Anzac Animal Connections

Overview

This 60-minute lesson for Year 2 students celebrates Anzac animals, exploring their connections to soldiers and the values of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and whanaungatanga (relationships). The lesson follows the kaupapa of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, using oral storytelling, group discussion, and creative art activities aligned with Māori-medium curriculum principles.

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Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Describe Anzac animals and their roles alongside soldiers in New Zealand's history (Content & Identity).
• Understand and explain the concepts of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga in relation to caring for animals and people (Tikanga Māori).
• Use oral language to share ideas and stories confidently and with expression (Ngā āheinga kōrero).
• Collaborate and relate respectfully to others in group discussions (Ngā pūkenga whakawhanaungatanga).
• Express their understanding creatively through art (Ngā toi).

Curriculum Alignment

• Theme: Whānau, hapū, and iwi identity; Aotearoa New Zealand histories and environments.
• Strands: Tikanga ā-iwi (cultural practices), Whanaungatanga (relationship-building), Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of taonga).
• Key Competencies: Using language, symbols, and texts; Relating to others; Participating and contributing.
• Learning Areas: Te Reo Māori communication, Social Sciences, Visual Arts.

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Materials Needed

• Large chart paper or whiteboard
• Art supplies: coloured paper, crayons, markers, scissors, glue
• Puppets or pictures of Anzac animals (e.g., horses, dogs, pigeons)
• Simple props for storytelling (optional)

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Lesson Plan Breakdown

1. Introduction and Storytelling (15 minutes)

• Activity: Using puppets or pictures, tell a simple oral story about Anzac animals and their bravery alongside soldiers during the wars.
• Include an explanation of how animals were kaitiaki, protecting and helping soldiers, highlighting their special bond (whanaungatanga).
• Use expressive voice modulation and gestures to engage students.
• Pause intermittently to ask predictive and reflective questions, e.g., “How do you think the soldiers felt with their animal friends?” or “Why is it important to look after animals like these?”
• Curriculum focus: Building oral language skills through storytelling; connecting with Aotearoa history and cultural values,.

2. Group Discussion – Kaitiakitanga and Whanaungatanga (15 minutes)

• Prompt: In small groups, students discuss what kaitiakitanga means – taking care of animals and the environment – and how whanaungatanga shows how people and animals support each other.
• Use sentence stems: “I can be a kaitiaki when...”, “Whanaungatanga means...”, “Anzac animals helped soldiers by...”
• Teacher circulates to scaffold language and encourage participation, ensuring all voices are heard.
• Summarise key ideas back to the whole class, reinforcing vocabulary and values.
• Curriculum focus: Oral communication, collaborative skills, and understanding Māori concepts through discussion,.

3. Art Project – Create Your Own Anzac Animal (20 minutes)

• Students create a paper artwork of an Anzac animal — a horse, dog, or pigeon — using available art materials.
• Ask them to add symbols or words that represent kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga around their artwork (e.g., hearts for love, hands for care).
• Teacher supports descriptive language by encouraging students to explain their art in simple sentences.
• Curriculum focus: Expressing identity and concepts through visual arts, supporting vocabulary and communication skills.

4. Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Each student or pair shares their artwork and what they learned about Anzac animals and the values of kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga.
• Encourage expression with clear introductions and conclusions, using Māori phrases where possible to embed te reo Māori.
• Reinforce connections to soldiers’ stories and caring relationships.
• Curriculum focus: Developing presentation skills, confidence, and deeper understanding through peer sharing and reflection,.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observations during group discussion and sharing for use of vocabulary related to Anzac animals, kaitiakitanga, and whanaungatanga.
• Oral: Ability to recount elements of the story and express ideas during sharing.
• Art: Creativity and symbolic use of values in their Anzac animal artwork.

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Extension Ideas

• Invite a local kaumatua or storyteller to share a pepeha or traditional story about animals and guardianship.
• Integrate a waiata or haka about animals or kaitiaki to reinforce language learning and cultural connection.
• Create a classroom display titled "Anzac Animals – Our Kaitiaki and Whanaunga" with the kids' artworks and sentences.

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This lesson plan harnesses oral storytelling and collaboration, bringing alive the stories of Anzac animals while embedding meaningful Māori concepts that nurture students' identity and social awareness. It aligns tightly with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa's vision of bicultural, engaging, and holistic learning for young learners.

If you require further tailoring or resources suggestions, I’m happy to help provide these!