Wai Ma Te Haumarutanga

WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand the importance of safety (haumarutanga) around wai (water).
• Learn and use te reo Māori to talk about water safety.
• Participate in a simple activity to support and demonstrate water safety knowledge.

Learning Objectives (Aligned to Te Marautanga o Aotearoa)

• Pūmanawa Reo (Oral Language): Develop ability to use descriptive language related to the environment and safety, using familiar vocabulary on wai and haumarutanga.
• Te Whakamahi Reo (Communication Practice): Engage in collaboration and oral participation, sharing ideas in basic te reo Māori sentences.
• Mātauranga ā-āhua (Knowledge & Understanding): Recognise key safety ideas related to water (wai) and know at least one action to keep safe.
• Tikanga ā-kura (Cultural Context): Appreciate te ao Māori perspectives on wai as a taonga, relating respect for wai to caring for self and others.

Success Criteria

• I can use simple te reo Māori words about wai and safety.
• I can explain one way to keep safe near water.
• I can take part in a group activity about wai safety.
• I understand why wai is a treasure (taonga) and important to keep safe.

---

Lesson Plan (20 minutes)

Time	Activity	Details & Teaching Notes	Differentiation & Supports
0-3 mins	Wai Karakia and Whakataukī Introduction	Begin with a short group karakia (prayer) about wai, e.g., "E te wai, he taonga nui, whakamarumaru mai". Introduce whakataukī about wai as taonga (treasure) ("Ko te wai te ora...").	Use visual support cards with simple words and images. Support students who need help with pronunciation.
3-7 mins	WALT + Vocabulary Introduction	Present WALT and explain in simple sentences. Introduce key te reo Māori vocabulary (e.g., wai = water, haumaru = safe, kauhoe = swim, karo = avoid). Use flashcards with pictures.	For dyslexic-friendly learning, use large clear print, high contrast colours, and multiple modes (visual and oral). Provide vocabulary audio recordings if possible.
7-12 mins	Interactive Story and Discussion	Read or tell a short story in te reo Māori featuring a character practicing water safety (e.g., avoiding deep water, asking for help). Use puppets or picture book. Ask questions to check understanding, e.g. "He aha te mahi pai a Hine i te wai?"	Pause frequently for think-pair-share. Pair students for peer support. Use gestural cues and props to aid comprehension.
12-17 mins	Haumarutanga Wai Ngā Mahi (Safety Activities)	group game: Haumarutanga Wai action game — e.g., teacher says "Kua kite koe i tētahi wāhi mōrearea?" (Have you seen a dangerous place?) Students freeze and then suggest safe actions (e.g., "Karo i te wāhi hohonu.") Use large pictures or symbols as prompts.	Provide sentence starters for early learners or ESL (e.g. "Kia karo...", "Me tono..."). Encourage advanced learners to explain in fuller sentences.
17-20 mins	Summary and Whakarāpopototanga	Review success criteria together, sing a wai-themed waiata or chant to reinforce vocabulary and safety message. End with a protective karakia.	Provide stickers or stamps for participation and effort as positive reinforcement.

---

Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Create a simple illustrated poster in te reo Māori about wai safety rules.
• Use digital tools (tablet or app) to record a short wai safety message.
• Role-play a water safety scenario using full sentences and details.

Differentiation Strategies

• Use visuals, gestures, and realia to reinforce language and concepts.
• Pair stronger language speakers with language learners to support bilingual development.
• Scaffold instructions with repetition, chunking, and simplified language as needed.
• Allow movement breaks during story and group activities for kinesthetic learners.
• Provide sentence stems and vocabulary prompts for learners who need language support.

---

Assessment

• Observation of students’ oral participation and comprehension during story and activity.
• Check use of vocabulary and concepts in the group game.
• Informal questioning during summary to gauge understanding of water safety.

---

Curriculum References

• Te Marautanga o Aotearoa - Pūmanawa Reo / Communicating ideas and information (Phase 1: Years 0–3)
  Students describe familiar events, objects, or actions, and give simple instructions. Supports use of explicit teaching of oral language for communication in meaningful contexts .

• Te Marautanga o Aotearoa - Learning Languages
  Emphasises reo Māori as identity, with learning language for meaningful communication tied to cultural values and perspectives of taonga such as wai.
  “Ko tōu reo, ko tōku reo, te tuakiri tangata” (Your voice and my voice are expressions of identity) .

• Te Marautanga o Aotearoa - Oral Language Development and Structured Literacy
  Use of guided oral language activities, repetition, and visual scaffolds for strengthening vocabulary and comprehension for year 2 students .

• Cultural Context and Values
  Teaching with reverence for wai as a taonga, integrating concepts of respect (manaakitanga) and safety (haumarutanga) from te ao Māori perspectives .

---

I trust this detailed and culturally aligned lesson plan will support teachers in delivering an engaging, language rich, and age-appropriate wai safety lesson for year 2 Māori-medium students. The activities are flexible for diverse learners and incorporate explicit language teaching aligned with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.

If you require, I can also provide printable resources or a bilingual vocabulary sheet to accompany this plan. Kia mau te wehi!