Lesson at a Glance | He Tirohanga Whakamua
Ngā Whāinga Ako | Learning Intentions
Tamariki will know
- That our classroom is a safe, warm, and happy place where everyone belongs (Tūrangawaewae).
- The locations of key classroom spaces (mat area, book corner, art zone, cubbies, handwashing sink).
- How to sit together on the mat and respond to gentle morning signals.
Tamariki will demonstrate
- By finding their cubby and drawing their favourite classroom space for the wall display.
- By completing Page 1 of their 'My Starting School Adventure' booklet.
Mat Time Warm-up | Tīmatanga (10 min)
Kia Ora Carpet Song & Welcome:
"Kia ora, kia ora, e te whānau! Welcome to our special classroom family. Today we are going to explore our learning home!"
Action: Children sit in a friendly circle on the mat, roll a soft ball to a friend, and say: "Kia ora [Name], nau mai!"
Guided Classroom Treasure Hunt (15 min)
Discover picture books, soft cushions, and quiet reading spots. Practise gentle hands with books.
Explore crayons, wooden blocks, playdough, and art tables. Learn where materials go at pack-up time.
Each child finds their own cubby hook and says their name aloud. Practise the morning routine once: bag on the hook, lunchbox in the tub, drink bottle on the shelf.
Sit in your own mat spot, then walk the route to the handwashing sink and back. Buddies check each other found the way.
Kaiako: send buddy pairs round in a rotation, three minutes a station, with a chime to move. Stay at the sink station yourself — it is the one with a queue.
Drawing My Happy Spot (15 min)
Whakaaro: "You have found four places in our room. Which one is your happy spot?"
Tamariki collect a half-sheet of paper and crayons and draw themselves in the classroom spot they liked best on the treasure hunt. These drawings become the wall banner that goes up before whānau visit, so every child ends the day with their work on display.
"What are you doing in your picture?" Scribe the answer on the drawing in their words. That sentence is the assessment — not the drawing.
Offer two: "the blocks or the book nook?" A child who draws the whole room, or their buddy instead of a place, has answered the question.
Pin the banner up before the end of the day. Tamariki point to their own drawing in the exit circle.
🎨 Tamariki Adventure Booklet — Page 1: My Classroom Home
Tamariki open Page 1 of their Starting School Adventure Booklet:
Page 1 Activities:
1. Draw My Favourite Spot: Draw yourself playing in your favourite spot in our classroom (Book Corner, Blocks, Art Table).
2. Decorate My Name Badge: Colour and stamp your special name badge to stick on your cubby hook!
Exit Verification | Ka Mutu Hoki (5 min)
Exit Circle Check:
"Each child places their custom name badge on their cubby hook and points to their favourite spot in the room!"
Teacher Planning & NZ Curriculum Alignment
NZ Curriculum Phase 1 Alignment (Years 0–3 Health & Physical Education / Social Sciences):
- Personal Identity & Wellbeing: Express feelings of belonging and safety within the classroom community.
- Relationships: Participate in cooperative carpet games and show respect for shared spaces.
Vocabulary: Nau mai, whānau, tūrangawaewae, mat time, cubby, manaakitanga.