Lesson Plan: Reading and Exploring Stories of Māori Sports Athletes

Subject: Te Reo Māori

Year Level: Year 6

Duration: 30 minutes

Class Size: 4 students

---

Lesson Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the text about Māori sports athletes.
2. Engage in discussion about the key achievements and cultural backgrounds of the athletes.
3. Use vocabulary related to sports and achievements in Te Reo Māori.

Curriculum Link:

This lesson aligns with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (the Māori-medium curriculum) focusing on levels 2-3 in Te Reo Māori. It addresses the curriculum area of Pānui (Reading) to develop the ability to understand and respond to language, culture, and identity through text.

Resources Needed:

- Book: "Ngā Toa Hākinakina: Heroes in Māori Sport" (a hypothetical title used for this plan; substitute with a real book about Māori sports athletes if available, or choose a similar book available in the school's library)
- Whiteboard and markers
- Handouts with excerpts from the book and vocabulary lists

Lesson Outline:

Introduction (5 minutes)

- Whakatau (Welcoming): Begin the class with a traditional greeting.
- Overview: Briefly introduce the topic by discussing the importance of sports in New Zealand and how Māori athletes have contributed to New Zealand's sports history.

Main Activity (20 minutes)

- Step 1: Reading: Students will take turns reading paragraphs from "Ngā Toa Hākinakina: Heroes in Māori Sport". This book features stories about famous Māori athletes and their contributions to various sports.

- Step 2: Discussion: After each student reads a paragraph, discuss what was read. Ask questions such as:
- "He aha ngā āhuatanga matua o tēnei kaitākaro?" (What are the main characteristics of this athlete?)
- "Pehea i taea ai e te kaitākaro te eke panuku?" (How did the athlete achieve success?)

- Step 3: Vocabulary Enhancement: Highlight any new vocabulary related to sports or cultural expressions found in the reading. Use handouts that include these words along with definitions and contexts. Ask students to create sentences using the new vocabulary.

Conclusion (5 minutes)

- Recap and Reflection: Ask students to share one fact they learned about a Māori athlete and reflect on how this might inspire their own personal or sporting goals.
- Whakakapi (Closure): Close the session with a traditional farewell, encouraging students to reflect more on the stories of these athletes at home or in their community.

Assessment:

- Informally assess students' comprehension and participation during the discussion and their ability to use new vocabulary in sentences.

Extensions:

- Encourage students to research more about a Māori athlete they found interesting and prepare a short presentation for the next class.
- Possible visit to a local sports museum or interaction with local Māori athletes who can share their experiences.

Relevant Links:

- Te Kete Ipurangi - Useful resources on Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
- New Zealand Curriculum Online - General curriculum resources that may be used to complement the Māori-medium resources.

---

Note: Adjust the book title and content as needed based on available resources and ensure any external resources are in line with New Zealand educational standards and cultural sensitivities.