| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | Geography |
| What topic | customs and traditions |
| What length (min) | 90 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 1 |
| Class size | 40 |
| What curriculum | cook islands curriculum |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 5 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Customs and Traditions
Geography
Year 1
90 minutes
40
Cook Islands Curriculum, aligned with New Zealand norms and standards
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | 10 minutes | Begin with a brief introduction to customs and traditions. Ask students examples they know. |
| 2 | Group Formation | 5 minutes | Divide students into groups of 5-6. Ensure groups are mixed for diverse perspectives. |
| 3 | Research Activity | 30 minutes | Each group chooses a culture to research customs and traditions using books or digital resources. |
| 4 | Group Discussion | 15 minutes | Groups discuss their findings among themselves and prepare to share with the class. |
| 5 | Class Sharing | 15 minutes | Groups present their findings but write down key points to share with the teacher instead of orally presenting. |
| 6 | Reflection | 10 minutes | Students write down one new custom or tradition they learned today on sticky notes. |
| 7 | Homework Explanation & Closing | 5 minutes | Explain homework assignment: find out a custom or tradition from their own family and write a few sentences about it. Check homework quietly without presentations. |
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we will dive into an exciting topic called Customs and Traditions. These are special ways people in different cultures celebrate their identities and heritage. Can anyone give me an example of a custom or tradition you know? You can think about examples from your family, your friends, or from places you've visited."
(Pause for students to share their answers and write a few of them on the whiteboard.)
"Great examples, thank you! Customs and traditions help us understand each other better and appreciate the diverse cultures around the world. Let's explore this together!"
"Now, let’s get into groups! I will divide you into groups of 5 or 6. I want you to mix with classmates you might not always work with, so everyone gets a chance to share their ideas. When I call your group, find a spot in the room where you can work together."
(Assign groups and give students a moment to settle in.)
"Welcome to group work! Each group will choose a culture to research. You can find information in your books or use the digital resources available. Be sure to look for interesting customs and traditions that make that culture unique."
"Don't forget to take notes on what you find! You will discuss your findings together in a little while."
(Give students 30 minutes to conduct the research.)
"Alright, groups! Now it’s time to discuss what you’ve found. Talk among yourselves about the different customs and traditions you've discovered. Choose a few key points that you believe are really important and that you’ll want to share with the class later."
(Provide 15 minutes for discussion.)
"Now, it's time to share your findings! Instead of telling the class, I’d like each group to write down the key points about the customs and traditions you've chosen. After you’ve written them, I will walk around and collect your points."
(Allow groups to write and submit their findings, while you circulate in the room to assist as needed.)
"To wrap up our lesson today, I want you to take a sticky note and write down one new custom or tradition you learned today. This will help us remember the different things we’ve discussed. Once you’ve written your note, please stick it on the board as you leave today."
(Give students 10 minutes for this task.)
"Before we finish, let’s discuss your homework. I would like you to ask someone in your family about a custom or tradition that's important to them. Then, please write a few sentences about it. You will bring your written assignment to our next lesson."
"Remember to keep it private; there will be no presentations on this homework. Is everyone clear on what to do?"
(Answer any questions and let students know you’ll check their homework quietly next time.)
"Thank you all for a fantastic class today! I can’t wait to hear about the customs and traditions from your families in our next lesson. Have a wonderful day!"
Can anyone share a local Māori custom or tradition that they find particularly interesting? How does it reflect the culture of Aotearoa?
What is a traditional dish from any culture that you've enjoyed? Can you describe how it's made and what occasions it's typically served on?
Reflecting on your own family, is there a tradition that you think makes your family unique? What inspired that tradition?
How do you think customs and traditions help build a sense of community in a culture? Can you give an example from your research?
If you could create a new tradition for your family or community, what would it be and why? What values would it represent?