Let’s break down ♪┏(・o・)┛♪ what we’ve worked on to update and refresh the iUgo Planner for the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories Curriculum (ANZH).
- Overview of the refresh and how this affects our planner
- The addition of ANZH and what this will look like in unit plans templates.
The Refresh 😬
The first thing that came to our minds, is how do we make a seamless merge between the old and the new? You would still need to plan using the old framework, but adapt it to the new one for ANZH.
💡Then a bright idea popped into our heads. 💡
We have added the new framework (Understand, Know, Do) to our unit plan templates, this only appears for relevant learning areas such as ANZH. Users can still access Achievement Objectives from learning areas that have not been refreshed, but this update would allow you to plan with both the old and the new! A Cross-curricular dream.
Our update will allow you to keep calm and carry on planning as you do. Unit plans templates will populate the new sections only where relevant! As the curriculum is refreshed, you will automatically have access to the latest objectives (giving you confidence that you are always up to date with best practice guidelines).
Pre-populated content
Example of pre-populated content from both ANZH and English Creating Meaning in same unit plan (yes! you access the objectives from within your unit plan).

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories 😍
You’ve probably heard this many times from your colleagues, but we concur – It’s about time!
So release the horses, here’s how you can get into it.
- Select this new learning area on the unit plan creation page.
- Fill out your three key sections in your unit plan (iUgo will pull through all the curriculum objectives you need, imagine how much time you will save, not scouring the ministry pages to find what you need).
Here is an example of the unit plan creation and selecting learning areas.

Each of these three elements have a separate focus. They are not designed to be used in a particular sequence, rather they are designed for you, as the teacher, to build a program that’s meaningful to your students and their region.
Understand – The big ideas for learning
Know – The rich contexts for exploring the big ideas
Do – Practices that bring rigour to learning
Key Elements
Here is an example of key elements in a unit plan for ANZH.

There are also two supporting sections specific to ANZH that will support you in localising learning contexts, they are intrinsically linked to Know.
Questions & Learnings
Key Questions – this is connected to Know, by choosing content there – you will be given helpful points of discussion
Learning Experiences – Also connected to Know, by choosing content there, you will be given a range of learning scenarios that will encourage your students to discuss intended key questions.
Here’s an example of Key Questions and Learning Experiences in the unit plan.

Now that this is live, feel free to give us feedback. Let us know what you love and yes what you don’t love too (because how will we build a better program if we don’t know). More importantly – if you’re new to iUgo, start a free trial, gain instant full access, and take a look for yourself.
For more detailed information about the Aotearoa NZ Histories Curriculum, including content, guidance and resources – please visit these links:
Ministry of Education – Aotearoa NZ Histories
Teaching Resources – Aotearoa NZ Histories
Understand, Know, Do: A framework to inspire deep and meaningful learning
Happy planning everyone!