Instructional Series
Welcome to the English medium literacy instructional series teaching and learning resources for years 1 to 8.
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Search results
10 items - Showing 1 - 10
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Dances of Sāmoa
by Toleafoa Avauli Peter Setefano
This article describes three well-known dance forms from Sāmoa. The article is accompanied by colourful, high-energy photos of students from a Porirua primary school performing the slap dance and the sāsā. The article features some of the history of the dances and it also provides opportunities for an in-depth exploration of the relationship between the heroes of the dances and the stories that each dance tells.
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White Sunday in Sāmoa
by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa
photographs by Jill MacGregor
This factual recount describes how a young Sāmoan boy, with the support of his family, gets ready to celebrate White Sunday. There is a glossary of Sāmoan terms and extra information about White Sunday at the end of the book. This book is also available in five Pasifika languages in the Tupu series.
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The Hungry Wave
by Lani Wendt Young
This narrative is based on factual accounts from survivors of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Tonga and Sāmoa in 2009. Readers follow Ana and her brother as they are caught up in the tsunami.
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The White Truck
based on a true story by Lani Wendt Young
“The White Truck” recounts the removal and isolation of a leprosy patient in Sāmoa. The story expertly engages the reader by providing clues without explicitly stating what the issue is. Students will connect with Timu and Moana and feel empathy as the events unfold.
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Tuto'atasi The Struggle for Samoa's Independence
by Damon Salesa
The people of Sāmoa celebrated fifty years of independence in 2012. This article tells the complex story of colonisation and decolonisation that saw Sāmoa controlled by Germany, and then New Zealand, before finally securing self-rule. The former rulers enforced unpopular laws and punished dissent harshly. In addition, thousands of Samoans died of influenza as a result of poor quarantine practices under New Zealand’s rule.
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Uncle Tino
by Jane Davitt Va‘afusuaga
“Uncle Tino” is a deceptively simple story about Samoan twins, Jessie and Jonas, who are embarrassed by their exuberant uncle who has recently arrived from Sāmoa. The lively story is woven through with Samoan concepts and values as Jessie and Jonas gradually change their attitudes toward Uncle Tino. The story reinforces the idea that cultural knowledge and skills are “cool” and worthy of respect.
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The Great Ordinary: The Photographs of Edith Amituanai
by Hannah Sperber
This article explores the work of a prize-winning West Auckland photographer whose work has been shown around the world. Edith Amituanai photographs the ordinary, everyday world around her, documenting it as a record for the future.
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School Journal Level 2, October 2012
Teacher support materials (TSM) and audio are available for the following texts in this issue of the School Journal:
TSM Audio Stories Uncle Tino ✔ ✔ Articles Dances of Sāmoa ✔ ✔ Living Fossils ✔ Look inside this issue
Dances of Sāmoa
by Toleafoa Avauli Peter Setefano
This article describes three well-known dance forms from Sāmoa. The article is accompanied by colourful, high-energy photos of students from a Porirua primary school performing the slap dance and the sāsā. The article features some of the history of the dances and it also provides opportunities for an in-depth exploration of the relationship between the heroes of the dances and the stories that each dance tells.
Living Fossils
by Sue Gibbison
This article describes tuatara and how they are bred in captivity. Photos, including X-rays, and a glossary provide support for students as they learn about this fascinating animal. Some of the concepts may be challenging for students, particularly “living fossils”, extinction, and X-rays. Also, the article contains mixed text types, although these are clearly signalled through headings.
Uncle Tino
by Jane Davitt Va‘afusuaga
“Uncle Tino” is a deceptively simple story about Samoan twins, Jessie and Jonas, who are embarrassed by their exuberant uncle who has recently arrived from Sāmoa. The lively story is woven through with Samoan concepts and values as Jessie and Jonas gradually change their attitudes toward Uncle Tino. The story reinforces the idea that cultural knowledge and skills are “cool” and worthy of respect.
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School Journal Level 4, May 2013
Teacher support materials (TSM) are available for all the following texts in this issue of the School Journal:
TSM Plays A Real Steal ✔ Articles The Great Barrier Reef ✔ Tuto'atasi The Struggle for Samoa's Independence ✔ Look inside this issue
A Real Steal
by James O’Sullivan
An art gallery has a new exhibition and it’s hired a security guard to make sure no one touches the paintings. A visiting art critic has strong opinions about the value of the works, but things start going wrong when a thief enters. The humour in the play comes from the diverse array of characters and their changing opinions on the value of the “art”.
The Great Barrier Reef
by Sarah Wilcox
The Great Barrier Reef is very beautiful – and threatened. This report describes the Great Barrier Reef and explains what coral is. It also outlines the threats to the reef from climate change and its “evil twin”, ocean acidification.
Tuto'atasi The Struggle for Samoa's Independence
by Damon Salesa
The people of Sāmoa celebrated fifty years of independence in 2012. This article tells the complex story of colonisation and decolonisation that saw Sāmoa controlled by Germany, and then New Zealand, before finally securing self-rule. The former rulers enforced unpopular laws and punished dissent harshly. In addition, thousands of Samoans died of influenza as a result of poor quarantine practices under New Zealand’s rule.
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Tautai
by Sisilia Eteuati
illustrations by Mose Eteuati
This contemporary story is about a boy and his love of planes, but students will also read about the importance of his name and how a chance meeting helped him gain confidence. Samoan students will identify with Lagi, and all students will enjoy his enthusiasm and excitement as he sets off on his first trip to Sāmoa.
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