Instructional Series
Welcome to the English medium literacy instructional series teaching and learning resources for years 1 to 8.
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School Journal Level 2 August 2017
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) and audio for the following:
TSM Audio Stories Up the Guts ✔ ✔ Poems A Gust of Wind ✔ Plays The Best Team Ever Articles The Mysterious Stones of Tonga ✔ ✔ Score! Look inside this issue
The Mysterious Stones of Tonga
by 'Ana Maui Taufe'ulungaki
illustrated by Scott Pearson
In this article, Dr ‘Ana Maui Taufe‘ulungaki describes and discusses an unusual stone monument, Ha‘amonga ‘a Maui (the Burden of Maui), which stands near the village of Niutōua in Tonga. The monument is special because there are very few stone structures to be found anywhere in the Pacific.
Score!
by Bronwen Wall
"Tiana tucks the ball under her arm and races up the field. It’s three tackles down – there’s only one more play left in this set. The other team is waiting for her."
The Best Team Ever
by Philippa Werry
illustrated by Fraser Williamson
This play follows 6 students grouped together to make a wearable arts costume. The students are forced to improvise after their original idea doesn't go as planned.
A Gust of Wind
by Sarah Penwarden
illustrated by Rachel Walker and Adam Pryor
In this four-stanza, illustrated poem, Sarah Penwarden uses rich imagery to describe the four seasons. The first-person narrator is a child, and the poem also reflects his or her relationship with grandparents.
Up the Guts
by Paora Tibble
illustrated by Munro Te Whata
This fast-paced story follows Para (the narrator) and her older brother, Shane, as they practise their rugby league skills in their backyard, then play a game of league with the rest of their team.
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School Journal Level 2 August 2016
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) and audio for the following:
TSM Audio Stories Queen of the Board ✔ Poems Becoming Toroa Plays Good as Gold ✔ Articles Seals ✔ ✔ The Chess Champions of Nūhaka ✔ Look inside this issue
Good as Gold
by James O’Sullivan
Illustrations by Yunie Lee
This play combines sci-fi with humour and provides students with an opportunity to read, enjoy, and perform. A number of abstract financial capability concepts are embedded in the story.
Queen of the Board
by Anahera Gildea
Illustrations by Taeri Christopherson
"My sister Tiana won the school chess championship, and ever since, it’s like she thinks she’s Genesis Potini or something."
Seals
by Susan Brocker
This article presents information about seals in an engaging way. Students can find out about the ways seals are adapted for living on land and sea, the various species found around New Zealand, and how they raise their pups.
The Chess Champions of Nūhaka
by Kiwa Hammond
Nūhaka School took out the title of “Most Successful School” in the Hawke’s Bay junior chess championship last year. The interest in chess at the school was sparked by a workshop given by Genesis Potini (subject of the New Zealand film The Dark Horse) several years ago.
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School Journal Level 2 November 2017
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) and audio for the following:
TSM Audio Stories Finders, Keepers The Show Went On ✔ Articles Celebrating Puanga at Ramanui ✔ ✔ New Zealand Dinosaurs ✔ ✔ Look inside this issue
Celebrating Puanga at Ramanui
by Maakere Edwards and Kiwa Hammond
This article describes how one Taranaki school celebrates the appearance of the star Puanga in the eastern sky – the signal for the start of the Māori New Year. In other parts of Aotearoa, people watch for Matariki, but that constellation is hard to see in the Taranaki region.
Finders, Keepers
by Sarah Johnson
illustrated by Gavin Mouldey
"Joe found the dinosaur egg in the washing basket in the laundry. He knew straightaway that the egg belonged to a dinosaur. It was too big to belong to a chicken and not round enough for a soccer ball."
New Zealand Dinosaurs
by Hamish Campbell
illustrated by Spike Wademan
This engaging article explains what is known about the dinosaurs that once roamed New Zealand. It provides some background information on dinosaurs in general, including the most popular theory about why they became extinct. It also explains that for a long time, people believed no dinosaurs had ever lived in this country. Then it gives details of the dinosaur fossils found in various parts of New Zealand, which proved that idea to be wrong.
