Journaling Our Discoveries

Overview

This 30-minute lesson is designed for preschool students (ages 4–5) in New Zealand learning Te Reo Māori. It forms Lesson 2 in the "Spring Awakening in Te Reo" unit. The children will create simple journals to document their observations from the previous lesson about spring's changes. They will practise writing basic vocabulary in Te Reo Māori, expressing their experiences and feelings related to spring.

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum focus for early childhood literacy and language development in te reo Māori, emphasising oral language, early writing skills, and identity through language as outlined in the Learning Languages learning area and English curriculum phases for Years 0–3 (ages 5–8), adapted here for preschool developmental levels.

Curriculum Links

Learning Languages – Te Reo Māori

Vision and principles: Recognising te reo Māori as a taonga and integral to identity, culture, and heritage.
Communicating: Encourages oral language skills and beginning writing to express self and observations.
Identity, culture, and community: Strengthens children’s sense of identity through use of te reo Māori.
Learning languages – Phase 1 (Years 0–3): Focus on oral language and beginning literacy skills.

English Curriculum (Years 0–3, adapted for preschool)

Development of oral language and introduction to writing.
Writing simple sentences and expressing ideas with teacher support.
Use of vocabulary related to the natural world and personal experiences.
Systematic teaching of writing conventions including letter formation.

Key Competencies

Using language, symbols, and texts: Students use te reo Māori to communicate ideas.
Managing self: Students take increasing responsibility for recording their own observations.
Relating to others: Sharing their journal ideas with the teacher and peers.

Learning Objectives

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

Create a simple spring journal using drawings and key Te Reo Māori vocabulary.
Practice writing or representing simple words and sentences about spring.
Express their observations and feelings about spring orally and through marks/writing.
Recognise the connection between language and identity by using Te Reo Māori in their documentation.

Resources

Blank mini booklets or folded paper for each student to create a "spring journal"
Crayons, coloured pencils, markers
Picture cards with key spring vocabulary in Te Reo Māori (e.g., kōwhai, pūrākau, manu, wai, raumati)
Whiteboard or large paper for modelling writing
Flashcards with simple sentence starters (e.g., "Kei te... ahau" - "I am...", "He... tēnei" - "This is a...")

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction and Warm-up (5 minutes)

Welcome and prompt recall: Greet students in te reo Māori and sing a simple waiata (song) about spring to set the tone.
Review vocabulary from the previous lesson about spring changes (names of flowers, birds, weather).
Engage students by asking what changes they remember seeing in spring, encouraging short oral responses in te reo Māori.

2. Presentation & Modelling (7 minutes)

Show the journal booklet and explain the purpose: "Today, we will be journaling our discoveries about spring."
Model drawing a simple picture of a spring element (e.g., a flower) and writing its name in Te Reo Māori next to it, saying the word aloud.
Model a simple sentence using the flashcard sentence starters, e.g., "He kōwhai tēnei" ("This is a kowhai").
Use clear and slow demonstrations emphasizing letter shapes and sounds (phonemic awareness) in te reo Māori.

3. Guided Practice – Creating Springs Journals (12 minutes)

Give each student a booklet and supplies.
Circulate to support individual students in drawing and writing key vocabulary or simple sentences related to what they observed last lesson.
Encourage using both drawing and writing — full sentences are not required; letter strings, words, or pictures are acceptable for this age.
Use prompts like: "What did you see in spring? Can you draw it? What is it called in Māori? Can you write the word with my help?"
Use cooperative talk in pairs or small groups where students share their pictures and say simple words or sentences aloud.

4. Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes)

Invite volunteers to share their journals with the class or in small groups, encouraging oral use of te reo Māori.
Praise efforts and gently ask questions about their drawings and writing using questions with sentence starters, e.g., "Kei te pēhea koe mō te raumati?" ("How do you feel about summer?").
Emphasise identity connection: "You are all learning to use your reo Māori to tell your own stories."

5. Wrap-up and Next Steps (1 minute)

Summarise the learning: journaling helps us remember and share discoveries.
Link to next lesson’s focus: using their journals to tell stories about spring.
Encourage families to ask children to share their spring journals at home in te reo Māori.

Assessment

Formative assessment via observation:
Note children’s engagement with te reo Māori vocabulary and attempt to write or represent words.
Listen to their oral use of sentence structures and vocabulary.
Observe children’s confidence and independence in creating their journals.
Teacher anecdotal notes to inform differentiation and support in Lesson 3.

Teaching Considerations

Support emerging writers and speakers by scaffolding vocabulary and sentence structures.
Use visual aids and physical prompts to reinforce understanding.
Allow for diverse abilities—drawing is as valued as writing words.
Maintain a positive and encouraging atmosphere where all attempts at te reo Māori are celebrated.
Integrate culturally responsive pedagogy by referencing local tikanga and seasonal changes familiar to the students’ environment.

This lesson ensures alignment with the New Zealand Curriculum's Learning Languages strand by nurturing identity and communication through te reo Māori, and with the English literacy foundation approaches that focus on the beginnings of literacy development for Years 0–3 adapted sensibly for preschoolers. It encourages early writing, vocabulary development, and oral expression with a holistic and culturally grounded pedagogical approach.

This fresh approach to journaling in te reo Māori will motivate students to see language as a living way to understand and celebrate their environment and themselves.