Winter Celebration

Year Level

Preschool (approximately ages 3–5 years)

Duration

30 minutes

Context

This is Lesson 7 of 7 in the unit "Winter Wonders in Te Reo", designed for preschool learners to engage with the concept of winter through the Māori language and culture. This lesson culminates the unit with a winter celebration incorporating drama, food tasting, and reflection.

Curriculum Alignment

This lesson plan aligns specifically with the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Whāriki (the early childhood curriculum), emphasising:

• Mana Reo (Communication) and Mana Tangata (Contribution) strands of Te Whāriki supporting language development, identity, and participation.
• Key Competencies:
• Using language, symbols, and texts: Communicating ideas and feelings clearly in te reo Māori using drama and discussion.
• Relating to others: Participating cooperatively and respectfully in group activities.
• Participating and contributing: Sharing knowledge and experiences confidently in te reo Māori.
• Managing self: Engaging with planned activities confidently and with curiosity.
• Thinking: Reflecting on learning and making meaning from experiences.
• Values such as manaakitanga (caring for others), whanaungatanga (relationships), and kotahitanga (unity, collaboration) are fostered.
• Learning languages area of the New Zealand Curriculum: Learners use te reo Māori to express identity and knowledge, engaging with Māori customs and language conventions.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Share what they have learned about winter (Hōtoke) in te reo Māori using simple sentences and actions.
2. Participate in a group drama activity that represents winter elements in Māori culture.
3. Taste a simple traditional or winter-related kai (food) safely and describe it using basic Māori vocabulary.
4. Reflect on their learning and express their feelings about winter in Māori.

Resources Required

• Simple dress-up items or props for drama (e.g., scarves, hats, pictures of winter items)
• Warm kai samples representing winter foods (e.g., kūmara chips, bread with honey, or fruit that grows in winter)
• A mat or circle seating area
• Visuals or pictures depicting winter scenes and Māori symbols related to the season
• Flashcards with key Māori vocabulary related to winter and food (e.g., hukarere/snow, makariri/cold, kai/food, rangi/honā (sky/sunny))
• Music with waiata (Māori songs) related to the season (optional)

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Lesson Outline

1. Karakia and Welcome (3 minutes)

• Begin with a simple karakia (prayer) to open the class, acknowledging the season and expressing gratitude for being able to celebrate winter together.
• Greet each student in te reo Māori, reinforcing their identity.

2. Review and Sharing Circle (7 minutes)

• Sit in a circle and invite each student in turn (with teacher support) to share one thing they remember or learnt about winter during the unit using simple phrases in te reo.
• Encourage phrases like:
• "He makariri te wā o te hōtoke." (Winter is cold.)
• "Ka hau te hukarere." (It snows.)
• "He ngahau te hōtoke." (Winter is fun.)
• Use flashcards and visuals to support vocabulary recall and comprehension.
• Teachers scaffold language by modeling sentences and encouraging participation.

3. Drama Activity: Winter Wonders Skit (10 minutes)

• Divide the class into small groups or do as a whole class depending on needs.
• Using props, act out simple winter scenes in te reo Māori: e.g., putting on warm clothes (kākahu mātao), snow falling (te hukarere e tau ana), or drinking warm kai.
• Teach and repeat key phrases as cues during the play, such as:
• "Haere mai ki te takaro i te hukarere." (Come play in the snow.)
• "Me kākahu tātou i ngā kākahu mahana." (We must wear warm clothes.)
• Use plenty of praise and encouragement to build confidence.

4. Food Sampling and Discussion (7 minutes)

• Present small snacks representing traditional or winter-related Māori kai.
• Use te reo Māori vocabulary to describe the food, e.g., "Ko te kūmara tenei" (This is kūmara), "He reka te kai" (The food is delicious).
• Encourage students to try the food and share their reactions using simple expressions:
• "He pai ki a au." (I like it.)
• "Kāore au i te pai." (I don’t like it.)
• Emphasise tikanga such as saying "Ka nui te mihi" (thank you very much) after tasting.

5. Reflection and Closing Circle (3 minutes)

• Gather again in a circle to reflect simply on what they enjoyed most during the celebration.
• Teacher prompts could include questions like:
• "He aha te mea i pai rawa atu ki a koe i te rā nei?" (What did you like best today?)
• "Ka kite anō tātou i te wā o te hōtoke ā tērā tau?" (Will we see winter again next year?)
• End with a waiata or simple karakia to close the session.

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Assessment and Learning Evidence

• Observational Assessment: Teacher notes participation in sharing circle, drama enactment, and food tasting.
• Language Use: Use of te reo Māori vocabulary and phrases during activities, noting increasing confidence and use.
• Social Competencies: Cooperation during group drama and food sharing, demonstrating key competencies of relating to others and participating and contributing.
• Student Reflections: Verbal feedback on winter memories and emotions captured during reflection phase.

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Teacher Notes for Success

• Use highly scaffolded and repetitive language, always reinforcing Māori vocabulary in context and with visuals.
• Maintain a warm, inclusive environment that honours student mana and encourages risk-taking in language learning.
• Build on the strong concept of whānau (family) by involving family stories or bringing kai to share if possible.
• Adjust timing flexibly as needed for students' attention spans and energy levels.
• Use te reo Māori as much as possible, but support learners individually as needed with bilingual vocabulary or gestures.

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This concluding lesson not only wraps up the thematic unit with joyful celebration but also strengthens students’ identity and oral language skills in te reo Māori, embedded firmly within the values and competencies of the New Zealand Curriculum and Te Whāriki. It fosters belonging, contribution, and confidence, all essential for lifelong learning in language and culture.