Māori Greetings Intro

Lesson Information

Unit: Exploring Māori Language and Culture (Lesson 1 of 6)
Title: Introduction to Māori Greetings
Duration: 60 minutes
Class: Year 4-5 (25 students)
Subject: Languages (Te Reo Māori focus)
Curriculum: Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (Māori-medium curriculum)

WALT (We Are Learning To)

WALT use common Māori greetings and farewells with correct pronunciation.
WALT understand the cultural importance of greetings in te ao Māori.
WALT practice greetings and farewells through role-playing in pairs.

Success Criteria

I can pronounce Māori greetings and farewells clearly.
I can use greetings in appropriate contexts during conversations.
I can explain why greetings are important in Māori culture.
I can work respectfully with a partner to practice greetings.

Learning Objectives (Aligned with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa)

Oral Language Development: Students will develop oral communication skills by learning and practising Māori greetings and farewells, focusing on fluency, expression, and context-appropriate use.
Cultural Understanding: Students will explore greetings as a key part of tikanga Māori, appreciating their role in whakawhanaungatanga (building relationships) and manaakitanga (showing respect and care) .
Social Competency: Facilitate meaningful engagement with peers through paired role-play, promoting collaboration and verbal reasoning appropriate to Years 4-5 students.
Language Identity: Foster positive identity through connection with te reo Māori as a living taonga, supporting students’ understanding that language is a foundation of Māori culture and identity .

Resources

Māori greeting flashcards (e.g., Kia ora, Tēnā koe, Haere rā, E noho rā)
Audio recordings of correct pronunciation by fluent speakers
Visual aids (posters showing greetings with phonetic guidance)
Role-play prompt cards
Classroom whiteboard or projector for displaying key phrases
Dyslexia-friendly fonts and clear layouts for reading materials

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Differentiation & Support
0-10 min	Introduction & Whakataukī	Begin with a culturally significant whakataukī about language (e.g., "Ko te reo Māori te mauri o te mana Māori"), explaining the importance of te reo Māori and greetings in particular.	Use visuals to support understanding of Māori concepts for diverse learners. Provide oral explanation first, then show text.
10-20 min	Listen and Repeat	Play audio clips of Māori greetings and farewells. Students listen carefully and repeat with teacher modelling correct pronunciation. Include simple greetings: Kia ora, Mōrena, Tēnā koe, Haere rā, E noho rā.	Provide phonetic spellings for students with dyslexia or language delays. Use choral repetition for confidence building.
20-35 min	Context Discussion	Discuss in simple terms when and why greetings are used in Māori culture (e.g., to show respect, acknowledge others, build connections). Ask questions to elicit student ideas and encourage sharing experiences with greetings.	Use sentence starters and visual prompts to support verbal reasoning for ELL or shy students.
35-50 min	Role-playing Greetings (Pair Activity)	Students pair up to practice greeting each other using Māori phrases learned. Each pair receives role-play prompt cards (e.g., greeting a friend, saying farewell at the door). Teacher circulates to guide pronunciation and context use.	Pair students strategically: ELL learners with fluent peers, or mixed abilities. Provide additional support prompts for those needing help. Extension: encourage students to add gestures or expressions tied to each greeting.
50-55 min	Reflection & Sharing	Invite some pairs to demonstrate their role-plays to the class. Reflect as a group on what they noticed about greetings and how it felt to use te reo Māori.	Praise positive efforts inclusively. Facilitate peer feedback focused on manaakitanga principles.
55-60 min	Summary & Homework	Recap key greetings practiced. Encourage students to teach an adult or whānau member one Māori greeting and share how it felt.	Provide a simple printable sheet with greetings and phonetics for home practice. Encourage family involvement to strengthen language use outside school.

Differentiation Strategies

Visual supports: Use flashcards and posters with images and phonetic spelling for all students, especially those with dyslexia or language learning needs.
Scaffolded Oral Practice: Start with chorused repetition before paired role-play to build confidence and reduce anxiety.
Flexible Grouping: Pair stronger speakers with learners needing oral language support.
Sentence Stems: Provide sentence starters for responses when discussing cultural contexts or during reflection.
Multi-sensory Learning: Encourage using body language and gestures along with verbal greetings to enhance memory and engagement.

Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

Research and present additional formal Māori pōwhiri greetings used in ceremonies.
Create storyboards showing a greeting sequence in a whānau or community setting.
Learn and use different forms of “hello” depending on time of day or relationship.
Record a short video role-play using Māori greetings and farewells with expressive intonation.

Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Options

Text materials and flashcards use sans-serif fonts such as OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans.
High-contrast text/background (black on cream or white).
Use audio versions and read-aloud supports to complement written greetings.
Provide clear spacing and avoid cluttered layouts.
Use colour-coded cue words for greetings and farewells to differentiate categories visually.

Alignment with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa Key Competencies

Communication: Engaging in respectful oral communication using Māori language conventions.
Relationships with Others: Practising whakawhanaungatanga through greetings, showing respect and hospitality.
Self-Management: Confidence and persistence in learning and using a new language.
Participation and Contribution: Working collaboratively in pairs and groups to use language authentically.
Thinking: Understanding cultural contexts and the purpose of greetings in te ao Māori.

By integrating Te Marautanga’s focus on oral language development, cultural identity, and social participation, this lesson offers an inclusive, engaging, and authentic introduction for Year 4-5 students to Māori greetings. This foundational step invites students not only to develop language skills but to connect respectfully with Māori worldviews and tikanga .

If you want, I can provide detailed printable resources or audio prompts to accompany this plan!

Teaching Instructions