Leadership in Action

Lesson Overview

Lesson Title: Leadership in Action: Kapahaka
Year Level: Year 6
Duration: 60 minutes
Unit: Indigenous Leadership Explorations (Lesson 3 of 10)
Curriculum Area: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) → Civics and Citizenship, The Arts → Dance
General Capabilities: Intercultural Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability

Curriculum Links (Australian Curriculum)

• HASS - Civics and Citizenship (ACHASSK147): The roles and responsibilities of leaders in groups, including cultural leadership.
• The Arts - Dance (ACADAM009): Explore movement and body language as a means of expressing cultural identity and leadership.
• General Capabilities:
  • Intercultural Understanding: Recognise and value diverse cultural expressions.
  • Personal and Social Capability: Develop teamwork skills and leadership qualities.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the significance of Kapahaka in Māori culture and leadership.
2. Identify the different roles within a Kapahaka group and their leadership responsibilities.
3. Develop an understanding of key vocabulary: haka (war dance), waiata (song).
4. Experience elements of Kapahaka through movement and reflection on teamwork.

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Resources Needed

• Projector or screen for video presentation
• Images of Kapahaka performances
• Open floor space for movement activity
• Printed reflection worksheets
• Māori pronunciation guide (optional)

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Lesson Sequence

1. Tuning In – Watching Leadership in Action (10 mins)

Activity:

• Begin the lesson by playing a short video of a Kapahaka performance. Choose a segment featuring haka and waiata to show both storytelling and leadership in action.
• Ask students:
  • What did you notice about how the performers worked together?
  • Who seemed to be leading, and how could you tell?
  • How do you think this relates to leadership in different cultures?

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2. Exploring Roles in Kapahaka (15 mins)

Discussion:

• Explain that Kapahaka is a traditional Māori performing art form that includes dance, song, and chants. Leadership is demonstrated through actions, expressions, and guiding the group.
• Introduce key terms:
  • Haka – a form of energetic dance often used to showcase strength and unity.
  • Waiata – songs that tell stories and reflect on culture and history.

Group Activity:

• Divide students into small groups. Each group receives a short description of a leadership role in a Kapahaka group (e.g., choreographer, lead chanter, group organiser).
• Encourage students to discuss how these roles influence teamwork and performance.

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3. Experiencing Kapahaka – Movement Focus (20 mins)

Instruction & Practice:

• Teach students a simplified haka routine with a focus on rhythm, stance, and expression.
• Start with basic movements: strong foot stomps, sharp hand gestures, and controlled facial expressions (e.g., wide eyes to show strength).
• Encourage students to chant a simple call-and-response phrase, promoting group leadership.

Teamwork Challenge:

• Assign a ‘leader’ in small groups who will guide their peers in a mini Kapahaka performance.
• Emphasise that leadership is not about being ‘in charge’ but about guiding, encouraging, and inspiring.

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4. Reflection & Discussion (15 mins)

Class Reflection:

• Bring students together to discuss:
  • How did leadership show in your group?
  • What challenges did you face?
  • How did you support each other?
  • How does Kapahaka compare to leadership you see in sports, schools, or communities?

Written Reflection:

• Provide students with a reflection worksheet with questions such as:
  • Describe one leadership quality you demonstrated today.
  • How does Kapahaka help groups work together?
  • What was your favourite part of today’s lesson, and why?

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Assessment & Differentiation

Formative Assessment

• Observation: Teacher assesses student participation in teamwork and movement activities.
• Discussions: Gauge understanding through guided questioning.
• Reflection Sheets: Review students’ written responses for depth of understanding.

Differentiation Strategies

• For students needing additional support:

  • Provide visuals for haka movements.
  • Model actions with step-by-step breakdowns.
  • Use peer mentors to assist with movements.

• For students needing extension:

  • Invite students to create their own leadership-inspired haka chant.
  • Encourage a discussion on how Indigenous Australian cultures use performance for cultural leadership (e.g., corroboree).

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Teacher Reflection

After the lesson, consider:

• Were students engaged and active participants?
• Did they demonstrate an understanding of leadership through movement?
• How well did they articulate connections between Kapahaka and leadership in their reflections?
• What adjustments might be needed for next time?

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Extension Opportunities

• Research other Indigenous performance forms that showcase leadership (e.g., Torres Strait Islander traditional dance).
• Write a personal reflection on a time they showed leadership in a team.
• Explore modern uses of haka (such as in sports or political movements) to analyse cultural significance.

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This lesson provides a powerful way to explore cultural leadership through a dynamic, interactive experience. Students not only observe leadership in action but also embody it through movement, teamwork, and reflection. 🎭🔥