Lesson Plan: Celebrating Matariki

Subject: Te Reo Māori

Year Level: Year 1 (Ages 5-6)

Duration: 20 minutes

Class Size: 15 students

---

Learning Objective:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand the significance of Matariki, name some of the Matariki stars, and learn basic Matariki vocabulary in Te Reo Māori.

Curriculum Link:

This lesson plan aligns with the Te Marautanga o Aotearoa for levels 1–2 in Māori language immersion education settings. It focuses on the wāhanga ako (learning area) of Te Reo Māori, specifically acknowledging the cultural aspects underpinning Māori New Year celebrations.

---

Resources Needed:

• Matariki storybook (appropriate for Year 1)
• Images of the Matariki star cluster
• Flashcards with Matariki vocabulary (stars' names, greetings)
• Chart paper and markers
• Matariki song (link to a child-friendly song, e.g., Matariki Macarena)
• Digital projector or SMART Board

---

Lesson Plan Outline:

1. Introduction to Matariki (5 minutes)

• Aim: Introduce the concept of Matariki and its importance to Māori culture.
• Activity: Read a short story or show a brief video about Matariki. Explain that Matariki is the Māori New Year and is a time of remembrance, celebration, and planting new crops.
• Discussion Points: What is Matariki? Why is it important?

2. Learning Matariki Vocabulary (5 minutes)

• Aim: Teach students basic Te Reo Māori vocabulary related to Matariki.
• Activity: Introduce flashcards with Matariki vocabulary, focusing on the names of the nine stars in the Matariki cluster: Matariki, Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Waitī, Waitā, Waipunarangi, Ururangi, Pōhutukawa, and Hiwa-i-te-Rangi.
• Interactive Element: Each student gets a chance to say the name of a star as they hold its flashcard.

3. Sing a Matariki Song (5 minutes)

• Aim: Engage students in celebrating Matariki through music.
• Activity: Teach the students a simple Matariki song. Use gestures or actions to help memorize the words.
• Performance: Perform the song together twice, encouraging loud and clear singing.

4. Matariki Art Activity (5 minutes)

• Aim: Reinforce learning through a creative activity.
• Activity: Students draw their favourite star from Matariki on chart paper and write its name underneath using the markers.
• Display: Arrange all the drawings on a classroom wall as a Matariki constellation.

---

Assessment:

• Oral Participation: Assess students’ ability to recall and pronounce the Matariki star names.
• Participation in Song and Art: Observe engagement and enthusiasm in the song and art activity.

---

Additional Notes:

• Ensure all multimedia devices are set up before the lesson begins.
• Be mindful of the diverse learning paces among young children; provide extra support where needed.

---

This lesson plan provides a basic introduction to Matariki for Year 1 students, combining cultural education with language learning in a fun and interactive manner. Adjust the difficulty level of vocabulary and activities according to the specific needs of students.