KAGAN AND THE EDUCULTURAL WHEEL

THE EDUCULTURAL WHEEL

“Kia hiwa ra” literally means “to be alert”.
This book serves as a powerful tool for educators, aimed at raising their awareness of effective teaching models that cater to the diverse classrooms they encounter. By emphasising the importance of cultural understanding, it urges teachers to remain attentive to the various cultures present within their classrooms. With a specific focus on Māori students, the book highlights the need to establish a solid foundation for their academic growth.

Culturally responsive teaching emerges as the key to unlocking the full potential of Māori students, bridging the gaps in achievement by recognizing and celebrating their unique cultural identities. By incorporating and valuing their traditions, language, and perspectives, educators can nurture an inclusive learning environment that empowers Māori learners, ensuring their success and active participation in the educational journey.

Incorporating the five Māori concepts from Kia Hiwa Ra as the key cultural concept bases for effective classroom management strategies is crucial for creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that embraces cultural diversity.

  • Whanaungatanga, emphasising the importance of building positive relationships, allows for strong connections between students, teachers, and their wider community.

  • Manaakitanga, promoting respect and care, fosters a sense of belonging and value within the classroom.

  • Rangatiratanga, promoting leadership and autonomy, empowers students to take ownership of their learning.

  • Kotahitanga, promoting unity and collaboration, cultivates a sense of teamwork and collective responsibility.

  • Finally, Pūmanawatanga is the essence of a school, is an intangible force that permeates the hallways and classrooms, shaping the morale, tone, and pulse of the entire learning community. It is a collective energy that makes a school come alive, creating an environment where students are uplifted, engaged, and motivated to reach their fullest potential.

By incorporating these concepts into classroom management strategies, students will feel supported, engaged, and motivated to excel academically and personally.

My thanks and appreciation to Dr Angus Macfarlane for allowing me to share this wonderfully powerful concept with you - I hope I do it justice.

This is just a brief overview to link Kagan and these concepts, so for more in-depth information, please read the book, which can be purchased here

How Kagan supports the Educultural Wheel

  • WHANAUNGATANGA

    BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

    Whanaungatanga, the Māori principle of building and nurturing relationships, holds great importance in the realm of teaching. At its core, whanaungatanga emphasises the interconnectedness and mutual support within a community.

    Educators should build genuine connections with students to create a sense of belonging. Embracing whanaungatanga fosters a safe and inclusive environment where students feel valued and supported. This approach aligns with cooperative learning, encouraging engagement, collective knowledge, and responsibility towards peers. Whanaungatanga promotes a cohesive community where everyone feels heard and valued.

    Kagan Cooperative Learning with it’s structured strategies and pair and team activities promote diverse interactions, allowing students to connect. Through collaboration, students develop respect, empathy, and understanding, appreciating diverse perspectives. Kagan empowers students to build lasting relationships beyond the classroom into the school and community.

  • MANAAKITANGA

    ETHIC OF CARING

    Manaakitanga is a foundational principle in Māori culture that encompasses the act of welcoming, nurturing, and caring for others.

    Manaakitanga is essential for creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. It fosters positive relationships, respects diverse perspectives, and encourages students to express themselves and grow. More than hospitality, manaakitanga values each student's unique identity and strengths. It empowers students to thrive through empathy, compassion, and genuine care in their education.

    Kagan structures provide students with opportunities to collaborate and support each other, fostering belonging and responsibility. This teamwork promotes inclusivity and empathy while emphasising social skills like greeting and praising. Kagan cultivates a classroom environment where manaakitanga thrives, enhancing relationships and concern for classmates' well-being. Kagan’s holistic approach prioritises creating a safe, inclusive environment for successful learning.

  • RANGATIRATANGA

    TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS

    Rangatiratanga in this context refers to the concept of teacher effectiveness, emphasising the importance of assertiveness and confidence, their demeanour and body language, and their ability to know what is happening in their room at all times.

    Using accessible language fosters respect and security, as students feel safe with a confident teacher. Effective teachers promote critical thinking, collaboration, and self-confidence through relevant content that acknowledges students' backgrounds and experiences.

    A confident teacher sets clear expectations and boundaries, guiding students to success. By respectfully expressing their needs and ideas, they create authority and a harmonious atmosphere. Kagan Cooperative Learning structures empower teachers to facilitate participation, promote collaboration, and ensure equal opportunities for all learners. Incorporating Kagan strategies provides research-proven methods for curriculum delivery, instructional practice, and classroom management. These tools enable positive classroom management and active student engagement in the learning process.

  • KOTAHITANGA

    ETHIC OF BONDING

    In the vibrant tapestry of education, the concept of kotahitanga - a Māori term meaning unity and togetherness - plays a significant role in shaping a harmonious and successful classroom environment.

    Classroom bonding fosters belonging, trust, and respect, creating a strong foundation for effective learning. When students feel connected to peers and supported by teachers, they engage more actively, ask questions, and collaborate enthusiastically.

    Kagan Cooperative Learning provides strategies to foster kotahitanga, or unity, in classrooms. Classbuilding and teambuilding structures mix students, encouraging them to connect with everyone, not just friends. Suitable for any age group, Kagan promotes a shared pedagogy throughout the school. By using Kagan methods, teachers create an inclusive, collaborative environment where all students feel valued and empowered. This approach enhances academic achievement and cultivates a sense of belonging in the classroom community.

  • PŪMANAWATANGA

    MORALE, TONE, PULSE

    Pūmanawatanga is the central concept in the Educultural Wheel.

    Pūmanawatanga defines a school's essence, influencing morale, tone, and community spirit. It creates an uplifting environment where students feel engaged and motivated to succeed. Nurtured by strong leadership and dedicated teachers, pūmanawatanga fosters a sense of belonging. When it thrives, it instills pride, positivity, and purpose, leading to a culture of collaboration and achievement.

    Kagan, as an educational approach, is able to have a profound impact on the morale, tone, and pulse of a school community, by providing the teachers with practical tools for developing relationships and promoting collaboration and active participation among teachers, and among students, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect. Kagan cultivates an inclusive environment where both teachers and students feel valued and supported, leading to enhanced morale.

    Creating opportunities for students, and teachers, to work together, share ideas, and celebrate their achievements, Kagan strengthens the bond between students, teachers, and the entire school community, ultimately shaping a positive and vibrant school culture.