Instructional Series
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Welcome to the English medium literacy instructional series teaching and learning resources for years 1 to 8.

- Yellow
- 1
- Health and Physical Education
- Social Sciences
- Technology
- Science
- Fiction
- Stories
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18 items - Showing 1 - 10
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Simi Helps
by Feana Tu‘akoi
illustrated by Samuel Sakaria
Simi's family is preparing an ‘umu and Simi wants to help but nobody has a job for him. As he sits under a tree thinking it’s not fair, he notices there is no smoke coming up from the ‘umu. When he alerts Dad and Papa, they realise the fire has gone out and that they needed his help after all.
Yellow 3
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Lunch for Greedy Cat
by Joy Cowley
illustrated by Robyn Belton
Greedy Cat’s adventures continue in this story when the family goes away on holiday and Aunty attempts to put him on a diet. Not surprisingly, Greedy Cat has very different ideas and manages to thwart Aunty’s plans.
Yellow 3
#LFH
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Walking to School
by Jane Buxton
illustrated by Andrew Burdan
Grandad is staying at Dylan’s house and decides to walk to school with him. Dylan tries to hurry Grandad so he won’t be late, but Grandad wants to stop and take photos. When they get to school, Grandad realises he doesn’t know the way back home. Dylan comes to the rescue with a clever solution.
Yellow 2
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At the Market
by Dot Meharry
illustrated by Samantha Asri
When Oscar’s family arrives at the market, Oscar and his little sister are excited to see some balloons. But when Oscar wants to go and buy one, Mum tells him he needs to help her with the shopping. Despite this setback, the story ends happily. Students will have met Dad and Oscar before in A Starfish for Oscar (Red 1).
Yellow 2
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A Friend for Mateo
by Dot Meharry
illustrated by Leilani Isara
Mateo has just moved to New Zealand from Sāmoa. At the park, while Mateo watches the children riding their scooters, a boy (Zane) stops to say “hello” and offer Mateo a turn on his scooter. Afterwards, Mateo invites Zane to lunch with him and his mum.
Yellow 2
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Talking to Nanny
by Jo Carson-Barr
illustrated by Martin Simpson
Aroha misses her nanny very much but lives too far away to go and visit her. Instead, her mum sets up the computer so that Aroha and Nanny can use the Internet to see and talk to each other.
Yellow 1
This title is also available as a NZ Sign Language e-book on iTunes and GooglePlay
#LFH
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Tahi Rua Toru Whā
by André Ngāpō
illustrated by Phillip Paea
In this story, a dad and his son are getting ready in the morning. The son, who is also the narrator, copies each thing that Dad does. The story finishes with a lighthearted race to the car. Students will enjoy the warmth and humour between the characters, the pattern of the boy repeating Dad’s actions, the race, and the repetition of numbers in Māori.
Yellow 1
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Painting the Fence
by Susan Paris
illustrated by Kat Chadwick
When William and Grandad offer to paint the fence, they soon discover a problem. Grandma wants a white fence, but there is no white paint left in the shed. Their solution (and Grandma’s reaction) will delight students. Students will have met Grandad and William before in the guided book Earmuffs.
Yellow 1
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Monster in the Pool
by Janice Marriott
illustrated by Scott Pearson
Jack invites Monster to his house after school for a swim in the paddling pool. Monster becomes very, very wet but his way of getting dry has hilarious results. Students will have met Monster before in the shared book Monster’s Lunch and in Monster’s Vest (Red 1).
Yellow 1
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Swimming Lessons
by Emeli Sione
illustrated by Jenny Cooper
Pati and Tusi enjoy their swimming lessons and are keen to learn to “float like star fish” and get a new sticker on their certificates. When they show Dad their stickers they are surprised to find out that he has never learned to float, but they come up with a helpful suggestion.
Yellow 2
#LFH