Lesson Plan: Exploring Kowhaiwhai Patterns

Subject: The Arts

Year Level: 1-5

Duration: 45 Minutes

Class Size: 25 Students

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the cultural significance of Kowhaiwhai patterns in Māori culture.
2. Identify basic shapes and elements within Kowhaiwhai patterns.
3. Create their own simple Kowhaiwhai pattern using basic Te Reo Māori vocabulary.
4. Link the art of Kowhaiwhai to mathematics, English, and science.

Curriculum Links:

• The Arts – Visual Arts (Levels 1-2, New Zealand Curriculum): Students will explore and develop practical knowledge in the visual arts by using materials and tools to create artworks.
• Social Sciences (Levels 1-2): Explore how cultures use and value different visual arts.
• Additional curriculum links to mathematics, English, and science are detailed in the Cross-Curricular Connections section below.

Materials Required:

• White paper sheets (A3 size)
• Black markers
• Red and black coloured pencils or crayons
• Rulers
• Example images of Kowhaiwhai patterns
• Te Reo Māori vocabulary list (shapes and basic colours)

Lesson Structure:

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Discussion: Introduce the concept of Kowhaiwhai, explaining its significance in Māori culture, especially in marae (meeting houses).
2. Visual Aids: Show examples of Kowhaiwhai patterns, focusing on the common shapes and colours used. Discuss where they are usually seen and their importance to Māori identity and culture.

Main Activity (25 minutes)

1. Vocabulary Introduction: Teach basic Te Reo Māori words for shapes (tapatoru for triangle, tapawha for rectangle) and colours used in the patterns (whero for red, pango for black).
2. Drawing Activity:
   • Each student receives a piece of A3 paper.
   • Using a ruler, students draw a basic grid pattern.
   • Demonstrate how to transform parts of the grid into Kowhaiwhai patterns using simple shapes.
   • Students try creating their patterns, using black markers for outlines and red/black colours for filling.

Cross-Curricular Connections (10 minutes)

• Mathematics: Discuss symmetry, shapes, and pattern repetition found in Kowhaiwhai patterns.
• English: Students can write a brief description or a story about where their pattern might be used and why it is important.
• Science: Link to biology by discussing natural patterns in New Zealand’s flora and fauna, comparing them with geometric Kowhaiwhai designs.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

• Allow students to share their artwork and describe what they learned about Kowhaiwhai.
• Discuss how the knowledge might be used to respect and understand cultural artworks better.

Assessment:

• Students are assessed on their ability to follow instructions in creating Kowhaiwhai patterns.
• Observations during discussions provide insights into their understanding of the cultural importance of the patterns.

Extensions:

• Visit a local marae to see Kowhaiwhai in situ or arrange a guest speaker to talk about the importance of the patterns.
• Use digital tools to create more complex Kowhaiwhai patterns.

Relevant Links:

• Te Kete Ipurangi - Visual Arts Resources
• New Zealand Curriculum Online – The Arts

This lesson plan is designed following the guidelines and requirements specified in the New Zealand Curriculum for levels 1-2 in the Visual Arts, ensuring it facilitates an engaging and culturally enriched learning experience for students in year levels 1-5.