Treaty Tales

Curriculum Area: Social Sciences – Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories

Level: 1 (aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum, supporting Year 1 learners)
Focus: Treaty of Waitangi – Understanding the people, story, and ideas behind the treaty.

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Lesson Overview

• Lesson Title: The Treaty of Waitangi: A Story for Kids
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Unit: "Treaty Tales for Kids" (Lesson 2 of 2)
• Key Learning Objectives:
  1. Identify and recall key figures and ideas related to the Treaty of Waitangi.
  2. Illustrate an understanding of fair agreements and partnerships in their own lives.
  3. Begin to reflect on how agreements like the Treaty affect people today.

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Materials

• A picture book about the Treaty of Waitangi (e.g., "Te Tiriti o Waitangi: A Tale for Kids" or a similar age-appropriate option).
• A “Talking Feather Stick” for class discussions to ensure turn-taking (can be a simple decorated stick or soft toy).
• Pre-prepared “Pact Pieces” (a set of illustrated puzzle pieces showing people, places, and symbols from the Treaty story).
• A3 paper and crayons or markers.
• A short waiata (song) related to kotahitanga (unity).

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Lesson Outline

1. Settling and Introduction (10 minutes)

• Welcome and Warm-up:
  Begin the lesson with a quick recap:

  • Kōrero starter: “Last time, we talked about the meaning of the word ‘treaty’ and how agreements can help people work together. Do you remember any examples of promises or agreements we mentioned?”
    Allow tamariki to share (use the “Talking Feather Stick” to facilitate). Celebrate answers.

• Connection to Today’s Lesson:

  • Explain: “Today, we’re going to learn the story about an important agreement made a long time ago, called the Treaty of Waitangi. This treaty helped Māori and Pākehā find a way to work together.”

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2. Shared Reading – Treaty Tale (15 minutes)

• Interactive Reading Activity:
  Read the chosen picture book about the Treaty of Waitangi aloud. During the reading:

  • Pause at key moments to ask questions like:
    • “Why do you think the Māori chiefs would want to have a meeting with the British people?”
    • “What do you think the British people were hoping to achieve with the treaty?”
  • Highlight key figures (e.g., Hone Heke, William Hobson) and their roles in creating the treaty.

• Use voice modulation and expressions to bring the story alive.

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3. Interactive Puzzle Activity – Pact Pieces (15 minutes)

• Activity Instructions:
  • Show the “Pact Pieces” puzzle set. Each piece shows an important person, place, or symbol from the Treaty story.
  • Lay out the puzzle pieces on a table or floor and invite the tamariki to work together to put them in order, telling the story as they go.
  • Once the puzzle is completed, discuss as a group:
    • “What do you think was the most important part of this story?”
    • “Why do you think it’s important to have agreements like the Treaty of Waitangi?”

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4. Personal Reflection – Agreements in Our Lives (10 minutes)

• Creative Task:
  • Provide each child with A3 paper and crayons/markers.
  • Ask: “Think about a promise or agreement you’ve made with a friend or family member. Can you draw a picture showing how you worked together or helped each other?”
  • Walk around the room, gently encouraging children to share their ideas as they draw.

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5. Closing and Waiata (10 minutes)

• Sharing Circle:

  • Invite a few tamariki to share their drawings with the group. Ask:
    • “How did it feel to make that agreement?”
    • “What do you think could happen if promises weren’t kept?”

• Closing with Unity:
  Teach a short waiata about kotahitanga (unity), linking the Treaty’s lesson about partnership to their daily lives. For example, sing “Tutira Mai Ngā Iwi” together – teaching the first verse and chorus is often sufficient for Year 1.

• Wrap-Up:
  Thank students for their mahi and enthusiasm, reminding them they’ve learned about an important part of Aotearoa's history.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe tamariki’s participation during the puzzle activity — do they engage in discussions about characters and events?
• Review their drawings to gauge understanding of agreements and fairness.
• Reflect on students’ ability to connect the Treaty’s lessons to their own experiences.

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Extending the Learning

• Homework Idea: Send home a simplified description of the Treaty and suggest a task: “With a parent or whānau member, discuss one way your family works together and keep things fair.”
• Classroom Follow-Up: Create a “Class Treaty” as a shared agreement for cooperative learning and play. Decorate it with symbols of kotahitanga and rangatiratanga.

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This lesson is designed to be immersive, interactive, and age-appropriate, ensuring tamariki experience the richness of Aotearoa’s history through creative, hands-on learning.