Kupu Pūhui Exploration

Overview

This 60-minute lesson for Year 5-6 students focuses on kupu pūhui (compound words) in Te Reo Māori. It develops vocabulary and morphological knowledge, aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh for Languages. Activities promote oral language, reading, and writing skills while embedding cultural significance. The lesson integrates differentiation and dyslexia-friendly strategies to support diverse learners and offers extensions for advanced students.

Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Languages | Te Reo Māori Level: Years 5-6 Strands:

Using language to communicate (oral, reading, writing)
Developing vocabulary and morphological awareness (kupu pūhui)

Key Competencies:

Language, symbols, and texts
Thinking
Relating to others

Curriculum Reference:

Develop and use vocabulary through understanding of morphology (root words, affixes, compound words)
Communicate ideas clearly using compound words in Te Reo Māori
Engage with texts that reflect Māori language and culture, appreciating identity through language use
Explicit vocabulary teaching that builds on thematic units and morphological knowledge

Learning Outcomes

WALT (We Are Learning To):

Identify and understand kupu pūhui (compound words) in Te Reo Māori.
Use kupu pūhui to enhance vocabulary and express ideas clearly in speaking, reading, and writing.
Understand how morphological parts combine to form compound words to develop vocabulary knowledge.

Success Criteria:

Students can recognise and explain what a kupu pūhui is.
Students can orally form and share sentences using compound words in context.
Students read and write kupu pūhui accurately, explaining meaning based on their parts.
Students apply kupu pūhui in creative contexts (storytelling, descriptions).

Lesson Plan Breakdown (60 minutes)

Time	Activity	Details & Resources	Learning Focus	Differentiation/Support
0-10 min	Engage: Introduction to Kupu Pūhui	Start with a fun oral language activity. Show simple compound kupu pūhui with images, e.g., rākau + whare = rākauwhare (treehouse). Use visual cards or a multimedia slideshow. Discuss meaning and break down the parts.	Vocabulary introduction, morphological awareness, oral language	For dyslexic learners use colour-coded morphemes (different colours for base words). Provide printed examples with larger, clear fonts.
10-20 min	Explore: Word-building Game	In pairs, students use sets of root words and suffixes to form kupu pūhui. Use manipulatives such as word cards or magnetic words on boards. Each pair presents a word and meaning verbally to the class.	Morphology, vocabulary building, speaking	Provide word bank cards with pictures for those needing support. Challenge advanced learners to create 3-part compounds or find kupu pūhui in Te Reo dictionaries.
20-35 min	Read & Understand Kupu Pūhui	Shared reading of a short, engaging Te Reo Māori text or poem containing kupu pūhui (teacher models reading with expression). Students highlight compound words and discuss meanings. Use graphic organisers to visually unpack the compound words.	Reading comprehension, vocabulary depth, cultural context	Offer dyslexia-friendly texts with clear spacing and fonts. Provide audio recording of the text for listening support. Advanced learners can find synonyms or analogous compound words.
35-50 min	Write: Create with Kupu Pūhui	Students write 3-4 sentences or a short paragraph using at least 5 kupu pūhui. Encourage creativity (e.g., describing their whare or playground). Use sentence stems to scaffold writing ("I can see a …", "The... is …"). Peer feedback in small groups focusing on use and understanding.	Writing, morphological application, expression	Sentence stems support diverse learners. Advanced learners encouraged to write kupu pūhui sentences with conjunctions and adjectives to expand sentences. Use speech-to-text for those with writing difficulties.
50-60 min	Speak & Reflect	Students share sentences or stories orally with the class or in smaller groups. Reflect on the learning with a self-assessment checklist focusing on their use of kupu pūhui.	Speaking, metacognition, confidence	Support ESL learners with bilingual prompts. Encourage positive self-talk and peer encouragement to foster self-efficacy.

Differentiation Strategies

For Diverse Learners:

Use multi-sensory approaches: visual (colour-coded words), auditory (listening to kupu pūhui), and tactile (manipulating word cards).
Provide explicit instruction on morphology concepts.
Use preferred and culturally appropriate examples connected to students’ experiences.
Scaffold complex tasks with sentence stems and graphic organisers.
Pair students strategically for peer support and role modelling.

For Dyslexic or Struggling Readers:

Provide dyslexia-friendly text versions (clear font, spacing).
Use audio resources alongside print.
Colour-code and chunk kupu pūhui visually to aid decoding.
Keep instructions simple and clear, repeating as needed.
Encourage oral responses and use voice-to-text technology as needed.

For Advanced Learners:

Encourage exploration of kupu pūhui with three or more parts.
Find and research kupu pūhui with cultural significance or historical meaning.
Use kupu pūhui in creating more complex texts, e.g., short stories or scripts.
Explore related morphological concepts such as affixes or reduplication in Te Reo Māori.

Assessment for Learning

Formative: Teacher observation during word-building games and oral sharing. Use a checklist to note correct word formation and understanding.
Self-Assessment: Students tick their checklist reflecting if they understood, used, and explained kupu pūhui.
Peer Feedback: During writing sharing, peers give positive input on use of kupu pūhui and clarity of meaning.
Exit Task: Students say one kupu pūhui and explain its parts verbally before leaving class.

Resources Needed

Word cards featuring base Te Reo Māori words and suffixes
Visual aids with images and colour-coded kupu pūhui
Te Reo Māori texts with kupu pūhui (dyslexia-friendly)
Graphic organisers (printed or digital)
Audio recordings of selected texts
Whiteboard and writing materials
Self-assessment checklist handouts

Teacher Tips

Model enthusiasm for Te Reo Māori and compound words — use expressive reading and storytelling.
Make connections to students' lives, local places, and tikanga to enrich meaning.
Use positive self-talk to build students’ confidence in learning new vocabulary.
Plan for flexible grouping to maximize peer support and challenge.

This carefully structured lesson follows the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh emphasis on morphological knowledge, vocabulary development, and cultural identity through language, ensuring students gain confidence and competence in kupu pūhui in a supportive, engaging environment.

Teaching Instructions