Wellbeing Foundations

Curriculum Area and Level

Subject: Health
Curriculum Level: NCEA Level 1 (Aligned with the Health and Physical Education Learning Area)
Big Idea: Personal, interpersonal, and societal factors influence hauora (wellbeing).
Whakataukī: He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora (Positive feelings in your heart will raise your sense of self-worth).

Lesson Duration

Length: 60 minutes
Class Size: 18 students

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the four dimensions of Te Whare Tapa Whā (Taha Tinana, Taha Wairua, Taha Whānau, and Taha Hinengaro).
• Explain why looking after each dimension is essential for overall wellbeing.
• Develop practical strategies for maintaining balance in their own lives.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction - Whanaungatanga and Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Karakia or Mindful Breathing Exercise (3 minutes):
  • Begin with a short mindfulness exercise or a group karakia to centre the students.
• Class Discussion – What Does Being "Healthy" Mean? (7 minutes)
  • Ask students: What do you think being healthy means?
  • Write answers on the board.
  • Introduce Te Whare Tapa Whā as a Māori model of wellbeing, explaining that it is holistic and includes more than just physical health.

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2. Exploring Te Whare Tapa Whā (20 minutes)

• Draw a whare (house) on the board and split it into four parts, explaining each one:
  • Taha Tinana (Physical Wellbeing): Exercise, nutrition, sleep.
  • Taha Hinengaro (Mental & Emotional Wellbeing): Coping with stress, emotional resilience.
  • Taha Wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing): Identity, values, purpose.
  • Taha Whānau (Social Wellbeing): Friendships, family, connection.
• Group Challenge: Building a Strong Whare (10 minutes):
  • Split the class into four groups, each assigned one dimension of Te Whare Tapa Whā.
  • They must create a list of actions that strengthen their part of the whare (e.g., for Taha Tinana: regular exercise, drinking water).

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3. Applying Knowledge – Real-Life Scenarios (15 minutes)

• Scenario Activity:

  • Give each group a different real-life teen scenario. Examples:
    • A student feeling stressed about exams.
    • A student struggling with fitness or sleep.
    • A student feeling disconnected from their whānau.
    • A student unsure about their cultural identity.
  • They must identify which dimension(s) of Te Whare Tapa Whā are affected and suggest practical ways to regain balance.

• Mini-Presentations (5 minutes): Each group presents their scenario and solutions to the class.

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4. Reflection and Exit Ticket (15 minutes)

• Personal Reflection (5 minutes):
  • Ask students to write answers to:
    1. Which dimension of Te Whare Tapa Whā do I take good care of?
    2. Which dimension do I need to focus on more?
    3. One action I will take this week to improve my overall wellbeing is…
• Group Wrap-Up Discussion (5 minutes):
  • “What did we learn today that feels relevant to your own life?”
  • Emphasise balance – a whare stands strong only if all four walls are well-maintained.
• Closing Activity (5 minutes):
  • Invite students to share one final takeaway or goal for the week.
  • Conclude with a Māori whakataukī reinforcing the lesson’s key message: "Ka haere whakamua me hoki whakamuri" (To move forward, we must first look back).

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Assessment and Follow-Up

• Student Exit Reflection Sheets (formative assessment).
• Next Lesson: Deep dive into stress management strategies using the Whare Tapa Whā model.

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed student scenarios
• A3 paper for group brainstorming
• Post-it notes for reflection

This lesson is simple yet impactful, encouraging students to apply Te Whare Tapa Whā to their own lives while fostering group discussion and problem-solving. 🚀 Teachers, enjoy watching your students engage holistically with their hauora! 🌿