Strengthening Cultural Identity

Weekly Kāenga Kura Programme Plan

Target: Year 5 & 6 students
Duration: 60 minutes per day
Class size: 25 students
Subject: Other (Te Reo Māori & Cultural Identity)
Curriculum Reference: Te Marautanga o Aotearoa

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Programme Structure Overview

The weekly framework integrates six kaupapa (segments) that align with the Kāenga Kura programme and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa priorities:

• Intro Kaupapa me te Tease (VB1): Introduce and explain the week's main kaupapa.
• Kaupapa (VB2): Daily focused discussion linked to the week’s kaupapa.
• Re-share te Kaupapa me te Korero Anō (VB3): Reinforce and clarify key messages.
• Pānui a Kura, Kohanga Reo, Whare Wānanga (VB4): Share community learning opportunities and announcements.
• Waiata Throwbacks (VB5): Present traditional waiata with pūrākau embedded to connect language and culture.
• Wrap Up me te Whakakapi (VB6): Summary and encouragement for whānau engagement.

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Learning Objectives (Aligned with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa)

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

• Participate confidently in oral and written use of te reo Māori for communication and cultural storytelling (Ngā Tikanga Ako Reo matua).
• Demonstrate understanding of the importance of whanaungatanga and whakapapa as foundational cultural values.
• Recognise and retell a pūrākau (Māori narrative) using appropriate waiata to support language and memory.
• Engage in meaningful discussions about local marae, whenua, or iwi narratives, linking to community identity.
• Develop critical listening and comprehension skills in te reo Māori through varied text forms (oral, visual, and multimodal).
• Collaborate in pairs or small groups to strengthen social learning and cultural identity.

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Weekly Overview: Theme – “Whakapapa me te Whanaungatanga” (Genealogy and Relationships)

Monday

VB1: Intro Kaupapa me te Tease

• Explain significance of whakapapa and whanaungatanga.
• Tease the week’s activities focused on whakapapa stories and waiata.
  Activity:
• Group brainstorming: What is whakapapa? Why is it important? Use chart paper for visual presentation.
• Share a simple, locally relevant pūrākau that highlights whakapapa connections.

Tuesday

VB2: Kaupapa

• Discussion focusing on whakapapa terms and phrases in te reo Māori.
  Activity:
• Vocabulary game: Cards with whakapapa-related words (e.g., tūpuna, mokopuna, whānau). Match word to image and meaning.
• Create a personal whakapapa map with help from whānau input (using drawings/labels).

Wednesday

VB3: Re-share te Kaupapa me te Korero Anō

• Reinforce whakapapa terms and pūrākau concepts.
  Activity:
• Students pair-up to share their whakapapa maps, practising oral skills in te reo Māori.
• Reflect as a class on similarities and differences, developing an appreciation of diversity in whakapapa stories.

Thursday

VB4: Pānui a Kura, Kohanga Reo, Whare Wānanga

• Share relevant community announcements linked to cultural education, such as local marae visit opportunities or Māori language courses.
  Activity:
• Writing or drawing to prepare a pānui (announcement flyer) about an upcoming event related to whakapapa or whanaungatanga.
• Discuss how these announcements help keep the community connected.

Friday

VB5: Waiata Throwbacks & VB6: Wrap Up me te Whakakapi

• Teach and sing a traditional waiata associated with whakapapa or an iwi/hapū pūrākau.
• Discuss the story behind the waiata, linking it to the week’s learning.
  Activity:
• Whole class waiata practice.
• Whānau engagement challenge: Students take home a simple waiata or pūrākau to share with their whānau and bring feedback or family stories related to whakapapa next week.

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Suggested Resources

• Whakapapa vocabulary cards (visual and word).
• Local iwi or hapū pūrākau collections (books, oral recordings).
• Flipcharts/whiteboard for brainstorming and vocabulary.
• Audio recording device for recording speeches or waiata practice.
• Materials for drawing and creating whakapapa maps (paper, coloured pencils).

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Assessment & Reflection

• Formative: Observation of students’ participation in oral discussions and sharing of whakapapa maps.
• Checklist: Use of key whakapapa vocabulary and participation in waiata.
• Student reflection: At the end of the week, students express orally or in simple writing what they have learnt about whakapapa and its importance to identity.
• Whānau connection: Feedback from whānau about sharing waiata or pūrākau at home to deepen cultural engagement.

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Curriculum Alignment Highlights

• Te Reo Māori: Oral language development through pūrākau, waiata, vocabulary related to whakapapa and whanaungatanga (Ngā Tikanga Ako Reo).
• Ngā Tikanga Māori: Strengthening cultural identity through pūrākau and waiata that embody whakapapa (Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga).
• Communication & Critical Thinking: Structured language tasks fostering comprehension, oral communication, and reflective thinking in te reo Māori.
• Community Engagement: Connecting classroom learning with whānau and wider community learning opportunities (Mātaiahikā – relationships with tangata whenua and local community).

This lesson plan structure is deeply rooted in the Te Marautanga o Aotearoa approach, ensuring knowledge is built progressively with multiple engagement methods, encouraging social and emotional wellbeing and fostering a strong sense of cultural identity and belonging .