📖 Text 1: Māori Families (Age 6-7)

Read this story about Māori families long ago:

Long ago, Māori families lived together in big groups. They built houses called whare. The whare were made of wood and grass. Families shared food and helped each other. Children played games and learned from their elders. Everyone had a job to do. The men caught fish. The women gathered plants. Children helped too. They were happy living together.

Māori families lived in big _______. They built houses called _______. Everyone had a _______ to do.

📖 Text 2: Finding Food (Age 7)

Read about how Māori people found their food:

Before Europeans came to New Zealand, Māori people were very clever at finding food. They knew where to look for everything they needed. In the forest, they found birds like kereru and tui. They dug up kumara, which are like sweet potatoes. Near the sea, they caught fish with nets and hooks. They also collected shellfish like mussels from the rocks. Women gathered berries and roots. The whole whānau worked together to make sure everyone had enough to eat. They knew which plants were safe and which seasons were best for different foods.

📖 Text 3: A Day in a Māori Village (Age 8)

Read about daily life in a Māori village:

In a traditional Māori village, each day began early when the sun rose over the hills. The rangatira, or chief, would discuss the day's plans with the elders. Children would wake to the sound of adults preparing for their daily tasks. Some men would take their waka down to the river or sea to fish, while others might hunt in the nearby forest for birds like the now-extinct moa. Women often spent time weaving flax into baskets and clothing, or preparing food in the earth ovens called hangi. The elderly shared stories and taught the young people important skills and traditions. Everyone understood their role in keeping the community strong and healthy. As evening approached, families would gather around fires to share meals and listen to ancient legends passed down through generations.

📖 Cloze Exercise 1: Māori Families

Māori families lived in big _______. They built houses called _______. Everyone had a _______ to do.

📖 Cloze Exercise 2: Finding Food

Māori people caught _______ with nets and hooks. They collected _______ like mussels from the rocks. Women gathered _______ and roots.

📖 Cloze Exercise 3: A Day in a Māori Village

Each day began early when the _______ rose. Some men took their _______ to fish. Women spent time weaving _______ into baskets. Families gathered around _______ to share meals.