Catching Eels Safely

Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for Year 5 students in New Zealand to learn about going eeling (shark eel or common freshwater eel catching) in a practical, culturally respectful, and safe way. The lesson aligns closely with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, integrating Māori perspectives, environmental guardianship (kaitiakitanga), and tikanga Māori.

Curriculum Alignment

• Learning Area: Other (Practical Activity/Outdoor Education)
• Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Principles & Values:
  • Whanaungatanga – fostering relationships and working collaboratively.
  • Kaitiakitanga – caring for the environment.
  • Manaakitanga – showing care and respect for others and the environment.
  • Wairuatanga – connecting to spiritual elements and Māori cultural practices.
• Key Competencies:
  • Managing Self – safety, responsibility, and self-management.
  • Relating to Others – communication and shared cultural understanding.
  • Participating & Contributing – engaging with local tikanga and practices.
  • Thinking – problem-solving and algorithmic thinking in practical steps.

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Learning Objectives

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

• Describe the traditional and contemporary cultural significance of eeling in Aotearoa Māori.
• Identify and explain essential safety guidelines for eeling activities.
• Select and prepare equipment needed for a safe and successful eeling experience.
• Follow step-by-step instructions (an algorithmic process) to catch eels responsibly.
• Demonstrate understanding of environmental awareness and kaitiakitanga practices related to freshwater ecosystems.
• Reflect on their learning and demonstrate correct procedures through practical and oral assessment.

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Equipment Needed

• Eel pots or traps (suitable for freshwater eeling)
• Nets and gloves
• Flashlight or small torch (if applicable to time of day)
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Bucket with fresh water (for temporarily holding eels)
• First aid kit
• Whakataukī (Māori proverb) displayed or read: “He kai kei aku ringa” (There is food at the end of my hands)
• Safety gear (appropriate footwear, sun hats, sunscreen)
• Environment cleaning kit (bags for rubbish)

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Safety Guidelines (10 minutes)

• Only handle equipment under supervision.
• Always stay within the designated safe area near water.
• Wear gloves to protect hands from eel bites or rough surfaces.
• Avoid disturbing wildlife or damaging plants.
• Follow all instructions carefully and ask if unsure.
• Never put your hands in the water where visibility is poor.
• Be aware of weather conditions; do not proceed if the weather is unsafe.
• Use the buddy system: never eel alone.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Cultural Connection (10 minutes)

• Begin with a karakia (Māori blessing) to acknowledge the spirit of the place and activity.
• Discuss the cultural significance of eeling for whānau and hapū (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato, or local iwi stories).
• Share the whakataukī “He kai kei aku ringa” and discuss how eeling is a traditional source of kai and connection to the environment.
• Link this to the concept of kaitiakitanga and the importance of looking after waterways.

2. Equipment Exploration & Preparation (10 minutes)

• Show students the eel traps, nets, and tools.
• Discuss why each item is needed and how to handle it safely.
• Students practise setting up an eel trap on dry land following step-by-step oral and visual instructions.
• Relate to algorithmic thinking from Te Mataiaho Maths: breaking down tasks into clear, executable steps.

3. Step-by-Step Eeling Procedure (15 minutes)

• Demonstrate how to place traps safely and respectfully in shallow water.
• Emphasise minimizing disruption to the environment and other living things.
• Follow a stepwise plan:
  1. Select a safe, appropriate location near the water’s edge.
  2. Prepare the eel trap by checking for holes and securing it.
  3. Bait the trap with traditional kai such as bread or fish scraps (respecting local tikanga around bait).
  4. Place the trap in water where eels are likely to travel.
  5. Carefully check the trap gently at appropriate intervals.
  6. Use gloves and nets to handle any eels caught.
  7. Measure the size of eels to ensure legal size limits are respected.
  8. Return eels that are too small or numbers beyond daily catch limits to the water.
• Reinforce each step with clear Māori commands/phrases (e.g., "Whakaritea te huaroa" [Prepare the trap]) to integrate language learning.

4. Environmental Awareness and Responsibility (10 minutes)

• Discuss freshwater ecosystems, eels' role, and the importance of protecting habitats.
• Teach concepts of kaitiakitanga — students share ways to care for waterways.
• Role-play or discussion on what to do if rubbish is found or if an eel is accidentally harmed.
• Explain local rules and regulations about eeling to uphold community responsibility.

5. Practical Assessment & Reflection (10 minutes)

• In pairs, students simulate eeling setting and catching using provided props.
• Use a simple checklist to assess:
  • Following safety procedures.
  • Correct use of equipment.
  • Respectful handling and environmental care.
  • Use of relevant te reo Māori terms.
• Group reflection discussion: What did they learn? How will they share knowledge with whānau?
• Close with a brief waiata or karakia to acknowledge the day’s learning.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Formative: Observe student participation in discussions, equipment handling, and stepwise activity.
• Practical: Role-play eeling procedure with peer and teacher feedback.
• Oral: Students explain steps, safety measures, and cultural significance in their own words.
• Self-assessment: Reflection on how they followed the tikanga and kaitiakitanga during activity.
• Teacher observation: Use rubric aligned with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa competencies for managing self and relating to others.

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Additional Notes for Teachers

• Consider local iwi partnerships to support cultural teaching.
• Incorporate local environmental data or histories for relevance.
• Encourage use of digital tools for students to record steps visually or orally (aligns with literacy and digital competencies).
• Use extension activities like preparing a poster or digital story about eeling and environmental care.

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This detailed, authentic lesson aligns with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa principles of cultural respect, environmental stewardship, and practical learning, offering Year 5 students a meaningful, hands-on learning experience that blends tikanga Māori with science and safety education.

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Key References from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa

• Algorithmic thinking in Maths:
  “Create and use a set of precise, step-by-step instructions for carrying out a familiar routine or task”.
• Safety and managing self competency in activities and oral language for descriptive instructions.
• Values and principles embedding tikanga Māori, kaitiakitanga, and manaakitanga .
• Oral language – using te reo Māori phrases to describe and instruct.
• Kaitiakitanga and environmental responsibility is core to learning contexts that reflect Māori values .

If you require, I can also provide printable resources or a slide outline for this lesson.