Koru Pattern Discovery

Year Level

Year 2 (New Zealand Curriculum, Arts)

Duration

45 minutes

Unit and Lesson

Unit: Polynesian Art Explorations
Lesson 2 of 7: Understanding Koru Patterns

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Curriculum Links

The Arts (Visual Arts strand)

• Understanding the Arts in Context, Level 1-2
  Students explore cultural artworks, symbols, and stories to deepen their understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural heritage.
• Participating and Creating, Level 1-2
  Students use the visual arts language to express ideas inspired by their world, beginning to explore elements such as shape, line, and pattern.

Key Competencies

• Thinking: Developing curiosity about Māori art motifs and patterns.
• Using Language, Symbols and Texts: Learning te reo Māori terms such as "koru," connecting meaning to form.
• Managing Self: Engaging with focused sketching activities independently.

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Learning Objectives

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

• Recognise the koru pattern and describe its origin from the unfurling fern frond in nature.
• Explain simple meanings associated with the koru: new life, growth, strength, peace.
• Create their own basic koru-inspired sketch using line and swirl shapes.
• Use appropriate vocabulary, including some te reo Māori terms, related to their artwork (e.g., koru, piko (bend)).

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Resources

• Pictures/images of real koru fern fronds and traditional Māori koru patterns.
• Large paper or whiteboard for demonstration.
• A4 drawing paper for each student.
• Pencils, erasers, coloured pencils or crayons.
• Visual aid poster with koru pattern examples and meanings written simply.
• Short video or story (optional) about the koru symbol's cultural significance.

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Lesson Outline

1. Introduction and Connection (10 minutes)

• Whakatauki/Mihi (Welcome): Greeting the students and introducing the lesson topic with a simple Māori phrase or proverb related to growth or nature.
• Show real koru fern frond and images of koru designs: Ask students what they notice about the shape and form (spirals, unfolding curl). Use simple language and introduce the word “koru.”
• Discuss meaning: Explain that koru represents new life, growth, strength, and peace in Māori culture. Invite students to share if they’ve seen ferns or koru patterns before.
• Link to prior learning from Lesson 1 (if applicable): connection between art and nature.

2. Exploration and Modelling (10 minutes)

• Demonstrate drawing a koru pattern:
  • Use step-by-step instructions to draw a koru spiral on the board or large paper.
  • Highlight the smooth curve (piko) and the circular shape at the center representing the fern curl.
  • Explain that koru can be repeated and combined to make patterns.
• Vocabulary focus: Introduce and display key words such as koru, piko (bend), curve, spiral.
• Invite students to try a few practice pencil sketches on scrap paper before their final drawing.

3. Student Activity: Create Your Own Koru Design (20 minutes)

• Distribute drawing materials.
• Guide students to sketch their own koru-inspired designs using spirals and curves. Encourage creativity – they can make simple single koru shapes or combine several.
• Circulate to support and encourage detailed observation of shapes, reminding them of the meanings behind koru.
• Optionally, students can add colour or shading once sketches are complete.

4. Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Invite several students to share their koru sketches.
• Ask questions such as: What does your koru remind you of? What did you enjoy about drawing it?
• Reinforce cultural significance and connection to nature.

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Assessment and Reflection

• Formative assessment: Observe students’ engagement and understanding during discussion and drawing. Check if they use the te reo Māori vocabulary introduced.
• Success criteria: Students create a koru pattern sketch featuring spiral shapes and describe one meaning of koru.
• Reflection prompts for teachers: Note students who may need more practice with shapes or vocabulary. Plan to revisit or extend koru patterns in upcoming lessons.

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Teaching Notes

• Keep explanations clear and pace moderate to suit attention spans of Year 2 students.
• Use visual and kinaesthetic approaches–hands-on drawing, real ferns, and illustrative imagery.
• Integrate Māori cultural values and respect for environment naturally within the lesson narrative.
• Ensure inclusive language and encourage multiple interpretations.

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This lesson directly aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum's emphasis on exploring identity, culture, and heritage through the arts at Level 1–2, while incorporating te reo Māori and linking learning to the natural environment, meeting key competencies and relevant learning outcomes .