Atua Māori

Curriculum Details

Curriculum Area: Social Sciences
Level: Level 4 (Year 7)
Duration: 20 minutes
Class Size: 28 students

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the concept of Atua Māori: Introduce students to various Atua (gods) in Māori mythology and their roles.
2. Explore the significance of Atua in daily life: Discuss how different Atua relate to everyday elements like food, environment, and culture.
3. Engage creatively with Mātauranga Māori: Encourage students to express their understanding through creative activities.

Resources Needed

1. Pictures and brief descriptions of Atua Māori (e.g., Tāne Mahuta, Tangaroa, Rongo, Tūmatauenga).
2. Chart paper and markers.
3. Local plants, fruits, or small objects representing the elements of different Atua.
4. Printouts of a simple Atua Māori family tree.

Lesson Plan

Introduction (3 minutes)

1. Greeting and Settling Down: Welcome students and quickly settle them.
2. Hook: Start with a question: "Who can name any Atua Māori (Māori gods) and what they stand for?" Allow students to share their thoughts briefly.

Main Activity (12 minutes)

Part 1: Presentation and Discussion (7 minutes)

1. Showcase Atua Māori:
   • Introduce 4 main Atua Māori relevant to the unit: Tāne Mahuta (God of Forests), Tangaroa (God of the Sea), Rongo (God of Peace and Cultivated Plants), Tūmatauenga (God of War and People).
   • Use images and descriptions to illustrate their roles.
2. Interactive Discussion:
   • Targeted Question: "How do you think these Atua are connected to what we eat?" Encourage students to think about the connection between natural resources and food items.
   • Group Interaction: Divide the class into four small groups, assigning each group one Atua. Give each group relevant objects (e.g., seeds for Rongo, small stone or shell for Tangaroa) and ask them to brainstorm how their Atua contributes to food and environment.

Part 2: Creative Expression (5 minutes)

1. Creating a Family Tree:
   • Distribute the printed templates of the Atua Māori family tree.
   • Each group adds their assigned Atua to the family tree, along with a brief description of their role and how they relate to daily life and food.
2. Class Presentation:
   • Each group presents their part of the family tree and explains the role of their assigned Atua.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

1. Reflection:
   • Ask students to share one new thing they learned about Atua Māori and their significance to food and the environment.
2. Wrap-Up Activity:
   • Quick quiz or interactive game to reinforce the connections between the Atua and natural elements (e.g., matching game with Atua and their domains).
3. Closing: Highlight the importance of respecting and acknowledging Atua Māori in the context of New Zealand’s natural resources and cultural heritage.

Extension Activities (If Time Permits)

1. Art Activity:
   • Draw or craft representations of their favourite Atua and what they govern.
2. Storytelling:
   • Share traditional Māori stories or myths involving the Atua discussed.

By the end of this lesson, students will have a foundational understanding of Atua Māori and their importance in Māori culture, specifically focusing on how they relate to food resources and daily life. This hands-on, discussion-based approach will help Year 7 students grasp the roles of Atua in an engaging and memorable way.