Kōrero Tūātea Whakapapa

Unit: Te Aho Matua Whakapapa (1 of 28)

Time: 45 minutes

Year Level: Year 5

Class Size: 17 students

Subject: Religious Education

Language: Te Reo Māori (Māori-medium)

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Lesson Overview

In this introductory lesson, tauira (students) will be introduced to Te Aho Matua, the foundational philosophy and guiding principles of Kura Kaupapa Māori. They will explore the concept of Te Aho Matua as a living framework that connects their learning to their identity, culture, and spirituality. The lesson will start with establishing a shared understanding of what Te Aho Matua represents and why it is significant for them as learners and members of te ao Māori. Through storytelling, waiata, and interactive discussion, tauira will begin to see how Te Aho Matua relates to their own whakapapa and daily lives.

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Curriculum Alignment and Key Competencies

This lesson is designed in direct alignment with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, the Māori-medium curriculum framework. The learning objectives target spiritual (taha wairua), social (taha whānau), and cognitive dimensions of learning, honouring Māori worldviews and pedagogy.

• Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the meaning and significance of Te Aho Matua in Kura Kaupapa Māori.
  • Explore the foundational principles of Te Aho Matua (Taha Wairua, Tinana, Hinengaro, Whānau).
  • Connect the concepts of Te Aho Matua with their own whakapapa and personal experiences.

• Key Competencies Addressed:

  • Thinking: Engage in critical and creative thinking through discussion about Te Aho Matua.
  • Using language, symbols, and texts: Use Te Reo Māori to express ideas and explore vocabulary related to whakapapa and wairua.
  • Relating to others: Participate respectfully in group discussions and share perspectives.
  • Managing self: Reflect on personal identity in relation to whakapapa and Te Aho Matua.
  • Participating and contributing: Contribute to collective knowledge building in the group.

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Materials Needed

• Visual chart of Te Aho Matua principles (large poster or digital slideshow)
• Storybook or pūrākau (traditional Māori story) related to whakapapa or atua
• Materials for group brainstorming (large paper, markers)
• Audio recording or live singing of a waiata (song) that connects to whakapapa or identity
• Personal reflection sheets or reo Māori vocabulary cards (optional)

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Lesson Plan Breakdown

1. Karakia and Whakataki (Opening Prayer and Introduction) – 5 minutes

• Begin with a karakia to create a sacred space.
• Briefly introduce the kaupapa of the day: learning about Te Aho Matua as an essential part of their kura and identity.

2. Kōrero Tūātea: What is Te Aho Matua? – 10 minutes

• Explain that Te Aho Matua means "the main guiding thread" or foundation that holds tino rangatiratanga (self-determination) in kura kaupapa Māori.
• Use simple language and whakataukī (proverbs) related to whakapapa, identity, and connection to the natural and spiritual world (e.g., "Ko te reo te mauri o te mana Māori").
• Present a large visual chart outlining the four pillars of Te Aho Matua: Taha Wairua, Taha Tinana, Taha Hinengaro, Taha Whānau as dimensions of wellbeing, learning, and identity.

3. Pūrākau (Storytelling) and Discussion – 10 minutes

• Share a pūrākau related to whakapapa or one of the atua involved in the origins of knowledge and identity (e.g., Tāne Mahuta, Ranginui and Papatūānuku).
• Facilitate a guided discussion asking:
  • "How does this pūrākau help us understand who we are?"
  • "How do the principles of Te Aho Matua guide us in our kura and daily lives?"
• Encourage students to share personal experiences or ideas about their own whakapapa.

4. Waiata Whakapapa (Song) – 5 minutes

• Teach and sing a waiata that connects to whakapapa and identity, reinforcing the concepts learned.
• Use movements or actions to support kinaesthetic learning and engagement.

5. Collaborative Brainstorming: Connecting Te Aho Matua to Ourselves – 10 minutes

• In small groups of 3-4, students discuss how the principles of Te Aho Matua show up in their own lives, families, and learning.
• Provide chart paper where each group writes or draws their ideas in Te Reo Māori.
• Bring the class together and share key insights.

6. Whakarāpopototanga and Whakawātea (Summary and Closing) – 5 minutes

• Summarise the key points explored: Te Aho Matua grounds and nurtures who we are as Māori learners.
• Challenge students to watch for how Te Aho Matua influences them outside the classroom, in whānau, and community.
• End with a karakia and a whakataukī to affirm their learning journey (example: "Ko te reo tōku ahurei, ko te reo te ora").

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Assessment (Formative)

• Observe participation and engagement during story discussion and group brainstorming.
• Listen for understanding and correct use of key words related to whakapapa and Te Aho Matua in oral contributions.
• Collect group brainstorming charts to assess how students relate the concepts to their own lives.
• Reflective questioning: ask students to share one new thing they learned and how it connects to their identity.

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Considerations for Teachers

• Use clear, age-appropriate Te Reo Māori but provide scaffolding for any new vocabulary to ensure inclusivity.
• Be sensitive to students’ diverse whakapapa backgrounds and support inclusive discussion.
• Promote a safe, respectful learning environment that encourages tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).
• Integrate visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic learning modes to cater for diverse learners.
• Tailor the pūrākau and waiata to local iwi narratives if possible, to enhance relevance.

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Reflection and Future Planning

• Note students’ understanding and engagement to inform subsequent lessons in this 28-lesson unit.
• Use insights to deepen connections between Te Aho Matua and other learning areas (e.g., te reo Māori language, social sciences).
• Prepare to build on principles introduced today to explore how they weave through their learning and living as Māori.

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This detailed plan reflects the holistic, culturally grounded approach of Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, fostering spiritual, cognitive, social, and language competencies in alignment with key curriculum expectations for year 5 students in Kura Kaupapa Māori settings .