Numbers and Months

Overview

WALT (We Are Learning To): Recognise and use numbers and months in Te Reo Māori.

This 30-minute lesson for Year 3 and Year 4 students will engage learners in oral and hands-on activities connecting their personal experiences (like birthdays) to learning numbers and months in Te Reo Māori. Fun games and patterns will make the learning enjoyable while meeting New Zealand Curriculum Refresh expectations for language and mathematics learning.

Learning Objectives

Aligned to the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (Te Mātaiaho and Te Reo Māori strands), students will be able to:

Recognise, say, and count numbers up to 20 confidently in Te Reo Māori, including forward and backward counting.
Identify and say the names of months in Te Reo Māori.
Link numbers and months to personal context (e.g., their birth month).
Use ordinal numbers to describe sequence (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in the context of months.
Participate in mathematical conversations using descriptive Te Reo Māori vocabulary about numbers and time.
Develop their oral language fluency and confidence in Te Reo Māori.

Curriculum Connections:

Te Reo Māori - Level 1 and 2: Oral language development, vocabulary acquisition, connecting language to real experiences.
Mathematics and Statistics: Number knowledge and counting, sequencing months, ordinal language, linking numbers and time concepts (NZC Phase 1 and 2; Year 3-4).
Key Competencies: Participating and contributing; Thinking; Using language, symbols, and texts.
Learning Areas: Te reo Māori oral language; Mathematics (Number and Measurement strands).

Lesson Plan Details

Duration: 30 minutes

Class Size: 25 students

Year Levels: Year 3 & 4

Materials Needed

Monthly calendar visual (months in Te Reo Māori)
Number flashcards (1–20) with Māori words
Birthday month cards (students will have cards to select their birth month)
Large number line (1 to 20)
Small tokens or counters for counting activities
Whiteboard or chart paper with month names and numbers
Printable ordinal number cards (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. in Māori)

Lesson Activities Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (5 minutes)

Begin with a simple greeting and karakia (opening prayer) in Te Reo Māori to set the tone.
WALT stated clearly: "He kura ā tātou mō te tahi, mō te rua, mō ngā marama." (We are learning about numbers and months.)
Quick oral count forwards (1-20) and backwards (20-1) as a choral whole-class activity to reinforce number pronunciation and sequence in Te Reo Māori. Encourage correct pronunciation (e.g., tahi, rua, toru, whā...).
Use flashcards and encourage students to repeat after you in unison.

2. Birthday Months – Personal Connection (8 minutes)

Show the calendar with months in Māori: Kohitātea (January), Hui-tanguru (February), Poutū-te-rangi (March), Paenga-whāwhā (April), Haratua (May), Pipiri (June), Hōngongoi (July), Here-turi-kōkā (August), Mahuru (September), Whiringa-ā-nuku (October), Whiringa-ā-rangi (November), Hakihea (December).
Ask students to stand or raise their hand when their birth month is named.
Give each student a birthday month card to find and hold up when their month is called in Māori.
Link month ordering by counting months (1st month, 2nd month, etc.): use ordinal Māori numbers – tuatahi (first), tuarua (second), tuatoru (third). Discuss sequence and use ordinal number cards to reinforce.

3. Interactive Counting and Month Games (10 minutes)

Game 1: "Number Hop" in Te Reo Māori
Lay number cards (1 to 20) on the floor and call out numbers in Māori. Students hop to the number called.
Include sequences forward and backward, random numbers, and skip counting by 2s or 5s as a challenge for advanced learners.
Game 2: "Month Sequence Puzzle"
In small groups, students arrange month cards in order using the Māori month names. Teacher scaffolds pronunciation and supports language use.
Students identify their birthday month again in the sequence – "Ko tōku marama ko Hakihea" (My month is December).

4. Reinforcement and Oral Practice (5 minutes)

Partner students up to quiz each other:
One says a number in Māori, the other says the next number.
One says a month in Māori, the other says the following month.
Teachers listen and provide immediate feedback and encouragement.
Use a simple chant or song to solidify pronunciation and sequence of months and numbers.
Reinforce learning with real-life connections: "Kei te aha mātou i te ____?" (What are we doing in ____?), referring to months and numbers.

5. Conclusion and Reflective Assessment (2 minutes)

Quick oral quiz: teacher names a number or month, students respond individually or in chorus.
Students reflect: "I pēhea taku ako i ngā tau me ngā marama?" (How was my learning about numbers and months?)
Summarise key learning points, emphasising confidence and enjoyment in using te reo Māori for numbers and months.

Assessment

Observational assessment during games and oral quizzes for pronunciation clarity, number recognition, and month sequencing.
Use checklist for teacher noting correct use of Māori numbers 1-20 and months.
Encourage peer feedback in partner activities for social and language skills.
Identify students needing extra support and extension opportunities for advanced learners counting beyond 20 or learning ordinal numbers.

Teaching Considerations

Differentiate support by providing visual aids, physical materials, and oral repetition for ELL or lower-language learners.
Extend vocabulary by connecting numbers to everyday objects and events in the classroom.
Use Māori oral language structures deliberately, scaffolding sentence patterns for ordering and descriptions.
Incorporate Māori cultural references respectfully, reinforcing identity and language pride.
Connect the mathematical concepts of counting and sequencing months with the language learning to integrate curriculum strands.

This lesson provides a vibrant and interactive way for Year 3 and 4 students in New Zealand to build foundational numerical and time vocabulary in Te Reo Māori, aligned fully with the refreshed curriculum goals in both mathematics and language learning. Teachers can personalise this plan by adding local iwi month names or including additional Te Reo Māori greetings and language structures to deepen cultural connection.

If you need a follow-up lesson plan for lessons 3-5 in this unit, or additional resources such as printable materials or digital activities ideas, I can provide those as well!

Teaching Instructions