Exploring Symbols Unity

Year 0-1 | 30 minutes | Religious Education | One Family, Many Faces Unit | Lesson 16 of 20

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand that different cultures have symbols that represent unity and family.
• Recognise and describe some common symbols of unity from various cultures, including local Māori concepts.
• Create our own symbol that represents unity and family for our classroom whānau.

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Success Criteria

• I can name or recognise symbols that show unity and family.
• I can talk about what these symbols mean for people.
• I can design and explain my own special symbol of unity.

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Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Social Sciences (Religious Education aspects integrated)

• Achievement Objective:
  Recognise that people have beliefs and traditions that are important to them and their communities. (Social Sciences Level 1)
• Key Concepts: Identity, culture, connection, and relationships within families and communities.
• Values: Respect, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community.

Key Competencies (NZ Curriculum pages 12-13)

• Relating to others: Sharing ideas about families and cultures.
• Participating and contributing: Creating a symbol that represents unity.
• Thinking: Reflecting on the meaning of symbols we see and make.

Principles (NZ Curriculum Refresh)

• Inclusion: Recognising diverse family forms and cultural backgrounds.
• Cultural Diversity: Valuing Māori and other cultures' symbols and meanings.
• Community Engagement: Connecting school learning with students' families and communities.

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Lesson Outline

Time	Activity	Details	Resources	Teaching Notes
5 min	Introduction and Discussion

• Gather students in a circle.
• Use picture cards of simple symbols of unity/family from various cultures (e.g., linked hands, a woven pattern (like harakeke flax weaving), a heart, a family tree, a circle).
• Teacher briefly introduces each symbol and asks students what they think it means.
• Introduce the idea: "Symbols are pictures or shapes that can tell a story or show how people feel connected."
  | Picture cards or images of symbols; Large paper with displayed title "Symbols of Unity" | Use simple language and lots of visual stimuli. Use te reo Māori labels (e.g., whānau (family), kotahitanga (unity)) alongside English. Include Māori cultural examples to reflect local tikanga.|
  | 10 min | Storytime: Symbol Story |
• Read a short story or share an example about a symbol of unity from Aotearoa New Zealand or another culture that is meaningful for children (e.g., a harakeke (flax) weaving story representing family strength).
• Discuss how the symbol shows unity and working together.
• Invite children to share symbols or things they think show family or unity at home.
  | Storybook or teacher-created tale, props like flax strands or string | Keep story short and interactive. Encourage participation by asking simple questions ("What else can show family?") |
  | 10 min | Creative Activity: Make Our Own Symbol |
• Provide materials: paper, coloured pencils, crayons, stickers.
• Invite children to design their own symbol that shows their idea of unity and family for the classroom or school community.
• Teacher circulates to support and ask questions ("What does your symbol mean? Who is in your family?")
• Option for some children to share their symbol with the group.
  | Drawing paper, crayons, stickers, sample symbols as reference | Support diverse expression and respect all contributions. Encourage use of both drawing and symbolism. |
  | 5 min | Wrap-up and Reflection |
• Gather to look at everyone's symbols displayed on a board or wall.
• Reinforce the lesson WALT and success criteria by summarising what they learned about symbols and unity.
• Sing or chant a simple "We Are One Family" song or karakia that celebrates togetherness.
  | Display board, optional song/karakia | Reinforce positive language about inclusion and respect. Encourage children to explain their symbol in their own words. |

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Assessment and Reflection

Formative Assessment:

• Observe children's participation in discussions and storytime to check understanding of the concept of unity and family.
• Assess engagement and creativity during the symbol-making activity.
• Listen to children's explanations of their symbols to assess their grasp of symbolic representation and cultural respect.

Teacher notes could include photos of symbols created, recorded simple quotes from children about their symbol meanings. This evidence can inform further lessons and reporting.

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Extensions and Next Steps

• Use children’s symbols to create a classroom mural celebrating "One Family, Many Faces".
• Connect symbols to other curriculum areas such as Visual Arts (exploring patterns and colours) and English (storytelling about family connections).
• Continue reinforcing cultural diversity and language by introducing te reo Māori waiata and greetings relating to family and community.

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Resources Required

• Picture cards/images of symbols of unity from diverse cultures including Māori symbols.
• Storybook or teacher-prepared story involving a symbol of unity.
• Art materials: paper, crayons, coloured pencils, stickers.
• Display board for artworks.

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This plan follows the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum and its commitment to inclusion, cultural diversity, and building key competencies through social sciences concepts at the Year 0-1 level. It provides an engaging, hands-on learning experience designed to meet curriculum and community expectations for religious education and respect for diverse family and cultural identities .