O Le Aso S Pa’epa’e
by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa
This is a Tupu reader in a series which has other language versions available in Sāmoan, Cook Islands Maori (Tāpati Tatau), Niuean (Aho he tau Fānau), Tokelauan (Aho Hā Paepae) and Tongan (Sāpate ‘o Fānau), as well as an English language version in the Ready to Read series, called White Sunday in Samoa. It tells the true story of a young boy named Tafu, who is getting ready to take part in White Sunday celebrations in Samoa – a special day which celebrates children. The text is supported by full colour photos which show Tafu’s preparations and special day of celebration with his family.
This book was nominated because Sarona Aiono-Iosefa is a respected author, and the real pictures were appealing. The celebration of White Sunday is important in Pacific Island culture, and so should be reflected in the collection.
Please note that these activities are suggestions which have not yet been trialled. We welcome any feedback on how they play out in the classroom (see the feedback section).
Activity: LANGUAGES OF THE PACIFIC (Learning Languages) |
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Curriculum Level | 1, 2 & 3 (see curriculum links at the end of the activity) |
NZC Key Competencies |
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Description |
This is a true story, which tells about a young boy’s preparations for White Sunday in Samoa. This story is available in 5 Pacific Island languages, as well as an English language version, so provides an excellent starting point for learning a new language.1. Invite older children or adults from the community, who are able to read and speak in any of the languages you wish to focus on. You may even have students in the class who are able to read and speak a Pacific Island language.Ask them to come and read the story and talk about the celebration of White Sunday. Encourage them to talk about the photos as they read, so that children can follow the ideas in the story, even if they do not understand the words.
2. After reading, ask the children if they recognized any of the words they heard in the story. They may have identified more common words like: mama, aunty, uncle. Some children may have also heard: fale (house), lavalava (skirt or dress), umu(oven). 3. Ask the visitor to teach the children some more vocabulary from their own language. Using this new vocabulary, children can make their own “memory” cards to play with. The cards should show words and pictures, and encourage students to say each word as they turn the cards over. At Level 3, children could be taught enough to begin constructing simple sentences of their own. 4. Ask the visitor to choose a short passage from the story. Have the words of this passage so that they are visible to all students, and have them learn how to read this passage, using correct pronunciation. Children could go away and practice with a buddy, then “perform” the passage to the class and visitor. |
Materials |
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Taking it further |
As part of the Language Knowledge strand of Learning Languages, students are required to “compare and contrast” languages. If you are focusing on more than one Pacific Island language, students could be involved in identifying aspects of different languages, which are similar or different to each other. |
Curriculum Links | Learning Languages Proficiency Descriptor
Communication Selecting and using language, symbols and texts to communicate
Participating and contributing in communities
Language Knowledge
Cultural Knowledge
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Links to other books in the PPBC |
Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street by Patricia GraceKa’akapera Tikai by Lino Nelisi
Tane Steals the Show by Lino Nelisi Sione’s Talo by Lino Nelisi My School Bag, My Preschool, When I go to Church by Tolo Pereira Upside-down Face by Lemalu Ros Afamasaga O Le Fa’aipoipoga by Emma Kruse Vaai The Woven Flax Kete by Angie Belcher – all of these books are available in dual or multi language versions, to support bilingual and new language learners. |
Other ideas |
Ministry of Education. (2003). TUPU: Notes for Teachers. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media
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