Māori Haka Expression
Dance
•Year 8
•6 Lessons
This unit immerses Year 8 students in the powerful tradition of Māori Haka, exploring how movement, voice, and collective energy combine to tell cultural stories and express deep emotion. Through progressive skill development, students learn to perform with authenticity, unity, and cultural respect whilst developing their own expressive capabilities. The unit culminates in a group performance that demonstrates both technical precision and emotional connection.
Lessons in This Unit
6 lessons in this unit
Lesson 1
Big Question:
How can we use movement and voice together to tell powerful stories and express deep emotions?
Key Objectives:
- • To perform traditional Haka movements with control and coordination
- • To express emotions authentically through movement and vocal expression
Lesson 2
Big Question:
How can percussion and group leadership enhance the emotional expression and unity of traditional Maori dance?
Key Objectives:
- • To create movement and perform with emotion using traditional Haka techniques
- • To work as part of a group, moving and chanting in unison with rhythmic precision
Lesson 3
Big Question:
How can we use movement memory and precise timing to create powerful group performances that tell cultural stories?
Key Objectives:
- • Demonstrate accurate movement memory by recalling and performing multi-phrase Haka sequences
- • Execute movements in unison with precise timing and coordination with peers
Lesson 4
Big Question:
How can we demonstrate team spirit through powerful, coordinated movement that tells a story?
Key Objectives:
- • Demonstrate team spirit through coordinated Haka performance
- • Create and perform travelling movements using different directions
Lesson 5
Big Question:
How can we create powerful group formations that enhance our Haka performance and demonstrate unity as a tribe?
Key Objectives:
- • To create and perform coordinated movement sequences as part of a group
- • To demonstrate techniques learned through formation work and transitions
Lesson 6
Big Question:
How can we inspire and connect with our audience through the power of the Haka?
Key Objectives:
- • To perform a complete Haka routine with confidence and precision in unison
- • To evaluate performances using specific criteria and provide constructive feedback