Lesson Plan: Exploring New Zealand Folklore

Subject: English (Reading)

Year Level: Year 2 (Years 0-2)

Duration: 45 minutes

Class Size: 15 students

Curriculum Area: English - Reading

Curriculum Level: Level 1 (The New Zealand Curriculum)

Objective:

Students will improve their reading comprehension and fluency by engaging with a story drawn from New Zealand folklore, specifically the tale of "How Maui Slowed the Sun." This lesson aims to build the students' understanding and appreciation of cultural narratives integral to New Zealand's heritage, aligning with the curriculum's emphasis on local content.

Materials Needed:

• Copies of the story "How Maui Slowed the Sun" (simplified version suitable for Year 2 students)
• Images of Maui and other characters from the story
• Character cards with names and key attributes
• Whiteboard and markers
• Reading comprehension worksheet
• Pencils and erasers

Standards:

Referenced from The New Zealand Curriculum Online - English (Links to an external site.)

Lesson Details:

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcoming and Settling In:
   • Begin the session by welcoming the students and briefly talking about New Zealand folklore.
2. Introducing the Story:
   • Introduce "How Maui Slowed the Sun" using a large book or images on the whiteboard.
   • Discuss the concept of folklore and why these stories are important in New Zealand culture.

Main Activity (25 minutes)

1. Guided Reading:

   • Read the story aloud to the class, showing pictures to help with understanding.
   • Pause after key events to ask predictive questions like, "What do you think Maui will do next?"

2. Character Exploration:

   • Distribute character cards to the students.
   • Ask students to come up and place their character on the board when they hear about them in the story.

3. Group Reading:

   • Divide the class into small groups and have them read parts of the story to each other.
   • Encourage them to discuss what they think about Maui’s actions and the moral of the story.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Comprehension Check:

   • Hand out a simple worksheet with questions about the story’s main events and characters.
   • Help students as they answer the questions, ensuring they understand the story well.

2. Discussion and Reflection:

   • Have a brief discussion about what they learned about Maui and what they liked about the story.
   • Emphasize the lessons on bravery and cleverness from the story.

Assessment:

• Observe students during the group readings to assess their reading fluency and ability to pronounce words correctly.
• Review the completed worksheets to judge comprehension of the story.

Extensions:

• Students can draw their favourite scene from the story or write a short paragraph about why they liked this particular folklore.
• Visit TKI Resources for further learning tools on New Zealand folklore and other cultural stories.

Reflection:

After the lesson, evaluate what aspects of the lesson were most engaging for the students and which areas might need adjustment for future readings or similar activities. Adjust the pacing based on the overall reading proficiency observed in the class.