Introduction to Treaties

Lesson 1 of 2 in the Unit: "Treaty Tales for Kids"

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Overview

Year Level: 1
Curriculum Area: Social Sciences
Curriculum Link:

• Understand how belonging to groups is important for people (Level 1 Social Sciences Achievement Objective).
• Additional link to Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories curriculum: Learning about the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi in fostering relationships and agreements in Aotearoa.

Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Key Concept: What is a treaty, and why are treaties important?
Learning Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand the basic concept of a treaty as an agreement between groups to maintain peace and friendship.

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Lesson Structure

1. Karakia & Welcome (5 minutes)

1. Begin with a simple karakia (a Māori prayer or blessing) to open the lesson and set a respectful tone.
2. Greet the students in both Te Reo Māori and English, e.g., "Tēnā koutou, welcome to today’s lesson!"

Purpose: This establishes a culturally responsive and inclusive setting for learning.

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2. Introduction to Treaties (10 minutes)

1. Visual Hook: Display a large piece of paper with the word Treaty written in big letters. Beside it, draw two stick figures shaking hands. Ask the students:
   • "What do you think this picture means?"
   • "Have you ever made an agreement with someone, like agreeing to share your toys or saying sorry after an argument?"
2. Relate their contributions to the concept of a treaty as an agreement between people to help everyone get along better. Keep explanations very simple and use examples they can relate to from their daily lives.

Activity:
Ask the students to pair up and discuss one time they made an agreement with a friend or sibling that worked well.

Purpose: To introduce the concept of a treaty by linking it to familiar, everyday situations.

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3. Storytime: "Treaty Tales" (15 minutes)

1. Read the story Treaty Tales: The Friendship Agreement (a teacher-created imaginary story). Provide engaging illustrations on a board or printed flipcharts – for example:

   • Two groups of animals needing to share a pond (ducks and frogs).
   • They argue over the space until they create an agreement (the "pond pact") that allows both groups to use it in harmony.

2. Use dramatic voices and expressions to keep students engaged. Pause during the story to ask questions like:

   • "How do you think the frogs feel about the ducks taking up so much room?"
   • "What might happen if they don’t agree on something?"

Visually Representing the Agreement: After the story, show the "pond pact" the animals wrote (a simple poster with symbols of frogs and ducks shaking hands).

Purpose: Connect the concept of treaties to storytelling, making abstract ideas tangible and memorable for Year 1 students.

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4. Hands-On Activity: Class Agreement Scroll (20 minutes)

Materials Needed:

• Large brown paper (to mimic old parchment).
• Markers and crayons.

Instructions:

1. Introduce the activity by saying, "Now that we know treaties are agreements to help people get along, we’re going to create our own class treaty!"
2. Write "Our Class Agreement" at the top of the paper in decorative lettering.
3. Invite students to suggest simple rules or agreements they’d like to have in the classroom (e.g., "We take turns," "We use kind words," "We share materials").
4. Write their ideas down, using drawings or symbols alongside the text for students who are pre-readers.
5. Once the treaty is finished, have all students sign their names (even if they can only scribble or make a simple mark).

Optional Extension: Roll up the treaty like a scroll and tie it with a ribbon for an added flourish!

Purpose: A hands-on activity reinforces the learning by creating something tangible and meaningful for the group.

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5. Reflective Discussion (5 minutes)

1. Gather students in a circle and display the class treaty.
2. Ask:
   • "How do you feel about the agreements we made?"
   • "Why do you think it’s important to agree on things together?"
3. Conclude with a simple statement linking the activity to the Treaty of Waitangi:
   “Today, we made a treaty for our class. Next time, we’ll talk about one of the most important treaties in New Zealand – the Treaty of Waitangi!”

Purpose: To reinforce the concept and link today’s learning to the next lesson.

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6. Closing Karakia (5 minutes)

End the lesson with a karakia whakamutunga (closing prayer) to reflect and close the session respectfully.

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Teacher Notes

• Differentiation:
  Adjust the depth of discussion depending on the students’ engagement and comprehension levels. If some students struggle with verbal expression, provide alternative ways for them to communicate (e.g., through drawing).

• Cultural Sensitivity:
  Ensure all explanations and stories uphold the mana of Te Ao Māori and are consistent with the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi as a founding document in New Zealand’s history.

• Assessment:
  Observe and take note of student participation in discussions and activities to assess their engagement and understanding of the concept of treaties.

Next Lesson:
Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi – exploring its significance and what it means for the people of New Zealand.