Ngā Mahi - Lesson Activities (75 minutes)
1. Whakatūwhera - Cultural Opening Circle (15 mins)
Setup: Students sit in circle (representing whakatōhea - being all together). Teacher models cultural introduction.
Teacher Modeling:
Student Sharing: Each student shares their name and one connection they're proud of (family, place, culture, community). No pressure for specific cultural identity - all backgrounds valued.
- Support: Provide sentence starters: "Ko [name] ahau. I am connected to..."
- Inclusive: Honor all cultural backgrounds - Pasifika, Pākehā, recent immigrants
- Respectful: No student forced to share more than comfortable
2. Ako - Understanding Whakapapa (20 mins)
Concept Introduction: Explain whakapapa as more than family tree - it's about all our connections that give us identity and strength.
Traditional Whakapapa Includes:
- Whānau: Family connections
- Hapū: Sub-tribal connections
- Iwi: Tribal connections
- Whenua: Land and place connections
- Atua: Spiritual connections
Modern Whakapapa Can Include:
- School whānau: Learning community
- Sports teams: Shared goals and values
- Cultural groups: Identity connections
- Neighborhoods: Place-based community
- Interests/passions: Knowledge connections
Interactive Discussion:
Ask students: "What connections give you strength? What groups do you belong to? What places are important to you?" Use Te Reo greetings handout to introduce cultural language.
3. Waihanga - Creating Personal Whakapapa Map (30 mins)
Creative Project: Students create visual map of their personal connections using provided template or their own design.
Whakapapa Map Template
(MYSELF)
Family/Chosen Family
Important Places
Communities
Students add their own connections, names, and meanings around each section
Creative Options:
- Visual: Drawing, collage, digital design
- Written: Poetry, narrative, list format
- Mixed Media: Photos, symbols, colors representing connections
- Cultural Integration: Include symbols, patterns, or elements from student's heritage
- Privacy Respected: Students choose what to share publicly
- Adopted/Foster Students: Include chosen family and multiple family structures
- Recent Immigrants: Honor connections to countries of origin
- Advanced Learners: Research traditional whakapapa formats and incorporate elements
4. Whakawhiti Kōrero - Sharing Circle (10 mins)
Respectful Sharing: Students volunteer to share one connection from their map that gives them strength or pride.
Cultural Protocols:
- Voluntary sharing: No pressure to share private information
- Active listening: Practice aroha (love/respect) for all stories
- No judgment: All connections and backgrounds are valued
- Appreciation: Thank each speaker with "Kia ora" or respectful acknowledgment
Aromatawai - Assessment & Next Steps
Formative Assessment
- Participation: Respectful engagement in cultural protocols
- Understanding: Demonstrates grasp of whakapapa concept
- Creativity: Personal whakapapa map shows thoughtful connections
- Cultural Respect: Appropriate use of Te Reo and protocols
Homework & Extension
- Whānau Interview: Talk with family about their connections and stories
- Place Research: Learn about the history of where they live
- Cultural Exploration: Research their own cultural heritage traditions
- Te Reo Practice: Use greetings handout to practice introductions
Whakaaro - Reflection
Today we began understanding that identity comes through our connections - to whānau, to place, to community, to knowledge. In Te Ao Māori, we never stand alone. We carry the mana of all our relationships, and this gives us strength for learning and life.
"Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au" - What affects one, affects us all. Our class whānau is now part of each student's whakapapa.
Cross-Curricular Extensions
Social Studies
Research family migration patterns, historical events affecting whānau
English
Personal narrative writing, oral storytelling techniques
Arts
Visual representation of identity, cultural symbols and patterns
STEM
Family tree data structures, genetic inheritance patterns