Celebrating Our Colours

Overview

This is the final lesson (6 of 6) in the unit "Colourful Te Reo Journey" for preschool students in Aotearoa New Zealand. The 30-minute session will focus on celebrating students’ learning about colours through Te Reo Māori by having a ‘Colour Day’ where students wear their favourite colours and share their own colour-themed artwork. This culminates the learning journey by encouraging expression, belonging, and identity through language and creativity.

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Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area:

Learning Languages (Te reo Māori strand of The New Zealand Curriculum)

Relevant Curriculum References:

• Vision and Principles:

  • Ko tōu reo, ko tōku reo, te tuakiri tangata. (Your voice and my voice are expressions of identity)
  • The school gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by taking steps to make instruction available in te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, promoting equitable outcomes for Māori students .

• Learning Languages Key Competencies:

  • Using language, symbols, and texts (oral language and expressions) to communicate identity and ideas.
  • Relating to others by sharing culture and language in a supportive environment.
  • Managing self and participating & contributing: students share their learning with others confidently .

• Achievement Objectives for Māori Language:
  At this early stage (preschool), focus is on listening, speaking and responding to simple Te Reo Māori expressions, especially relating to everyday life (colours, feelings, identity).

• Principles and Pedagogy:

  • Culturally responsive teaching: nurturing students’ cultural identity through Te Reo Māori use.
  • Encourage learning environments that foster manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and creativity .
  • Engage multiple learning modalities - oral, visual, social, emotional .

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Learning Outcomes

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

• Recognise and name at least three colours in Te Reo Māori.
• Express their preference for colours through wearing clothes of that colour and sharing artwork.
• Use simple phrases in Te Reo Māori to describe or comment on colours.
• Participate positively in a group ‘celebration’ showcasing their learning and creativity.
• Experience a sense of belonging, identity, and achievement by sharing learning in te reo Māori.

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Lesson Details

Time	Activity	Description	Curriculum Links / Rationale
5 mins	Welcome and Introduction
Karakia/ waiata to open the session with a focus on colours (e.g., "E Toru, E Whā, E Rima..."). Teacher recaps the previous lessons on colours in Te Reo Māori. Ask students to share their favourite colour(s) in Te Reo Māori.	Using language, symbols, and texts – encouraging oral reo Māori use. Builds positive identity and engagement with te reo Māori .
10 mins	Colour Day Sharing - Dress & Discuss
Students are invited to stand or come forward to say "Ko taku tae tino pai ko te ___" ("My favourite colour is ___") while showing the colour of their clothing. Teacher models and supports simple phrases as needed. This is a speaking and listening exercise to practise confidence and vocabulary.	Supporting oral language development, engaging students in meaningful speaking in context ; fostering identity and belonging through language .
10 mins	Artwork Gallery Walk
Students display previously created colour-themed artwork around the classroom. Organize a gallery walk where students circulate and view their classmates’ creations, listening to teacher or student prompts in Te Reo Māori about colours and artwork. Encourage them to use simple phrases such as "Kei te pai āku mahi toi!" ("I like my artwork!") or "He ātaahua tēnei tae." ("This colour is beautiful.").	Using language and symbols in a visual and social context; relating to others; sharing learning progress; linking arts (toitoi) with language learning .
5 mins	Closing Reflection and Karakia
Gather students to sit in a circle. Teacher leads a simple group reflection, encouraging students to say a colour word they remember or like. End with a karakia/ waiata to celebrate their learning journey, such as a waiata about colours or identity.	Reflecting on learning builds metacognitive skills and develops positive attitudes to Te Reo Māori use; supports wellbeing and social competence .

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Resources Needed

• Colour-themed clothing worn by students
• Display of students’ artwork (colours focus)
• Visual aids/posters with colour words in Te Reo Māori (e.g., Whero = red, Kākāriki = green, Kōwhai = yellow, Pango = black, Mā = white)
• Audio recording or teacher knowledge of waiata/ karakia about colours
• Simple phrase charts for teacher and student reference

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Assessment & Reflection

Informal Assessment:

• Teacher observes student participation and oral responses during Colour Day sharing.
• Noting ability to recall and use colour vocabulary accurately or with support.
• Engagement and enthusiasm during the artwork gallery walk.
• Social interaction and use of reo when relating to peers.

Supporting Evidence Toward Curriculum:

This lesson supports students in early oral language competencies in Te Reo Māori through interactive speaking and listening. It nurtures students’ identity, culture, and communication skills as outlined under Principles and Key Competencies of the NZ Curriculum Learning Languages strand【6:12】 .

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Extensions and Adaptations

• For diverse learners: Use visual cues and gesturing to support understanding and expression. Partner students for peer support during oral sharing.
• Digital tools: Optionally record students’ oral phrases and play back to reinforce learning (if digital tools are available and appropriate).
• Cultural context: Link colours to traditional Māori motifs or objects (e.g., "te kākahu o te whare" for colours in cloaks) to enrich cultural learning.

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This final celebratory lesson embodies the vision of Te reo Māori as a taonga and supports young learners to embrace language, culture, and identity in a joyful, community-rich environment.

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If you want further help creating accompanying teacher notes or detailed phrase lists for the lesson, I’m happy to assist!