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

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- Gather and interpret data
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Search results
166 items - Showing 101 - 110
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Look out for Monarchs
by Bob Brockie
In New Zealand, scientists are gathering data about monarch butterflies. They want to find out where the butterflies fly to and from – and where they go in winter.
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Diwali
by Asha Patel
This third-person recount, set in New Zealand, describes an Indian girl’s experience of the five-day festival of Diwali.
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It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
by Bronwen Wall
This article describes an environmental decision that had terrible consequences. In the late 1800s, ferrets, stoats, and weasels were introduced into New Zealand to get rid of rabbits. However, these mustelids caused unforeseen destruction. They didn’t eat only rabbits – they discovered that New Zealand’s native animals and birds were very easy prey.
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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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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.
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Barney Whiterats
by Glenn Colquhoun
“Barney Whiterats” is a text in three parts. Students have to consider: a poem by one of New Zealand’s most respected poets, a musical setting of the poem as a lullaby, and an explanation of the poet’s inspiration that includes an old black-and-white photograph of a swagman.
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Marine Reserves: Protecting Our Big Blue Backyard
by Laura Goodall; illustrations by Giselle Clarkson
Aotearoa New Zealand has one of the most unique marine environments in the world. This article explores our marine habitats and reserves and the challenges they face to stay safe, healthy, and biodiverse.
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Sharks
by Alison Ballance
illustrated by Gavin Mouldey
This article provides information on sharks, focusing particularly on sharks found in New Zealand waters such as great white, rig, and deep-sea sharks.
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Buzzy Bee
Poem card
A poem with a strong New Zealand setting reflected in the illustrations – great for teaching onomatopoeia! (This card is ordered individually.)
Download the full size PDF using the Text link.