Colour Time Fun

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to recognise and name basic colours in te reo Māori.
• Students will actively use te reo Māori colour words through speaking, listening, and a hands-on activity.
• Students will develop oral language skills and cultural knowledge consistent with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (Phase 1, Years 0–1) focusing on te reo Māori and oral language development.
• Students will engage collaboratively and demonstrate key competencies: Thinking, Relating to others, and Participating and Contributing.

Curriculum Links

• Learning Areas: Languages - Te reo Māori strand, Oral Language in English learning area foundation level.
• Key Competencies: Thinking; Using language, symbols, and texts; Managing self; Relating to others; Participating and contributing.
• Achievement Objectives:
  • Use te reo Māori vocabulary to communicate (Ngā Āhuatanga o te Reo Māori mō ngā Tau 0-3).
  • Engage in shared oral experiences using familiar vocabulary and simple sentences.
  • Listen and respond appropriately in te reo Māori contexts.
• Supports Positive Identities and Cultural Awareness: Develops understanding of Māori language and culture as taonga (treasure) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Lesson Duration

20 minutes
Class size: 15 students, Year 0 - 1

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Lesson Outline

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Greeting and Waiata
  Begin the session with a simple karakia or greeting in te reo Māori to welcome tamariki (students), setting a respectful tone. Follow with a short, fun waiata (song) that includes colour words — for example, “E Rere Takapou” or a simple repetitious chant naming colours to and from English/te reo.

• Te Reo Words/Basic Colours to introduce:

  • Whero (red)
  • Kākāriki (green)
  • Kikorangi (blue)
  • Pango (black)
  • Mā (white)
  • Kōwhai (yellow)
  • Paraone (orange)
  • Pāpura (purple)

• Use colourful images or coloured objects (e.g., blocks, balls) to visually reinforce the words.

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2. Teaching Session (7 minutes)

• Interactive Introduction to Colours in Te Reo Māori
  Using physical coloured objects or flashcards, hold up one colour at a time and say the colour word clearly and slowly in te reo Māori eg. “He kākāriki tēnei” (This is green). Have the students repeat after you in choral response.

  • Use simple sentence structures with colours and objects to model language:
    • “He paraone tēnei” (This is orange)
    • “He mā tēnei pōro” (This ball is white)
  • Encourage students to point or pick the object when you name the colour in te reo Māori.

• Questioning
  Ask simple questions to involve students, e.g.:

  • “Kei whea te kikorangi?” (Where is the blue?)
  • “He aha tēnei?” (What is this?)

• Scaffold with gestures and encourage students to respond using the new vocabulary even in short phrases or one-word responses.

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3. Activity - Colour Sorting Game (8 minutes)

• Preparation: Before lesson, prepare coloured bins or mats around the room labelled with a te reo Māori colour word and a matching coloured item.

• Activity Instructions:

  1. Spread a mixed collection of colourful items (balls, blocks, fabric) on a table or mat.
  2. Students take turns picking an item and saying the colour in te reo Māori.
  3. The student then places the item on the correctly labelled bin or mat.
  4. The teacher or other students confirm or gently correct using positive, encouraging language, e.g., "Āe, he kōwhai tēnei" (Yes, this is yellow).

• Teacher Support:
  Walk around, prompting with phrases: "He aha tēnei?" "Kei hea te …?"
  Reinforce vocabulary and praise attempts, fostering a supportive environment.

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Assessment and Reflection (Final 2 minutes)

• Formative assessment through observation during activities:

  • Note student participation in repeating and using colour words.
  • Check understanding by asking individuals to identify colour objects or answer simple questions.

• Group repetition and closure: Have students stand and repeat the colour names in te reo together one last time.

• Highlight the importance of the Māori language as a taonga and the joy of learning and sharing te reo through fun, everyday activities.

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Key Phrases for Teacher Use Throughout the Lesson

• Tēnā koutou (Hello to you all)
• Nau mai, haere mai (Welcome)
• He aha tēnei? (What is this?)
• He [colour] tēnei (This is [colour])
• Kei whea te [colour]? (Where is the [colour]?)
• Pai! (Good!)
• Tino pai! (Very good!)
• Whakaarahia ō ringa (Raise your hands)
• Anei te [colour] (Here is the [colour])

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Notes for Teachers

• Use slow, clear pronunciation and visual supports.
• Repetition and choral speaking are vital for oral language acquisition at this age.
• Keep movement lively and interactive to maintain engagement.
• Validate all attempts to speak te reo with positive feedback to build confidence.
• Integrate tikanga Māori values such as manaakitanga (care and respect) by encouraging cooperative play and respect for others' contributions.
• This lesson supports the holistic development of students fostered within the New Zealand Curriculum's vision, principles, and values, particularly incorporating Te Tiriti o Waitangi by valuing te reo Māori as a living language of the land.

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This lesson plan aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh - Phase 1 guidance for years 0-1, providing rich language experiences and cultural engagement in manageable, enjoyable learning chunks 【12:New Zealand Curriculum.html】.