He Kupu Tīmatanga

---

Lesson Title: Introduction to Te Reo Māori

Unit Title: Classroom Māori Essentials
Lesson: 1 of 5
Year Level: Year 5
Class Size: 30 students
Duration: 30 minutes
Curriculum Area: Learning Languages – Te Reo Māori
Curriculum Level: Level 2 (NZ Curriculum)

---

Achievement Objectives (Te Marautanga o Aotearoa / NZ Curriculum)

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand and use basic classroom greetings and instructions in Te Reo Māori (Listening, Speaking – Receptive and Productive Skills)
• Begin to recognise the significance of Te Reo Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, including acknowledging tangata whenua.

---

Big Idea (Ngā Mātāpono Nui)

"Ko te Reo te mauri o te mana Māori."
Language is the life force of Māori identity.
This forms the core kaupapa of this lesson — that learning and using Te Reo Māori is both an educational and cultural journey.

---

Learning Intentions

Students will:

• Use and respond to basic Māori greetings and classroom phrases
• Understand the cultural importance of Te Reo Māori in Aotearoa
• Begin to build whanaungatanga by using language respectfully with peers and teachers

---

Success Criteria

Students can:

• Greet their teacher and peers using at least two Te Reo Māori phrases
• Demonstrate understanding of instructions by responding appropriately
• Share one reason why learning Te Reo Māori is important in our country

---

Materials Needed

• Flashcards with greetings and classroom phrases
• Mini whiteboards and markers for each student
• A3 classroom poster titled “Kupu o te Rā” (Word of the Day)
• Simple whakataukī printed on cards
• Bluetooth speaker for audio pronunciation
• Stickers for positive reinforcement
• Printed Māori-English vocabulary sheet for student books

---

Lesson Structure

🔊 1. Mihi Whakatau & Karakia Timatanga (3 mins)

• Begin by welcoming the class with a simple mihi whakatau, introducing the purpose of learning Te Reo Māori.
• Lead a brief karakia timatanga (beginning-of-day blessing).
• Encourage respectful posture, tone and listening.

Teacher Talk: “He tīmatanga tēnei – this is the beginning of our reo journey. Let’s take care of the words we learn. They carry mana.”

---

👂 2. Cultural Context: Why Te Reo? (5 mins)

Focus: Understanding the significance of learning Te Reo Māori.

• Ask: “Why do you think we are learning this language?”
• Discuss responses to build context and connection.
• Introduce the concept of tangata whenua, bicultural nationhood, and mana of te reo.

Display a whakataukī:
"Ko te reo te tuakiri. Ko te reo te mana. Ko te reo te kaha."
(Language is identity. Language is authority. Language is strength.)

Students repeat together to build rhythm and intonation.

---

👋 3. Interactive Kōrero: Common Greetings (10 mins)

Focus: Use of everyday Te Reo Māori greetings and commands

Teacher models and students practise the following (with call-and-response style):

Māori	English
Kia ora	Hello
Tēnā koe	Hello (to one)
Tēnā kōrua	Hello (to two)
Tēnā koutou	Hello (to three or more)
Haere mai!	Welcome!
Kei te pēhea koe?	How are you?
Kei te pai	I’m good
Noho rā	Goodbye (to someone staying)
E noho	Sit down
Whakarongo mai	Listen carefully

🌀 Group Game: "Kupu Kēmu" (Word Game)

• Split the class into 5 groups of 6
• Teacher calls out an English phrase (e.g. "Sit down")
• Groups race to say the equivalent in Māori
• 1 point per correct phrase (team with most points receives a sticker reward)

---

🎨 4. Mini Whiteboard Challenge (5 mins)

Activity Goal: Reinforce recognition and spelling of key kupu (words)

• Teacher says a phrase aloud in Māori
• Students write what they think it means on their whiteboard
• Hold up on signal
• Teacher gives feedback and phonetic pronunciation support.

💡 Use a Bluetooth speaker to play recorded native speaker pronunciations to reinforce vowel sounds and rhythm.

---

🗣️ 5. Reflection & Closing (5 mins)

Whole-class circle time:

• Ask: “What was one Māori phrase you enjoyed learning today?”
• Ask: “What will you try to use tomorrow in class?”
• Choose a “Kaititiro” (Observer) to share something they noticed about their group’s kōrero.

End with a karakia whakamutunga (closing karakia).

---

Differentiation & Inclusion

• Visual learners: flashcards, colour-coded posters
• Auditory learners: audio pronunciation, rhythmic repetition
• Kinesthetic learners: interactive games and movement-based response
• English language learners / neurodiverse learners: visuals paired with English-Māori vocabulary; scaffolded repetition

---

Assessment for Learning (AFL)

✔️ Observation during greetings activity
✔️ Mini whiteboard challenge answers
✔️ Exit kōrero shared in circle reflection
✔️ Teacher tracking sheet (participation rubric included in teacher planner)

---

Next Steps – Lesson 2 Preview

Title: Classroom Commands in Te Reo Māori
Focus: Students will practise everyday interactive commands to navigate classroom life in Te Reo Māori (e.g. "Whakarongo", "Tū mai", "Whakaatu mai")
They will begin creating simple bilingual classroom labels with the teacher.

---

📝 Teacher's Reflective Prompt (Optional)

• What moments of excitement or pride did you see?
• Which students demonstrated confidence or leadership in kōrero?
• What kupu should I re-strengthen in tomorrow’s class?

---

He waka eke noa – We are all in this together.