Essay Writing

Room 2 students were posed the question "Should Maori Language be Compulsory in Schools?" Their writing structure was based on the Hamburger model, that is, introduction (the bottom bun), filling (middle) and conclusion (the top bun). The class started with a brainstorm to gauge initial thoughts and feelings. Students also used a variety of 'thinking tools' to write down their ideas. This topic generated a flood of opinions and perspectives from my 30 students. Since we had covered the Treaty of Waitangi in Term 1, and then Maori Language Week this term, students had formed a predisposition about this hotly debated topic. It was therefore heartening to read that from the 30 students, Alyssa chose (and rightly so) to argue against the language being compulsory. Alyssa believes..."Outside of school, my family and I are hardly ever involved in any Maori activities. Learning te reo Maori would be an awesome skill, but not as important as the other compulsory subjects such as maths, reading etc". On the other hand Daniel says..."It is important for New Zealand’s heritage to keep the language alive, and if we do not encourage it then only a few will be able to talk Te reo and a part of our heritage may be lost". Stay tuned for some more excerpts from Room 2 students.