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

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- English
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- Nature of science
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- Planet Earth and beyond
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- Number and Algebra
- Technological practice
- Gather and interpret data
- Use evidence
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- Engage with science
- Interpret representations
- Articles
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Search results
1010 items - Showing 11 - 20
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The White Tailed Spider
by Tina Johnson
photographs by Aaron Beck
This report both acknowledges that the white- tailed spider has a “bad name” and presents a different point of view. Although it has an informal conversational style, the report also includes some examples of the more formal language of report writing and of persuasive texts.
Gold 2
#LFH
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The Impossible Bridge
by Jane Buxton
photographs by Jamie Lean
This text describes a group of children’s attempts to build models of bridges. It incorporates a range of text forms: a recount written in diary form, “engineers’ reports”, and instructions. There is a Māori version, Te Piriti Mutunga Kore, in the Kawenga Kōrero series (item 22998).
Gold 2
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The Greatest Race on Earth
by Bronwen Wall
This report describes why the author considers the Tour de France to be “the greatest race on Earth”. Text boxes provide information about how the race was established. This text has strong connections to students’ experiences of, or knowledge about, sports and competition. It links particularly well to the Ready to Read text Tom’s Tryathlon (Purple).
Gold 2
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Red Rattlers
by Philippa Werry
This report describes the old Wellington cable cars and compares them with the current cable cars.
It includes an explanation, supported by photographs and diagrams, of the technology behind how the
old cable cars worked. The text concludes with an interview with a present-day cable car driver.Gold 2
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Matariki
by Waitangi Teepa
illustrated by Thaw Naing
This report first explains some of the stories and beliefs associated with Matariki, the Màori New Year, especially its links to the stars. It then describes some of the ways that Matariki is celebrated.
Gold 2
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Extraordinary Earthworms
by Sean O’Connor
photographs by Aaron Beck
This report reveals some surprising facts about earthworms, but its focus is on how earthworms improve the soil and help plants grow.
Gold 2
#LFH
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Wheke
by Sean O’Connor
illustrated by Vaughan Flanagan
In this narrative, Martin feels uneasy about getting too close to the octopus at the marine laboratory, but after he spends more time there, he manages to overcome his fears.
Gold 1
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Night Is a Blanket
by Barbara Hill
illustrations by Clare Bowes
In this poetic story within a story, a grandfather makes up a bedtime story for his grandchildren to explain how the moon was formed.
Gold 1
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A Quiet Evening (from Night is a Blanket)
by Johnny Frisbie
illustrations by Judith Künzlé
This personal report describes a peaceful evening on a Pacific island beach. This story has been adapted (in consultation with the author) from a version that was published in the Tupu series in 1990.
Gold 1
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The Story of Rona (from Night is a Blanket)
retold by Fran and Leon Hunia
illustrated by Murray Grimsdale
This text is a retelling of the dramatic Māori legend of Rona and gives an explanation for the markings that can be seen in the moon. You could listen to the audio for support with the pronunciation of the Māori vocabulary.
Gold 1