Instructional Series
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Find Literacy resources at Tāhūrangi - Literacy.
Welcome to the English medium literacy instructional series teaching and learning resources for years 1 to 8.

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- Articles
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33 items - Showing 11 - 20
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Silas the Stretcher-bearer
by Rachel Stedman
This article conveys the experiences of Silas, who was a stretcher-bearer during the First World War. Silas was a conscientious objector who decided to join non-combatant service upon being drafted.
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In the End
by Mal Peet
“In the End” is a fictional recount of the Martha Mine strike, told by a soldier in the First World War who was living in Waihī at the time of the strike. This complex layering will be challenging for some students, but the rich poetic language and colourful expression should be engaging for many readers
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Das Piano
by Bernard Beckett
This dark, humorous narrative is set during the First World War and, through exaggeration, shows the effects of extreme patriotism that can appear in wartime. Thomas, the narrator, hates Mrs Biggs, his teacher. He also hates singing. When Mrs Biggs finds him playing Catch the German, she punishes him by making him sing in front of the mayor. Thomas’s desperate attempt to avoid singing has unexpected results when Mrs Biggs and the mayor decide to smash the piano – because it was made in Germany.
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Chunuk Bair
by Robert Sullivan
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Te Hokowhitu-a-Tū: The Māori Pioneer Battalion
by Monty Soutar
This article tells the story of Māori and the First World War and of the huge contribution made by the pioneer Māori Battalion. The topic will be unfamiliar for many students, but the themed content in the surrounding items will provide support.
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Grey Angels
by Anna Rogers
Although students will be aware of the role soldiers play in wartime, few will know about the role of nurses. This article describes the work
of New Zealand nurses who travelled to Africa and Europe during the First World War. -
Mr Archibald
by Oliver McLean, Arrowtown School
Winner of the 2015 Elsie Locke Writing Prize
illustrations by Craig Phillips
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Johnny Pohe and the Great Escape
by Philip Cleaver
Porokoru Patapu (Johnny) Pohe was a daring and gifted pilot who flew bomber aircraft in the Second World War. In 1943, after twenty-two successful missions, his aircraft was shot down and he was captured. Johnny was taken to Stalag Luft III, a prison camp deep in Nazi Germany. This article tells the story of an ambitious prison escape that ended tragically for Johnny and for many others. It includes information about Māori involvement in the Second World War and about the devastating impact of bombing civilians in Germany.