Local Voices Alive

Overview

Unit Title: Lake Pupuke Connections
Lesson Number: 3 of 30
Lesson Title: Te Reo Māori Basics
Curriculum Learning Area:

• Te Marautanga o Aotearoa – Te Reo Māori
• Curriculum Level: 3
• Time Allocation: 60 minutes
• Year Level: Years 7–8
• Number of Students: 30

Lesson Description:
In this interactive lesson, ākonga will explore foundational Te Reo Māori vocabulary connected to the natural environment of Lake Pupuke, with a specific emphasis on local flora and fauna names. Learning will include pronunciation, contextual use of vocabulary, collaborative learning, and an expressive activity that integrates creativity, observation, and language acquisition. This is a foundational vocabulary-building lesson crucial to developing deep, authentic relationships with te taiao.

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Big Idea | Ngā Mātāpono Nui

Language reflects relationships, identity, and belonging.
Ākonga explore how Te Reo Māori names reflect the significance and characteristics of local ecological features, including plants, animals and landscape forms around Lake Pupuke.

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Learning Intentions | Ngā Whāinga Ako

By the end of this lesson, ākonga will be able to:

• Recognise and correctly pronounce at least five Te Reo Māori names of flora and fauna specific to the Lake Pupuke ecosystem.
• Understand the meaning or origin of at least two of these names in the context of place-based learning.
• Collaborate in small groups to create and present simple dialogues or descriptions using the new vocabulary.

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Success Criteria | Ngā Paearu Angitū

• I can say and write at least five new Te Reo Māori words about Lake Pupuke flora and fauna.
• I can explain what the name of one plant or animal means or represents.
• I worked within my group to share our new knowledge in a creative way.

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Key Vocabulary | Ngā Kupu Matua

English	Te Reo Māori
Water	Wai
Tree	Rākau
Bird	Manu
Eel	Tuna
Flax	Harakeke
Duck	Parera
Lake Pupuke	Te Roto o Pupuke
Shellfish	Papaka, kūtai, tuatua

(All words are contextually accurate to the area and suitable for Level 3 language learning.)

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Resources | Ngā Rauemi

• Flashcards (Te Reo Māori word on one side, image on the other)
• A3 map of Lake Pupuke (per group)
• Mini-whiteboards and markers
• Printable worksheet (matching terms)
• Audio clips for pronunciation
• 10 sample flora/fauna cards (each group receives a set)
• iPads/tablets or drawing paper (optional for extension)

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Lesson Sequence | Te Rārangi Ako

🔸 1. Mihimihi / Karakia Timatanga – 5 mins

Begin with a simple karakia timatanga and group mihi around the theme of ki te taiao. Facilitate a short kōrero: "What did you notice around the lake last time? Did you see any manu or trees that stood out?"

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🔸 2. Vocabulary Blast – 10 mins

Learning Strategy: Whakarongo – Titiro – Kōrero – Tuhituhi
Introduce the 10 target kupu using flashcards. Model pronunciation clearly and use repetition for mastery. Use gestures or images to associate meaning. Then play an audio clip where ākonga listen and repeat the words after hearing their correct pronunciation.

Teachers can use call-and-response to reinforce:
"Kī mai: Harakeke! – Harakeke"

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🔸 3. Memory Matching Game – 10 mins

In groups of 5, provide students with picture and word cards (flipped). Ākonga take turns flipping to match Māori words with correct images. Once a pair is matched, the group must pronounce the word together before keeping the pair.

This supports auditory recognition and kinaesthetic learning.

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🔸 4. Mapping Nature Words – 10 mins

Each group receives an A3 map of Lake Pupuke and 10 word cards. They must place each card around the map where that plant or animal could likely be found. Allow students to discuss and debate placements using phrases like:

"Ki tōku whakaaro, kei konei te tuna." (I think the eel is here.)

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🔸 5. Whakaatu / Share Back – 10 mins

Invite each group to share one flora or fauna word, its pronunciation, and where on the map they placed it. Encourage use of Te Reo Māori sentence structures:

"Kei te taha rāwhiti te harakeke. Ka tipu i te tahatika." (Flax grows on the eastern side, along the edge.)

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🔸 6. Creative Language Activity – 10 mins

Each group creates one short descriptive sentence or micro-dialogue using at least 3 new vocab words. They write or draw this on mini-whiteboards and prepare to read aloud for the class. Prompt ideas:

“Ka rongo au i te wai, ka kite au i te parera me te harakeke.” (I hear the water, I see the duck and the flax.)

Extension: For artistic ākonga, allow drawing instead of written dialogue—label initials with Māori words.

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🔸 7. Karakia Whakamutunga / Reflection – 5 mins

Close with a short karakia. As a class reflection, ask:

“He aha te kupu Māori tino pai ki a koe i tēnei rā?”
(What was your favourite Māori word today?)

Students can call out their answers or write them on sticky notes and place them on a shared “Language Tree” display.

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Differentiation | Whakawhānuitanga Ako

• Support: Pair English-Māori word sheets with visuals for lower-proficiency learners.
• Challenge: Invite confident ākonga to create a sentence using four or more kupu.
• Cultural Connection: Make space for tamariki Māori to share any whānau knowledge of the lake or creatures.

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Assessment for Learning | Aromatawai

Formative Checks:

• Observe and note pronunciation accuracy during games.
• Evaluate mapping decisions and reasoning.
• Listen for correct grammar and structure in group presentations.
• Review sentence use and vocabulary application during the creative task.

Teacher Reflection Questions:

• Did students engage with local environmental knowledge?
• Were students confident to speak in Te Reo Māori?
• Did the collaborative elements enhance learning?

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Homework / Follow-up

Ask students to take a short walk with whānau or friends this week and photograph (or draw) two plants or animals they notice near water. Bring these in for the next class where we will enrich our Lake Pupuke vocabulary further.

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Looking Ahead

Next Lesson (4 of 30):
Tūhuratanga Taiao – Exploring the Physical Features of Lake Pupuke

• Ākonga will dive into describing the landscape using location-based kupu and directional language in Te Reo Māori.

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He taonga te reo – Our language is a treasure.
Let’s speak it, live it, and honour it together.