Talking About Our Day

Overview

This lesson is designed for preschool students in New Zealand, aligned with Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa. The focus is on the Communication – Learning Outcome 2: Understanding oral language and using it for a range of purposes (He kōrero ā-waha). Through an interactive and engaging group discussion, children will develop their ability to listen, recall, and share their ideas using oral language.

Learning Objectives

• Encourage children to articulate their experiences in a structured way.
• Develop listening skills through turn-taking activities.
• Expand vocabulary related to daily routines and emotions.
• Build confidence in using oral language in a group setting.

Lesson Structure (10 Minutes)

1. Welcome and Warm-Up (2 Minutes)

• Gather the children in a semi-circle on the mat.
• Greet them using te reo Māori, e.g., “Mōrena tamariki mā! Kei te pēhea koe?” (Good morning, children! How are you?)
• Encourage each child to respond using a simple phrase, e.g., “Kei te harikoa au” (I am happy).

2. Storytelling Prompt (2 Minutes)

• Show a picture of a familiar place (e.g., a playground, the classroom, or an outdoor setting).
• Ask the group:
  • “What do you see in this picture?” (Encourage descriptive words – tree, sun, swing, happy face, birds)
  • “Who has been to a place like this before?”
  • “What did you do there?”

3. Sharing Time – ‘My Favourite Part of Today’ (4 Minutes)

• Each child takes turns sharing something they have enjoyed that day. Provide guiding questions to support those who need help:
  • “What did you play with?”
  • “Who did you play with?”
  • “How did it make you feel?”
• Encourage complete sentences, e.g., “I played with the blocks and I made a big tower!”
• Model a response if needed, exaggerating enthusiasm to engage them.

4. Reflect and Wrap Up (2 Minutes)

• Recap by repeating key words shared by the children (e.g., blocks, swing, happy, outside).
• Invite children to repeat new words after you.
• End with a group waiata (song) like “Tōmene Tomene” (Exploring Together) to reinforce language in a fun way.

Resources Needed

• A large picture of a familiar setting (e.g., playground, classroom)
• Simple emotion flashcards (happy, excited, tired)
• Soft toy (for holding when it’s each child’s turn to speak)

Assessment & Extension Ideas

• Observation: Note which children confidently share and which need more prompting.
• Encouragement: Praise children who use new words or full sentences.
• Extension Activity: The next day, revisit words from this session and ask children to describe a different part of their day using those words.

Why This Works

This lesson fosters communication in a natural and meaningful way, supporting oral language development while building confidence. It follows Te Whāriki’s vision of empowering tamariki as lifelong learners through responsive and interactive experiences.