Detailed Lesson Plan: Te Reo Māori (Māori Alphabet)

Year Group: Year 7

Number of Students: 27

Lesson Duration: 40 minutes

Curriculum Context:

This lesson plan is designed for Year 7 students (ages 11-12) in a New Zealand school and focuses on the Te Reo Māori subject, specifically the Māori alphabet. This approach aligns with The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa for students learning Te Reo Māori at curriculum levels 1–4. The key curriculum area for this lesson is "Te Reo Māori" under "Learning Languages."

Lesson Objectives:

• Students will be able to identify and pronounce all the letters of the Māori alphabet.
• Students will recognise the unique pronunciation and role of Māori vowels and digraphs.
• Students will participate in interactive activities to aid memorisation and pronunciation of the Māori alphabet.

Resources:

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector and computer
• Pronunciation audio clips from Te Kete Ipurangi
• Māori alphabet flashcards
• Handouts with the Māori alphabet
• Game materials for interactive activity (e.g., alphabet cards, music for musical chairs)

Lesson Plan:

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Welcoming and Settling In:
   • Greet the class in Māori: "Kia ora tātou!"
   • Briefly explain the importance of learning Te Reo Māori and today's focus on the Māori alphabet.

Main Activity (30 minutes)

2. Presentation of the Māori Alphabet:

   • Utilise the projector to display each letter of the Māori alphabet.
   • Play audio clips of the pronunciation of each letter.
   • Explain the special role of the vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and the digraphs (wh, ng).
   • Interactive Practice:
     • Distribute alphabet flashcards among students.
     • Students form groups and practice pronouncing the letters to each other.

3. Engaging Alphabet Games:

   • Māori Alphabet Musical Chairs:
     • Arrange chairs in a circle with alphabet cards on each.
     • Play music and have students walk around; when the music stops, they must pick up a card and pronounce the letter correctly.
   • Flashcard Challenge:
     • In pairs, students quiz each other using flashcards. They show a letter, and their partner pronounces it.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

4. Reflection and Homework:
   • Ask students to reflect on what they learned and discuss any challenging letters.
   • Assign a homework task: Students are to create a small poster with the Māori alphabet, adding decorative images for each letter that begins with the corresponding sound in Te Reo Māori.
   • Encourage students to use Te Kete Ipurangi resources for further practice at home.

Assessment:

• Formative assessment through observation of participation in games and pronunciation exercises.
• Review of the homework posters to ensure correct understanding and recall of the Māori alphabet.

By integrating listening, speaking, and kinesthetic activities, this lesson plan aims to engage Year 7 students effectively in learning the Māori alphabet, fostering both familiarity with and respect for the Māori language.