Whenu: He Tangata#

Mokopuna are learning Pāngarau in 4 different learning strands called ‘whenu’.

Find out more about whenu.

Pāngarau whenu

Kaupapa: Tau (number)#

In Tau 4 at kura, mokopuna are learning to use mathematics to solve problems that are relevant to their world, home, kura and hapori. For example:

• count forward and backward to 1,000
• name, read, write, compare, and order whole numbers up to 10,000
• recall multiplication and corresponding division facts for 4s, 6s, 9s, and 10s
• add and subtract 2- and 3-digit numbers
• identify, read, write, and represent tenths as fractions and decimals
• find a fraction of a number using multiplication or division fact – for example, ¼ of 40.

You can use this resource to help reinforce what your mokopuna is learning. It focuses on how tukutuku patterns can be used to show places and directions. 

Ideas for whānau activities#

During a nature walk:

• collect shells, stones, or leaves
• sort them into groups of 2s, 5s, or 10s
• count them in te reo Māori
• compare different groups and talk about which has more or fewer items.

Use blocks, sticks or crayons and arrange them in groups. Then:

• skip count by 2s, 5s, or 10s using te reo Māori numbers
• ask, "mēnā ka tāpiria atu e 5, e hia katoa?" ("If we add 5 more, how many will there be?")

Count actions during kapa haka practice – for example, 4 stamps, 6 claps. Then:

• double the number and see if mokopuna can do twice as many
• make it a game by racing to see who can reach a certain number first.

Whenu: He Ākonga#

Kaupapa: Taurangi (algebra)#

By the end of Tau 4 at kura, mokopuna will have learned to solve addition and subtraction open number sentences using the relationship between the 2 sides of the equals sign. They will:

• form and solve number sentences involving multiplication and division using an understanding of the equals sign, for example, 5 x _ _ = 20; _ _÷ 3 = 6
• recognise and describe the rules for a pattern and make predictions about what will come next
• understand that the order of numbers when adding or multiplying, does not affect the answer.

Ideas for whānau activities#

• Write an equation with a missing number, like ? + 3 = 8. Use shells, beads or stones to figure out the missing number. Say the number sentences in te reo Māori: "He aha te tau e tāpiri atu ana ki te toru, kia waru te tapeke?”
• Create a kapa haka movement pattern (for example, stomp, clap, jump). Ask mokopuna to predict the 10th move in the sequence. Challenge them to describe the rule (such as, "every third move is a jump").
• Look at patterns in nature like fern fronds (koru) or tree branches. Draw the pattern and predict what comes next. Ask, "Mēnā ka tipu kia rua atu anō ngā manga/peka o tēnei rākau, e hia katoa ngā manga/peka?" ("If this tree grows 2 more branches, how many will there be in total?")

Whenu: He Uri Whakaheke#

Kaupapa: Ine (measurement)#

By the end of Tau 4 at kura, mokopuna will have learned to use mathematics to solve problems that are relevant to their world, home, kura and hapori. They will:

• use what they know about measurement to explore the relationships between units, like how many centimetres are in a metre
• use units to describe, estimate and measure length (metre, centimetre), weight (kilograms, grams), capacity (litres), and time (hours, minutes)
• tell the time to the nearest 5 minutes using the language of minutes past the hour and to the hour.

Ideas for whānau activities#

• Run outside on a windy day and race different objects (leaves, feathers, small kete). Measure how far each one travels. Compare the distances: "Ko tēhea te mea i rere tawhiti rawa?" ("Which one went the furthest?")
• Cut strips of paper or collect and prepare harakeke. Measure the length of each strip before weaving. Compare strips: "Ko tēhea te mea whānui rawa?" ("Which is the widest?").
• Use a timer to time how long different activities take – for example, running to a tree and back, singing a waiata. Compare: "Ko tēhea te mahi tere rawa?" ("Which activity was the fastest?")

Whenua: He Tangata#

Kaupapa: Āhuahanga (geometry)#

By the end of Tau 4 at kura, mokopuna will have learned to explore toi Māori using pāngarau exploration of shape, reflections, rotation, or translation with mātauranga Māori as a tūāpapa. They will be learning to:

• describe polygons (shapes with straight sides) including if they have line symmetry (fold the shape and both halves will match exactly) and rotational symmetry (the shape will look the same after being turned)
• describe polygons (shapes with straight sides) including if they have line symmetry (fold the shape and both halves will match exactly) and rotational symmetry (the shape will look the same after being turned)
• describe a location and path of travel using grids, compass points and simple map systems.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Trace and cut shapes

Find natural objects (pōhutukawa leaves, pūrerehua wings, shells) and trace their shapes. Identify symmetry, angles, and curved versus straight lines. Say, "He āhua tapawhā, he āhua porowhita rānei?" ("Is it square or round?")

Look at tukutuku patterns and kōwhaiwhai designs. Fold a piece of paper in half, draw half a shape, then cut it out to see if it’s symmetrical. Talk about, "he riterite ngā taha e rua?" ("Are both sides the same?")

Make a treasure hunt map

Make a simple grid map of the backyard or home. Hide a taonga (treasure) and give clues using left, right, quarter-turn, half-turn, north, south, east, and west. For example: "E rua huringa haurua ki te taha matau, ka toru ngā tapuwae whakamua." ("Turn right twice, then take 3 steps forward.")

Whenu: He Uri Whakaheke#

Kaupapa: Tauanga (statistics)#

By the end of Tau 4 at kura, mokopuna will have learned to use mathematics to solve problems that are relevant to their world, home, kura and hapori.

You can carry out a statistical investigation by:

• posing a question they can answer by collecting information (for example, "how many skips can we do in 30 seconds?")
• collecting and presenting the data using bar charts and dot plots
• describing what their graphs show
• check to see if their graphs make sense and clearly show the information.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Time your activities

Record how much time is spent watching TV, playing on a tablet, reading, or playing outside. Compare daily times and find the average for each activity. Ask: “Ko tēhea mahi te mea roa rawa?” (Which activity took the longest?). Make a line graph to track the time spent each day.

Collect data

Go for a hīkoi | walk and collect data on what you see (cars, trees, birds, rivers), by counting how many waka | cars, rākau | trees, awa | rivers you pass. Ask: “Ko tēhea te mea i tino kitea i te hīkoi?” (What was seen the most on our walk?).

Whenu: He Puna Kōrero#

Kaupapa: Tūponotanga (probability)#

By the end of Tau 4 at kura, mokopuna will have learned to use pāngarau communicative strategies to discuss their mahi. They will:

• come up with a question to investigate (for example, what is the chance of flipping heads on a coin?)
• look at situations that have equally likely outcomes, like rolling a die, or flipping a coin and guessing what might happen before testing it
• test their ideas by doing experiments and show their results using tallies, bar charts or dot plots
• discuss what they found out after their experiments and compare their results with others.

Ideas for whānau activities#

Knuckle bones game

Gather 5 small stones (e rima ngā kōhatu) to play knuckle bones. Colour one side of each stone with paint or a marker. Toss them (huripapa) and count how many land paint-side up versus paint-side down. 

Ask, "He aha te tūponotanga ka tau mai te taha tae?" ("What is the probability that the coloured side lands up?") Repeat 10 times, then 20 times, and see if the probability changes.

Collect shells

Collect different coloured shells (or bottle caps or pebbles) and put them in a kete | basket. Without looking, pick one and predict what colour it will be. Record the results and compare them to the total number of shells. Ask, "He aha ngā tūponotanga ka whiriwhiria he angaanga mā?" ("What is the chance of picking a white shell?")