Growing Our Voices

Year Level

Year 1-2 (Foundation Phase 1 of Te Reo Rangatira, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa)

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

25 students

Purpose

Develop oral language skills in te reo Māori with a focus on language as identity, whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building), and living tikanga Māori in authentic contexts. The lesson fosters confidence, curiosity, and cultural understanding aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

Curriculum Links

Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (Te Reo Rangatira - Phase 1, Years 1-3)

Language as Identity: Students develop a sense of self and belonging through te reo, understanding language as a critical part of identity.
Oral Language Development: Focus on listening and speaking skills, including greetings, mihi, simple narratives, and instructions.
Cultural Values and Tikanga Māori: Participation in tikanga practices (e.g., karakia, waiata, mihi), and understanding their meanings.
Whakawhanaungatanga: Activities designed to build relationships and respect within the classroom.
Authentic Contexts: Learning in contexts close to students' experiences to promote real-life use of te reo.

New Zealand Curriculum

Key Competencies: Managing self, relating to others, participating and contributing.
Learning Area: Languages – Te Reo Māori as a taonga tuku iho, emphasizing oral language.
Oral Language Objectives (Years 1 & 2):
- Use te reo Māori confidently for everyday purposes (greeting, naming, describing).
- Engage in simple conversations and narratives.
- Express ideas, feelings, and information through oral texts.

Learning Objectives

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

Whakarite (greet) and mihi using basic mihi components confidently in te reo Māori.
Use simple te reo phrases to introduce themselves and others.
Participate respectfully in tikanga practices (e.g., karakia and waiata).
Develop oral language fluency by sharing stories or experiences related to their identity.
Build peer relationships through engaging in whakawhanaungatanga activities in te reo Māori.

Resources Needed

Visual aids showing mihi and vocabulary for greetings and introductions.
Audio recordings of karakia and waiata.
Simple storybook or oral story relating to identity or place.
Name labels with Māori names or simple phrases.
Soft ball or item for "talking object" circle time.
Visual symbols/pictures related to tikanga (e.g., whare, waka, whānau).
Whiteboard and markers.

Lesson Outline

1. Getting Started (10 minutes)

Welcome and Karakia
Begin with a simple karakia (prayer). Teach students the words, encourage participation to connect with tikanga Māori.
Purpose: Establish culturally authentic classroom kōrero and set the tone.
Mihi and Whakarite (Greetings)
Introduce mihi phrases. Using visuals and modelling, demonstrate a basic mihi - “Tēnā koutou, ko [your name] tōku ingoa...”
Use call and response to practice. Include expressions like "Kei te pēhea koe?" to ask how someone is feeling.
Whakawhanaungatanga Activity:
Play a “mihi pōwhiri” style greeting circle. Pass a soft ball around; each student says their name and a simple greeting phrase when they receive it.
Focus: Building relationships, oral practice, and inclusion.

2. Working Time (30 minutes)

Activity 1: Story Sharing - Language as Identity (15 minutes)

Teacher tells an oral story (supported by simple pictures) about a character who uses te reo Māori to connect with whānau or whenua.
Pause frequently and encourage children to repeat key words and phrases.
Invite a few students to share a simple "Ko [name] tōku ingoa" or talk about an item or family member using simple te reo introduced.

Activity 2: Waiata and Actions (15 minutes)

Teach a simple waiata (song) that reinforces greetings or identity (e.g., "E te Atua" or "Tōku reo").
Use actions to support meaning and help with memory and engagement.
Students sing in a group, encouraging confidence and group participation.

3. Reflecting and Connecting (10 minutes)

Circle Time Sharing:
Use the talking object again. Invite students to share one new word or greeting they remember.
Encourage positive feedback and reinforce the language and its role in identity.
Connection to Whānau and Tikanga:
Discuss how teaching te reo Māori helps us connect with family and culture, emphasising respect for others and building friendships.
Highlight aspects of tikanga seen in the lesson (e.g., karakia, waiata, mihi), making meanings accessible.
Preview Next Learning:
Briefly outline what they will learn next (e.g., simple story-making or pepeha introduction).

4. Assessment & Evidence of Learning

Observation:
Teacher observes participation in mihi circles, ability to use greetings/introductions orally, and engagement in waiata.
Informal Peer Feedback:
Positive encouragement and recognition of correct language use within the group setting.
Oral Language Checklist:
Note individual students who can confidently say their name, greet others, and use one or two phrases.
Reflection:
Students indicate (verbally or with thumbs up/down) comfort using new language and cultural practices.

Differentiation

Provide additional scaffolding for learners who need extra support by simplifying phrases or offering one-to-one modelling.
Extend confident learners by inviting them to ask simple questions in te reo or form short sentences about their identity.
Use visual cues and gestures consistently for all learners, including those new to te reo Māori or ELL learners.

Cultural Responsiveness & Tikanga

Use authentic te reo Māori at all times with correction and modelling rather than English alternatives.
Incorporate tikanga practices meaningfully (e.g., starting with karakia, using waiata, showing respect through actions).
Create a supportive, mana-enhancing environment where every student feels their identity and language is valued.

This plan intentionally blends oral language development with cultural identity and relationship-building, focusing on active student involvement to foster confidence and a deep connection to te reo Māori as a taonga tuku iho, in alignment with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and the New Zealand Curriculum .

Teaching Instructions