Lesson Plan: Creating Tukutuku Panels

Overview

This arts lesson plan is designed for Year 1-5 students in New Zealand, focusing on the creation of Tukutuku panels, a traditional Māori decorative art form used on the walls of wharenui (meeting houses). This lesson integrates basic Te Reo Māori vocabulary relating to colours and patterns, aligning with The New Zealand Curriculum’s learning area of The Arts and reflecting Māori cultural practices.

Curriculum Area and Level

The Arts - Levels 1 and 2 (Visual Arts) in the New Zealand Curriculum:

• Understanding the arts in context
• Developing practical knowledge in the arts
• Communicating and interpreting

For more specific details on the curriculum, visit The New Zealand Curriculum Online: Arts.

Lesson Objectives

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

1. Identify the purpose and basic elements of a traditional Tukutuku panel.
2. Recognise and use basic Te Reo Māori terms for colours and simple shapes.
3. Create a simple Tukutuku panel using cardboard, yarn, and other basic materials.

Materials Needed

• Cardboard sheets (one per student)
• Coloured yarn (red, black, white – traditional Tukutuku colours)
• Glue
• Rulers or straight edges
• Pre-cut paper strips (for borders)
• Scissors (enough for the class)
• Printed vocabulary sheets with Te Reo Māori terms for colours and shapes

Lesson Duration

45 minutes

Detailed Lesson Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Greeting and Setting the Context:
   Begin with a greeting in Te Reo Māori: "Kia ora tātou!" Explain that today's lesson will focus on creating a Tukutuku panel, a traditional art form used by Māori in New Zealand to decorate important structures like the wharenui.

2. Brief History and Significance: Show images of Tukutuku panels and discuss their significance in Māori culture, such as storytelling and representing tribal histories and values.

Instruction (10 minutes)

1. Introducing Vocabulary: Distribute the printed vocabulary sheets. Go through the Te Reo Māori terms for colours (whero - red, mangu - black, ma - white) and simple shapes used in Tukutuku panels (roa - long, porowhita - circle). Have students repeat the words after you.

2. Demonstrate the Technique: Demonstrate how to lay out the cardboard and create a simple grid pattern using the yarn, gluing it down at intervals to secure it.

Guided Practice (20 minutes)

1. Students Begin Their Panels: Hand out materials. Students start by creating a border using pre-cut paper strips and then begin laying out their designs with yarn inside the grid, applying glue to secure the yarn.

2. Ongoing Support: Circulate the room, offering support and encouragement. Use this time to engage with students about their design choices and encourage them to use the vocabulary terms learned.

Conclusion and Sharing (10 minutes)

1. Wrap-Up Discussion: Have students present their Tukutuku panels to the class. Ask them to describe their panel using the Te Reo Māori words they've learned.

2. Reflection: Lead a discussion about what they enjoyed, what challenges they encountered, and what they learned about the Māori culture through this art form.

3. Cleanup: Assist students with cleaning up their areas and organising materials.

Assessment

Evaluate student understanding based on their ability to follow instructions, use of Te Reo Māori terms during the lesson and presentation, and the creativity and effort shown in their Tukutuku panels.

Extensions

• Visit a local marae or museum to see real Tukutuku panels.
• Explore more complex patterns and materials in future projects as students' skills develop.

This lesson plan provides an engaging way for students to connect with a vital aspect of Māori culture while developing their vocabulary and artistic skills in a supportive, immersive environment.