Lesson Plan: Physical Education – Emphasising Kotahitanga and Whanaungatanga

Overview

This lesson plan is designed for Year 9 students in New Zealand, focusing on the themes of kotahitanga (unity) and whanaungatanga (relationship building) through physical activities. It adheres to the New Zealand Curriculum's key competency areas, specifically relating to participating and contributing in group activities and fostering a sense of community and belonging among students.

Objectives

• Educational Objective: Students will learn the importance of teamwork, unity, and relationships in sports and exercises.
• Physical Objective: Improve coordination and physical stamina through group activities.
• Social Objective: Enhance interpersonal relationships and mutual respect through cooperative physical tasks.

Duration

75 minutes

Class Size

24 students

Materials Required

• Cones
• Whistles
• Rugby ball
• Netball
• Stopwatch
• First aid kit

Curriculum Area and Level

This lesson aligns with the Health and Physical Education domain in the New Zealand Curriculum, specifically the strand of Healthy Communities and Environments and the sub-strand of Movement Concepts and Motor Skills at Level 5.

Lesson Details

Warm-Up (15 minutes)

Activity: 'Name and Greet' Jog

• Description: Students form a large circle. At the whistle, one student jogs around the inside of the circle. As they pass each classmate, both the jogger and the stationary student greet each other using each other’s name and a high five.
• Purpose: This exercise warms up the students physically and helps them to learn and remember each other’s names, fostering whanaungatanga.

Main Activity Part 1 (20 minutes)

Activity: Kotahitanga Rugby

• Description: Students play a modified game of touch rugby, where a try is scored only if every team member has touched the ball at least once in the build-up to the try.
• Objectives: To highlight the importance of involving everyone (kotahitanga) and to encourage strategic thinking and communication.
• Rules:
  • Standard touch rugby rules apply.
  • The ball must be passed to each player before scoring.
  • Each sequence leading to a try should not exceed two minutes.

Main Activity Part 2 (20 minutes)

Activity: Cooperative Netball

• Description: Similar to traditional netball but with specific rules designed to enhance team unity.
• Objectives: Focus on group strategy and collaborative success.
• Rules:
  • The ball must be passed amongst at least half of the team members before aiming for the goal.
  • Physical contact is minimised, and cooperation is scored over competitive tactics.

Cool Down and Reflection (20 minutes)

Activity: Circle Reflection and Stretch

• Description: Students form a circle. Each student shares one positive experience from the lesson relating to teamwork or a particular relationship they appreciated or enhanced today, followed by group stretching.
• Purpose: Encourage reflection on kotahitanga and whanaungatanga principles and promote physical recovery.

Assessment and Feedback

• Observation: Teachers should observe and note instances of effective teamwork and communication, as well as individual contributions to the group’s dynamics.
• Feedback: Provide constructive group feedback focusing on how well the students worked together and respected each other’s contributions.

Safety Considerations

• Always have a first aid kit ready for any minor accidents.
• Ensure all students understand the rules and the emphasis on non-contact in the games.
• Supervise activities closely to manage and prevent any physical risks.

Additional Resources

• More on the New Zealand Physical Education curriculum principles can be found on NZ Curriculum Online.

By the end of this lesson, students should not only have engaged in physical activity but also experienced and reflected on the values of unity and relationship building, essential components of the New Zealand Curriculum’s vision for students.