The Show Went On
by Bernard Beckett
illustrated by Rachel Smythe
The story begins with the children of Room 7 dressed as farmyard animals and about to make their entrance in the school production.
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School Journal Level 2 May 2017
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) and audio for the following:
TSM Audio Stories The Amazing Humans Plays The Race ✔ ✔ Articles Bugbix for Breakfast ✔ ✔ The Zoo Debate ✔ Look inside this issue
Bugbix for Breakfast
by Bronwen Wall
This article tackles a topic that many people feel squeamish about: eating insects. The writer explains that many people around the world eat insects as a normal part of their diet.
The Amazing Humans
by Renata Hopkins
illustrated by Michel Mulipola
"It was then that Mere noticed a little Zeelonite standing off to one side. The alien was watching them with a sad look on its face. At least, they thought it looked sad – it was sometimes hard to tell with Zeelonites. "
The Race
by Chris Tse
illustrated by Ant Sang
In this play, Chris Tse retells a traditional Chinese story about how the twelve animals that make up the Chinese zodiac came to be chosen and how their order was decided. All twelve of the Zodiac animals are characters in the play, although only six of them have speaking parts.
The Zoo Debate
by Philippa Werry
This article presents both sides of a debate: should we or shouldn’t we have zoos? It includes a short history of zoos and some suggestions for alternatives. It also includes lists of valid points for and against zoos.
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School Journal Level 3 August 2017
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) for the following:
TSM Stories Wild Things Low Tide ✔ Poems Dog Training Plays How Hemi Cleaned His Room Articles The Subantarctic Islands ✔ Te Tiriti o Waitangi ✔ The Possum Problem Look inside this issue
The Subantarctic Islands
written and illustrated by Giselle Clarkson
This visual text uses words and cartoon-style images to provide information about the five groups of islands that are found between New Zealand and Antarctica. The information is presented in a lively way, organised into sections that tell what and where the islands are, the weather they share, and their flora and fauna.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
by Ross Calman
This straightforward article explains what the Treaty of Waitangi is, why it was needed, and what it says. Although most students will have heard of the Treaty, this may be the first time they have read about it for themselves.
The Possum Problem
by Johanna Knox
illustrated by Adele Jackson
"Possums. You hardly ever see them, but they’re all around: in the bush, on farms, in parks. They might even be in your garden. During the day, possums stay in their dens. These are dry, hidden places where they won’t be disturbed. Possums emerge after dark, millions upon millions of them, all across New Zealand. And what do they do? They eat."
Dog Training
by Marty Smith
illustrated by Josh Morgan
"Dad would snap at us if we gave the dogs food: Don’t feed them at the table! It turns them into beggars!"
Wild Things
by Renata Hopkins
illustrated by Daron Parton
"But it wasn’t a mouse that woke us. It was another noise. It sounded as though someone with asthma was choking on a mouthful of cornflakes right outside my window. I froze."
Low Tide
by Tim Jones
illustrated by Elliemay Logan
This short story describes what happens during the hour that Manu and his father have to rescue what they can from their ruined home. A storm accompanied by a high tide has breached a seawall and sent seawater through their house.
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School Journal Level 2 August 2015
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) and audio for the following:
TSM Audio Stories Tū Best Mates ✔ ✔ Poems Meeting Katherine Mansfield Articles Starting with Strings ✔ The Old Trunk ✔ ✔ Look inside this issue
Starting with Strings
by Georgina Barnes
photographs by Adrian Heke
“Starting with Strings” is about Sistema Aotearoa, a children’s orchestra based in Otara. The article explains how children join the orchestra, what’s involved in learning to play an instrument, and what it means to be part of the orchestra.
The Old Trunk
by Gregory O’Brien
The old trunk of the title is filled with Jill McDonald’s illustrations. The article explains how the illustrations ended up in the trunk and describes why Jill is one of New Zealand’s most well-known and successful children’s illustrators.
Tū
by Paul Mason
illustrations by Bridget Monro
“That dog has to go!” said Mum when I got home after school.
