tae atu ki ēnei tau tata nei, he rautaki a te kāwana kia whakawarewaretia āna ake mahi tūkino ki a ngāi Māori. He aha ngā whakaaro o ngā kura Māori e hāngai ana ki te whakaakoranga o ngā kōrero tuku iho me ngā hītori o Niu Tīreni?
Finding their tūrangawaewae
How early childhood centres are weaving past into present to grow tamariki to be confident in their identity and belonging.
Mana and morale
Our local communities are rich sources of history and support but building these networks takes time, effort and dedication. Ako finds out how one Kāhui Ako is connecting with local iwi and sharing knowledge amongst member schools to build understanding, connections and tikanga.
History can hurt
In interviews with practitioners Ako asks how kaiako can prepare for difficult conversations in the classroom that might arise when teaching Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories.
Begin with a mountain
A poem by Nina Mingya Powles.
The importance of engaging difficult knowledge in schools
Liana MacDonald discusses how mainstream New Zealand society resists difficult knowledge about the past both at sites of historical colonial violence and through mundane interactions between teachers.
Walking backwards into our future
What has climate change got to do with teaching our past? NZEI Te Riu Roa Communities Organiser Conor Twyford discusses how, in order to navigate well into our collective future, we need to clearly understand our past.A welcome change
I’m excited to be sharing this histories issue of Ako with you, focussing on the challenges, impact and importance of studying our past.
Autumn 2022: Book reviews
Reviews of eight brilliant new books for kaiako and ākonga.Kua tuku iho – handing down our past
Until recently, the historical misdeeds towards Māori have been swept under the carpet, with the hope that they would be forgotten. The Aotearoa Histories curriculum is one step towards changing this. What do kura Māori think about this change and the importance of teaching our past?
Te Whare Tapa Whā – the four sides of wellbeing
Education professionals will know the popular hauora model Te Whare Tapa Whā, but what does it mean in practice? Ako finds out.
Let tamariki get stuck in
One of the most powerful forces in tamariki wellbeing is their own voice. Read about how these schools let tamariki lead the way.
Joy, Colour, Wonder, Fun, Life: Wellbeing and the Arts
Making art helps us slow down, process our feelings, and gives us permission to care for ourselves. Ako talks to schools who use art practice to support hauora and bring in joy, colour and wonder.