Whakapapa Kōrero

Curriculum Area

Te Reo Māori – Tūhinga (Writing) and Kōrero (Speaking)
Level: He Taonga te Reo – Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, Level 1-2

Learning Objective

By the end of this lesson, ākonga (students) will be able to introduce their family history using simple Te Reo Māori phrases, recognising key whakapapa (genealogy) terms.

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Lesson Structure (4 minutes total)

1. Karakia Timatanga (Opening Karakia) – 30 seconds

Purpose: Settle the students and create a welcoming environment

• Teacher leads a short karakia, encouraging students to repeat after them.

Example:
Tūtawa mai i runga
Tūtawa mai i raro
Tūtawa mai i roto, tūtawa mai i waho
Kia tau ai te mauri tū, te mauri ora, ki te katoa

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2. Whakamana Whakapapa (Empowering Roots) – 1 minute

Activity:

1. Teacher introduces whakapapa (family history) using a personal example:
   “Ko (teacher’s name) tōku ingoa. Ko (teacher’s whānau name) tōku whānau. Nō (ancestral place) ahau.”
2. Each student is asked to repeat the structure using their own names.

Key Phrases Taught:

• Ko wai tō ingoa? – What is your name?
• Ko wai tō whānau? – What is your family name?
• Nō hea koe? – Where are you from?

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3. Whānau Whakapapa Whakaari (Family Tree Acting) – 2 minutes

Activity:

• Beginner Challenge: Teacher gives each student a picture card showing someone’s family tree (grandparents, parents, siblings).
• Each student practises introducing their ‘new family’ using Ko… tōku… phrases.
• Example: Ko Mere tōku kuia. Ko Hemi tōku koroua. Ko Rangi tōku matua. Ko Ani tōku whaea.

Advanced Challenge:

• Students stand up and act out their place in the family, introducing each other in Te Reo.

Engagement Strategy:

• Use gestures (point to self, then to “family members”) to reinforce learning.
• Encourage kids to have fun with role-play!

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4. Karakia Whakamutunga (Closing Karakia) – 30 seconds

Purpose: Wrap up the lesson positively

• Teacher leads a simple karakia to end the session.

Example:
Kia tau te rangimārie
Kia tau te aroha
Kia tūturu ka whakamaua kia tina, tina!
Haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

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Assessment & Next Steps

Progress Check:
✔ Can each student introduce at least two generations of their family?
✔ Do they use correct sentence structures confidently?

Next Steps:

• Extend by incorporating iwi (tribe) and hapū (sub-tribe) where relevant.
• Use waiata (songs) about whakapapa to reinforce retention.

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Teacher Reflection (Post-Lesson)

• Did students engage with the role-play activity?
• Were there any pronunciation challenges?
• How can I deepen their whakapapa connections next time?

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This lesson showcases an interactive, culturally relevant, and engaging approach to learning Te Reo Māori, ensuring students connect with their identity through whakapapa. A WOW moment for teachers using AI-generated resources! 🌿