Ti Uru: Skill Development

Overview

This 45-minute lesson is Lesson 7 of 10 in the "Maori Games Exploration" unit designed for Year 9 Physical Education students in New Zealand. It focuses on practicing key skills for the traditional Māori game Ti Uru, including throwing and catching techniques. The lesson emphasises teamwork and communication to develop holistic physical, social, and cultural competencies aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (2023-2025).

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Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Health and Physical Education (HPE)

Level: Years 9–10 (Phase 4)
Strands: Movement Concepts and Motor Skills, Relationships with Other People
Achievement Objectives:

• Develop competence and confidence in a range of movement skills and movement contexts.
• Demonstrate social skills and personal skills needed to establish and maintain positive relationships, including communication and teamwork.
• Understand the cultural significance of physical activity, including how Māori games contribute to identity and well-being.

Key Competencies targeted:

• Managing self (self-motivation, goal setting for skill development).
• Relating to others (communication, teamwork, empathy).
• Participating and contributing (engaging respectfully with tikanga Māori, working collaboratively).

These align with the critical focus for students Years 9-10: Having a purpose and being empathetic and resilient【15:New Zealand Curriculum.html】.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Demonstrate improved throwing and catching techniques specific to Ti Uru.
2. Apply teamwork and communication skills during drills and gameplay.
3. Show understanding of the cultural importance of Ti Uru in Māori tradition.

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Resources Required

• Ti Uru equipment (balls, sticks, or traditional items used in Ti Uru)
• Cones or markers for drill stations
• Whistle or signal device
• Open playing area (indoor or outdoor)

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Lesson Duration: 45 minutes

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Warm-Up (8 minutes)

• Teacher activity:

  • Briefly recap previous lessons on Ti Uru quick review of game rules and cultural significance to connect to prior learning.
  • Introduce today’s focus: skill development for throwing, catching, teamwork, and communication.
  • Lead dynamic warm-up, including light jogging and mobility exercises emphasising upper body and hand-eye coordination.

• Student activity:

  • Participate actively in warm-up.
  • Share one thing they remember about Ti Uru’s place in Māori culture to foster engagement and connection.

(Links to Curriculum: Warm-ups develop readiness for physical activity and support motor skill refinement, aligned with Movement Concepts and Motor Skills strand).

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2. Skill Development Drills (20 minutes)

• Throwing and Catching Techniques (10 minutes):

  • Station 1: Partner throws and catches with increasing distance, focus on technique – step into throw, eye on ball.
  • Station 2: Team catch and relay – students pass the ball under time challenge to encourage urgency and control.
  • Teaching tips: Use clear demonstrations, provide formative feedback for improvement, and highlight cultural skills embedded in traditional Māori games (e.g., precision, rhythm).

• Teamwork and Communication Drills (10 minutes):

  • Activity: Small group passing drills where students must use verbal cues and signals to coordinate passing and catching.
  • Emphasise the use of tikanga (customs) phrases or commands during gameplay to incorporate cultural language.
  • Rotate roles so everyone practices communicating and responding.

(Links to Curriculum: Explicit teaching of motor skills with scaffolding, emphasis on communication skills relate to "relating to others" competency and culturally responsive pedagogy)【15:New Zealand Curriculum.html】.

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3. Mini Game Application (12 minutes)

• Organise students into groups of 5 (adjust according to class size of 25).
• Play a controlled mini-game of Ti Uru focusing on applying throwing, catching, and communication skills developed.
• Teacher circulates, providing specific feedback on teamwork and skill execution.

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4. Cool down and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Lead a cool-down walk and gentle stretches.
• Facilitate brief circle discussion reflecting on:
  • What throwing and catching techniques felt improved today?
  • How did communication affect teamwork during drills and the game?
  • Why is it important to understand and respect the cultural roots of Ti Uru?
• Encourage students to set one personal goal for the next lesson.

(This reflection supports the linking of physical skills with social and cultural competency identified in the curriculum, encouraging metacognition and personal agency.)

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative Assessment:

  • Observe students' technique during drills and mini-game, providing immediate feedback.
  • Use questioning to assess understanding of cultural significance and teamwork dynamics.

• Self and Peer Assessment:

  • During reflection, encourage students to share insights about their own and peers’ communication and skill improvements.

• Teacher Notes:

  • Record observations of student skill progression and interpersonal skills for ongoing planning.

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Differentiation and Inclusiveness

• Provide differentiated distances or ball sizes for throwing drills to accommodate varying skill levels and physical abilities.
• Offer verbal, visual, and physical cues to support diverse learners.
• Foster inclusive groupings ensuring all students participate equitably.

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Cultural Responsiveness

• Embed tikanga Māori by acknowledging the origins and importance of Ti Uru in Māori culture.
• Use Te Reo Māori for key commands during drills (e.g., “Haere!” for go, “Tukua!” for pass).
• Recognise the value of Māori games as taonga (treasures) reinforcing identity and wellbeing.

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This lesson plan is designed to strengthen physical skills, foster collaboration, and nurture cultural appreciation consistent with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh for Year 9 students in Physical Education.【15:New Zealand Curriculum.html】