Mini Show Celebration

Overview

Unit Title: Belonging in Aotearoa
Lesson Number: 12 of 12
Lesson Title: Mini Show Celebration
Year Level: Year 5
Duration: 45 minutes
Curriculum Area: Social Sciences – Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories
Curriculum Level: Level 3 of The New Zealand Curriculum
Big Idea Focus: Whakapapa me te whanaungatanga – Relationships and connections to places and people shape our identities.
Key Understanding: Belonging in Aotearoa means different things to different people and communities; it is shaped by history, whakapapa, migration, language, culture, and experiences.

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Learning Intentions

Students will:

• Share their understandings of what belonging in Aotearoa means through a personal or collaborative project.
• Reflect on their learning journey, including how their own perspectives have grown through this unit.
• Celebrate and recognise the diversity within their classroom and wider community.
• Demonstrate respect, empathy, and curiosity when learning about the stories of others.

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Success Criteria

By the end of the session, students will be able to:

✅ Confidently present their belonging project to peers and whānau.
✅ Use historical and cultural concepts (such as whakapapa, pepeha, migration, te Tiriti o Waitangi) to explain their story or the story of others.
✅ Listen actively and show curiosity about the presentations of others.
✅ Share one reflection about their own journey learning about belonging in Aotearoa.

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Resources and Preparation

• Completed belonging projects (posters, digital slideshows, storytelling videos, dioramas, etc.)
• Labeled tables or stations for display
• Reflection slips with sentence starters:
  • "One thing I learned through this unit is..."
  • "My favourite part of this project was..."
  • "Hearing others share made me feel..."
• Stickers / stars / post-it notes for 'positive feedback stations'
• Background music from Aotearoa to create a celebratory atmosphere
• Printed name tags and “presenter badges” for each student
• A small kai table or shared morning tea if appropriate (aligned with school policies)

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Lesson Breakdown (45 Minutes)

🔹 0–5 min: Karakia & Whakawhanaungatanga

• Begin with a class karakia and a short mihi.
• Briefly explain the plan for the session and acknowledge this as the final learning celebration of their history unit.
• Emphasise how proud you are of their journey and how important it is to share their stories with mana and aroha.

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🔹 5–25 min: Mini Show Walkabout

Activity: Student-led Showcases

• Students will set up their projects at designated tables or wall displays.
• The class will rotate in small groups (5–6 students at a time) to explore the displays. Each student becomes both a presenter and an audience member.
• Presenters will share their projects in their own words, encouraging storytelling.
  • Encourage use of Māori vocabulary where possible (e.g. tūrangawaewae, whakapapa, aroha, manaakitanga).
• Teachers and visiting whānau (if permitted) can circulate, ask questions, and provide positive feedback.

Top Tip: Use a simple bell or musical cue every 5 minutes to rotate groups so that everyone has a chance to present and observe.

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🔹 25–35 min: Student Feedback & Positive Reflections

Activity: Sticker Praise Gallery Walk

• Provide students with post-it notes or stickers.
• Instruct them to leave at least 2 pieces of positive feedback on different projects (e.g., “I loved the way you told your pepeha!” or “Your family story was so detailed.”).
• This helps promote peer connection and build confidence in public sharing.

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🔹 35–42 min: Written/Oral Reflection

Activity: Personal Journey Reflection

• Distribute small 'reflection slips' or open quick oral reflections in a circle.
  • Sentence starters provided earlier can guide responses.
• Students can speak aloud, write quietly, or record short 30-second statements on the class iPad for a “Reflection Wall” later.

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🔹 42–45 min: Class Acknowledgement & Karakia Whakamutunga

• Gather the class and offer final thoughts as their teacher—share something that moved or impressed you.
• Acknowledge how far they have come exploring identity, inclusion, history, and belonging.
• Close with a karakia whakamutunga.

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Extensions & Whānau Involvement

• Invite whānau to attend the Mini Show – in person or virtually if possible.
• Display projects around the school for a wider audience (principal, other classes).
• Create a digital photo collage or slideshow to be shared in the school newsletter.

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Teacher Reflection Prompts (Post-Lesson/Preparation for Portfolio)

• How did students demonstrate understanding of diverse perspectives?
• What surprised or moved you during the student sharing?
• What scaffolding will be necessary to develop these storytelling and reflection skills in future units?

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Links to the Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum

Curriculum Focus	Evidence in Lesson
Understand strand	Students demonstrate historical thinking by sharing and connecting identity and belonging with local, national and Māori history.
Know strand	Students included content on migration, whakapapa, Treaty relationships, language, and cultural heritage.
Do strand	Students engaged in inquiry, storytelling, reflection, and collective actions that make their learning visible.

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Final Note

This lesson not only marks the final celebration of a rich and connected unit, but it places student voice at the centre. Giving ākonga power to share their stories fosters a reciprocal classroom, builds empathy and celebrates the diverse ways we all belong in Aotearoa. Let them shine! 🌿✨