Speaking, writing, and understanding words in te reo Māori#

By the end of Tau 3, mokopuna will speak in full sentences, write neatly, and understand how words are made. They will learn about word parts like prefixes, suffixes, and roots, and know words like verbs, nouns, and adjectives.

Mokopuna will also be able to tell simple stories and share experiences. They are learning that talking, writing, and pictures help them learn new ideas and language.

Mokopuna are learning Te Reo Rangatira in 4 different learning strands called ‘whenu’.

Find out more about te whenu.

Te Reo Rangatira whenu

Whenu: Kia Tika#

Kia Mataara#

By the end of Tau 3, at kura your mokopuna need to be speaking in full sentences, handwriting legibly and noticing word parts and how words work together in patterns.

Mokopuna are learning that sounds are represented by letters. They are also learning how letters, words, and symbols work separately and together and that symbols convey meaning.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Take turns telling stories about your childhood or whānau adventures:

• Encourage your mokopuna to retell the story in their own words.
• Use open-ended questions like, “what do you think happened next?” Or, “why did they do that?” To spark full-sentence responses.

Role play and pretend play

Set up a pretend shop, wharekai. Encourage your mokopuna to play different roles and speak in full sentences (for example, "He kai māu?")

Kōrero time

During dinner or car rides, play 'kōrero time. Ask a fun question like, “if you had a magic power, what would it be?" Encourage them to explain their answer in full sentences.

Syllable clapping game

Say a word (for example, "kapu") and clap the syllables together (ka-pu). This helps mokopuna hear how words are broken into parts.

Whenu: Kia Mārama#

Kia Mataara#

By the end of Tau 3, at kura your mokopuna need to be identifying parts of words (base, prefix, suffix) they are reading, and identify and name word types (verb, noun, adjective).

Mokopuna are learning to notice and understand how different word parts work together to create meaningful words.

Ideas for whānau activities#

He whakapapa tō te kupu

Choose a favourite book or story. As you read, encourage mokopuna to find and underline words with prefixes or suffixes. For example, "whakahoki" – whaka (prefix) + hoki (base word). Ask questions like:

• "He aha te kupu matua?" (What is the main word?)
• "He aha te kupu kūmua?" (What is the prefix?)
• "Ka rerekē te whakamāramatanga o te kupu ki te tāpiri he kupu kūmua?" (How does the meaning change when we add the prefix?)

On small cards, write:

• a list of common prefixes – for example, whaka-, whakaora, to make/do
• a list of suffixes – for example, -nga, result of an action.

Create a second set of main words (for example, ako, ako-nga). Have mokopuna match the parts and say the new word aloud.

Whenu: Kia Auaha#

By the end of Tau 3 at kura, your mokopuna need to be able to tell a simple story, recount an experience, and retell a local story.

Mokopuna are learning that oral, written and visual texts are a source of new ideas, experiences and language.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Hanga pakiwaitara

Sit together as a whānau and take turns sharing simple, made-up stories:

Use prompts like: 

• "He aha te kaupapa o tō pakiwaitara?" (What is your story about?)
• "Ko wai ngā tāngata i roto i te pakiwaitara?" (Who are the people in the story?)

To add a fun twist, use props to act out the story.

After a whānau event – for example, a birthday, a hui, or preparing a hāngi – ask mokopuna to describe what happened in the correct order.

Encourage them to start with: "i tīmata mātou mā te..." ("We started by...") "I te mutunga..." ("At the end...").

Go for a hīkoi | walk in your local area. Afterward, ask mokopuna to recall what they saw and heard Encourage them to use time words like, "i te tuatahi..." ("First...") "Ka mutu..." ("Finally...").

Whānau photo story

Choose a family photo and ask your mokopuna to tell a story about it. Encourage them to describe: 

• "Ko wai kei te pikitia?" (Who is in the picture?)
• "I ahatia i taua wā?" (What happened at that time?)