Kupu & Scenario Cards — Antarctica
Lesson 1 · Activity 1 · Years 9–10 · cut-out classroom set
How to use
Print one set per pair and cut along the dashed lines. Students predict each kupu's meaning, then match each kupu to the scenario it best illuminates and explain why. The kaiako confirms meanings in the whole-class kōrero. Full runsheet: Lesson 1, Activity 1.
Ngā Kupu · The Four Words
Students write their predicted working meaning in the box — no looking up.
Kaitiakitanga
Our working meaning:
Whakapapa
Our working meaning:
Papatūānuku
Our working meaning:
Mauri
Our working meaning:
Ngā Tūāhua · The Four Scenarios (real science — match a kupu to each)
Scenario 1. Antarctica's ice holds about 54 metres of potential sea-level rise; the West Antarctic Ice Sheet alone could add up to 5 m if it collapses.
Which kupu? Why? ____________________
Scenario 2. Fresh meltwater off Antarctica cools the ocean south-east of New Zealand, shifting the currents and weather that shape our coast (Pauling et al., 2025).
Which kupu? Why? ____________________
Scenario 3. NZ seas are projected to rise 0.5–0.9 m by 2100 — with land also sinking, parts of Aotearoa face closer to 1 m — threatening the coast, moana, and kai that sustain communities.
Which kupu? Why? ____________________
Scenario 4. The Southern Ocean's food web — krill, fish, penguins, whales — depends on cold, stable conditions that warming is now disrupting.
Which kupu? Why? ____________________
🪶 Kaiako note — meanings & answer guide (reserved)
The authoritative meaning of each kupu and the guidance on which kupu best fits each scenario are reserved for kaiako Māori / kaumātua input. This card set provides the activity structure and the science scenarios; the cultural content is authored locally so it carries real mana and reflects your rohe.