Resource 5.1A: "Design a System" Template

1. The Problem: What is the problem in our school/community that we want to solve?

2. Our System's Name:

3. The Purpose: What is the main goal of our system?

4. The People & Roles: Who will be involved and what are their jobs?

5. The Rules: What are the 3-5 most important rules?

6. The Rights: What is the most important right our system protects?

📚 Teacher Resource Notes

Purpose: Scaffold students' systems diagrams by providing a structured template for mapping components, connections, and purpose.

Ngā Whāinga Ako — Learning Intentions

Students will engage with this resource to build understanding of systems, governance, and civic action in Aotearoa New Zealand, connecting to Te Ao Māori principles.

Ngā Paearu Angitū — Success Criteria

✅ Students can label components, connections, and purpose in a systems diagram.
✅ Students can identify at least one feedback loop.

🌿 Mātauranga Māori Lens

In te ao Māori, whakapapa is a form of systems mapping — charting relationships and causality across time and space.

📋 Teacher Planning Snapshot

Differentiation: Provide sentence starters or word banks for students needing scaffolding. Extend capable learners by asking them to find a real-world NZ example connected to this resource. Support ELL students with vocabulary pre-teaching. Adapt for neurodiverse learners by offering choice in how they record their thinking.

Prior knowledge: Best used after the relevant lesson or as an introductory hook. No specialist prior knowledge required.

Curriculum alignment

Know: How different systems function in Aotearoa and globally.
Understand: Systems shape how people and groups organise themselves.