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This unit introduces Year 5 students to the powerful art of Māori Haka, exploring how cultural traditions use movement and voice to express identity and tell stories. Through a progression from learning authentic movements to creating original choreography, students develop both technical dance skills and deeper understanding of cultural respect and creative interpretation. The unit uniquely bridges cultural education with dance composition, encouraging students to honour traditional forms whilst developing their own choreographic voice.

Lessons in This Unit

6 lessons in this unit

Lesson 1

Learning the Ka Mate Haka
45 min

Big Question:

How can we use our bodies and voices to express cultural identity and tell stories through traditional Maori dance?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop cultural awareness and understanding of the Haka's significance in Maori culture
  • • To learn and perform the Ka Mate Haka with correct actions, timing, and pronunciation

Lesson 2

Creative Travelling Movements
1h 1min

Big Question:

How can we transform static Haka actions into dynamic travelling movements that tell a story?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop a 20-second travelling section using different levels, pathways and directions
  • • To creatively transform static Haka actions into dynamic movements

Lesson 3

Pairs Choreography with Picture Stimulus
1h

Big Question:

How can we transform visual images into powerful paired movements that tell a story through dance?

Key Objectives:

  • • To develop creative movement ideas using visual stimulus
  • • To demonstrate effective communication and teamwork with a partner

Lesson 4

Chance Choreography and Group Formation
1h

Big Question:

How can we use chance and collaboration to create powerful Haka-inspired dance sequences?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work collaboratively in small groups to create cohesive dance sequences
  • • To effectively use chance choreography techniques to generate movement ideas

Lesson 5

Group Choreography and Performance Completion
1h

Big Question:

How can we combine individual creativity with group collaboration to create a powerful dance performance?

Key Objectives:

  • • To work effectively in collaborative groups to create choreography
  • • To apply chance choreography techniques in group dance creation

Lesson 6

Performance Evaluation and Improvement
1h

Big Question:

How can we use technical language to evaluate and improve dance performances?

Key Objectives:

  • • To understand what makes a good dance performance
  • • To give useful feedback to our partner using appropriate dance vocabulary