School Journal Level 4 June 2023
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:
Audio | TSM | ||
Articles | Valley of the Whales | ✔ | ✔ |
Silk Robes and Big Hats | |||
Stories | Pākehā Tapu Day | ✔ | |
Paper Tiger | |||
The Stunt Man and the Geologist | |||
Poem | Tokotoko | ||
Student writing | Keith | ||
Essay | Beyond Imagination |
Look inside this issue
Valley of the Whales
by Bill Morris
The Valley of the Whales in North Otago tells the story of the evolution of whales in the Southern Ocean. In the foothills of the valley, thousands of hectares of limestone contain an impressive number of marine fossils formed over millions of years.
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: Mathematics and Statistics, Science, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 6
Related titles: See TSM
Topics: Antarctic Circumpolar Current, baleen, dolphins, Duntroon, evolution, fossils, history, krill, limestone, Maerewhenua River, Otago, palaeontology, penguins, plankton, quarry, scientists, Southern Ocean, species, whales
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023
Silk Robes and Big Hats
by Sarah Natalie Webster
This article explores the work of multi-disciplinary artist Sam Duckor-Jones. “Sam’s work asks us to imagine a pinker, joyful, more inclusive world – one where we’re all free to put on silk robes and big hats and be absolutely, unapologetically ourselves.”
For information about inclusion and diversity, see Relationships and Sexuality Education: A guide for Teachers, Leaders, and Boards of Trustees.
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: English, The Arts, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 7
Topics: art, artist, creativity, gay pride, identity, inclusion, LGBTQI+, poetry, wellbeing
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023
Pākehā Tapu Day
by J. Wiremu Kane; illustrations by Andrew Burdan
This historical story is based on a true story. In 1828, English artist Augustus Earle was living in Kororāreka under the protection of the rangatira Uruti Te Whareumu, who was also known as King George. Te Whareumu had good relationships with European traders and missionaries and welcomed all Pākehā to live on his beach.
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: English, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 8
Topics: 1820s, Augustus Earle, history, Kororāreka, rangatira, relationships, siblings, tapu, te ao Māori, tikanga, Uruti Te Whareumu
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023
Paper Tiger
by Rose Lu; illustrations by Dede Putra
When Claire visits her mother’s family in China, tensions rise between her mum and her grandmother and aunties when she finds a present the sisters received when they were children.
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: English
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 7
Topics: China, family, history, relationships, sibling rivalry, whānau
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023
The Stunt Man and the Geologist
by Eamonn Marra; illustrations by Ant Sang
Joseph goes along with his brother Toby’s stories and bullying of the other boys at the campground. “I knew he was exaggerating, but if I agreed, it made me the second coolest kid there.” When a new boy arrives with his family, Joseph has to decide whether to spend time with him or Toby’s gang.
See the Mental Health Education guide for information about promoting a culture of inclusivity and encouraging ākonga to challenge bullying.
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 7
Topics: bullying, camping, family, geology, gold panning, holidays, mountain biking, relationships, siblings, whānau
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023
Tokotoko
by Kōtuku Titihuia Nuttall; illustration by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
This poem uses tokotoko to express ideas of whakapapa, tūpuna, family history, and belonging.
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 8
Topics: belonging, family, history, Papatūānuku, Ranginui, te ao Māori, tikanga, tūpuna, whakapapa, whānau
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023
Keith
by Lee McColl
A student describes the life of her determined and tenacious great-grandfather, who lost his arm in an accident and was an amateur photographer, a builder, a passionate whitebaiter, and a poet.
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: English
Curriculum level: 4
Topics: family history, photography
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023
Beyond Imagination
by Veronika Meduna
The author recounts her visits to Antarctica. “I learnt that far from being separate and never-changing, Antarctica connects us. It drives global weather patterns and ocean currents, and in a warming world, it’s changing faster than most places on Earth.”
Series: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Learning area: English, Science
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 8
Topics: Antarctica, Captain Robert Scott, climate change, endangered species, environment, geology, glaciers, greenhouse gases, history, ice sheets, ice shelves, scientists, Scott Base, weather
In: School Journal Level 4 June 2023
Publication date: June 2023