Family Tree Fun

Context

This lesson is designed for Year 0-1 students in New Zealand to explore and learn basic family vocabulary in Te Reo Māori. It is lesson 4 of 8 in the unit "Exploring Te Reo Māori." The 30-minute lesson focuses on introducing key family terms, embedding culturally significant language learning, and culminating in a creative family tree collage. The approach aligns explicitly with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, integrating literacy, oral language, and cultural identity development.

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Learning Objectives

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

• Recognise and orally use basic family-related vocabulary in Te Reo Māori, such as māma (mother), pāpā (father), tuākana (older sibling), teina (younger sibling), whānau (family) .
• Create a simple family tree collage, labelling members with appropriate Māori terms.
• Demonstrate ability to participate in oral language activities, showing growing confidence in pronunciation and vocabulary use consistent with Year 0-1 oral language goals .
• Develop an understanding of the importance of whānau as a social and cultural concept (Taha Whānau - social well-being) within the Māori world view .

Curriculum Links

Learning Area: Te Reo Māori me ōna Tikanga (Māori Language and Tikanga)

• Strand: Communication – participating orally using te reo Māori.
• Level: Curriculum Level 1 (Years 0-2), focusing on simple vocabulary recognition and oral use.
• Key Competencies:
  • Using language symbols and text – communicating meaning effectively with vocabulary relevant to themselves and their community.
  • Relating to others – engaging in respectful waiata (songs), korero (conversations), and sharing stories about themselves and their whānau .

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Lesson Outline (30 minutes)

Time	Activity	Description & Resources	Curriculum Alignment
0-5m	Whakatau & Introduction	- Karakia and mihi to welcome the class and connect to Māori identity. - Brief discussion: “Who is in your whānau?” Show pictures of families. - Introduce vocabulary visually (flashcards or images): māma, pāpā, kuia (grandmother), kaumātua (grandfather), tuākana, teina.	Build oral language and connect prior knowledge to new learning.
5-10m	Interactive Vocabulary Song and Actions	Use a simple waiata or chant integrating family words (e.g., "E te whānau, haere mai") with gestures for each member. This aids pronunciation and retention, important for Year 0-1 learners who benefit from kinaesthetic learning.	Oral language skills and vocabulary acquisition through song and movement; supports memory and engagement.
10-25m	Family Tree Collage Creation	- Provide each student with a large paper and pictures representing family members (drawings, printed photos, stickers). - Students glue pictures to the ‘tree’ and label them with family member names in Te Reo Māori. - Teacher supports vocabulary use and correct labelling. - Encourage students to say the names aloud while placing labels.	Integration of vocabulary with visual arts; develop fine motor skills and reinforce language in meaningful context. Build identity and cultural awareness through whānau concept .
25-30m	Sharing and Reflection	- Each student shares their collage with a buddy or the whole class using the new words. - Teacher provides positive feedback; recaps vocabulary. - End with a simple karakia or waiata for family.	Develop communication skills, confidence, and positive identity as users of Te Reo Māori .

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Teaching Notes and Strategies

• Language Modelling: Use clear, repeated pronunciation, model sentences like “Ko tēnei tōku māma” (“This is my mother”). Scaffold oral responses gradually.
• Visual Supports: Use images and realia to reinforce meaning. Māori family terms are culturally significant; use stories or examples from local contexts when possible.
• Classroom Environment: Label classroom items with family terms for extended learning. Create a “Whānau Wall” displaying student collages.
• Inclusion: Provide extra support for emergent bilingual learners and those with learning needs via paired work and visual cues .
• Assessment: Observe student participation and correct use of vocabulary during sharing. Anecdotal notes on oral language fluency and confidence. Optional: simple matching activity post-lesson for recognition.

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Resources Needed

• Family vocabulary flashcards with pictures and words
• Large paper for family trees
• Glue sticks, crayons, markers, stickers/photos for collage
• Audio recording or lyrics sheet of family vocabulary waiata
• Visual labels with Te Reo Māori family terms

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Sample Vocabulary List for Year 0-1

English	Te Reo Māori
Family	Whānau
Mother	Māma
Father	Pāpā
Grandmother	Kuia
Grandfather	Kaumātua
Older sibling	Tuākana (same gender)
Younger sibling	Teina (same gender)
Brother	Tungāne
Sister	Tuahine

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Reflection and Next Steps

• Follow up with home learning encouraging students to talk to their family members using the new words.
• Lesson 5 will build on this vocabulary by introducing possessive forms (e.g., tāku māma - my mother).
• Encourage use of whānau vocabulary in daily greetings and conversations to deepen cultural identity.

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This lesson plan offers a creative, culturally authentic, and developmentally appropriate approach to embed foundational family-related vocabulary in Te Reo Māori for young learners, fully aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and supports holistic development including identity and communication competencies .