Local Heroes Unit #7

Overview

This lesson is designed for Year 5 students to learn about local heroes and role models, particularly those who have contributed to the community and Māori culture. This activity involves conducting interviews, creating profiles, and sharing findings through presentations or a class newsletter.

Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Curriculum Area: Social Studies and Te Reo Māori
Level: Level 3

Learning Objectives

• Understand the concept of local heroes and role models.
• Identify figures who have had a positive impact on the community and Māori culture.
• Develop interviewing and communication skills.
• Create detailed profiles based on collected data.
• Present findings through different mediums (presentation or newsletter).

Materials Needed

• Notebooks
• Pens/Pencils
• Tablets/Computers with internet access
• Audio recorders or smartphones for recording interviews
• Projector and screen/Smartboard

Lesson Outline

Introduction (10 Minutes)

1. Welcome and Recap: Greet students and briefly recap the previous lesson where they discussed the qualities of heroes and role models.
2. Objectives Overview: Explain the objectives of the lesson and what students are expected to achieve by the end of the class.
3. Class Discussion: Initiate a discussion on what makes someone a local hero or role model. Include examples like community leaders, teachers, healthcare workers, whānau members, and notable Māori figures.

Main Activity - Conducting Interviews (25 Minutes)

1. Grouping Students: Divide the class into small groups of 5 students each.

2. Assigning roles: Assign specific roles within each group (Interviewer, Note-taker, Recorder, Photographer, and Presenter).

3. Content Creation:

   • Each group identifies a local hero/role model to interview. Encourage them to think about individuals who have contributed to the Māori community and local culture.
   • Develop a list of interview questions with a focus on the person's contributions, achievements, and influence on the community.
   • Conduct a mock interview in class to practice.

4. Conducting Interviews: If feasible within the time frame or as homework, students will interview their selected local heroes using the questions they developed.

Creating Profiles (15 Minutes)

1. Information Compilation: Groups compile the information gathered from the interviews into comprehensive profiles. This will include:

   • Basic information about the person
   • Their contributions to the community
   • Quotes or anecdotes from the interview
   • Any images or audio clips collected

2. Profile Creation: Using posters or digital tools, each group creates a profile of their local hero. Ensure it's visually appealing and informative.

Presentation/Newsletter Creation (10 Minutes)

1. Presentations Preparation: Groups prepare short presentations to share their findings with the class.
2. Class Newsletter: Alternatively, compile all the profiles into a class newsletter to be distributed to the students and perhaps the wider school community.

Conclusion (5 Minutes)

1. Q&A Session: Open the floor for questions about the lesson and the heroes profiled.
2. Reflective Discussion: Ask students to share what they learned from the interviews and how these local heroes inspire them.

Assessment

• Participation: Students are assessed on their engagement during the group work and class discussion.
• Profile Quality: Assess the completeness and accuracy of the profiles created.
• Presentation Skills: Evaluate the clarity and effectiveness of the group presentations or contributions to the class newsletter.

Extensions

• Field Trip: Organise a trip to a local marae or community centre to learn more about Māori culture and local heroes.
• Guest Speaker: Invite one of the local heroes to visit the class and share their experiences firsthand.

By the end of the lesson, students will have a deeper appreciation for local heroes and important Māori cultural contributors, along with improved skills in interviewing, profile creation, and presentation.