Everyday Actions and Verbs

Overview

This 30-minute lesson is Lesson 5 of 8 in the unit "Exploring Te Reo Māori" designed for Year 0-1 students in New Zealand. The focus is on introducing common verbs (kupu mahi) and simple sentence structures in Te Reo Māori through interactive role-play activities that encourage students to physically act out verbs. This builds oral language skills, vocabulary, and comprehension aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh.

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Curriculum Links

• Learning Area: Te Reo Māori / English – Oral Language Development
• Level: Years 0-1 (Foundation)
• Strands:
  • Language Knowledge and Use: Developing vocabulary, using verbs and sentence structures
  • Communication Strategies: Listening, speaking, taking on roles in dramatic play
• Key Competencies:
  • Using language, symbols, and texts – engaging with language in meaningful contexts
  • Managing self – participating confidently in activities
  • Relating to others – cooperating in role-play and communication
• Progress Outcomes:
  • Students use verbs relating to everyday actions in simple sentences using oral language.
  • Students participate in simple role-play activities and communicate clearly using subject-verb structures.
  • Students demonstrate active listening and respond to peers with appropriate vocabulary and gestures.

This lesson strongly reflects recommendations in Te Mātaiaho English and Te Reo Māori language teaching at this level (explicit vocabulary teaching including verbs, sentence building, and role-play) .

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Identify and say a set of common everyday verbs in Te Reo Māori (e.g., haere - go, kai - eat, moe - sleep, oma - run).
2. Use simple sentences with a subject plus verb in the present tense (e.g., "Kei te oma au" - I am running).
3. Engage actively and cooperatively in role-plays to act out verbs.
4. Listen attentively to peers and follow simple instructions given in Te Reo Māori.

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Resources Required

• Flashcards with verbs and matching pictures (e.g., a child running, eating, sleeping)
• Props for role-play (optional items such as hats, toys, or costume pieces)
• Open classroom space for movement
• Whiteboard or chart with simple sentence stems (e.g., "Kei te ... au" / "Kei te ... ia")
• Optional: audio or video clips of verbs in use (to add multimedia input)

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Lesson Structure (30 minutes)

1. Warm-up - 5 minutes

• Whakawhanaungatanga (Building connection):
  Greet the class in Te Reo Māori, sing a waiata (song) that includes verbs or actions (e.g., "E Te Ika a Māui" or "Hine e Hine" with actions).
• Focus Question: “He aha ngā mahi e mōhio ana koutou?” (What actions do you know?)
• Show flashcards of verbs and say each verb clearly, encouraging students to repeat after you in choral repetition.

2. Introduction to Verbs - 7 minutes

• Introduce 4-6 key everyday verbs with pictures and actions. Use clear pronunciation, repetition, and mime the action yourself.
• Example verbs for this age group: haere (go/walk), kai (eat), moe (sleep), oma (run), pērehu (jump), kākāhu (dress).
• Say the verb and a simple sentence stem: “Kei te [verb] au.” (I am [verb]ing.)
• Ask students “Kei te aha koe?” (What are you doing?) and model answers.

3. Role-Play Activity - 12 minutes

• Organise students into pairs or small groups.
• Demonstrate a simple role-play scenario where students take turns acting out a verb while others guess the action in Te Reo Māori. For example, one student mimes eating while others say “Kei te kai ia!” (He/she is eating).
• Rotate roles so each student has a chance to act and speak.
• Encourage students to use the sentence stem with the verb: “Kei te [verb] au” or “Kei te [verb] ia.”
• Move around the groups to support language use, correct pronunciation, and provide encouragement.

4. Reflection and Sharing - 5 minutes

• Bring the class back together.
• Ask volunteers to share a sentence about the action they played (e.g., “Kei te oma au.”).
• Recap the verbs learned by showing flashcards again and asking students to speak the verbs and sentences.
• Finish with a short waiata incorporating some verbs or actions learnt, reinforcing vocabulary kinesthetically.

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Assessment & Monitoring

• Informal Observation: Teacher notes who can correctly say the verbs and form simple sentences during role-play and discussion.
• Anecdotal Records: Use checklists to record students’ participation, sentence formation, correct pronunciation, and vocabulary usage.
• Peer Feedback: Encourage students to listen and repeat respectfully; note their engagement and comprehension.

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Differentiation

• For students needing extra support: Pair them with a buddy; provide more modeling and visual cues; limit the number of verbs to 3-4.
• For students extending learning: Encourage them to create new sentences including subjects and objects (e.g., "Kei te kai au i te āporo" - I am eating an apple).
• Use clear gestures and repeat instructions multiple times.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Reflect on students’ ease with the verbs and sentence structure.
• Note engagement during role-play and accuracy of language use.
• Plan to recap difficult verbs and extend vocabulary in next lessons.
• Consider integrating digital tools (such as recording students acting verbs or simple animation apps) in future lessons to enhance engagement and digital literacy.

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This lesson plan approach is learner-centred, culturally responsive, and aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum’s emphasis on communication, language development, and using oral language creatively and confidently in Year 0-1 students . It also utilises meaningful contexts (everyday actions) and active learning (role-play) to foster deep vocabulary acquisition and sentence use in Te Reo Māori, as directed by the curriculum refresh.

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If you want, I can also suggest specific verbs or simple sentence templates tailored to your students!