This report provides information about the Kiwileles, a ukulele orchestra made up of New Zealand school students. It focuses on the experiences of students at East Tamaki School and includes a description of some of the steps involved in learning to play a ukulele.
Dave Gilberd is a luthier, a maker of stringed instruments. This report describes how Dave makes a ukulele. A note at the end of the report provides additional information about how the ukulele got its name.
This journal includes a linked article, “The Kiwileles”, which provides information about students who play in a ukulele orchestra.
by Steph Matuku, Illustrations by Isobel Te Aho-White
When the strawberries in the garden start to mysteriously disappear, Huia suggests a rāhui to make sure there will be enough berries to share on her mother’s birthday.
This humorous science-fiction play is set on a spaceship in the future. When the crew’s rubbish-blasting machine stops working, they are intrigued to find out how people used to deal with their rubbish in the “old days”.
Messy City has a big problem – it’s too messy! A group of superheroes are invited to take part in a competition to find a solution to the problem. In addition to providing opportunities for expressive oral reading, this humorous, light-hearted play can be used to consider ideas about caring for the environment, problem solving, and the power of cooperation.
In this interview, Megan Hubscher of Forest & Bird talks to Iona McNaughton about the Bird of the Year competition – why it started and how it helps keep New Zealand native birds safe. Students can read about some of the past winners of the competition in an accompanying article, “And the Winner Is ...”
This story sets out to explain the origin of the Chinese New Year festival. It tells how a mysterious old man helps a village to get rid of Nian, a rampaging monster who has been terrorising the villagers at the start of every spring (on the first day of the Chinese New Year). The story is told in the style of a traditional folk tale, but its origins are thought to be more recent.
Topics: celebration, China, Chinese New Year, cooperation, courage, culture, fireworks, helping others, monster, Nian, New Year, problem solving, tradition, traditional tale
This article builds on ideas introduced in “Bird of the Year” (in the same journal) and provides information about six winners of the Bird of the Year competition. Much of the information is presented in the form of tables, allowing students to gain experience in reading different text formats. Together, the two articles provide opportunities for students to identify and discuss main ideas about native New Zealand birds.
This story sets out to explain the origin of the Chinese New Year festival. It tells how a mysterious old man helps a village to get rid of Nian, a rampaging monster who has been terrorising the villagers at the start of every spring (on the first day of the Chinese New Year). The story is told in the style of a traditional folk tale, but its origins are thought to be more recent.
Topics: celebration, China, Chinese New Year, cooperation, courage, culture, fireworks, helping others, monster, Nian, New Year, problem solving, tradition, traditional tale
This article builds on ideas introduced in “Bird of the Year” (in the same journal) and provides information about six winners of the Bird of the Year competition. Much of the information is presented in the form of tables, allowing students to gain experience in reading different text formats. Together, the two articles provide opportunities for students to identify and discuss main ideas about native New Zealand birds.
In this interview, Megan Hubscher of Forest & Bird talks to Iona McNaughton about the Bird of the Year competition – why it started and how it helps keep New Zealand native birds safe. Students can read about some of the past winners of the competition in an accompanying article, “And the Winner Is ...”
Messy City has a big problem – it’s too messy! A group of superheroes are invited to take part in a competition to find a solution to the problem. In addition to providing opportunities for expressive oral reading, this humorous, light-hearted play can be used to consider ideas about caring for the environment, problem solving, and the power of cooperation.