Lesson 4: Taking Action - Ka Mahi TÄtou
Putting Our Learning Into Action in Our Environment
Students put their kaitiakitanga learning into action by implementing caring projects - planting, cleaning, creating, and caring for their environment.
Whakatūwhera - Cultural Opening
Today is action day! We've learned about kaitiakitanga and made our promises. Now we will actually DO caring things for our place. We will plant, clean, create, and care. This is how we become real kaitiaki - by taking action!
"Ka mahi tÄtou"
We will work/act - today we put our learning into practice.
NgÄ WhÄinga Ako - Learning Intentions
Students Will Learn
- How to take caring action
- Practical skills for caring (planting, cleaning)
- Working together as a team
- That actions make a difference
Students Will Demonstrate
- Participating in caring actions
- Working cooperatively
- Documenting their work
- Feeling proud of their contribution
šŗ YouTube Video Section
šŗ YouTube Video - Lesson 4
Watch this video to support your learning:
Video Title: [To be added]
Duration: [5-10 minutes recommended]
NgÄ Mahi - Lesson Activities (45-60 minutes)
1. Planning Our Actions (10 mins)
Cultural Protocol: Begin with "Kia ora koutou." Remind students that when we work together for our place, we show manaakitanga (care and respect).
Planning: As a class, decide what caring actions you will do today. Choose 2-3 actions that are achievable.
Action Options:
- Plant seeds or seedlings (whakatÅ)
- Pick up litter (kohikohi paru)
- Water plants (whakamÄkÅ« rÄkau)
- Create bird feeders
- Make bug hotels
- Clean a special area
Differentiation:
- Support: Provide clear, simple tasks. Work in small groups with adult support.
- Extension: Students plan and lead their own action groups.
- Inclusive: Ensure all students can participate in some way - adapt tasks as needed.
2. Taking Action! (20-30 mins)
Action Time: Students work in groups to complete their caring actions. Teacher circulates and supports.
Action Stations:
- Planting Station: Plant seeds/seedlings, label them, water them
- Cleaning Station: Pick up litter, sort recyclables
- Creating Station: Make bird feeders, bug hotels, or signs
- Watering Station: Water existing plants, check they're healthy
Safety: Supervise all activities. Use safe tools. Wash hands after outdoor work. Respect all living things.
Differentiation:
- Support: Provide step-by-step guidance. Pair students with buddies. Use adapted tools.
- Extension: Students document their work with photos and notes.
- Physical Needs: Adapt all activities for accessibility. Indoor alternatives available.
3. Documenting Our Work (10 mins)
Recording: Students document what they did - take photos, draw pictures, write notes.
Documentation Ideas:
- Photos: Take pictures of the work
- Drawings: Draw before and after
- Writing: Write what we did
- Labels: Label what we planted or created
Reflection Questions:
Ask: "What did we do? How does it help? How do you feel about your work?"
Differentiation:
- Support: Use templates for writing. Provide sentence starters.
- Extension: Students write detailed descriptions and reflections.
- Inclusive: Allow various documentation methods - photos, drawings, voice recordings.
4. Celebrating Our Work (5-10 mins)
Sharing: Students share what they did in their groups. Celebrate everyone's contribution.
Sharing Prompts:
- "We planted..."
- "We cleaned..."
- "We made..."
- "I feel proud because..."
Celebration:
Applaud each group's work. Take a class photo. Display documentation. Remind students: "You are kaitiaki!"
Differentiation:
- Support: Provide sentence starters. Allow one-word or picture responses.
- Extension: Students present their work to the class with details.
- Inclusive: All contributions valued - big or small, all matter.
Aromatawai - Assessment & Next Steps
Formative Assessment
- Participation: Did students actively participate in actions?
- Cooperation: Did they work well in groups?
- Completion: Did they complete their tasks?
- Pride: Do they feel proud of their contribution?
Homework & Extension
- Continue Care: Keep caring for what you planted or created
- WhÄnau Share: Tell family what you did and show photos
- Home Action: Do one caring action at home
- Observation: Watch your plants grow - what changes do you see?
Whakaaro - Reflection
Today we took action! We planted, cleaned, created, and cared for our place. We are real kaitiaki now - not just learning about it, but actually doing it! Our actions make a difference. Next time, we will share our learning with others and celebrate all the good work we've done.
"Ka mahi tÄtou" - We took action and made a difference!
šŗ YouTube Video - Lesson 4
Watch this video to support your learning:
Video Title: [To be added]
Duration: [5-10 minutes recommended]
NgÄ Mahi - Lesson Activities (45-60 minutes)
1. Planning Our Actions (10 mins)
Planning: As a class, decide what caring actions you will do today. Choose 2-3 actions that are achievable.
Action Options:
- Plant seeds or seedlings (whakatÅ)
- Pick up litter (kohikohi paru)
- Water plants (whakamÄkÅ« rÄkau)
- Create bird feeders
- Make bug hotels
- Clean a special area
- Support: Provide clear, simple tasks. Work in small groups with adult support.
- Extension: Students plan and lead their own action groups.
- Inclusive: Ensure all students can participate in some way - adapt tasks as needed.
2. Taking Action! (20-30 mins)
Action Time: Students work in groups to complete their caring actions. Teacher circulates and supports.
Action Stations:
- Planting Station: Plant seeds/seedlings, label them, water them
- Cleaning Station: Pick up litter, sort recyclables
- Creating Station: Make bird feeders, bug hotels, or signs
- Watering Station: Water existing plants, check they're healthy
- Support: Provide step-by-step guidance. Pair students with buddies. Use adapted tools.
- Extension: Students document their work with photos and notes.
- Physical Needs: Adapt all activities for accessibility. Indoor alternatives available.
3. Documenting Our Work (10 mins)
Recording: Students document what they did - take photos, draw pictures, write notes.
Documentation Ideas:
- Photos: Take pictures of the work
- Drawings: Draw before and after
- Writing: Write what we did
- Labels: Label what we planted or created
Reflection Questions:
Ask: "What did we do? How does it help? How do you feel about your work?"
- Support: Use templates for writing. Provide sentence starters.
- Extension: Students write detailed descriptions and reflections.
- Inclusive: Allow various documentation methods - photos, drawings, voice recordings.
4. Celebrating Our Work (5-10 mins)
Sharing: Students share what they did in their groups. Celebrate everyone's contribution.
Sharing Prompts:
- "We planted..."
- "We cleaned..."
- "We made..."
- "I feel proud because..."
Celebration:
Applaud each group's work. Take a class photo. Display documentation. Remind students: "You are kaitiaki!"
- Support: Provide sentence starters. Allow one-word or picture responses.
- Extension: Students present their work to the class with details.
- Inclusive: All contributions valued - big or small, all matter.
Aromatawai - Assessment & Next Steps
Formative Assessment
- Participation: Did students actively participate in actions?
- Cooperation: Did they work well in groups?
- Completion: Did they complete their tasks?
- Pride: Do they feel proud of their contribution?
Homework & Extension
- Continue Care: Keep caring for what you planted or created
- WhÄnau Share: Tell family what you did and show photos
- Home Action: Do one caring action at home
- Observation: Watch your plants grow - what changes do you see?
Whakaaro - Reflection
Today we took action! We planted, cleaned, created, and cared for our place. We are real kaitiaki now - not just learning about it, but actually doing it! Our actions make a difference. Next time, we will share our learning with others and celebrate all the good work we've done.
"Ka mahi tÄtou" - We took action and made a difference!