Netball in Te Reo

Overview

This 60-minute lesson introduces Year 5 students in New Zealand to the basic skills, rules, and teamwork involved in netball, taught primarily in te reo Māori. The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum for Health and Physical Education and Learning Languages, incorporating relevant achievement objectives and key competencies. It aims to develop physical skills, promote te reo Māori usage in sport contexts, and foster positive social interaction.

Curriculum Links

Health and Physical Education (HPE) – Years 4-6:

Movement Concepts and Motor Skills (Level 2-3): Develop fundamental movement skills for a variety of physical activities, including passing and shooting a ball.
Relationships with Other People: Cooperate and participate in group and team activities, developing fair play and understanding rules.
Active Participation and Positive Attitudes: Show enjoyment and willingness to participate in physical activities and games.

Learning Languages (Te Reo Māori focus):

Develop ability to communicate using te reo Māori vocabulary related to sport and teamwork.
Explore cultural identity through language use in physical education contexts.

Key Competencies Developed

Managing Self: Students follow rules and instructions during netball activities.
Relating to Others: Engage in teamwork and cooperative play.
Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Use and understand netball-related te reo Māori terms.
Participating and Contributing: Taking part actively in games and supporting peers.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

Demonstrate at least two basic netball skills (passing – patopato, and shooting – pēhi).
Use simple te reo Māori words related to netball consistently during activities.
Understand and follow fundamental netball rules (e.g., no running with the ball – kahore e oma ana, passing within three seconds – toru hēkona).
Work cooperatively in teams, demonstrating respect and fair play – ngākau pono and whakawhanaungatanga.

Lesson Breakdown (60 minutes)

Time	Activity	Details	Te Reo Māori Vocabulary Focus
0-10 mins	Mihi & Warm-up / Whakarite & Whakawhāiti	Welcome students, set expectations, and do warm-up games (e.g., gentle jogging, stretching). Introduce key netball words.	Whakarite (Prepare), Oma (Run), Patopato (Pass), Pēhi (Shoot), Tākaro (Play)
10-25 mins	Skill Introduction & Practice / Ako i ngā pūkenga patopato me te pēhi	Teacher demonstrates correct passing and shooting techniques. Students practise in pairs. Emphasise te reo commands and encouragement (e.g., “Tika!” for right, “Ngāwari!” for easy).	Pātai (Pass), Pēhi (Shoot), Pawhera (Open hands), Tō (Throw), Ringa (Hand)
25-40 mins	Mini Netball Games / Ngā kēmu iti netipolo	Students play small sided games (teams of 5), practising passing, shooting, and teamwork. Teacher reminds rules in te reo (no running, passing quickly). Rotate positions.	Taiwhanga (Position), Kāore e oma (No running), Tautoko (Support), Ngākau Pono (Fair play)
40-50 mins	Tākaro Rōpū / Team Play Reflection	Group discussion about teamwork, use of te reo Māori, and rules. Students share experiences using phrases like “I pai tō patopato” (My passing was good).	Whakawhanaungatanga (Building relationships), Ngākau Pono (Integrity), Kōrero Māori (Speak Māori)
50-60 mins	Cooldown & Karakia / Whakawhiti ā-tinana & Karakia	Gentle stretching and breathing exercises to cool down. Close lesson with a karakia reflecting on effort and teamwork.	Whakawhiti ā-tinana (cool down), Karakia (Prayer), Ngākau (Heart/spirit)

Resources Needed

Netballs (enough for pairs)
Portable netball posts or marked shooting targets
Court/coned areas for mini games
Visual cue cards with te reo Māori netball vocabulary and key rules
Whakatauki or whakataetae (proverbs or whakataetae) related to teamwork and perseverance (optional)

Vocabulary Summary (Te Reo Māori Terms for Netball)

English	Te Reo Māori	Notes
Pass	Patopato	Emphasize smooth hand passing
Shoot	Pēhi	Focus on accurate shooting
No running	Kāore e oma	Important rule for beginners
Three seconds	Toru hēkona	Time allowed to pass the ball
Team	Rōpū	Encourage cooperative play
Fair play / Integrity	Ngākau pono	Respect and honesty in play
Play	Tākaro	General term for “game”
Support	Tautoko	Helping team members during play
Position	Taiwhanga	Court or player position

Assessment and Reflection

Formative assessment: Teacher observes students’ technique (passing and shooting), use of te reo Māori, and understanding of rules during activities.
Student self-assessment: In the group reflection, students use te reo simple sentences ("I pai ahau i te patopato" – I was good at passing).
Peer feedback: Encourage supportive statements in te reo Māori (e.g., "Koa koe, pai tō mahi!" – Well done, good work!).

Differentiation Strategies

For students needing extra support: Pair with peers who are confident, simplify vocabulary exposure, provide visual cues.
For advanced students: Challenge with longer passes, role of captain giving instructions in te reo Māori, or refereeing mini games.

Notes to Teachers

Integrate Māori cultural values through language and respect themes.
Keep instructions clear, simple, and model te reo pronunciation.
Use movement and games to reinforce learning naturally.
Supportive feedback in Māori fosters confidence and cultural identity.

This lesson plan encourages fluent bilingual and bicultural learning experiences whilst developing essential physical skills and cooperative play in netball, in a manner aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum for Year 5 students in Physical Education and Learning Languages .

Teaching Instructions