Kate Sheppard’s Note

Overview

Students are introduced to Kate Sheppard as an important person in Aotearoa New Zealand history. They learn that she helped women gain the right to vote in 1893 and that her image appears on the New Zealand $10 note. Students then design a commemorative note showing Kate Sheppard and a symbol of something important to them.

Learning intentions

We are learning to:

• recognise Kate Sheppard as an important person in New Zealand history
• learn one important event connected with her life
• notice how people and events can be remembered through pictures and objects
• share an idea about something important to us

Success criteria

• I can say who Kate Sheppard was.
• I can tell someone that she helped women gain the right to vote in 1893.
• I can find or draw Kate Sheppard and a symbol on my commemorative note.
• I can explain what my symbol means.

Curriculum links

• Social Sciences: people, places, and significant events, with a focus on how people and events contribute to our national identity.
• Social Sciences: noticing and discussing evidence from a familiar historical source, such as a note or image.
• English: suggesting an audience and purpose for writing, and working towards a specific writing goal.
• Te Mātaiaho English planning and drafting: students use knowledge about a topic to plan and create a meaningful response.

This is an age-appropriate introduction to women’s suffrage and national identity. The topic is documented more fully in later phases; here, students encounter it through a simple story about an important person and a familiar New Zealand object. The lesson aligns with the Social Sciences descriptor “History: people, places, and significant events” (NZ-TMA-SOCIALSCI-Y0-10-history-375-DOC195).

Vocabulary

• important — someone or something that matters
• vote — to choose or have a say in a decision
• rights — fair things people should be allowed to do
• suffrage — the right to vote
• commemorate — to remember and honour someone or an event
• symbol — a picture or object that stands for an idea

Teacher preparation

Prepare a large image or teacher-held replica of the New Zealand $10 note. Do not distribute real money or present money as a toy. Display the Kate Sheppard introduction deck and photocopy the commemorative note design sheet. Pre-teach the words “vote”, “important”, and “symbol” using gestures and pictures. Arrange students in a meeting area and then at tables in groups of four.

Lesson structure (30 minutes)

1. 0–4 min · Notice and wonder. Teacher displays the $10 note hook slide and, holding the note or image carefully, asks, “What do you notice? Who can you see? Why might a person be on a note?” Students look silently, share one observation with a partner, then contribute ideas. Clarify that the note is an important adult object and will be handled only by the teacher.

2. 4–10 min · Tell the story. Teacher uses the Kate Sheppard story slides to tell this short story: “Kate Sheppard lived in New Zealand a long time ago. She believed women should have the same chance as men to have a say in important decisions. At that time, women could not vote in elections. Kate and many other people worked together and asked leaders to change the rules. In 1893, women in New Zealand gained the right to vote. This was an important event. Today, Kate’s picture is on the $10 note so people remember her.” Students listen, identify Kate in the image, and repeat the key sentence with the teacher: “Kate helped women gain the right to vote.”

3. 10–15 min · Discuss significance. Teacher returns to the discussion prompt slide and asks: “Why might people remember Kate Sheppard?” and “What does it mean to have a say?” Accept drawings, gestures, home-language responses, or short phrases. Emphasise that change happened because people worked together and spoke up. Students turn and talk, then show a thumbs-up when they can explain one reason Kate is remembered.

4. 15–18 min · Model the task. Teacher models the commemorative note design sheet under the visualiser or on the design instructions slide. Draw a simple portrait or write “Kate Sheppard” in the main space, then add a symbol such as a family heart, a native bird, a favourite place, or a book. Model a sentence: “My koru is important because it reminds me of my whānau.” Explain that students are designing an artwork inspired by a $10 note, not making real money.

5. 18–26 min · Create and talk. Teacher distributes the worksheet and circulates, prompting: “What will your symbol show?” and “How does it connect to something important?” Students draw Kate Sheppard, add a personal symbol, and dictate or write a caption. Partners practise explaining their symbol to one another. Keep the work at tables and use pencils, crayons, or felt pens safely.

6. 26–30 min · Reflect and assess. Teacher invites three or four volunteers to share their notes and uses the closing reflection slide. Students complete the oral reflection: “Kate Sheppard is remembered because…” and “My symbol shows…”. As a final check, each student points to Kate on their design and tells the teacher or a partner one fact about her.

Resources

• the Kate Sheppard introduction deck
• the commemorative note design sheet
• Teacher-held image or replica of the New Zealand $10 note
• Visualiser or large display
• Pencils, crayons, and felt pens
• Word cards or picture prompts for key vocabulary
• Optional photograph or portrait of Kate Sheppard

Assessment

• Listen during partner talk for accurate use of “Kate Sheppard”, “vote”, or “important”.
• During the design task, check that each student includes Kate Sheppard and a meaningful symbol, with support as needed.
• Use the closing sentence stems to identify who can explain why Kate Sheppard is remembered and what their symbol represents.

Differentiation

• Emergent writers: provide a portrait outline, symbol picture choices, tracing for “Kate Sheppard”, and the sentence frame “My ___ is important because ___.” Accept drawing, oral explanation, or teacher scribing.
• ELL learners: use gestures, photographs, bilingual dictionaries or home-language discussion. Rehearse vocabulary with picture cards and allow students to explain their idea in their strongest language before sharing in English.
• Students needing additional support: seat them near the display, give one instruction at a time, and offer a pre-drawn note outline. Pair them with a supportive peer and check understanding through pointing and retelling.
• Extension: students add a second symbol connected to Aotearoa New Zealand and explain how the note helps people remember an important person or event.