Promises and Whakapapa

Overview

This 30-minute lesson introduces Year 0-1 students to Te Tiriti o Waitangi as an agreement about working together, emphasising the importance of promises in caring for people and the land of Aotearoa. Using a map and a simple story, children will explore basic ideas of working together and keeping promises.

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Curriculum Links

Social Sciences Learning Area (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories focus)

• Understand: People have different roles as part of their families and communities and they share responsibilities to care for people and place.
• Know: Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a founding document that helps people in Aotearoa work together.
• Do: Recognise simple agreements and promises and describe how people can work together.

Key Competencies (New Zealand Curriculum Refresh)

• Relating to others: Learn to share ideas and negotiate.
• Using language, symbols and texts: Use oral language with increasing confidence.
• Participating and contributing: Take part in group activities.
• Managing self: Show responsibility for own learning and behaviour.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

• Understand that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is an agreement about working together.
• Recognise that making and keeping promises helps people care for each other and the land.
• Identify Aotearoa New Zealand on a map to connect the story to place.
• Participate actively in a class discussion and story activity.

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Materials

• Large, colourful map of Aotearoa New Zealand
• Simple illustrated storybook or story script about a promise related to caring for people and the land
• Visual cues or flashcards with simple words: "Promise", "Together", "Care"
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Props for role play (optional)

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Lesson Plan Outline (30 minutes)

1. Welcome and Warm-up (5 minutes)

• Greet students and gather them on the mat.
• Show the word cards: "Promise," "Together," and "Care." Say each word clearly; ask students if they know what the word means.
• Invite students to share examples of times when they had to keep a promise or work together with others.

2. Introduction to Te Tiriti (5 minutes)

• Show the large map of Aotearoa.
• Point to different parts and say: "This is our home, Aotearoa. It is special to many people."
• Explain in simple language: "Long ago, some people made a special promise called Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It is about how we can work together and care for each other and the land."
• Use a feather or other symbol to represent the promise.

3. Story Time (8 minutes)

• Read or tell a simple story about two groups of people who make a promise to look after each other and the land.
• Emphasise the idea of making a promise and what it means to keep it.
• Ask simple questions after the story:
  • “Who made a promise?”
  • “How did they work together?”
  • “Why is it important to care for people and the land?”

4. Interactive Activity: Promise Collage (7 minutes)

• Give students paper and simple craft materials.
• Ask them to draw or stick pictures that show people working together or caring for nature.
• While they work, circulate and talk to students about the connection to promises and working together.

5. Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Invite students to share their artwork with the class.
• Encourage them to explain what their picture shows about working together or keeping promises.
• Reinforce the key message: "Te Tiriti o Waitangi is a special promise to work together and care for Aotearoa and its people."

6. Closure (Optional 0-2 minutes)

• Sing a simple waiata or say a karakia about unity and care, reinforcing the concept of working together.

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Assessment

• Observation of student participation in discussion and story engagement.
• Ability to express ideas about promises and caring through drawing and explanation.
• Participation in group activities showing relating to others and using language competencies.

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Teaching Notes

• Use clear, simple language and repeat key vocabulary.
• Include visuals for all major ideas.
• Allow for multiple ways for students to express understanding—verbally, visually, or through movement.
• Be sensitive to cultural responsiveness: include Māori perspectives respectfully and use te reo Māori where possible.
• Scaffold discussion and support students needing extra help.

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This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh by integrating Social Sciences (Aotearoa New Zealand Histories), developing oral language and interpersonal skills, and embracing culturally responsive teaching practices for young learners .