Cooking Aotearoa Icons

Overview

In this 60-minute session for students in Years 0-3 at Norsewood and Districts School (Akomanga Rimu, Years 0-2), students will engage in an interactive music and numeracy activity centered around the making of a simple fish and chips recipe. This lesson is Lesson 5 in the 9-lesson unit titled “Pohutukawa Christmas Celebration”. It integrates music, numeracy, and cultural exploration, aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and our school's GREAT values: Give it a go, Respect, Excellence, Attitude, Teamwork.

Students will learn about the cultural significance of "fish and chips" in Aotearoa, practice measuring ingredients to enhance numeracy skills, and engage in musical activities that support rhythm and teamwork reflective of the cooking process.

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Learning Objectives

Aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh:

The Arts - Music (Level 1 / Years 0-3)

• Participate and contribute (Competency):
  Students actively contribute as part of a group, making connections and creating opportunities for others.
• Music knowledge and skills:
  • Explore sounds and rhythms, responding to music and creating their own (exploring beat and rhythm through songs related to cooking).
  • Use movement and vocal sounds to communicate ideas and stories.
• Concepts and contexts:
  • Engage with and respond to music reflecting their own and other cultures.
• Achievement objectives:
  • Reproduce simple rhythmic patterns using instruments or body percussion.
  • Recognise and use patterns and sequences in music (mirroring measurement concepts).

Mathematics and Statistics (Level 1 / Years 0-3)

• Understand number and measurement concepts:
  • Use measuring tools (cups, spoons) to quantify ingredients.
  • Recognise and use simple fractions in real life (e.g., half a cup).
• Numeracy skills:
  • Count, order, and organise objects; use sequencing related to recipe steps.

Social Sciences / Social Studies (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories strand)

• Understand food as a cultural icon in Aotearoa.
• Explore shared experiences and traditions in the community.

Hauora and Values

• Integrate GREAT values with teamwork, respect, and giving things a go during group and music activities.

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Lesson Timeline and Activities

Time	Activity	Details and Resources
0-10 mins	Welcome, Whakataukī, and Introduction	- Greet students and recite a simple mihi or whakataukī to set respectful tone. - Introduce the focus: cooking fish and chips – a favourite Kiwi kai icon at Christmas. - Discuss briefly why fish and chips is a cultural food in Aotearoa (connection to shared celebrations).
10-20 mins	Story and Song: "Cooking Fish and Chips"	- Tell a simple story or rhyme about cooking fish and chips. - Teach a repeated rhythmic song/musical chant where students clap, pat or tap instruments to imitate chopping, frying sounds, and serving. Use call and response phrases like "chop-chop, fry-fry, yum-yum". - Encourage students to use body percussion to represent cooking sounds and share rhythms in small groups to promote teamwork.
20-40 mins	Hands-on Measuring and Music Activity	- Set up stations with simple ingredients for a fish and chips recipe (not actual cooking): e.g., measuring flour (to batter the fish), potato slices, salt. Include visual measuring tools (cups, spoons). - Guide whole class or in small groups to measure, count, and order ingredients, talking through the steps aloud. - Integrate music: at each step, students sing or chant a rhythm together to mark the activity transitioning (e.g., tap twice when measuring 2 cups). - Highlight number sequencing and simple fractions ("we pour half a cup"). - Use cooperative team roles for measuring, pouring, counting, fostering GREAT values.
40-50 mins	Creative Movement and Rhythm Reflection	- Invite students to create simple movements and rhythms mimicking cooking actions together (e.g., stirring, frying). - Use scarves, shakers, or instruments, linking movement to rhythm and sequence of cooking. - Discuss how music and rhythm help us work together when cooking and celebrating.
50-60 mins	Reflection and Sharing (Assessment & Wrap-up)	- Recap cultural importance of fish and chips as a shared Aotearoa kai tradition, connected to Christmas celebrations. - Invite students to share what they enjoyed learning about measuring numbers and making rhythms. - Use a simple thumbs up/down or show fingers for confidence in measuring, sequencing, and participating musically. - Affirm participation and teamwork (GREAT values).

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Resources Needed

• Visual recipe cards/pictures illustrating fish and chips ingredients and steps
• Measuring cups, spoons, bowls with safe/easy-to-handle items (flour, pretend fish/paper cutouts, potato slices or pretend chips)
• Musical instruments: shakers, sticks, tambourines (or body percussion)
• Scarves or cloth for movement
• Whiteboard and markers for counting and sequencing visuals

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Assessment and Reflection

• Formative assessment through observation:
  • Monitor students’ ability to measure ingredients (counting, accepting help, sequencing).
  • Evaluate participation and contribution in music and movement tasks.
  • Note demonstration of cooperation and respect according to GREAT values.
• Self-assessment: Encourage students to express (verbally or non-verbally) what part they enjoyed or found easy/hard.
• Teacher reflection: Use observations to guide differentiated support in numeracy and music for future lessons.

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Curriculum Links Summary

Learning Area	Curriculum Reference	Explanation
The Arts (Music)	Level 1	Participate and contribute, patterns in music
Mathematics & Statistics	Levels 0-1	Measure quantities, counting, sequencing
Social Sciences	Aotearoa NZ Histories strand	Exploring iconic Kiwi food and its meaning in community celebrations.
Key Competencies	Participating and Contributing	Students work collaboratively and respectfully in groups, reflecting GREAT school values.

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Integration of Norsewood GREAT Values

• Give it a go: Try measuring and participating in music/singing.
• Respect: Listen to others, take turns, and honour the cultural story behind the food.
• Excellence: Aim for accuracy in measurement and rhythm.
• Attitude: Positive and enthusiastic approach to learning new skills.
• Teamwork: Cooperate and share roles during group activities.

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This lesson plan supports holistic learning through an interdisciplinary approach, encourages cultural pride, numeracy development, and music engagement nurtured in a safe, empowering environment in line with New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and Norsewood School philosophy.

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If you would like, I can also provide specific sample song lyrics or measuring activity instructions!