Spring Awakening Art

Lesson Overview

In this final lesson of the unit "Spring Awakening in Te Reo," preschool students will engage in a creative and language-rich activity. They will use their journals as sources of inspiration to express their understanding of spring through an art project or simple poetry. Students will incorporate Te Reo Māori words and phrases related to spring, fostering a deeper connection to the season and language.

Duration: 30 minutes Class size: 10 students Level: Preschool (Years 0-3)

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Curriculum Links

Te Whāriki (Early Childhood Curriculum)

• Goal 4: Contribution | Mana Tangata – Children develop communication skills and contribute to the learning environment.
• Goal 2: Exploration | Mana Aotūroa – Children develop working theories about the natural world.
• Goal 5: Communication | Mana Reo – Children experience the language of their own and others, including Te Reo Māori.

The New Zealand Curriculum

Focus on Learning Languages and The Arts:

• Use Te Reo Māori in meaningful contexts to express ideas (Learning Languages – Language in 0-3 years).
• Develop self-expression and creativity through arts and language (The Arts – Creating and Presenting – Levels 1-2 relevant to preschool learners).

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Learning Objectives

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

• Create a simple art piece or short poem inspired by spring using their journals as inspiration.
• Incorporate Te Reo Māori vocabulary and phrases related to spring into their creative work.
• Express their personal connection and feelings about seasonal changes through art and language.
• Demonstrate emerging listening, speaking, and creative skills appropriate for preschool learners.

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Materials Needed

• Students’ spring journals from previous lessons
• Art supplies: paper, crayons, markers, glue, natural materials (leaves, flowers)
• Visual aids with Te Reo Māori spring vocabulary (e.g., Kōwhai, Pīwakawaka, ngā putiputi/flowers, te rā/the sun, te ua/the rain)
• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Felt tip pens for writing words or poetry lines
• Optional: audio recording device (to capture students' spoken phrases or poems)

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Recap (5 minutes)

• Greet students in Te Reo Māori, e.g., "Tēnā koutou! Kei te pēhea koutou i tēnei ata?"
• Briefly revisit spring vocabulary from previous lessons using visual aids.
• Invite a few students to share something from their journal about spring (e.g., a drawing or word they remember).
• Set the purpose: “Today, we will create an artwork or poem about spring using our ideas and Te Reo Māori words.”

2. Guided Creative Activity (20 minutes)

• Choice-making: Explain students can choose either to create an art project or a simple poem with help.
• Art option: Students use art materials and natural objects to create a spring scene, e.g., drawing and gluing kōwhai flowers or birds associated with spring.
• Poetry option: Model a simple spring poem incorporating Te Reo Māori words, e.g.: "Ngā putiputi, he kōwhai, he pīwakawaka, Ko te rā e whiti ana i te rangi."
• Encourage students to say words aloud as they create, and assist in writing simple phrases or words on their art or next to their poem.
• Teachers circulate, support language usage, and celebrate students’ choices and efforts.
• Use Te Reo Māori phrases frequently and encourage repeating new vocabulary in context.

3. Sharing and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Invite students to share their artwork or poems with the group.
• Encourage students to speak in Te Reo Māori phrases they learned or used.
• Affirm students’ efforts and make connections between their creations and the theme of spring.
• Optionally, record students reading or sharing their poems to celebrate progress.

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Assessment

Formative and ongoing through:

• Observation of students’ ability to recall and use Te Reo Māori vocabulary related to spring.
• Listening to students express ideas through art and simple oral phrases or poetry.
• Noting engagement and confidence in using language and creative expression.
• Encouraging self and peer appreciation during sharing time to reinforce identity and language use.

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Teacher Notes and Tips

• Use clear, simple, and repetitive language patterns to support emerging Te Reo Māori abilities.
• Scaffold vocabulary by using picture cues, gestures, and modelling.
• Create a warm, supportive environment where all attempts at language use are celebrated to build motivation and mana.
• Integrate cultural understanding by briefly mentioning the significance of native plants and animals in spring.
• Tailor support individually; some students may prefer art, others may feel comfortable trying simple poetry aloud.
• Use positive reinforcement to develop students' self-worth and autonomy in learning, consistent with Te Whāriki principles.

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This lesson weaves together language learning with arts education, offering preschool students a rich, culturally affirming experience that aligns closely with both Te Whāriki and The New Zealand Curriculum’s learning languages and arts components. It encourages identity expression through the vibrant lens of spring in Te Reo Māori, nurturing lifelong appreciation of language, culture, and creativity.

This approach reflects best practice in early childhood education by empowering children to communicate in Te Reo Māori in ways that are meaningful, playful, and integrated with their lived experiences and growing creativity.