Learning about the context of 'Whale Rider'
I can understand the context of 'Whale Rider'.
Learning about the context of 'Whale Rider'
I can understand the context of 'Whale Rider'.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Maori people were the first people to settle in New Zealand.
- Maori culture and tradition play a significant role in national identity.
- Maori people have a strong spiritual connection to the land and environment.
- ‘Whale Rider’ is a novel by Witi Ihimaera and it has been adapted into a film.
- ‘Whale Rider’ is a powerful story of tradition and it has themes of courage and breaking down barriers.
Keywords
Culture - the way people live according to their beliefs, language, history or shared values
Maori - the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand
New Zealand - an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Common misconception
Maori culture is confined to historical practices and traditions only. It is not present in contemporary society.
Maori culture continues to adapt and thrive in contemporary society. Maori people are active in politics, arts, business and academia, contributing to the broader New Zealand society and global community.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Learning about the context of 'Whale Rider', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Learning about the context of 'Whale Rider', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'Whale Rider': narrative writing unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You must have access to the film 'Whale Rider' (South Pacific Pictures, 2002) to complete this unit. Images of the characters from the film will be helpful.