Kia Ora Aotearoa

📚 Curriculum Area and Level

Learning Area: Languages
Subject: Te Reo Māori
Curriculum Guide: Te Aho Arataki Marau mō te Ako i Te Reo Māori – Kura Auraki (Curriculum Guidelines for Teaching and Learning Te Reo Māori in English-medium Schools)
Curriculum Level: Level 1–2 (suitable for Year 9 beginners or students new to the language)

---

🧭 Unit: Discovering Te Reo Māori

Lesson Number: 1 of 18
Lesson Title: Introduction to Te Reo Māori
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 25 Students
Teacher Notes: First exposure for many students. Focus is on building whakawhanaungatanga (connections), curiosity, and a strong sense of the cultural significance of Te Reo Māori.

---

🎯 Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, ākonga (students) will:

• Understand the role of Te Reo Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural identity.
• Respond to and use basic greetings and farewells in Te Reo Māori.
• Learn through movement, conversation and collaboration to engage with the kaupapa (purpose) of learning the language.

---

✅ Success Criteria

Ākonga will be successful when they can:

• Say and respond to common greetings (e.g., Kia ora, Tēnā koe/kōrua/koutou, Haere rā).
• Share one reason why Te Reo Māori is important.
• Contribute to a group karakia (opening prayer) and understand why we begin this way.

---

🧪 Resources Required

• Projector or screen
• Printable name label templates
• Speakers (for audio)
• Reo Māori vocabulary flashcards
• Printed whakataukī: Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori
• Mini-whiteboards and markers
• Visuals and images on Māori history and identity
• Te Reo Māori pronunciation recording (from a native speaker or fluent teacher)

---

⏳ Lesson Breakdown (60 Minutes)

⏱️ 0–5 mins: Karakia + Whakawhanaungatanga

• Begin with a simple karakia timatanga to set the tone and model tikanga Māori.
• Brief introduction by teacher in both English and Te Reo Māori.
• Ākonga pair up and practise saying their names using "Ko ___ tōku ingoa".

Teacher Script (Example):
"Ko Miss Thompson tōku ingoa. Nāku te rourou, nāu te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi."

---

⏱️ 5–15 mins: Takiuru – The Heart of Te Reo Māori

Activity Name: Why the Reo?

• In small groups (4–5), ākonga look at 4 images: Marae, street sign, kapa haka, and colonial classroom.
• Each group chooses one image and discusses:
  • Where is the reo visible or invisible?
  • How might people have felt in this image – proud, excluded, powerful?

Whole group share: Invite one ākonga per group to summarise their kōrero.

Learning Prompt:
“Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori” – what meaning can we find in that?

Teacher introduces this whakataukī and writes it on the board.

---

⏱️ 15–30 mins: Language in Action

Activity Name: Kupu Kanikani (Word Dance)

• Teach five essential greetings with audio + visual slides:

  • Kia ora
  • Tēnā koe
  • Tēnā kōrua
  • Tēnā koutou
  • Haere rā

• Ākonga stand in a circle. Play gentle waiata (instrumental or kapa haka beat).

  • When music stops, turn to nearest classmate, greet each other using a kupu they've learnt.
  • Repeat until all kupu are used with different people.

Differentiation Tip: For some learners, provide mini cue cards.

---

⏱️ 30–45 mins: Ko Wai Au? (Who Am I?)

Activity Name: Create Your Reo Name Tag

• Ākonga are given creative space to make their name card with:
  • “Ko ___ tōku ingoa.”
  • Choose a favourite greeting (from earlier)
  • Add one colour, animal, or pattern that connects to their whakapapa (identity)
  • Teacher plays soft waiata in background (repetition and exposure to Te Reo Māori sounds)

Optional Extension: Incorporate a basic pepeha template onto the card.

---

⏱️ 45–55 mins: Class Kōrero – Why Learn Te Reo?

Activity Name: He Kōrero Kotahi Nāku (One Thing From Me)

• Each student writes 1–2 sentences on a mini-whiteboard:
  • What I learnt today about Te Reo Māori
  • One reason it’s important for NZ
• Go around the circle and share aloud. Encourages pride, voice, and connection.

⚠️ Emphasise that every voice matters – no idea is too small.

---

⏱️ 55–60 mins: Reflect + Close

• Group reflects on how they felt during the activities.
• Quick thumbs up / sideways / down self-assessment on learning intentions.
• End with a karakia whakamutunga and teach simple words within it (e.g., whakaako = to teach, manaakitanga = care).

---

📘 Homework / Toi Kura Ideas

Whānau Kōrero Prompt:

• Talk to someone at home or in your whānau and ask them what Te Reo Māori means to them. Bring back one sentence or story to share in the next class.

Optional Extension:
Find a street, town, or river name in Te Reo Māori near your home and write 2–3 sentences about what you think it might mean or why it's important.

---

🧠 Teacher Reflection Space

• Were my ākonga engaged and culturally connected?
• Did students show signs of pronunciation confidence?
• How can I provide more visual or auditory scaffolds for next time?

---

🌱 Looking Ahead

Next Lesson: Lesson 2 – Pronouncing with Pride
Focus: Te Reo Māori alphabet, vowel sounds, pronunciation games.

Kia kaha te reo Māori. Let the wairua begin!