COA 2021 Ep1 Kuaka.movDirect Instruction:
This lesson was tying together our lessons about the Treaty of Waitangi, the Māori kuaka myth in order to create our own Class Treaty (a set of standards/norms that are important to our class). Students brainstormed ideas with a partner before sharing them aloud with the class. We then grouped their ideas into three main principles. Students then coloured/decorated their own kuaka to be displayed in our classroom during the year as their way of signing our treaty.
Reflection
This lesson was taught during the second week of school, and it was a great way to see student interaction when they were asked to share their thinking with a partner before reporting back to the class. I have a few students who often refuse to talk and it was amazing to see them open up during the partner sharing. I really like connecting the Māori myth to the treaty and our Manaiakalani pedagogy (Learn, Create, Share) because I felt that it provided a direct connection to student understanding.
Things to Note: Our school is in the process of changing our logo to incorporate the kuaka, which was why I choice to explore this type of bird further at this time.
LEARN:
We are going to learn about the story of Kuaka.
CREATE:
Let's create our own class treaty and then decorate a kuaka to represent you.
SHARE:
We will be displaying our kuaka on our classroom wall and sharing a video on our blogs describing how your kuaka represents you.
Angela Moala
Pt England School
Manaiakalani Education Trust
PO Box 18 061, Glen Innes
Auckland, New Zealand
