Unit 8: Atua Stories

Collaborative Storytelling: Part 1

Unit Title: Whakapapa: Atua to Rangatihi
Lesson Number: 8 of 10
Curriculum Area: Aotearoa New Zealand Histories
Curriculum Document: The refreshed NZ Curriculum (2022 onwards)
Curriculum Level: Level 1 of Aotearoa New Zealand Histories

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Big Idea – Whakapapa me te whanaungatanga: Māori understand their world through whakapapa and relationships.

This lesson supports ākonga in exploring whakapapa through the narratives of atua, helping them connect past and present while building storytelling, listening, and collaboration skills.

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Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Share a story they have prepared or researched about their chosen atua with their peers.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the values and lessons within the story.
• Show teamwork skills by contributing to a shared class storybook.

Success Criteria

Students can:

• Confidently recall and tell their atua story using key vocabulary.
• Identify at least one value or lesson in the story (e.g., kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga).
• Participate in the creation of a collaborative storyboard.

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Materials Required

• “Atua Cards” (printed story prompt cards based on commonly known atua)
• Large storytelling paper rolls or sugar paper
• Marker pens/crayons
• Stickers and Māori motifs for decoration
• Speaking token (e.g. carved stone or soft toy atua to hold while speaking)
• Whāriki (mat or carpet for circle time)
• Teacher’s own atua story to model with

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Lesson Length: 60 minutes

Age-suited, hands-on, movement—boy-heavy engagement in mind!

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Whakatūwhera – Warm Up & Wānanga (10 minutes)

Objective: Reconnect with prior learning and prepare minds for storytelling.

• Karakia timatanga to open the session.
• Sit in a circle on the whāriki and pass the speaking token.
• Ask: “What was your favourite story so far about an atua?” (Encourage any retelling, but keep it short.)
• Briefly introduce today’s kaupapa: “Today, we begin turning our own atua stories into one BIG class story!”

Teacher Tip: Use movement/lively gestures as you name the atua to recall traits (e.g., wave arms for Tangaroa, stomp like Tūmatauenga).

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2. Ako – Storytelling Modelling (10 minutes)

Objective: Model storytelling structure, tone, and values.

• Share your own brief story of an atua (e.g. Tāne Mahuta separating Ranginui and Papatūānuku).
• As you tell it, stop and ask:
  • “How might Tāne have felt?”
  • “Why do you think he made that choice?”
• Highlight a value, e.g., "Tāne showed kaitiakitanga by bringing light to the world so everything could grow."

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3. Mahinga – Collaborative Story Circles (20 minutes)

Objective: Ākonga share their own atua stories in small circles.

Set-up:

• Students break into 5 circle groups of 5.
• Each student has a chance to tell their pre-researched or teacher-assisted story.
• Only the person with the talking token speaks (to support confidence).
• Other group members give a thumbs-up or say “ka pai” after each story.

Support:

• Teacher and Teacher Aide (if available) rotate to scribe or support those who need help or reassurance.
• Sentence starters available for prompts:
  • “My atua is…”
  • “He/she is special because…”
  • “The lesson I learnt is…”

Differentiation:

• For reluctant speakers, allow puppets or drawings to be their 'speaking tool'.
• Visual aides/posters of atua available to point at during storytelling.

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4. Whakahui – Build the Class Storybook (15 minutes)

Objective: Collective creation of a class visual storyboard that combines atua stories.

Steps:

• Each group chooses one story to represent in the class “Toi Whakapapa” (Story Wall).
• On sugar paper rolls, groups work collaboratively to:
  • Draw their atua
  • Include one sentence/story moment
  • Add a symbol or motif that represents the value from the story

Teacher Role:

• Support with spelling prompts on the board
• Scribe for groups who need it
• Continuously name and reinforce positive values being shared

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5. Whakakapi – Reflection and Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Objective: Celebrate engagement and reinforce understanding.

• Gather back on the whāriki circle.
• Ask: “What was something you enjoyed hearing or sharing today?”
• Use hand actions to represent three key values heard today (e.g., hands out for aroha, hands up for kaitiakitanga)
• Close with a brief karakia whakamutunga

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Assessment Opportunities

🔎 Formative (In-the-moment):

• Oral participation in storytelling circles
• Engagement with class storyboard
• Responses in reflective discussion

📝 Documentation:

• Snap photos of storyboard sections (for Learning Stories)
• Note names of students who shared confidently/needed support for the following lesson

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Next Steps – Lesson 9 Preview

In Lesson 9, students will act out scenes from their group’s story to bring their atua tales to life using drama, movement, and sound. They’ll start with script planning and movement games!

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Teacher Reflection Prompt

• Which stories or atua generated the most enthusiasm?
• Were any values/themes repeated across stories?
• Did the speaking token support calm turn-taking in a boy-heavy classroom?

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Kaiako Notes

“It doesn’t matter if they can’t remember every detail — what they’re doing here is living the story. Let them bring it alive in their way. Loud voices, shy whispers, drawings — it all counts.”

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Tautoko Vocabulary Bank

Māori Term	English Translation
Atua	Ancestral being/deity
Whakapapa	Genealogy/connection
Whānau	Family
Kaitiakitanga	Guardianship/stewardship
Manaaki	Care/hospitality
Wānanga	Deep learning session

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Ka pai tō mahi – You’re doing amazing work! 🎉

This lesson enables tamariki to honour their learning, connect to culture, and bring te ao Māori alive in ways that are physical, social, reflective – and fun. Let them read the world with their whole bodies and voices. Mā te rongo, ka mōhio. Mā te mōhio, ka mārama. Through resonance comes understanding. Through understanding comes light.