Lesson Plan : Kumulipo

Title: Kumulipo – The Hawaiian Creation Story

Grade Level: Grade 4

Time Frame: 45 minutes

Standards:

Standard 3: History: PRE-CONTACT HAWAII HISTORY-Understand the people, events, problems, and ideas that were significant in pre-contact Hawaiian history

Benchmark S.S. 4.3.1 – Explain the origins and culture of early Hawaiians

Technology: ELMO

Objectives:

Students will be able to write a response using evidence found in the text for support.

Materials:

 YouTube video: Kumulipo Hawaiian Chant (2 ½ minutes)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a-ovHYBP7c

 Kumulipo with translation

http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/ku/ku25.htm#chant16

 Kumulipo Table Worksheet

 ELMO

Procedures:

Engage & Motivate:

 Show YouTube video: Kumulipo Hawaiian Chant (2 ½ minutes)

 Ask students what they know about the Kumulipo

Explore & Explain:  Introduce the history of the Kumulipo about how it is the Hawaiian Creation Story.

 Explain to students that is separated into 16 wā (eras); the first 8 from pō (darkness) and the second 8 from ao (light).

 Also introduce Kumulipo Table Worksheet.

 Explain to students how we will fill in our charts based on the Kumulipo chant. This will be the student’s reference worksheet.

 Walk-through of the worksheet while referencing to the Kumulipo

16 wā (eras):

1. Land rose from the ocean: birth of coral and shellfish

2. Birth of fish in the sea and forest growth

3. Birth of winged creatures: first insects, then birds

4. Birth of amphibians: turtles

5. Birth of night diggers: pigs

6. Birth of nibblers: rats

7. Birth of dogs

8. Birth of Ki`i- man, Kane- God, Kanaloa- Octopus

9. Kane & Kiì births Laìlaì- woman (demi-god)

10. Birth of more children

14. Birth of Papa- Mother earth & Wakea- Father sky

15. Birth of Maui

16. Birth Keawe the Lono-i-ka-makahiki  When walking though the chart, read parts from the Kumulipo

 Assist students when needed.

Accommodate & Modify:

 To help students with their charts, the sample will be a visual to help their understanding.

Evaluate:

 Students may be assessed on their charts by checking that each section of the table is completed.

Elaborate & Extend:

 To understand the 8 wā (eras) of pō (darkness), a game similar to BINGO can be played- matching pictures to the 8 wā.