Te Reo Poster Art

Lesson Overview

Students will create educational posters featuring Māori kupu (words) related to thematic vocabulary (days of the week, emotions, family members). They will integrate visual art to depict the meanings of each kupu, encouraging creative expression while embedding te reo Māori language learning.

This is Lesson 4 of 5 in the unit Māori Art & Language, designed for Year 8 students (ages 12-13) in Aotearoa New Zealand, lasting 40 minutes for a class of 15 students.

Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Learning Languages – Te Reo Māori

According to the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh for Learning Languages (Year 7-8), students will:

Communicate confidently in te reo Māori using a growing vocabulary connected to everyday themes and concepts.
Use a range of oral, written, and visual strategies to engage with and express ideas in an additional language, supporting identity and cultural understanding.
Explore and value Māori language and culture as taonga tuku iho (treasured inheritance).
Develop communication skills through multimodal texts combining language and visual elements (posters).

Relevant Progress Outcome Phase 3 (Years 7-8):
Students understand and express ideas using te reo Māori and incorporate cultural knowledge and perspectives into their communication. They use a variety of texts for information, enjoyment, and learning, integrating visual and oral language features purposefully .

Key Competencies

Thinking: Students create symbols and images representing te reo kupu and make connections between language and visual representation.
Relating to others: Students respect and value Māori language and culture and collaborate through sharing ideas and feedback.
Using language, symbols, and texts: Students use language and art conventions to communicate meaning in posters effectively.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

Identify and write Māori kupu related to days of the week, emotions, and family members.
Create visual representations/artwork that connect to and enhance understanding of each kupu.
Develop an educational poster combining text and visual imagery to educate others about te reo Māori vocabulary.
Demonstrate understanding of cultural significance by discussing how artwork reflects Māori perspectives.

Resources Needed

Poster paper or A3 sheets
Markers, coloured pencils, paint, or crayons
Examples of Māori kupu related to themes (days of the week, emotions, family) printed or displayed visually
Reference sheets/charts for correct kupu spelling and pronunciation
Whiteboard or digital projector for instructions and examples
Vocabulary lists covering kupu from themes
Optional: multimedia examples or short video/audio clips of pronunciation

Lesson Activities

1. Introduction & Review (5 minutes)

Begin with a brief recap of previous lessons about Māori kupu and their meanings, focusing on days of the week, emotions, and family. Use a whiteboard to display 5-6 example kupu.
Connect orally by pronouncing each kupu clearly; invite students to repeat. Highlight the importance of accurate pronunciation and correct spelling as part of respecting te reo Māori as a taonga.
State today's goal: to create a poster using words and pictures to teach others these kupu.

Curriculum underpinning: Supports oral language development and vocabulary knowledge within context.

2. Planning Poster Content (7 minutes)

Provide each student with a vocabulary list of kupu under the three themes.
Students select kupu they want to include, aiming for 5-7 words per poster.
They plan their poster layout—where the kupu and images will go. Encourage them to think creatively about visual symbols that connect to the meanings of the words (e.g., a smiling face for 'harikoa' - happy, a calendar for 'Rāhina' - Monday).
Teacher circulates to support kupu choices and spelling, suggesting ideas for visuals that are culturally appropriate and meaningful.

3. Poster Creation (20 minutes)

Students work independently or collaboratively in pairs to create their posters using the materials provided.
Emphasise that each poster should clearly show both the kupu and the visual representation.
Reinforce neatness and correct spelling, encouraging the use of Māori language writing conventions.
Teacher provides formative feedback during the process, highlighting effective communication combining text and visuals and encouraging tikanga Māori perspectives where possible.

Curriculum note: This multimodal learning integrates language and the arts, connecting thinking, imagination, and cultural knowledge in alignment with NZ Curriculum Learning Languages and The Arts strands .

4. Sharing and Reflection (7 minutes)

Students display posters around the room.
In pairs or small groups, students discuss their posters, explaining their artwork choices and what each kupu means.
Encourage students to use te reo Māori as much as possible during explanations, supported by English where necessary.
Teacher prompts reflection questions: How did the images help you understand the kupu better? How does this activity help us value Māori language and culture?

5. Wrap-up and Homework (1 minute)

Remind students of the importance of speaking and writing te reo Māori to keep the language alive.
Homework: Students take a photo of their poster or copy some kupu into their learning journals and practise saying them aloud with their family or whānau.

Assessment

Formative assessment through observation during poster planning and creation to check for correct use and understanding of kupu and ability to represent meanings visually.
Peer feedback during sharing, focusing on communication clarity and cultural respect.
Teacher notes evidence of students creatively connecting language and art for communication.

Differentiation

Provide sentence stems or writing frames for students needing extra support, e.g., "Ko tēnei te kupu ___, he ___ te tikanga." (This is the word ___, it means ___.).
Challenge advanced students to include a sentence or phrase using the kupu in context on their poster.
Use bilingual resources to support emergent bilingual learners and encourage oral practice.

Links to Māori Values and Perspectives

Reinforces manaakitanga (respect and care) by encouraging respectful use of te reo Māori and cultural symbols.
Encourages whanaungatanga (relationships) through sharing and peer discussion.
Connects language learning with kaitiakitanga (guardianship) as students become guardians of te reo Māori through creative expression.

This lesson bridges language learning and artistic creativity, using culturally rich content aligned with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh. It provides a scaffolded, engaging approach suitable for Year 8 students developing their te reo Māori knowledge and identity in an authentic and meaningful way.

If you would like, I can also provide a specific printable kupu list or example rubrics for assessment!

Teaching Instructions