Activity for ‘The Pipi Swing’ – NZ Pacific Picture Book Collection

The Pipi Swing

by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa

Set in New Zealand, this story tells of a 12-year-old girl and her special relationship with her grandparents. As a way of coming to terms with her father’s death several years back, her Gran and Gramps tell her they are going to take her out dancing, to learn the “pipi swing”. Although reluctant at first, the girl discovers that the “pipi swing” is her grandparents’ term for digging for pipi to eat. She also discovers that this is a way they remember her father, having done the same thing many times with him as a child. This book was nominated because it is a sophisticated picture book which could be used with older children. The illustrations are appealing and it is thought children would enjoy seeing “brown faces” like theirs in a book. It was also nominated because it discusses topics that many Pacific Island children will relate to.

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: FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS: A Special Person (English/ Health & Physical Education)
Curriculum Level	1 & 2 (see curriculum links at the end of the activity)
NZC Key Competencies	thinking using language, symbols and text relating to others participating and contributing
Description	1. Read the story with the children. After reading, talk about the girl in the story and the special relationships she has with the people in her family – her mother, her grandparents and her father (who has passed away). Ask: Who is special to her? How do we know? What special things does she do to show she cares for the people in her family? Does she enjoy spending time with the people in her family? What special things does she enjoy doing with them? 2. Encourage the children to think about one special person in their family… it might be a parent, a grandparent, aunty or uncle, brother, sister or cousin. Can you think of a person in your family who is special to you? Why are they special to you? Do you enjoy doing some special things together? What things? What do you do to show this person that they are special to you? What do they do to show that you are special to them? 3. Take children through a visualization, so that they are able to bring up a very clear, vivid memory of one special time with their family member (like the girl’s “pipi swing” experience with her grandparents): I want you to think of one really special time that you had with this person in your family. Just one time. Where are you? What are you doing? How old are you? What are you saying to each other? How are you feeling at this time? Is anyone else there? Children may wish to share their memory with a buddy, or with the class. Being able to share their thoughts will help them to organise their ideas for writing. At Level 1, children could draw a picture of their memory At Level 2, children could create a written plan of their memory, trying to get all of the detail down that they can. 4. This could lead on to writing about their special family memory. Children could write about what happened and how they felt at the time. The children’s writing could be published and put together in a class book, if appropriate, for children to look back over.
Materials	paper, pens, pencils for writing
Curriculum Links	EnglishListening, Reading and Viewing recognise and identify ideas within and across texts (Level 1) show some understanding of ideas within, across and beyond texts (Level 2) Speaking, Writing and Presenting form and express ideas on a range of topics (Level 1) select, form and express ideas on a range of topics (Level 2) Health & Physical Education Personal Health & Physical Development Personal Identity describe themselves in relation to a range of contexts (Level 1) identify personal qualities that contribute to a sense of self-worth (Level 2) Relationships with Other People Relationships explore and share ideas about relationships with other people (Level 1) identify and demonstrate ways of maintaining and enhancing relationships between individuals and within groups (Level 2) Interpersonal Skills express their own ideas, needs, wants and feelings clearly and listen to those of other people (Level 2) express their ideas, needs, wants and feelings appropriately and listen sensitively to other people and affirm them (Level 2)
Links to other PPBC books	*Tulevai and the Sea* by Joy CowleyA Quilt for Kiri by Don Long *Selafina* by Catherine Hannken *Fiapule* by Catherine Hannken *Talia* by Catherine Hannken *Papa’s Donuts* by Lino Nelisi *Papa’s Jandals* by Lino Nelisi *Turtle Songs: A Tale for Mothers and Daughters* by Margaret Olivia Wolfson – all of these books describe close family relationships.
Other Ideas	talking and writing about death/ losing a loved one (English)