Active and Engaged

Lesson Overview

Subject: Health & Physical Education
Year Level: Year 9
Curriculum Level: Level 4 (New Zealand Curriculum)
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Big Idea: Understanding how physical activity contributes to overall wellbeing (hauora).
Key Competencies: Thinking, Relating to others, Participating and contributing

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the four dimensions of hauora and how physical activity influences wellbeing.
2. Identify personal motivations for physical activity.
3. Participate in an engaging physical activity that promotes teamwork and movement.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction – Setting the Scene (5 minutes)

• Interactive Discussion: Begin by asking students, "Why is physical activity important?" and encourage brief responses.
• Introduce Hauora: Explain Māori perspectives of health using the four dimensions:
  • Taha Tinana (Physical): Fitness, strength, body health.
  • Taha Wairua (Spiritual): Sense of purpose, values, belonging.
  • Taha Whānau (Social): Relationships with friends, family, and team members.
  • Taha Hinengaro (Mental/Emotional): Resilience, stress management, mental wellbeing.
• Quick Think-Pair-Share: In pairs, students discuss which hauora dimension is most affected by physical activity.

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2. Warm-Up – Hauora in Motion (7 minutes)

• Activity: "Four Corners of Hauora"
  1. Place signs in four corners of the gym: Taha Tinana, Taha Wairua, Taha Whānau, Taha Hinengaro.
  2. Call out different physical activities (e.g., playing netball, swimming, hiking, yoga).
  3. Students run to the corner they believe is most impacted and briefly discuss why with a classmate.

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3. Team Challenge – Collaboration in Action (15 minutes)

• Activity: "Island Rescue"
  • Setup:
    • Divide the class into five groups of five students.
    • Mark four ‘islands’ (hoops or mats) spread across the gym.
  • Objective:
    • Groups must get all their members from one side of the gym to the other using a limited number of stepping stones (hula hoops).
    • If a student touches the ground outside of a hoop, the team restarts.
  • Debrief: How did teamwork play a role? Which hauora dimensions were challenged?

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4. Cool-Down & Reflection – Linking Learning (10 minutes)

• Stretching Routine: Guide students through basic stretches as they reflect on the lesson.
• Exit Ticket: On mini whiteboards, students write one sentence about how physical activity affects their hauora.
• Class Share: Ask a few volunteers to read their responses aloud.

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Teacher Reflection Questions

• Were students engaged and participating?
• Did they demonstrate an understanding of hauora?
• How might this knowledge shape future physical activity choices?

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Resources & Materials

✅ Gym space or field
✅ Hula hoops or mats
✅ Hauora corner signs
✅ Mini whiteboards or scrap paper for reflection

This lesson is designed to be hands-on, engaging, and aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Level 4 – Health & Physical Education, focusing on wellbeing and active participation. 🌿🚀