“What’s Tū done now?”,
“My vegie patch,” Mum moaned. “All my hard work …”
Best Mates
by Paora Tibble
illustrations by Scott Pearson
This poignant story, told with subtle humour, is about Mana coming to terms with the fact that his best mate is leaving town. At the same time, he has to deal with the news of the imminent arrival of a baby brother or sister. “Best Mates” is a sequel to “Iron Tamariki” (SJ L2 June 2014). Students who have read the earlier story will enjoy meeting Mana and members of his whānau again.
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School Journal, Level 2 August 2011
Teacher support materials (TSM) and audio are available for the following texts in this issue of the School Journal:
TSM Audio Stories Mihi and the Foghorn Father ✔ ✔ Articles “Our Hero” – the Story of George ✔ Power ✔ Look inside this issue
“Our Hero” – the Story of George
by Sue Gibbison
“George was a small dog with a lion’s share of courage”. This article tells the true story of how George bravely risked his life to save five children from an attack by two large, fierce dogs. The injuries he sustained could not be mended and he was put down by a vet, but his story lives on and spread far and wide.
Mihi and the Foghorn Father
by Rachel Hayward
Family relationships and the need for honesty are the themes of this charming story about a girl and her over-enthusiastic Dad. Mihi loves her Dad, but when he watches her play rugby, his loud advice and encouragement put her off her game. When she bravely lets Dad know this, he makes a deal with her that helps them both to enjoy the match.
Power
by Alex Taylor
Where does power come from? Starting with some familiar electrical structures, the article traces the source of the power needed to charge an electric toothbrush. It follows the journey back from the power outlet in the wall, through roadside structures and transmission lines, to the waters of Lake Taupō.
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School Journal Level 2, August 2012
Teacher support materials (TSM) and audio are available for the following texts in this issue of the School Journal:
TSM Audio Stories Kūtai Fritters ✔ ✔ Articles What a Disaster! ✔ ✔ Kūtai ✔ Look inside this issue
What a Disaster!
by Katie Furze
The container ship Rena went aground near Mount Maunganui in October 2011. This article describes the impact of the event
through the eyes of a young girl. She uses information from the news as well as her family’s observations to describe the damage done to the beaches and wildlife.
Kūtai
by Ross Calman
As a companion piece to “Kūtai Fritters” from the same Journal, “Kūtai” provides information about the origins, guardians (kaitiaki), uses, and habitats of this shellfish, which could once be found in many parts of New Zealand.
Kūtai Fritters
by Charlene Mataio
In this simple fictional recount, a young Māori boy, Kalani, describes an event that will be familiar to some students: gathering kaimoana with the whānau. The story demonstrates important aspects of the relationships within the whānau, including respecting elders and sharing of knowledge and tikanga (cultural concepts) associated with gathering kaimoana. The story illustrates the passing on of knowledge and experience from older whānau members (Koro, Dad) to the next generation.
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School Journal Level 2, August 2013
Teacher support materials (TSM) and audio are available for the following texts in this issue of the School Journal:
TSM Audio Stories Backyard Chooks ✔ ✔ Play Making a Sentence ✔ Articles Ramadan is Coming ✔ ✔ Look inside this issue
Ramadan is Coming
by Marita Vandenberg
Obay’s family has come to New Zealand from Saudi Arabia. The article describes his family’s daily life, then focuses on the activities that occur at Ramadan. Obay and his brothers attend regular school, and their mother maintains their Arabic learning at home.
Making a Sentence
by John Parker
This is a light-hearted, entertaining play that will engage students – it is set on a dairy farm where eight characters try to make a sentence. Two of the characters are nouns (animals) and the other six represent articles, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, and a full stop. This clever idea provides readers with a visual way of learning how parts of speech work to form an interesting sentence that sounds correct.
Backyard Chooks
by Susan Paris
Jean loves eating eggs for breakfast, but one morning, there are no eggs left. This engaging article describes how Jean asks her family about getting their own chickens to ensure a constant supply of eggs. The family discussions about the costs and benefits of keeping chickens bring out financial literacy concepts that will be familiar to many students.
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