Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: Empowering Your Digital Classroom with Language and Coding Resources
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is an incredible opportunity to bring the beauty and significance of te reo Māori into your classroom! 🌿 This year, we’re excited to share some engaging, Aotearoa-specific digital resources designed to make your lessons more dynamic while incorporating digital technologies and te reo Māori.
At Digital Pīkau, we believe in empowering educators with tools that are not only fun but culturally meaningful. Here’s a selection of resources to help your tamariki dive into the world of digital tech while celebrating te reo Māori.
🌟 Resource Highlights for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 🌟
1. Basic Coding Commands in Te Reo Māori
Looking for a way to introduce coding in te reo Māori? This resource is an easy entry point for students to learn basic coding commands while connecting with their language. The resource is ideal for learners just starting with coding or those looking to bridge the gap between te reo and technology.
💻 How it works:
This lesson guides students through basic coding commands like “move forward,” “turn,” and “repeat” using Scratch or unplugged alternatives. It’s an engaging way for students to practise coding concepts while developing their vocabulary in te reo Māori.
🔗 Download the Basic Coding Commands Resource here
2. Te Wiki o te Reo Māori Unplugged Activity: Speak, Think, Hear Extension
This resource is a fantastic way to introduce your ākonga (students) to both computational thinking and te reo Māori, while linking directly to the Aotearoa New Zealand Histories curriculum. Perfect for Year 5-6 students, this unplugged activity helps learners grasp key coding concepts and develop problem-solving skills, all within the context of our shared history and culture.
👩🏫 How it works:
This activity gets students thinking like computers as they sequence instructions and commands in te reo Māori. The activity encourages logical thinking, communication, and teamwork while reinforcing the connection to our history and the language of Aotearoa. It’s an engaging way to teach computational thinking in a manner that’s culturally relevant and educationally enriching.
🔗 Explore the Unplugged Activity here
3. Kupu App Activity: Learn Coding While Expanding Your Vocabulary
The Kupu app activity is perfect for teachers and students looking to expand their te reo Māori vocabulary through coding. Using ScratchJr, learners can create their own simple app that connects everyday words with te reo. This activity focuses on the structure ‘He aha tēnā’ and is suitable for students who are new to coding but are ready to dive into digital technologies and language learning.
📱 How it works:
Students create a fun and interactive app that teaches them new kupu (words) while honing their basic coding skills. It's a great way to blend digital technologies with language learning, making it a highly engaging resource for classrooms. Once you have an app up and running, the opportunities are endless.
🔗 Try the Kupu App Activity here
4. Digital Storybooks: Bring Māori Stories to Life with ScratchJr
Get your students to combine their creativity with digital technology using the Digital Storybooks resource. This activity allows ākonga to create their own interactive digital storybooks, drawing on pūrākau, stories, or their own experiences. It’s an exciting way for students to learn coding and storytelling while connecting with te ao Māori.
📚 How it works:
Students use ScratchJr to design and code their very own storybook, adding interactive elements and animations. This resource is ideal for fostering creativity and introducing coding concepts in a fun, culturally relevant context.
🔗 Explore the Digital Storybooks Resource here
Supporting Teachers in Their Te Reo Journey
We know that many kaiako are also on their own journey of learning te reo Māori. These resources are not just beneficial for your students—they offer a meaningful way for you to practice and develop your language skills as well. By incorporating te reo into digital technology lessons, you can gain confidence in using the language while modelling lifelong learning for your ākonga.
Whether you’re fluent or just starting out, these activities provide an opportunity to grow your te reo Māori alongside your students. Plus, they’re designed to be easy to follow, making them accessible to all teachers, no matter where you are on your language journey.
Why These Resources Matter for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
By using these resources, you’re helping your students strengthen their digital technology skills while deepening their connection to te reo Māori and understanding Aotearoa New Zealand’s rich history. These resources provide an opportunity for learners to explore our past while mastering important future-ready digital skills—and for you as a teacher to strengthen your own te reo Māori knowledge and confidence.
Whether you’re a seasoned coder or new to digital technologies, these resources are designed to be accessible, engaging, and effective in any classroom setting. Dive into Digital Pīkau and make this Te Wiki o te Reo Māori a memorable learning experience for your tamariki! ✨
Get Started Today
All our resources are free and designed with kaiako (teachers) like you in mind. Click through to download the activities, and let’s make Te Wiki o te Reo Māori a time for innovation and creativity in your classroom.