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Curriculum Alignment

Teacher-only planning companion for Climate Science & Traditional Knowledge. Use this page to keep climate evidence comparison, maramataka-linked language, and place-based inquiry grounded in Aotearoa rather than drifting into generic climate talk.

3
Useful alignment lenses
Years 8-12
Strongest teaching range
Integrated
Best used cross-curricularly

Teacher-only planning note

The critical pedagogy move is to prevent false equivalence. Climate science and mātauranga Māori do not do identical jobs. The handout is strongest when students compare what each lens helps them notice, where caution is needed, and why place matters. Do not let ākonga invent local knowledge or speak on behalf of iwi or hapū.

Strong fit

Use environmental language and seasonal knowledge in ways connected to maramataka, place, and local observation rather than isolated vocabulary recall.

How this handout aligns

The worksheet asks students to connect graphs, tohu taiao, and place-based noticing. That gives kaiako a practical way to keep climate learning tied to local patterns and language.

LEARNING-LANGUAGES-edd3a04aa7 Maramataka Seasonal knowledge

Best fit when the class is working with weather, seasons, or local environmental observation in te reo or bilingual contexts.

Strong fit

Weather and seasons are deeply connected to maramataka and whakapapa, especially when students are asked to read change through relationship as well as measurement.

How this handout aligns

The evidence table and caution prompts help students connect data to relational understanding. That keeps the inquiry grounded in both observation and cultural meaning.

LEARNING-LANGUAGES-7f58e26b58 Whakapapa Te taiao

Strongest when a local site or authorised local source gives the task real context.

Cross-curricular fit

Students strengthen social inquiry when they compare how people understand and use places differently, then consider what responses follow.

How to use this well

The final kaitiakitanga response task moves the page beyond summary. Students must weigh evidence, context, and the obligations that follow for a real place.

NZC-SS-4-3 Place-based inquiry Response

Useful when social studies, environmental inquiry, and literacy are being taught together.