Context

This is Lesson 6 of 9 in the unit Pohutukawa Christmas Celebration for Years 0–3 students at Norsewood and Districts School. The focus is on water safety awareness through music, integrating whānau involvement and reflecting on the importance of swimming skills following the kiwaha swim to survive. The lesson will weave in the school’s GREAT values (Give it a go, Respect, Excellence, Attitude, Teamwork) and fully align with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh for Level 1 (Years 0-3) in the Arts learning area (Music).

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this 60-minute lesson, students will:

• Understand the importance of water safety and fundamental swimming skills through engaging musical activities.
• Explore and express the kiwaha swim to survive incorporating rhythm, singing, and movement to internalise the concept.
• Collaborate with whānau to create personal water safety plans, expressed through simple musical group work.
• Reflect on their learning experiences using key competencies: managing self, participating and contributing, and relating to others.

Curriculum Links:

• The Arts - Music Level 1:

  • Achievement Objective: Explore and express feelings, experiences, and ideas through music.
  • Key Competencies: Managing self, Relating to others, Participating and contributing
  • Strand: Performing and composing music through voice, movement, and instruments.

• Health & Physical Education (complementary):

  • Recognise safe practices in and around water.
  • Use knowledge of safety to contribute to well-being.

• General Curriculum Principles:

  • Inclusion and high expectations: Every student is empowered to succeed on their learning adventure whilst embracing the school values GREAT.

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Lesson Overview & Timing

Time	Activity	Description
0-10 min	Welcome & Introduction	Whole class circle; discuss swim to survive, whānau involvement, and why water safety is important. Introduce the lesson goal.
10-20 min	Music Warm-Up: Kiwaha Song	Teach and sing a simple, catchy waiata (song) based on 'swim to survive' with body percussion & movement (splashing, swimming motions).
20-35 min	Group Activity: Create a Water Safety Soundscape	In small groups, students use percussion instruments and voice to represent water sounds and water safety actions (e.g., splashing, calling for help). Teacher models and guides.
35-50 min	Whānau Water Safety Plans	Each student draws or traces a simple plan at their desk about what their whānau can do to be safe around water. Use key phrases from the song to prompt safety behaviours.
50-60 min	Reflection & Sharing	Students share their plans and what they learned from the song/activity. Reinforce GREAT values by encouraging respectful listening and teamwork.

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Detailed Activities

1. Welcome & Introduction (10 min)

• Gather students in a circle.
• Briefly talk about:
  • The importance of water safety.
  • Explain the Māori kiwaha swim to survive as a key message.
  • Link water safety to keeping ourselves and our whānau safe – emphasise teamwork and respect (GREAT values).
• Ask: “What do you know about being safe in water?” Allow a few short responses.

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2. Music Warm-Up: Kiwaha Song (10 min)

• Teach a simple waiata based on swim to survive - rhythmically catchy, repetitive lines.
• Include body percussion: tapping, clapping, and swimming motions.
• Encourage expression and repetition to embed understanding.
• Example lines could include phrases that reference "swim", "stay calm", "call for help", all aligned with safe actions.

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3. Group Activity: Create a Water Safety Soundscape (15 min)

• Divide class into 4-5 groups (~5 students each).
• Each group creates sound effects using instruments or body percussion:
  • Water ripples (soft shaking).
  • Splashes (hand claps on legs).
  • Calls for help (clear vocal sounds).
• Guide them to sequence these sounds to tell a story of water safety.
• Teacher and students perform each group’s soundscape for the class.

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4. Whānau Water Safety Plans (15 min)

• Each student at their table draws a very simple plan with support:
  • “What will my whānau do to be safe around water?”
  • Use pictures/symbols and short phrases from the song.
• Encourage parents to add to it at home after the lesson.
• This connects their learning with their home environment, strengthening community links.

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5. Reflection & Sharing (10 min)

• Bring students back to circle time.
• Invite volunteers to share one thing they drew in their plan.
• Recap the importance of swim to survive and how music helped them learn.
• Explicitly mention how they used the GREAT values:
  • Give it a go: trying the song and sounds.
  • Respect: listening to others during sharing.
  • Teamwork: working together on soundscapes.
• Praise students for their attitude and participation.

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Resources Needed

• Simple percussion instruments (shakers, drums, sticks) or alternatives like buckets, spoons.
• Visual cards displaying water safety messages.
• Paper, crayons, pencils for drawing safety plans.
• Space for movement and group sound activities.

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Assessment & Reflection

• Formative Assessment:
  • Teacher observes participation and engagement in song and group soundscape creation.
  • Check for understanding of water safety concepts through discussion and drawings.
• Self & Peer Assessment:
  • Peer feedback occurs naturally in group work.
  • Students reflect on learning during the sharing phase.

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Integration with Kura Values (GREAT)

• Give it a go: Encouraged through trying new song and movement.
• Respect: Listening to each other's ideas and sharing safely.
• Excellence: Doing their best in music and reflection activities.
• Attitude: Positive engagement with unfamiliar content.
• Teamwork: Collaborating in groups to create sound and share plans.

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Links to New Zealand Curriculum Refresh (Level 1)

• The Arts (Music):
  • Music, Level 1: "Explore and express ideas, experiences, and feelings in response to a range of musical works and contexts."
  • Achievement Objective: Develop basic musical skills and vocabulary in context.
• Key Competencies:
  • Managing self: Setting goals for safe behaviour.
  • Relating to others: Working respectfully in groups.
  • Participating and contributing: Sharing ideas and cooperating.
• Health & PE Connection:
  • Developing understanding of personal safety and well-being.

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Summary

This lesson creates an innovative, culturally responsive approach to teaching water safety through music and whānau connections. It empowers young learners to comprehend vital safety messages while stimulating creativity and teamwork in line with the New Zealand Curriculum Refresh and the Norsewood and Districts School GREAT values.

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If you would like, I can also provide a song lyric and percussion pattern sheet tailored for this lesson!