Year 7 & 8 Art Lesson Plan: Exploring Māori Art

Lesson Overview

This detailed lesson plan is designed for Year 7 and Year 8 students in New Zealand, focusing specifically on Māori art. The lesson aims to introduce students to traditional and contemporary Māori art forms, understanding their cultural significance and learning basic techniques. This plan aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum for Visual Arts, focusing on understanding, developing, and communicating ideas in creative works. It also aligns with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa which promotes Māori knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Curriculum Area

• Subject: Visual Arts
• Levels: Years 7-8
• Curriculum Links:
  • New Zealand Curriculum: Visual Arts
  • Te Marautanga o Aotearoa: Pāngarau (Mathematics and Statistics)

Lesson Duration

• Total Duration: 1 hour
• Class Size: 25 students

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify key elements of Māori visual art, including traditional motifs and symbols like the Koru, Tiki, and Manaia.
2. Understand the cultural and spiritual significance of Māori art forms in past and contemporary contexts.
3. Create a small piece of art incorporating traditional Māori patterns and symbols.

Resources Required

• Examples of Māori art (prints, online images, videos)
• Art supplies (paper, pencils, erasers, black markers, paints)
• Computers or tablets with internet access
• Handouts on Māori art symbols and their meanings

Lesson Plan

Introduction (15 minutes)

1. Discussion and Video Viewing:
   • Briefly discuss what Māori art is and its importance in New Zealand’s culture.
   • Show a video that introduces traditional Māori art forms and their meanings. A recommended resource could be from Te Papa’s Collections.

Main Activity (35 minutes)

1. Exploration of Māori Symbols and Motifs:
   • Distribute handouts that describe various Māori symbols.
   • In pairs, students discuss the symbols and choose one that they feel connected to or interested in.
2. Art Creation:
   • Students use black markers and traditional colours (red, black, white) to create an artwork incorporating the chosen symbol on an A4 paper.
   • Encourage creativity while maintaining the integrity of traditional forms.

Group Discussion and Sharing (10 minutes)

1. Sharing Artworks:
   • Students display their artworks.
   • Each student shares a brief explanation of the chosen symbol and its significance.
2. Feedback:
   • Provide constructive feedback on their understanding and representation of Māori art.

Conclusion

• Summarize key learnings of the day.
• Assign students to research another piece of Māori art for the next class, focusing on a different art form, such as weaving or carving.

Assessment

• Assess students’ artwork and participation in discussions based on their understanding of Māori symbols and accuracy in depiction.
• Use peer feedback during the sharing session as part of the assessment.

Follow-up Activities

• Arrange a class visit to a local museum or gallery featuring Māori art.
• Invite a Māori artist to conduct a workshop with the class.

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This lesson plan provides a structured approach to introducing Māori art to intermediate level students, ensuring they gain a respectful and informed understanding of a vital aspect of New Zealand’s cultural heritage.