Lesson Overview

This 30-minute lesson focuses on introducing young learners (ages 1-3 and 3-5) in New Zealand to koanga (autumn) through the lens of harvest and change as expressed in Te reo Māori. The lesson aligns with Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum framework for Aotearoa, ensuring development across key strands including exploration (Mana Aotūroa), communication (Mana Reo), well-being (Mana Atua), contribution (Mana Tangata), and belonging (Mana Whenua).

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Learning Intentions

WALT:

• Describe key elements of the koanga (autumn) season in Te reo Māori, focusing on harvest and natural changes.

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Te Whāriki Alignment

• Principles:

• Empowerment | Mana Aotūroa: Children are empowered to learn through active exploration of the environment.

• Family and Community | Whānau Tangata: Incorporate learners’ family experiences of seasons.

• Strands and Goals:

Strand	Relevant Goals (1-3 years)	Relevant Goals (3-5 years)
Exploration (Mana Aotūroa)	Explore natural materials related to seasons and harvest. Develop curiosity about change in environment.	Investigate and explore seasonal changes in environment, noticing transformation and harvest activities.
Communication (Mana Reo)	Begin using key Koanga vocabulary: koanga, ngahere (forest), hua (fruit), whakarerekētanga (change).	Use extended phrases to describe koanga, explain observations, and recount harvest experiences in te reo Māori.
Well-being (Mana Atua)	Express connection with environment; notice sensory changes (smells, colours) in koanga.	Demonstrate respect and care for natural environment and its seasonal changes.
Contribution (Mana Tangata)	Share findings and experiences in group discussions or play.	Participate in group conversations about koanga and harvest customs to build social skills.
Belonging (Mana Whenua)	Recognise connection to home and local place through natural seasonal change.	Develop awareness of seasonal cycles as part of identity and community rhythms.

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Success Criteria

Learners will be able to:

• Name the season Koanga and identify simple signs of koanga in their environment (eg. fruit, leaves changing colour).
• Describe one harvest-related item or activity using basic te reo Māori.
• Show interest and participate actively in discussions and activities about koanga.
• Use or respond to new vocabulary connected to harvest and change.

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Resources

• Real or model examples of seasonal items linked to koanga (autumn fruits, leaves, vegetables)
• Pictures or large storybook depicting koanga harvest scenes
• Simple harvesting tools or containers for pretend play
• Sensory materials: leaves, fruit smells, textures
• Visual word cards with te reo Māori vocabulary (dyslexia-friendly fonts where possible)

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Welcome and Whakatau (5 minutes)

• Warm greeting in te reo Māori with child names. Use a simple karakia (prayer) or waiata to open the session.
• Introduce the word Koanga and say “Ko te wā o te hauhā me te hua” (The time of harvest and fruit).
• Show a picture or real example of something harvested in koanga.

Differentiation: Use gestures, real objects, and simple repetition for 1-3 yr olds; extend vocabulary for 3-5 yr olds.

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2. Story & Discussion (10 minutes)

• Read a short story or show a picture sequence about the koanga season focusing on natural changes and harvesting kai (food).
• Pause regularly to ask questions in te reo Māori such as:
• "He aha tēnei?" (What is this?) pointing at images of fruits or leaves.
• “He aha ngā whakarerekētanga i te wā o Koanga?” (What changes happen in the koanga season?)
• Encourage learners to share what they know or have seen at home about koanga.

Differentiation: Support learners with visuals and props; provide sentence starters (e.g., "I kite au i te...") to scaffold verbal responses.

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3. Hands-On Exploration & Play (10 minutes)

• Provide natural materials linked to koanga for sensory play and sorting: leaves, fruit, seeds, small containers for harvest play.
• Encourage exploration using te reo Māori words introduced earlier:
• "Tangohia te hua." (Take the fruit.)
• "Kāti ngā rau hurihuri." (Look at the turning leaves.)
• Children simulate harvesting or sorting activities in small groups or pairs.

Dyslexia-friendly: Label containers and pictures with clear, large print text using dyslexia-friendly fonts, and include corresponding symbols or pictures.

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4. Reflection & Whakarāpopototanga (5 minutes)

• Gather children to sit in a circle. Use interactive talk to recap:
• “He aha ngā mea i ako mātou mō te wā o Koanga?” (What did we learn about koanga?)
• Encourage each child (if willing) to share one word or idea.
• Conclude with a short waiata or phrase to celebrate learning eg. "Koanga, ko te wā o te hua, te whakarerekētanga."

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Differentiation Strategies for Diverse Learners

• Use visual supports, realia, and multi-sensory experiences to support learners who benefit from concrete input.
• Provide sentence frames and modelling for emergent language speakers or children with speech delays.
• Break tasks into manageable steps with clear instructions.
• Support shy or reluctant speakers by allowing non-verbal responses or paired sharing first.
• Allow extended time for responses and use peer support.

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Extension for Advanced Learners

• Invite older or more capable learners to share koanga-related stories or proverbs (whakataukī) about harvest and change.
• Encourage observation and description of seasonal change in their local community or home environment.
• Support them to create simple drawings or labels of koanga elements in te reo Māori.

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Summary

This lesson blends cultural knowledge and language learning rooted strongly in Te Whāriki’s principles and strands. It fosters connection to environment, promotes early language acquisition in te reo Māori, and encourages social contribution while respecting diverse learning needs. This engaging koanga learning experience taps into natural curiosity, sensory exploration, and shared storytelling specific to Aotearoa’s unique seasonal rhythms.

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I trust this detailed plan will inspire and support successful teaching of the koanga theme, impressing your colleagues with its tight integration of Te Whāriki and rich opportunities for inclusion and extension.

If you require, I can help develop resources or further lesson plans for subsequent lessons in this unit. Kia kaha!