Stronger Together

Kaiārahi Journey: Camp Ready — Lesson 4

Overview

This lesson, "He Waka Eke Noa: Stronger Together," is part of the Year 8 Health unit focused on preparing students for camp activities through fostering collaboration, whanaungatanga (relationship-building), teamwork, trust, and inclusion. Over 45 minutes, the students will engage in team challenges that develop these competencies and reflect on how working together builds stronger, supportive relationships.

Curriculum Links

This lesson is strongly aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum, specifically the Health and Physical Education learning area for Years 7-8, with emphasis on:

• Belonging and Contribution: Understanding and practicing the value of whanaungatanga, inclusion, and collective support.
• Managing Self and Relationships: Developing skills in teamwork, trust, communication, and collaboration.
• Personal and Social Capabilities (Key Competencies): Using competencies such as relating to others and participating and contributing, which are essential for lifelong learning and well-being.

Key Achievement Objectives from the Health and Physical Education curriculum for Year 7-8:

• Participate actively and take on roles in groups to create an outcome or solve a problem together.
• Recognise and demonstrate skills for establishing and maintaining positive relationships.
• Understand how relationships contribute to wellbeing, and ways to support others effectively.

(See the Health and Physical Education learning area in the New Zealand Curriculum for guidance on progress and age-appropriate achievement objectives.)

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate effective teamwork skills by participating in team challenges.
2. Explain the importance of whanaungatanga and collaborative support in group settings.
3. Reflect on their own contributions and the impact of inclusion and trust within a team.
4. Identify ways to support others and build positive relationships during group activities.

Resources Needed

• Open space for physical activities
• Team challenge materials (e.g., cones, ropes, blindfolds, balls)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Reflection sheets or journals

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Lesson Plan

Time Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description
5 mins	Introduction & Whanaungatanga Discussion	Brief group discussion on whanaungatanga and working together. Set the tone of ‘He Waka Eke Noa’ (all in the canoe together).
10 mins	Team Challenge 1: Trust Walk	Students work in pairs. One blindfolded, the other guides through an obstacle course using clear communication. Builds trust and listening skills.
10 mins	Team Challenge 2: Collaborative Problem-solving Game	Small groups solve a physical or mental challenge requiring planning and cooperation (e.g., building a human “bridge” or solving a puzzle).
10 mins	Group Reflection and Discussion	Gather as a class to share experiences, focusing on feelings about trust, inclusion, and teamwork. Introduce vocabulary like "whanaungatanga," "manaakitanga."
5 mins	Personal Reflection Journaling	Students individually write or draw about how they supported others or felt supported today. Encourage linking to camp readiness and wellbeing.
5 mins	Wrap-up and Key Takeaways	Reinforce key learning points, emphasise the value of being "strenger together," and how these skills support their upcoming camp and beyond.

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Detailed Activity Descriptions

Introduction & Whanaungatanga Discussion (5 minutes)

• Begin with the whakataukī He waka eke noa (“We’re all in this together”).
• Ask: What does teamwork mean to you? How does it feel to be part of a supportive group?
• Highlight the concept of whanaungatanga – building warm, trusting relationships.
• Connect this to camp, where teamwork and support are vital for success and safety.

Team Challenge 1: Trust Walk (10 minutes)

• Pair students randomly.
• One student is blindfolded and the other verbally guides them through a simple obstacle course.
• Encourage use of respectful, clear communication and active listening.
• Switch roles after the first round for fairness and empathy-building.

Team Challenge 2: Collaborative Problem-solving Game (10 minutes)

• Divide the class into small groups of 5-6.
• Present a challenge such as:
• Creating a "human bridge" by linking hands to allow a teammate to cross without touching the ground.
• Solving a logic puzzle together.
• Stress the importance of listening to all ideas and including everyone.
• Circulate to facilitate and prompt discussion about teamwork strategies.

Group Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Bring the class together.
• Ask guided questions:
• How did it feel to trust someone to guide you?
• What made your team successful or challenged?
• How did you support each other?
• Introduce key Māori values such as manaakitanga (care and respect).
• Encourage the concept of everyone having a role and contribution.

Personal Reflection Journaling (5 minutes)

• Provide reflection sheets or journals.
• Prompts:
• Describe one way you helped someone today.
• How did someone support you?
• How can these teamwork skills help us at camp?
• Allow creativity with writing, drawing, or diagrams.

Wrap-up and Key Takeaways (5 minutes)

• Summarise the lesson’s key points:
• Collaboration makes us stronger.
• Everyone’s contribution matters.
• Whanaungatanga is about support, trust, and connection.
• Highlight how these values prepare them for camp challenges.
• End on a motivational note: He waka eke noa – we all paddle together!

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Assessment and Feedback

• Formative assessment through observation during activities, noting participation, communication, and inclusion.
• Use the reflective journals to assess students’ understanding of the key concepts.
• Provide positive, specific feedback on teamwork behaviours.
• Encourage self and peer assessment by inviting students to share what they learnt about themselves and their group.

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Differentiation and Inclusion

• Ensure all students are paired with peers they feel comfortable with or deliberately mix groups to build new relationships.
• Adapt physical challenges to accommodate different ability levels (e.g., reduce obstacles, allow verbal support).
• Use culturally responsive approaches by integrating Māori concepts of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga clearly.
• Use clear and simple language with visual supports for English language learners or students with additional needs.

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Key Competencies Integration

• Relating to Others: Building and maintaining positive relationships in teams.
• Participating and Contributing: Engaging actively in group challenges.
• Managing Self: Demonstrating self-regulation and trust.
• Thinking: Problem-solving collaboratively.
• Using Language, Symbols, and Texts: Communicating instructions and reflections clearly.

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This lesson, truly embracing He Waka Eke Noa, aims to instill confidence in teamwork and inclusion, vital not only for camp readiness but for lifelong wellbeing and participation in community.

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References for the New Zealand Health and Physical Education Curriculum and associated values and competencies are drawn from the official New Zealand Curriculum documentation and relevant teaching guides.