Courage and Whānau

Year Level

Year 5 (Ages 9-10)

Duration

30 minutes

Context

This lesson introduces students to an important aspect of New Zealand’s history: The Māori Battalion’s role in wars and its significance to Māori identity and Aotearoa New Zealand. Students will explore concepts of bravery, community, and cultural identity through stories about the Māori Battalion.

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WALT

We Are Learning To

• Understand who the Māori Battalion were and why they are important in New Zealand history.
• Recognise the values of manaakitanga (care/harbouring respect) and whanaungatanga (relationships/connection) through their story.
• Develop empathy and respect for diverse stories from Aotearoa’s past.

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Success Criteria

• I can explain who the Māori Battalion were.
• I can describe why they are important to Māori and New Zealand history.
• I can work respectfully with others to share ideas.
• I can listen to and retell a story about the Māori Battalion.

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Curriculum Alignment

Social Sciences (Years 4-6, NZ Curriculum Refresh)

• Achievement Objective: Understand that histories are shaped by different perspectives and experiences; Aotearoa New Zealand’s stories include Māori and other cultural viewpoints.
• Key Competencies:
  • Thinking: Engage in critical and creative thinking about historical stories.
  • Relating to Others: Show respect and empathy when discussing diverse perspectives.
  • Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Interpret and create meaning from texts.

Values and Principles

• Treaty of Waitangi principle - acknowledging te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori.
• Cultural Diversity - understanding the importance of Māori perspectives in history.
• Learning to Learn - develop curiosity about the past and connections to identity.

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Resources

• Short, dyslexia-friendly reading passage about the Māori Battalion using simple language and clear fonts.
• Image cards depicting soldiers, the Māori Battalion crest, and historical scenes.
• A large map of New Zealand and world locations relevant to the Māori Battalion’s deployment.
• A storytelling video or audio clip (5-7 mins) with narration about the Māori Battalion (optional but recommended for engagement).

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Lesson Plan Activities

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Teacher explains: Who were the Māori Battalion? (A group of Māori soldiers who proudly fought in wars, showing courage and protecting their whānau and country.)
• Show and discuss the visual image cards to connect names and images—link to students’ own experiences of courage and teamwork.
• Use the map to show where New Zealand is and where the Māori Battalion fought overseas.

2. Story Time and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Read the dyslexia-friendly passage aloud with the class or play the storytelling clip about a Māori Battalion soldier’s story.
• Pause to ask open-ended questions:
  • What did the soldiers do that was brave?
  • Why was being part of the Māori Battalion special for Māori people?
  • How do you think the soldiers felt going far away from home?
• Encourage turn-taking and sharing of ideas respectfully.

3. Group Activity: Whanaungatanga Circle (10 minutes)

• Students form a circle and share one word or idea that stands out to them about the Māori Battalion. Teacher records ideas on a chart.
• Use a ‘talking piece’ to manage turns, supporting managing self and relating to others competencies.
• Teacher highlights themes of courage, community, identity, and respect.
• Close circle by revisiting the success criteria and giving verbal praise for thoughtful participation.

4. Extension for Advanced Learners

• Create a short poem or a 'tribute' sentence to the Māori Battalion using new vocabulary learned in the story.
• Research one famous Māori Battalion soldier or event and share a fact or story in the next class.

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Type	Strategies
ELL / Language Learners	Use image cards and oral storytelling to support comprehension.
Students with Dyslexia	Provide dyslexia-friendly reading (clear font, short sentences).
Advanced learners	Extension poetry and independent research tasks.
Diverse learners	Include partner talk before whole class sharing to build confidence.
Students with special needs	Provide visual schedules and allow alternative response modes (drawing, oral).

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Assessment (Formative)

• Teacher listens for understanding during discussion and group sharing.
• Check if students can recall who the Māori Battalion were and why their story matters.
• Use a simple thumbs up/down or emoji self-assessment for success criteria at lesson end.

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Reflective Teaching Notes

• Encourage connections between personal and family stories of bravery or service.
• Use Māori language greetings and key terms to build te reo Māori presence in the classroom (e.g., manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, Kiritaki).
• Reinforce mana and the importance of stories in shaping Aotearoa’s identity.

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This lesson plan offers a culturally responsive, engaging, and curriculum-aligned introduction to the Māori Battalion that supports New Zealand Year 5 students' learning needs and fosters respect for Māori perspectives in history .