Explore the traditional Maori culture of New Zealand. Then create a bird kite that really flies.

• 1.

  Kites may have originated in the South Sea Islands, where people used them to fish. In China, kites lifted people for military purposes. The Maori people of New Zealand used kites to celebrate their belief that birds could carry messages between people and the gods. Their god Rehua is depicted as a bird, and is considered to be the ancestor of all kites. As part of your exploration of Maori culture, make this kite, which can be flown.

• 2.

  Construct the spine and spar. With Crayola® School Glue, attach the edges of two or more sheets of newspaper to create one large sheet. You can also use craft paper. Use a 30-inch (76 cm) long dowel as the vertical spine of your kite. Place a second, somewhat shorter dowel over the spine, about one-third of the way down. This horizontal dowel is called the spar. Use light, strong string to tie the pieces together. Glue the string and air-dry it.

• 3.

  Ask an adult to cut a small notch in each end of your crossed dowels. Tie a loop in the end of a long string. Slide the string into the notch at the top of your crossed dowels and wrap it around the top of the dowel a few times. Pull the string snugly across the notch on one side of the spar and then through the bottom notch of the spine. Make a loop. Wrap the string around the bottom of the spine a few times, and then bring it up to the other side of the spar. Place it snugly in the notch, and then return it to the top of the spine. Wrap the string around the top a few times. Glue the string at the ends of each dowel. Your crossed dowels should lay flat and have a loop at both the top and the bottom.

• 4.

  Place your crossed dowels on the newspaper. With Crayola Erasable Colored Pencils, trace the outline of your kite, using the string as a guideline. Draw a second line 2 inches (5 cm) outside the outline. Use Crayola Scissors to cut out the kite on the outside line.

• 5.

  Paint your bird. Cover your art area with newspaper. Sketch your flying bird on the kite with your colored pencils. Use Crayola Tempera Paint and Brushes to paint the bird. Air-dry completely.

• 6.

  Assemble the kite. Turn the painted bird over. Place your dowel frame on the back of the kite. Fold the extra newspaper over the string and glue it in place. Air-dry the glue before continuing.

• 7.

  Turn the kite over. Cut a string longer than your kite’s height. Tie this string to the loop at the top. Tie a small loop in the string, slightly above the point where the two dowels cross each other. This string is called the bridle of your kite. Then tie the bridle to the loop at the bottom.

• 8.

  Tie another string, for the tail, to the bottom loop of your kite. Tie small strips of tissue paper to the string. (Traditional Maori kites did not have tails, so you can omit this step if you prefer.) Tie kite string to the bridle, and you’re ready to fly your kite! Be sure to do so safely! Adjust the spacing of the loop on the bridle and the length of the tail to increase your kite’s stability.

Standards

• LA: Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
• LA: Read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of grade level text's complexity band independently and proficiently.
• LA: Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
• LA: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade level topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
• MATH: Solve problems involving measurement and estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses of objects.
• SCI: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the roles of science and technology in the design process for developing and refining devices to understand the universe.
• SS: Describe ways in which language, stories, folktales, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence behavior of people living in a particular culture.
• SS: Use appropriate resources, data sources, and geographic tools to generate, manipulate, and interpret information.
• VA: Intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of experiences and ideas.
• VA: Select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of ideas.
• VA: Use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.
• VA: Describe and place a variety of art objects in historical and cultural contexts.

Adaptations

• Possible classroom resources include: Kite Flying by Grace Lin; Kites: Magic Wishes That Fly Up to the Sky by Demi; The Kite Surprise by Bill & Katie Frederick
• Encourage students to research the Maori culture and traditions. What popular movies were filmed in New Zealand? How accurately do these movies represent the Maori? What influence do the Maori have in New Zealand today?
• Use a world map to locate New Zealand. What landforms are located in this country? Look for mud pools, volcanoes, glaciers, and other phenomena. Why are these islands such a popular tourist destination?
• Research kites from various cultures? Create an original kite from each culture that you investigate. How does your kite reflect the culture?
• Windsocks are related to kites. Japan's windsocks are often made in the shape of car, which signify good luck in the Japanese culture. Create a fish-shaped windsock and hang it outside your classroom for good luck!