Lesson Plan: New Zealand Māori History for NCEA Level 1

Overview

This lesson plan is designed for Year 11 students in a New Zealand secondary school and specifically aligns with the Social Sciences learning area of the New Zealand Curriculum. The focus of this plan is to explore significant aspects of Māori history, tailored to meet the standards of NCEA Level 1.

Curriculum Area

- Subject: History
- Topic: Māori History
- Level: NCEA Level 1

Objectives

By the end of this session, students will be able to:
1. Identify key periods and events in Māori history.
2. Understand the impact of European settlement on Māori communities.
3. Engage with historical sources to gather information about Māori traditional life and customs.
4. Discuss the significance of the Treaty of Waitangi and its relevance today.

Materials Needed

- Textbook "Māori History in Aotearoa" or similar sources.
- Access to TKI resources on Māori history.
- Projector for slides.
- Printouts of historical Māori images and treaties.
- Laptops/tablets for student research (optional).

Lesson Plan Structure

Warm-up Activity (5 Minutes)

- Activity: Quick quiz on general New Zealand history to gauge prior knowledge and stimulate interest.

Introduction to Māori History (10 Minutes)

- Activity:
- Presentation of a timeline highlighting key events in Māori history including pre-European contact periods, the Treaty of Waitangi, and significant 20th-century developments.
- Discuss the sources of information for studying Māori history such as oral traditions, archaeological finds, and early European writings.

Group Activity: Exploring Traditional Māori Society (15 Minutes)

- Activity:
- Divide students into groups of two.
- Each group gets a specific aspect of traditional Māori life to research (e.g., social structure, warfare, arts, and crafts).
- Students use textbooks and online resources (ensure guided use of sites like New Zealand History online).
- Prepare a quick presentation to share findings with the class.

Case Study: The Treaty of Waitangi (10 Minutes)

- Activity:
- Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi: What it is, who signed it, and why it was significant.
- Show segments from a relevant documentary or interactive timeline found on Archives New Zealand.

Class Discussion: Treaty Impact and Modern Implications (10 Minutes)

- Activity:
- Facilitate a class discussion on how the Treaty of Waitangi has shaped the relationship between Māori and the Crown.
- Students discuss the implications of the Treaty in current New Zealand society.

Closing (5 Minutes)

- Recap the lesson.
- Assign students to prepare a short essay on the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi for the next class. Provide essay guidelines and a rubric for assessment.

Assessment

- Participation in group activities and discussion.
- Presentation quality and content accuracy.
- Short essay to assess comprehension and analytical skills concerning the Treaty of Waitangi.

Additional Resources and References

- Te Kete Ipurangi – The New Zealand Curriculum Online
- New Zealand History
- Text: "Māori Histories and Traditions" – available in the school library or resource centre.

This lesson plan is designed to not only cover foundational knowledge in Māori history but also to stimulate critical thinking and personal connection to New Zealand's history, ensuring that students appreciate its relevance and significance today.