Celebrating Growth

Lesson Overview

This 30-minute lesson is Lesson 20 of the unit "Seasons of Te Reo Māori," designed for students aged 1-3 and 3-5 years in New Zealand early childhood education settings. The focus is on final reflections about the learning journey across seasons and its connection to well-being, framed within Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum framework of New Zealand. Students will share what they have learned about seasons and well-being, celebrating growth and renewal.

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT: Share what they’ve learned about the seasons and well-being in te reo Māori.
• Develop a sense of belonging and identity through reflection and sharing (Mana Whenua).
• Enhance communication skills and vocabulary related to seasons and well-being (Mana Reo).
• Foster holistic well-being by connecting natural cycles with personal and community wellness (Mana Atu).
• Promote contribution and participation by sharing ideas and listening to others (Mana Tangata).
• Engage in exploratory learning to reflect on growth and change (Mana Aotūroa).

These objectives align with Te Whāriki strands and principles: Empowerment, Holistic Development, Family and Community, and Relationships. Emphasis on Communication, Well-being, Contribution, Belonging, and Exploration strands supports holistic learning and development.

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Success Criteria

Students will demonstrate success by:

• Verbally expressing or showing understanding of at least one season and its qualities in te reo Māori.
• Using simple te reo Māori words or phrases related to well-being and seasons.
• Participating in group sharing or reflective activities with peers and kaiako/teacher.
• Showing engagement and enjoyment in celebrating their learning journey.

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Resources

• Visual seasonal flashcards and natural objects (leaves, flowers, shells)
• A kete (woven basket) or container for collecting symbols of seasons and growth
• Blank paper or drawing materials (crayons, pencils)
• Dyslexia-friendly word cards with simple phrases in large, clear font (using te reo Māori vocabulary related to seasons and well-being)
• Audio recording device or speaker to play seasonal waiata (songs)

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Whakawhanaungatanga (5 minutes)

• Begin with a warm greeting in te reo Māori, including a karakia (short blessing).
• Use a simple whakataukī (proverb) about growth and renewal such as: "Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere; ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao." ("The bird that eats the miro berry owns the forest; the bird that eats knowledge owns the world.")
• Briefly recap the journey of seasons learned in the unit, inviting students to share one word or idea they remember about seasons or well-being.

2. Reflective Sharing Circle (10 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Pass around a kete containing seasonal objects or pictures. Each student (or small group for 1-3 year olds) picks an item and shares their thoughts or a memory about that season or time of growth.
• Kaiako models language patterns for speaking in te reo Māori, such as: "I te wā o ___ (season), ka pai taku wairua." ("In the season of ___, my spirit feels good.")
• Support those with diverse learning needs by allowing contributions through drawing or gestures if verbal language is challenging.
• Use dyslexia-friendly word cards for reference, encouraging repetition and recognition.

3. Creative Expression Activity (10 minutes)

• Each student creates a simple drawing or collage representing their favourite season or something that makes them feel well.
• Encourage use of te reo Māori words to label their artwork, writing or sticking the dyslexia-friendly word cards.
• Advance learners can write simple sentences about their pictures using learned vocabulary, with teacher support.
• Kaiako circulates, asks prompting questions to extend thinking: "He aha tēnei? He aha te āhua o tō wairua?" ("What is this? How does your spirit feel?")

4. Conclusion and Waiata (5 minutes)

• Bring students back to a circle to share their artworks briefly.
• Sing a waiata (song) about seasons or growth in te reo Māori, encouraging participation.
• End with a karakia of thanks and a brief reflection highlighting the connection between nature’s seasons and students’ own growth and well-being.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For younger or developing learners (1-3 years): Use more visual and tactile experiences, allow non-verbal participation, and provide additional adult guidance.
• For children with learning differences (including dyslexia): Provide dyslexia-friendly reading materials and cards with large, clear print and supportive pictures; use repetition and scaffolding with oral language.
• For advanced learners: Encourage storytelling around seasons, use more complex language structures, and support independent reflection through writing or drawing extended narratives.

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Assessment for Learning

• Observe and note each child's participation in sharing activities, use of te reo Māori vocabulary, and engagement in creative expression.
• Use formative assessment through listening to children’s contributions to understand their depth of concept about seasons and well-being.
• Provide immediate positive feedback and extend learning by encouraging peers to listen and respond respectfully.

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Alignment to Te Whāriki

• Principles: Empowerment (whakamana), Holistic Development (kotahitanga), Family and Community (whānau tangata), and Relationships (ngā hononga).
• Strands:
• Mana Aotūroa (Exploration): Reflecting on learning journey, connecting to natural cycles.
• Mana Reo (Communication): Using te reo Māori language to express ideas about the world and self.
• Mana Atu (Well-being): Linking seasons to personal and community wellness.
• Mana Tangata (Contribution): Sharing learning and listening respectfully.
• Mana Whenua (Belonging): Affirming identity through connection to natural environment and learning experiences.

This lesson plan supports a culturally responsive pedagogy that values te reo Māori and well-being as inseparable, nurturing the whole child in line with New Zealand's early childhood curriculum aspirations.

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If you'd like, I can also provide a classroom-ready printable version of the activity cards or a list of simple te reo Māori phrases tailored for this lesson.