Exploring Vocabulary

Year 2 Te Reo Reading Adventure

Lesson 2 of 10
Duration: 30 minutes
Class size: 15 students

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Learning Objectives

Aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum for Year 2 Languages and relevant communication competencies, by the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognise and use everyday Te Reo Māori words and phrases related to home, school, and community environments.
• Use precise vocabulary for objects, actions, and descriptions relevant to their daily lives, including pronunciation and correct usage.
• Engage in simple oral interactions using new vocabulary, showing respect in turn-taking and listening skills (Interpersonal Communication competency, NZ Curriculum Languages).
• Demonstrate curiosity about new words by asking questions about meanings and using context to understand unfamiliar vocabulary.

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Curriculum Links

• Learning Languages – Communicating strand: Students participate in simple interpersonal interactions, exchanging information and ideas【NZC Languages】.
• The Language Learning Area: Developing vocabulary knowledge explicitly through listening, speaking, and interactive activities【4:9,4:11†Te Mataiaho English Single Page.pdf】.
• Key Competency – Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Students use oral language to express and connect ideas, building understanding and enjoyment of language learning.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details & Teaching Tips
0-5	Warm Up & Introduction	- Greet students in Māori (e.g., "Kia ora, e hoa mā!") followed by a brief recap of last lesson's key vocabulary.
		- Introduce lesson focus: Exploring new everyday Te Reo vocabulary through fun activities and games.
5-12	Flashcard Vocabulary Exploration	- Show flashcards with everyday words and phrases (e.g., whare - house, kura - school, kai - food).
		- Model correct pronunciation clearly; have students repeat chorally and individually.
		- Use short, simple sentences to contextualise each word ("He whare nui tēnei" - This is a big house).
12-22	Interactive Group Game: Vocabulary Bingo and Paired Practice	- Hand out bingo cards with the taught vocabulary images/words. Call out words in Māori, students mark corresponding cards.
		- In pairs, students quiz each other using flashcards, asking and answering simple questions (e.g., "He aha tēnei?" - What is this?).
		- Teacher circulates to scaffold language use, offering sentence stems like "Tēnei..." (This is...), supporting comprehension and speaking.
22-28	Creative Application: Vocabulary Story Map	- Together, create a simple ‘story map’ on whiteboard: use flashcard words to craft a short story or scene (“He haere matou ki te kura” - We go to school).
		- Invite students to contribute sentences or ideas using new words learned.
28-30	Reflection & Wrap-up	- Quick oral quiz or ‘popcorn’ style questioning: students say a word or phrase they remember.
		- Close with encouragement and a ‘whakataukī’ (proverb), e.g., "He ika eke ki tai" — success comes with effort.

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Resources Needed

• Flashcards with high-frequency Te Reo vocabulary (clear images and Māori text)
• Bingo cards with matching vocabulary pictures/words
• Whiteboard or large paper for story map creation
• Sentence stems printed or visual aids for student support

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Assessment & Feedback

• Formative Assessment: Teacher observes and notes student participation during flashcard repetition and paired Q&A, noting correct vocabulary use and pronunciation.
• Oral Feedback: Provide immediate positive reinforcement and gentle correction during activities to support language accuracy and confidence.
• Reflection: Students share a new word or phrase learned, allowing teacher to gauge vocabulary uptake for future lessons.

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Teaching Considerations

• Vocabulary teaching must be explicit, focusing on pronunciation, student-friendly definitions, and contextual use to support retention and understanding.
• Use visual supports and think-aloud modelling to demonstrate how to use words in sentences.
• Scaffold oral language using sentence stems to support students’ spoken responses, respecting the individual confident levels in Te Reo.
• Maintain a supportive and playful environment to nurture curiosity and engagement with the Māori language.
• Connect vocabulary to students’ worlds — their home, school, and community experiences — to make learning meaningful and culturally relevant.

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Extension Ideas

• Use digital apps with Māori vocabulary games for home learning extension.
• Introduce simple Te Reo Māori songs including vocabulary from lessons for reinforcement through music and movement.

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This lesson plan is crafted specifically using the New Zealand Curriculum's guidance on language learning phases and vocabulary teaching strategies for Year 2 students, ensuring adherence to national standards and competencies.