ERIC Number: EJ1457387
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 11
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1176-6662
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Creating a Classroom Tiriti with Young Learners: A Pathway to Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Kerry Bradshaw; Travis Pike; Sarah Ruawai; Angelique Reweti
New Zealand Journal of Teachers' Work, v21 n2 p124-134 2024
With the introduction of the Aotearoa New Zealand histories curriculum in 2022 (Ministry of Education, 2022), educators are encouraged to engage students in understanding the bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand society, shaped by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This curriculum refresh emphasises Maori history as foundational and ongoing, examining how colonisation and settlement have shaped the nation and highlighting the importance of reflecting on these processes. The goal is to foster an inclusive and culturally responsive education system that equips students to contribute meaningfully to Aotearoa New Zealand's diverse society (Ministry of Education, 2022). This reflection explores how Riverdale Primary School teaches Te Tiriti o Waitangi through its inquiry-based learning framework, Te Ako Ritenga (Riverdale Primary School, 2023). The reflection focuses on a 10-week inquiry in the Pae Ake classroom (year 2 & 3), where students explore Te Tiriti o Waitangi by examining its articles and principles -- paying special attention to the relationships, perspectives, and negotiations that shaped it -- and then collaboratively develop their own classroom tiriti [treaty] that outlines expected learning behaviours within their classroom community. This approach illustrates how interactive and culturally responsive teaching methods can enhance students' understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, helping them see it as a living document that continues to shape our country. By moving beyond traditional history lessons that focus on memorised facts, such as key dates and notable figures, students are encouraged to explore the process involved in developing agreements like Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including the diverse relationships and perspectives that shape them. As a result, students develop a more meaningful connection to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its ongoing relevance in Aotearoa.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Pacific Islanders, Ethnic Groups, Indigenous Populations, Land Settlement, Inquiry, Active Learning, Culturally Relevant Education, Multicultural Education, Elementary School Students, Classroom Environment, Teaching Methods, Learning Strategies, Educational Practices, Classroom Techniques, History, Local History
New Zealand Journal of Teachers' Work. Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. Web site: https://ojs.aut.ac.nz/teachers-work/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Zealand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A