Lesson at a Glance | He Tirohanga Whakamua
Ngā Whāinga Ako | Learning Intentions
Tamariki will know
- That Play (Tākaro) is how we learn, solve problems, and make friends.
- How to celebrate their first week of school achievement with pride (Whakahihi).
- How to bind and share their complete 5-page Starting School Adventure Booklet with whānau.
Tamariki will demonstrate
- By completing Page 5 and assembling their 5-page booklet.
- By receiving their Starting School Star certificate in carpet assembly.
Collaborative Block Play Challenge (10 min)
Building Together (Waka Eke Noa):
"When we build a tower together, each block placed by a friend makes the tower taller and stronger!"
Action: Groups of 3 work together using wooden blocks, taking turns placing one block at a time to build a class castle!
Storytime & Reflection (15 min)
Read a picture book about starting school — Hinerangi's First Day, Kōwhai and the Giants, or whatever your school library holds on the theme. Read it properly, without stopping to question every page.
"What did the child in the story worry about?" "What made it better?" "Did anything like that happen to you this week?" Let the silences run — new entrants need longer than feels comfortable to answer the third one.
Each child names one thing from the week. Scribe them onto a class chart as they speak — this chart is what they draw on for Page 5, so keep it up where they can see it.
Booklet Binding & Ribbon Tie (15 min)
Tamariki collect their five pages and stack them in order: Classroom, Ko Wai Au, Friendship, Kaitiaki, Star.
Flax, ribbon or wool through the three punched holes, then a bow or a double knot at the back. Threading three holes is at the edge of what a five-year-old can do alone — pair them up, one holds, one threads.
Bind what the child has. A four-page booklet still goes home. Do not keep anyone back to finish — the point is that everybody leaves holding something.
Punch the holes before Lesson 1, not now. Positions are in the booklet's kaiako note.
🎨 Tamariki Adventure Booklet — Page 5: My Celebration Star
Tamariki open Page 5 of their Starting School Adventure Booklet:
Page 5 Activities:
1. My Starting School Star: Colour your gold celebration star and write your name in big bold letters!
2. Teacher Signature: Receive your teacher's official stamp and signature welcoming you to our school whānau!
Exit Verification | Ka Mutu Hoki (5 min)
Exit Circle Check:
"My completed 5-page Starting School Adventure Booklet is bound, signed, and ready to share with my whānau!"
Teacher Planning & NZ Curriculum Alignment
NZ Curriculum Phase 1 Alignment (Years 0–3 Health & Physical Education / Social Sciences):
- Personal Growth & Reflection: Reflect on personal achievements and feelings of pride when transitioning into primary school.
- Whānaungatanga & Transition: Establish strong home-school partnership links by sharing bound booklets with whānau.
Vocabulary: Tākaro, ako, whakahihi, star, celebration, whānau booklet.