Lesson Plan: The Taniwha of the Waikato River

Subject: New Zealand History

Year Level: 9

Duration: 50 minutes

Class Size: 29 students

Context

This lesson focuses on introducing Year 9 students to aspects of Māori mythology, specifically the stories of the taniwha that reside along the Waikato River. The lesson aims to deepen students' understanding of Māori perspectives and the significance of these mythological creatures within both historical and contemporary Māori culture. This aligns with the Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories in our national curriculum within the social sciences learning area. The content encourages students to appreciate the linkage between past narratives and their ongoing cultural importance.

Curriculum Links

• Social Sciences – Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories
• Level: Curriculum Levels 4 and 5
• Strand: Continuity and Change

Relevant Docs: The New Zealand Curriculum Online - Social Sciences

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the legendary tales of the taniwha along the Waikato River.
2. Analyse the cultural and historical significance of taniwha in Māori culture.
3. Reflect on how these mythological stories influence contemporary New Zealand society.

Resources

• A map of the Waikato River
• Images and artistic representations of taniwha
• Excerpts from traditional stories about taniwha
• Video clips from TKI resources or relevant documentaries
• Laptops/tablets for research (if available)

Lesson Plan

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Activity: Begin with a short interactive quiz using Kahoot! to assess prior knowledge about Māori mythology and taniwha.
• Discussion: Briefly introduce the Waikato River and its geographical and cultural significance in New Zealand.

Exploration (15 minutes)

• Group Reading: Distribute printouts of different taniwha tales associated with the Waikato River. Each group reads a different story.
• Visual Aid: Show artistic interpretations and video clips of taniwha to help visualise the descriptions from the tales.

Discussion (10 minutes)

• Guided Discussion: Facilitate a discussion on the characteristics of taniwha and their roles within the stories. Questions to prompt discussion:
  • "What traits do taniwha have?"
  • "How do taniwha interact with humans according to the stories?"
  • "Why do you think these creatures are significant in Māori culture?"

Application (10 minutes)

• Creative Task: In groups, students sketch their interpretation of a taniwha based on the characteristics mentioned in the stories. Each group explains their artwork, focusing on why they chose specific features.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Reflective Questions: Encourage students to think about the relevance of mythical creatures in modern-day culture.
  • "How do these ancient myths influence today’s cultural practices?"
  • "Can you think of any modern stories or films that use creatures like taniwha?"
• Homework Assignment: Students are tasked to write a short essay on how taniwha stories could be used to teach moral or community values.

Assessment

• Participation in discussions and group activities.
• Evaluation of group sketches and explanations.
• Quality and thoughtfulness of the reflective essay.

Additional Notes

• Ensure all discussions respect cultural sensitivities and encourage students to express their interpretations thoughtfully.
• Utilise TKI resources for accurate and detailed content: Te Kete Ipurangi

This lesson plan aims to not only educate students about a specific aspect of Māori mythology but also to engage them in understanding the broader implications of folklore in cultural identity and societal values.

For further changes or specific requirements, please reach out as needed.