Years 0–3: living or not living
Tamariki sort what they found into living and not living, and say one thing a living thing needs.
- Years 0–3 move: Sorting, with a reason given aloud
- Evidence it produces: A correct sort plus one stated need
Lesson 2: Living Things Around Us - Ngā Mea Ora
Discovering Plants and Animals in Our Environment
Students explore and identify the living things (plants and animals) in their environment, learning what they need to survive and how they depend on each other.
Whakatūwhera - Cultural Opening
All around us are living things - plants (rākau), birds (manu), insects (ngāngara), and many more. In Te Ao Māori, all living things are connected. They need each other to survive. Today we will discover the living things in our place and learn about them.
"He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata"
What is the most important thing? It is people, people, people - but we are all connected to other living things too.
Ngā Whāinga Ako - Learning Intentions
Students Will Learn
- What living things are in their environment
- Te Reo words for plants and animals
- What living things need to survive
- How living things depend on each other
Students Will Demonstrate
- Identifying plants and animals
- Using Te Reo nature words
- Creating nature art or observations
- Understanding basic needs of living things
📺 YouTube Video - Living Things Around Us
Observe how species depend on habitat conditions.
- Before watching: choose one manu or plant to focus on.
- After watching: identify one habitat need for that living thing.
Ngā Mahi - Lesson Activities (45-60 minutes)
1. What Are Living Things? (10 mins)
Discussion: Ask students: "What is alive? What is not alive?"
Living Things Include:
- Rākau: Plants and trees
- Manu: Birds
- Ngāngara: Insects
- Ika: Fish
- Tangata: People
- Support: Use picture cards to sort "alive" vs "not alive"
- Extension: Students explain why something is alive (grows, moves, needs food, etc.)
- Inclusive: Include examples from different environments and cultures
2. Nature Scavenger Hunt (15-20 mins)
Exploration: Take students outside with scavenger hunt checklist. Look for different living things.
Scavenger Hunt Items:
- ✓ Find a plant (rākau)
- ✓ Find a leaf (rau)
- ✓ Find a bird (manu) - can be seen or heard
- ✓ Find an insect (ngāngara)
- ✓ Find something green (kākāriki)
- ✓ Find something that moves
- Support: Use visual checklist with pictures. Work in pairs.
- Extension: Record names of plants/animals found. Draw what they see.
- Physical Needs: Adapt hunt for accessibility. Can use photos or classroom observations.
3. What Do Living Things Need? (10 mins)
Discussion: Back in classroom, discuss what living things need to survive.
Basic Needs:
- Wai: Water
- Kai: Food
- Hau: Air
- Rā: Sun (for plants)
- Wāhi pai: A good place to live
Connection Activity:
Ask: "What happens if a plant doesn't get water? What happens if a bird doesn't have food? How do we help living things get what they need?"
- Support: Use visual cards showing needs. Match needs to living things.
- Extension: Students explain how different living things get their needs met.
- Inclusive: Connect to students' own needs and how we care for each other.
4. Nature Art Creation (10-15 mins)
Creative Project: Students create art showing the living things they found.
Art Options:
- Drawing: Draw favourite living thing found
- Collage: Use leaves, petals (if safe and allowed)
- Painting: Paint a nature scene
- Modelling: Create with clay or playdough
Te Reo Labels:
Encourage students to label their art with Te Reo words they learned.
- Support: Provide templates or stencils. Use stickers.
- Extension: Write sentences describing their art using Te Reo words.
- Creative: Allow various materials and styles.
Aromatawai - Assessment & Next Steps
Formative Assessment
- Observation: Can students identify living things?
- Te Reo: Are they using nature words (rākau, manu, etc.)?
- Understanding: Do they know what living things need?
- Respect: Do they show care for living things?
Homework & Extension
- Home Hunt: Find living things at home - plants, pets, birds
- Whānau Share: Show family your nature art and teach them Te Reo words
- Observation: Watch a plant or animal - what does it do?
- Practice: Practise saying "rākau" (plant), "manu" (bird), "ngāngara" (insect)
Whakaaro - Reflection
Today we learned that our place is full of living things - plants, birds, insects, and more. All living things need water, food, air, and a good place to live. When we understand what living things need, we can help care for them. Next time, we will learn how to be kaitiaki (guardians) who care for our place.
"He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata" - We are all connected to the living things around us.
Curriculum alignment
- Pāhekoheko — Practices: Ki ahau nei, he mea nui te ako i te reo Māori i ngā kura katoa.