Treaty Exploration

Learning Area

Humanities — Social Sciences (Year 5)

Duration

60 minutes

Class size

25 students

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh, specifically the Social Sciences learning area and the Aotearoa New Zealand Histories strand for Year 5 students:

Understand how and why people’s perspectives influence responses to events, places, and issues (Social Sciences, Level 2)
Explore significant events and documents, such as Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi, and their ongoing impact on Aotearoa New Zealand (Social Sciences, Level 2)
Develop understandings of partnership, protection, and participation as Treaty principles central to Aotearoa New Zealand's identity and society.
Key competencies supported: Participating and Contributing; Relating to Others; Thinking.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

Understand that the Treaty of Waitangi is a foundational document for all New Zealanders.
Be able to identify and explain the Treaty principles of partnership, protection, and participation.
Recognise the Treaty’s continuing impact on relationships between Māori and others today.
Appreciate the connection between local tikanga Māori and the values expressed in the Treaty.
Develop communication skills through storytelling, discussion, and role-play relating to Treaty concepts and their relevance.

Resources Needed

Story script of the Treaty signing (age-appropriate, clear language)
Visual aids or images showing key Treaty moments, Māori and Pākehā leaders
Role-play name tags (e.g., rangatira, settler, interpreter)
Classroom space arranged for circle discussions and role-play
Chart paper and markers
Simple glossary chart of key Māori terms (tikanga, mana, kawanatanga, tino rangatiratanga, etc.)

Lesson Breakdown

Time	Activity	Description	Curriculum Focus & Notes
10 min	Engage: Storytelling Introduction	Teacher reads a storytelling version of the Treaty signing focused on key characters and events. Use expressive voice and images to bring story alive.	Supports listening and presenting skills; ties into English curriculum communication expectations
10 min	Explore: Group Discussion	In a circle, prompt students with guided questions: "Why do you think the Treaty was important?" "What do you think partnership means?" Discuss Treaty as agreement between peoples.	Develops critical thinking, verbal reasoning, and understanding Treaty principles partnership, protection, participation.
15 min	Experience: Role-Play	Students take on roles of people at the signing. In pairs or small groups, role-play simple scripted or guided scenarios showing Treaty discussion, different perspectives (e.g. rangatira and settler). Teacher models language to use.	Builds oral language, empathy, and interpersonal skills. Supports English learning area through structured role-play techniques aligned with Year 5 expectations. Learners use key vocabulary connected to Treaty concepts and tikanga Māori.
10 min	Explain: Treaty Principles Chart	Co-create a class chart listing Treaty principles in simple language with examples: partnership = working together; protection = caring for people and taonga; participation = taking part in decisions. Connect to local tikanga example (e.g., manaakitanga).	Consolidates learning, links to principles guiding schools and board responsibilities under Education and Training Act 2020, aligning with values in curriculum.Refreshes understanding of principles as lived practice.
10 min	Extend: Today’s Impact Discussion	Discuss how Treaty principles influence schools/local community today. Students share ways they see or practice partnership, protection, participation. Relate to students’ own identity and culture in Aotearoa.	Deepens understanding of Treaty’s ongoing role in Aotearoa New Zealand, promoting identity formation and cultural awareness aligned with Social Sciences curriculum focus.
5 min	Reflect: Sharing & Wrap-up	Students share one new thing learned about the Treaty. Reflection guided by sentence stems: “I used to think… but now I know…” Emphasise respect for diverse perspectives.	Encourages metacognitive skills and respectful dialogue development, supporting key competency of thinking and relating to others.

Assessment

Formative assessment through:

Observation of participation in discussions and role-play.
Contributions to the Treaty principles chart.
Reflection shares demonstrating growing understanding.

Teaching Considerations

Use clear, age-appropriate, accessible language; avoid jargon.
Model use of non-verbal communication in role-play (gestures, volume) to engage students and respect participation norms.
Emphasise manaakitanga (care and respect) in all interactions.
Incorporate te reo Māori vocabulary to affirm Māori identity and bilingual learning.
Ensure a safe environment for active listening and sharing of ideas.
Adapt role-play and discussion to neurodiverse needs with supports such as visuals and sentence stems.

This lesson connects directly to the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum’s emphasis on Aotearoa New Zealand histories, key competencies, values, and principles of partnership and participation in a diverse society. By integrating oral storytelling, group discussion, and role-play, students experience the Treaty not just as a historic document but as a living foundation of their shared identity and community.

If you would like, I can also provide a downloadable printable version formatted for teacher use.

Teaching Instructions