Third grade is such an exciting time to learn about O`ahu Island. Our field trips are truly an integral part of that experience. March promises to be even more exciting with our preparations for the THIRD GRADE LU`AU!!! Are you wondering why we do so many projects in Hawaiian Studies? Students learn best through their experiences. For example, if you make kaula (cordage), you understand how the Hawaiians did it and what it was like to do that important activity. You learn what natural resources were used and the importance of sustainability. You also gain insight into the lifestyle of the Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. Our projects involve doing activities and making items that were essential for survival before Captain Cook arrived. Here are some examples:

We build model stick charts and study navigation to understand how things were lashed together such as canoes and homes. And we build a greater understanding of

the enormous task of creating the wa`a that made possible the settlement of the Pacific Islands.

We make kapa, which was used for clothing and bedding. We plait headbands and bracelets from lau hala, simulating the making of mats and canoe sails. We make an implement from a gourd. These same skills were needed to make containers for food and water. For our lu`au we will prepare foods patterned after the practices of the ancients.

All of these “hands on” projects contribute to understanding at deeper levels. They are done in tandem with reading, writing, and researching about the early Hawaiians. The goal is for Na Hoku to gain these essential understandings and key concepts in our year of Hawaiian Studies:

Early Hawaiians understood, used, and conserved their natural resources in order to survive and flourish. Plants and animals were used to support the culture of the early Hawaiians. The Hawaiians had a social structure and land division system (known as the ahupua`a) that supported their culture.

The Polynesians were extremely successful natural adventurers who used both the sea and sky to explore vast areas of the Pacific Ocean.

The last day of school before Spring Break is our LU`AU DAY on March 18. Classes will resume on Tuesday, March 29.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS:

GRADE 3 MUSIC PERFORMANCE (Thursday, April 7 at 1:00) Details to follow. MAY DAY (Friday, April 29 at 1:00) See you in the Gym! HO`IKE CELEBRATION & ALOHA BREAKFAST (Friday, May 20 from 8:15-9:30)

Our HO`IKE will feature a student-driven presentation of our Hawaiian Studies learning this year. Nā Hōkū will be choosing their topics to share, writing their own scripts, and selecting the songs! Meet your child in HŌKŪ HEAVEN at 8:15 for this program. Afterwards you will be treated to his/her individual collections of technology-based learning. This compilation will contain original computer-generated graphics, digital artwork, spreadsheets, graphs, photographs, word-processed documents, and other creations (using MicroWorlds, ComicLife, PowerPoint, Keynote, Word, Excel, Animationish and Inspirations) that integrate our Social Studies, Language Arts, Math and Science curriculum. Then we'll all enjoy a nice breakfast together on the Hau Tree Lanai.

My sincerest MAHALO to everyone for volunteering

to kokua in so many ways for our LU`AU!!! Me ke aloha pumehana! J Haunani