Tamahere Tupu: Tuakana - Teina

What:

A regular weekly feature of the transition to school program, Tamahere Tupu, that I established earlier this year is inviting a group of learners from the senior syndicate to come and meet our transition students and read and play with them. We start by introducing ourselves and sharing a 'fun fact' which serves to break the ice and provide an initial connection and point of interest between the two groups, further to this it provides and ideal oral language experience for our younger pupils, some of whom are still developing their skills in this area.

The children are then asked to choose books that interest them from a pile of readers and the senior students are paired with the younger ones to whom they read. They are asked to model basic pre reading skills and do this happily enjoying the chance to be a role model. When the reading has finished the children are encouraged to play with some of the open ended resources available to them and chat with each other. Sometimes I suggest topics like 'What's great about our School' but most commonly my intervention is not needed.

When we pack up I talk with the group, particularly focussing on the senior students about their role as part of a Tuakana/Teina relationship. They look forward to seeking out and supporting the school starters when they become pupils at school.

So What:

The reciprocal relationship started between our older students and students starting school provides both groups with so much in their learning journey. 

The school starters are given the opportunity to meet students from throughout the school and therefore have familiar points of contact when they start. They get a mini literacy experience at a level that is appropriate to them without any pressure to know how to read but helps them become familiar with school readers and some of the basic skills associated with reading. Their is a chance for open ended play and the associated dialogue that comes with this across the whole group. The starters have people to look out for them at break times, connect with them in the playground and help them as needed.

The senior students also gain from these positive interactions. They have a chance to provide gentle leadership in the school setting and be the experts about their own environment which they happily and proudly share with the younger students. They are able to 'teach' and share some of their skilled reader knowledge and ability which enables them to consider what their buddies might be interested in and need while they're reading and playing with them. It gives them a chance to be the Tuakana and guide and help someone through a time of change and transition and make this as positive as they can.

Now What:

Continue to provide opportunities during our Tamahere Tupu sessions for these connections to grow between different groups of students.

Discuss with our older students their ideas for these interactions and incorporate these ideas as appropriate.

Develop and inquiry around transistion to School programs and look at best practise and research around fostering relationships at school within this setting.

STP 5.5

STP6

Tamsin

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