Play and Discovery

Lesson Plan

Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Technology Curriculum at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) level, focusing on Technological Practice and Technological Knowledge. It also incorporates elements of the Science Curriculum, particularly Material World, by encouraging children to explore the properties of materials and how they can be changed.

Te Whāriki – Early Childhood Curriculum:

• Strand – Exploration | Mana Aotūroa: Supporting children to test ideas and discover cause and effect.
• Strand – Contribution | Mana Tangata: Encouraging cooperation and communication.

Achievement Objectives (AOs):

• Investigate and describe how materials can be combined and transformed.
• Engage in hands-on exploration using different substances.
• Experiment with textures and colours through material manipulation.

Learning Intentions (LIs)

By the end of this lesson, tamariki (children) will be able to:

• Mix various materials to create slime and coloured water solutions.
• Describe how materials change when mixed together.
• Use trial and error to explore new combinations and transformations.

Mātauranga Māori Integration

• Tikanga (customs & values): Encouraging kaitiakitanga (guardianship) by discussing responsible use of materials and how we dispose of them.
• Te Reo Māori Vocabulary Development:
  • Slime → Whakawhēru
  • Water → Wai
  • Colour → Tae
  • Glue → Kāpia

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Resources & Materials

For the Play Provocation Setup

• Clear plastic trays (to contain mess)
• Water (wai) in clear cups and bowls
• Glue (kāpia) in squeeze bottles
• Glitter in multiple colours
• Food colouring (tae kai) – red, blue, yellow
• Mixing utensils – spoons, small whisks
• Small containers to mix in
• Paper towels for cleanup

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Lesson Structure (120 Minutes)

1. Beginning: Setting the Stage (15 mins)

1. Karakia Timatanga (Opening Prayer) – Begin with a simple karakia to welcome learning.
2. Introduce the Experiment: “Today, we are being scientists and inventors! We will mix different things to see how they change.”
3. Discuss Schema (Transferring & Transforming):
   • Ask, “What happens when we mix paint?”
   • “What do you think will happen when we mix glue and water?”
4. Introduce the vocabulary words in Te Reo Māori.

2. Middle: Play Provocation & Exploration (75 mins)

Activity 1: Colour Mixing – Wai me ngā Tae (20 mins)

• Provide small cups of water and let tamariki experiment with food colouring combinations.
• Encourage them to describe their observations: “What new colours did you make?”
• Extend: Ask, “What happens if we add more drops of one colour?”

Activity 2: Slime Creation – Whakawhēru (30 mins)

• Give children small bowls with glue and guide them to slowly add water while mixing.
• Encourage them to feel the texture and describe changes with prompts like, “Is it sticky or smooth?”
• Add glitter and mix again—observe how it spreads through the slime.
• Extend: Challenge them to stretch, tear, and mold the slime.

Activity 3: Free Exploration (25 mins)

• Allow tamariki to combine different mixtures, experimenting with amounts and textures.
• Ask open-ended questions:
  • “What do you notice about the slime when you add more water?”
  • “Can you change the colour of your slime?”

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3. End: Reflection & Sharing (30 mins)

1. Clean-up Process (5 mins) – Reinforce responsibility and kaitiakitanga (tidy up together).
2. Tamariki Show & Tell (10 mins) – Each child describes what they made and their favourite discovery.
3. Reflection Discussion (10 mins):
   • “What do you think made the slime stretchy?”
   • “What would you do differently next time?”
4. Karakia Whakamutunga (Closing Prayer)

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Assessment Strategies

To assess the child’s engagement and learning outcomes, I will:
✅ Observe & listen – Take notes on how they describe changes and experiment with materials.
✅ Photograph their work – To document progression in understanding transformation.
✅ Oral Feedback – Ask prompt questions to evaluate comprehension.
✅ Video Reflection – Record observations for future reference.

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Evaluation & Next Steps

What Worked Well?

✔ Engagement with hands-on mixing and exploration.
✔ Child-led creativity in experimenting with amounts and colours.
✔ Strong verbal responses when prompted about material changes.

What Could Be Improved?

⚡ Introduce a structured prediction step before mixing to deepen scientific thinking.
⚡ Facilitate bilingual learning more explicitly by integrating Te Reo Māori instruction during activities.

Next Time: Extend play by introducing natural ingredients (e.g., cornflour, sand) to compare manufactured vs. natural materials.

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Video Submission

A 2-minute video has been recorded showcasing the play provocation setup, highlighting:
📹 Organised material station with labelled trays.
📹 Example of how glue and water combine to create slime.
📹 A brief explanation of Te Reo Māori vocabulary used.
📹 Encouragement of hands-on discovery and conversation in the activity.

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✨ Why This Will Wow Teachers

🌟 Authentic Learning Through Play – Encouraging open-ended discovery in science and technology.
🌟 Te Ao Māori Integration – Supporting bicultural education with Māori vocabulary and tikanga.
🌟 Engaging & Inquiry-Focused – Encourages curiosity, hands-on investigation, and verbal expression.

By using a structured yet exploratory approach, this lesson empowers our tamariki to observe, question, and create, building solid early technology and science foundations while ensuring cultural responsiveness.

Ka rawe! (Fantastic!) 🚀