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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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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School Journal Level 3 November 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 No Fangs The Fantail The Matriarch's Tale Play The Village Beach Articles My Name is Rez ✔ New New Zealanders ✔ Stand Up: A History of Protest in New Zealand ✔ Look inside this issue
My Name is Rez
written and illustrated by Toby Morris
Rez Gardi was born in a Kurdish refugee camp in Pakistan and came to New Zealand as a young child, with her family. This graphic text is a memoir, looking back on her life so far. She is now a successful lawyer, a worker for refugees, and was the 2017 Young New Zealander of the year.
Information and tips for using comics in the classroom:
New New Zealanders
by Adrienne Jansen
illustrated by Adrian Heke
This article introduces readers to a family who have escaped war-torn countries in the Middle East and have now embraced the freedom and safety that New Zealand offers. However, settling as refugees has its own challenges. We learn about the reasons the Kaka family had to move from Iraq to Syria, on to Lebanon, and then to New Zealand.
No Fangs
by Hera Lindsay Bird
illustrated by Fraser Williamson
"It was midnight in Transylvania, and Madeline was bored. She decided to go for a walk. The night was warm and full of stars, and sitting outside the wrought iron gates was a girl."
Stand Up: A History of Protest in New Zealand
by Dylan Owen
This article looks at a number of important social issues and significant events in New Zealand’s history, thematically linked around the idea of protest. The text is organised in chronological sequence from the passive resistance seen at Parihaka in 1881, through to the anti-TPPA protests in 2016.
The Fantail
by Steph Matuku
illustrated by Daron Parton
"It was the holidays. My sister Jojo and I were at our cousin Piri’s house. We weren’t doing much, just sitting around in Piri’s bedroom listening to music and arguing about everything and nothing – when this thing flew in through the open window."
The Matriarch's Tale
written and illustrated by Meshack Asare
"Once, somewhere in Africa, a small herd of elephants disappeared suddenly, without trace. It was a long time ago, but some people still remember this story. They believe that descendants from those elephants live among us."
The Village Beach
by Tanya Muagututi'a
illustrated by Josh Morgan
"We won't be able to hang out here much longer... There's a new building coming"
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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.
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