Growing language and communication#

Mokopuna are continuing to learn to understand tricky words, use longer sentences, communicate in ways that suit different situations, and explore how to be creative with words, stories, and pictures.

Kia tika #

In Tau 9, mokopuna are learning to grow their vocabulary, know when to use formal or informal language, and speak or write using a wide range of grammar correctly.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Whakatika rerenga – fix-it sentence challenge

Write simple, messy, or funny sentences with missing punctuation, like “I oma te ngeru i tere hoki.” | The cat ran fast too.”

Mokopuna can fix them using full stops, commas, or question marks, then rewrite the sentence in different ways, for example longer, shorter, or more detailed.

Say it formally and informally and draw a fun picture to match.

This supports:

• punctuation skills
• sentence structure
• clear speaking
• creative thinking
• formal and casual language
• writing confidence.

Ōkawa, ōpaki rānei – formal vs casual switch

Write different everyday situations on cards like asking to go somewhere or inviting someone over.

Mokopuna picks a card and says what they’d say casually (to a friend), then formally (to a teacher or kaumātua).

Give a high five for great tone-switching!

This supports:

• understanding formal and casual language
• clear speaking
• sentence variety
• confidence in different settings
• recognising how language changes with different people.

Kura Huna – Mystery object challenge

Hide an everyday item in a pillowcase or box.

Mokopuna feels the object without looking and describes its shape, texture, and possible uses.

Guess what it is, then describe it fully using short and long sentences.

Try saying it formally like a reporter or teacher.

This supports:

• descriptive language
• clear speaking
• sentence variety
• vocabulary growth
• formal language use
• confident communication.

Kia mārama #

By the end of Tau 9, mokopuna can check if information is trustworthy, use things like headings or pictures to help them understand texts, and speak, write, or present clearly, depending on who they’re talking to and why.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Mātai pāpāho – whānau media detective

Pick a short reo Māori article, video, poster, or social media post to explore together.

Talk about the main message, what heading or title fits, and how the speaker or writer wants people to feel or act. Mokopuna can rewrite the heading or caption, ask thoughtful questions, and create their own poster, comic, or advertisement with clear titles and captions.

This supports:

• understanding media messages
• asking critical questions
• recognising how language influences others
• creating clear communication
• building confidence to present ideas.

Tātari pūrongo – news checker

Choose a news article from Te Ao Māori News or Waatea News, a video, or a post together.

Talk about where the information comes from, whether it sounds reliable, and what clues help you trust or question it.

Mokopuna can rewrite the headline or share how they would double-check the facts.

This supports:

• critical thinking
• checking information
• recognising trustworthy sources
• understanding bias
• building confidence to question what they read or watch.

Upoko kōrero – headline switch up

Find a news article, poster, or social media post.

Read or watch it together, then come up with a new headline that changes how people might feel or think.

Compare the 2 versions and talk about how words can change the message.

This supports:

• understanding text features
• how headlines influence people
• clear communication
• thinking about language choices
• building creative language skills.

Kōrero mōhio – know your audience

Pick a simple message, like inviting someone to an event, and practise saying or writing it for different audiences, like a friend, a teacher, a kaumātua. Change the words, tone, or style to suit each person.

This supports:

• clear speaking
• adapting language for different people
• audience awareness
• confident communication
• using language purposefully.

Kia arero taiaha#

In Tau 9, mokopuna are continuing to learn to communicate with a clear purpose, answer tricky questions, show respect for others' opinions, and use the appropriate body language when they speak.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Tautohe kai – whānau dinner debate

Pick a fun topic like “He reka te heihei parai, āe, kāo rānei?” | “Is fried chicken tasty or not?” and have each person share their opinion using sentence starters like “Hei tāku, …” | “To me, …”, or “Ki ōku whakaaro …” | “In my opinion …”.

Practise listening without interrupting and take turns summarising what others said, even if you disagree.

This supports:

• clear speaking
• respecting different opinions
• adapting language to the situation
• active listening
• building confidence
• respectfully sharing ideas.

Whakarongo kōrero – listening and speaking

Watch a family story, reo Māori news clip, or short video together.

Mokopuna listen carefully, share what they think the main message was, give their opinion, and ask a thoughtful question.

They then practise saying their opinion 2 ways, casually to a friend and formally to a teacher or kaumātua.

This supports:

• respectful listening
• understanding different opinions
• adapting language for different people
• asking thoughtful questions
• building confidence to speak clearly in different situations.

Te pātū whakaaro – opinion art wall

Pick a fun topic, such as your favourite season, best animal, or an important value.

Each whānau member draws or writes their opinion on paper and adds their name.

Display all the opinions on a wall or fridge, then talk about how everyone’s views are different or similar, why we respect all opinions, and how we might say our opinion differently to friends, teachers, or kaumātua.

This supports:

• sharing opinions in different ways
• respecting perspectives
• adapting language for different audiences
• creative thinking
• confident and clear communication.

Kia auaha#

In Tau 9, mokopuna continue to learn to use their imagination and expand their vocabulary, so they can share creative ideas clearly when speaking, writing, or presenting.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Kimi kupu auaha – description hunt

Select 3 to 5 everyday items from around the house, such as a spoon, cushion, or slipper.

Take turns describing each one. How it looks, feels, smells, or sounds, what it reminds you of, or give it a silly rhyme or made-up name like “Te māmā o te hiripa nei.” | “This slipper is really light.” Try writing or drawing a short ad, poem, or jingle for your favourite item!

This supports:

• creative language
• vocabulary growth
• playful expression
• describing with the senses
• confidence in speaking and writing
• exploring fun, imaginative words.

Whakawhiti kupu – word switch challenge

Start with a simple sentence like “I tere te oma a te kurī.” | “The dog ran fast.”

Take turns swapping words to make it more interesting or playful, like use spooky, superhero, silly, space, formal, or poetic styles.

For example, wetiweti | gruesome: “He wetiweti te rere a te kurī i taua wā.” | “The dog attack was gruesome at that time.” Formal: “He tere tonu te oma a te kurī i te kauhanga rā.” | “The dog ran really fast in that corridor.”

This supports:

• creative language use
• growing vocabulary
• exploring different styles
• playful thinking
• confident speaking and writing
• making language more interesting.

Paki kupu rorirori – silly story swap

One person starts a silly story with a short sentence like, “Ka kitea e te ngeru te pōtae tūmatarau.” | “The cat saw the magic hat.”

Take turns adding to the story using interesting, playful, or made-up words to grow the adventure.

Encourage mokopuna to use creative language and describe what happens.

This supports:

• imaginative thinking
• vocabulary development
• playful language
• confident storytelling
• clear expression
• building of creative speaking and writing skills.