Exploring Hauora

Lesson 1: Introduction to Hauora

Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education
Curriculum Level: Level 4

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Objective

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the concept of Hauora as a Māori philosophy of health and wellbeing.
2. Identify and describe the four dimensions of Hauora.
3. Begin to reflect on the interconnectedness of these dimensions in their own lives.

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Resources Required

• Large sheets of butcher paper
• Markers (variety of colours)
• Printouts of a blank "Te Whare Tapa Whā" model for each student
• Sticky notes
• A whiteboard and markers
• Soft background music for reflection activity

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Lesson Outline

1. Karakia and Whakawhanaungatanga (5 minutes)

• Begin the lesson with a karakia (prayer/blessing) to set a positive tone.

  Example Karakia:
  Whakataka te hau ki te uru,
  Whakataka te hau ki te tonga,
  Kia mākinakina ki uta,
  Kia mātaratara ki tai,
  E hī ake ana te atākura,
  He tio, he huka, he hau hū,
  Tihei mauri ora!

• Follow this with a brief whakawhanaungatanga activity. Ask students to introduce themselves to one nearby classmate and share one thing they did over the weekend. This fosters a sense of connection and sets a collaborative tone.

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2. Introduction to Hauora (10 minutes)

Teacher-Led Discussion

• Write the word Hauora on the board and ask students if anyone knows what it means. (Encourage discussions and validate their answers, e.g., "That’s a great thought.")

• Introduce the concept: Hauora is a Māori philosophy of health and wellbeing. It encompasses four key dimensions that contribute to a person’s overall health, much like the walls of a whare (house) help it stay standing.

  The Four Dimensions of Hauora:

  • Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing)
  • Taha Hinengaro (Mental and Emotional Wellbeing)
  • Taha Whānau (Social Wellbeing)
  • Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing)

• As you introduce each dimension, write it on the board and give an example of what it could look like in their lives (e.g., Taha Tinana could be playing a sport or eating nutritious food; Taha Whānau might be spending time with friends or family).

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3. Group Activity: Building the "Whare Tapa Whā" Walls (20 minutes)

Activity Setup:

• Divide the class into four groups, assigning each group a dimension of Hauora. (Taha Tinana, Taha Hinengaro, Taha Whānau, Taha Wairua).

Instructions:

1. Provide each group with a large sheet of butcher paper and markers.
2. Ask them to brainstorm and draw representations of their assigned dimension—this can include words, symbols, pictures, or examples from their own lives. Encourage creativity and teamwork.
   Example for Taha Hinengaro: drawing a brain, writing words like “calm” or “focused,” or drawing someone reading a book.
3. Once completed, each group will briefly present their "wall" to the class, explaining why it is important for overall wellbeing.

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4. Personal Reflection: My Hauora (15 minutes)

• Hand out the blank "Te Whare Tapa Whā" models to each student.

Reflection Task:

• Students will fill in each section with ways they personally strengthen or take care of each dimension of their Hauora.

• To guide them, provide prompts for each section:

  • Taha Tinana: What physical activities do you enjoy? What foods make you feel healthy?
  • Taha Hinengaro: How do you manage stress? What makes you feel calm and focused?
  • Taha Whānau: Who are the people you connect with? How do they support you?
  • Taha Wairua: What inspires you or gives you a sense of purpose?

• Play soft background music to create a reflective atmosphere while they work individually.

Optional Extension: Students can write any questions about Hauora or any revelations they’d like to share on a sticky note and place it on the “Hauora Wonder Wall” (a section of the whiteboard or a dedicated space).

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5. Whakawhiti Kōrero (Debrief and Wrap-Up) (10 minutes)

• Facilitate a class kōrero (discussion) about what they learned today.
  Suggested Questions:
  • "What did you find most interesting about Hauora?"
  • "Which dimension do you think you take care of the most? Which one needs more attention?"
• Emphasise the interconnected nature of the dimensions—if one wall of the whare is weak, the entire whare can feel unsteady.

Teacher’s Note: Use this time to ensure students grasp the holistic nature of Hauora.

• End with an encouraging statement, e.g., “Hauora is about balance in all parts of life. Over the next lessons, we’ll keep exploring these dimensions and how you can strengthen your own whare.”

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Follow-Up/Extension Activity

• For homework, students can interview a family member or friend about how they take care of their own Hauora. Ask them to bring back one thing they learned to share at the start of the next lesson.

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Reflection for Teachers

At the end of the lesson:

• Observe which dimensions students seemed most engaged with during the group activity. Were there areas they struggled to understand?
• Collect and review sticky notes from the “Hauora Wonder Wall” to tailor upcoming lessons based on student interests or questions.

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Lesson 2 Teaser:
Next time, we’ll dive deeper into Taha Tinana and explore practical ways to take care of our physical wellbeing!