Pōtaka - Spinning top
This activity resource, from "Ngā mahi ā te rēhia - Games and pastimes", is part of the resource collection Te Ao Kori.
About this resource
This activity resource has instructions that help kaiako support ākonga in playing with a pōtaka (spinning top).
Kaiako can adapt and develop activities from the "Ngā mahi ā te rēhia - Games and pastimes" collection (years 1–10), which is part of the resource collection, Te Ao Kori, to meet the identified learning needs of ākonga.
Pōtaka - Spinning top
Explore the resource collection, Te Ao Kori
This activity resource collection, "Ngā mahi ā te rēhia - Games and pastimes", is part of the resource collection Te Ao Kori.
Ngā mahi ā te rēhia - Games and pastimes collection
Background information
Te Ao Kori collection
Tātaiako cultural competencies for teachers of Māori learners
Intended outcomes
Ākonga can:
- attempt the pōtaka (spinning top), and describe how they felt about it
- demonstrate positive interpersonal skills when participating in ngā mahi a te rēhia. For example, expressing support and providing encouragement to others, contributing ideas, valuing others ideas, and enjoying the feelings associated with competition in a supportive environment.
Suggested approach
Originally the pōtaka (the top) was handmade and cherished. This game involved spinning the top and was often competitive.
Ākonga experiment with ways of spinning the top so that the top stays close to them. Ākonga then share some easy tricks with each other as to how they get their tops to spin. Keeping the top spinning requires a whipping action. The top can be made of natural material, for example, a stripped harakeke (flax) leaf. A pine cone makes a very good top for a beginner.
Ākonga attempt to complete the following sequence of skills in spinning the top.
- Spinning the top close by them.
- Spinning the top inside a circle/square.
- Spinning a top to stay spinning for a long time.
- Spinning a top to hum.
Ākonga then discuss the activity and how they felt when the top spun or did not spin, when it toppled, and when they mastered or did not master the skills.
In groups of four or five, ākonga experiment with ways in which they can support and encourage one another until all group members can spin their top in preparation for a group challenge. In relays, each ākonga in the group moves their top around a course set out with cones in the shortest time possible. Each participant can have one other member of their group help them whip their top if they wish.