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
- Living world
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- Planet Earth and beyond
- Technological knowledge
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- Number and Algebra
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- Gather and interpret data
- Use evidence
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- Engage with science
- Interpret representations
- Articles
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- Plays
- Activity
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- Kākano | Seed
- Tupu | Seedling
- Māhuri | Sapling
- Rākau | Tree
- Consonant digraphs
- Short vowels
- Single consonants
- Consonant patterns
- Initial and final blends
- Long vowels
- Complex morphemes
- Tense
- Vowel digraphs
- Contractions
- Syllable types
Search results
1165 items - Showing 1131 - 1140
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Where's My Gumboot?
by Kylie Parry
In this humorous narrative, Dad has lost one of his gumboots and has to wear one of Mum’s boots to work. When he eventually finds the missing gumboot, Dad discovers a new owner – a mother hedgehog with her babies. The story uses rich descriptive language and dialogue to convey the frustration felt by Dad and the humour others find in the situation.
Purple 2
Series: Junior Journal 44, Level 2, 2012
Learning area: English
Colour wheel level: Purple
Curriculum level: 2
Category: Fiction
Related titles: Listed in TSM
Topics: humorous, narrative, gumboots, hedgehog, babies, frustration, humour
In: Junior Journal 44, Level 2, 2012
Publication date: January 2012
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School Journal Level 4 November 2022
There is a theme of kaitiakitanga in some of the content.
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 Kaitiakitanga ✔ ✔ Humphrey Hanley: Life on the upside How Vaccines Work Stories Going in Nature After the First Rain ✔ Poem Leftovers for Breakfast Student writing Tāne Mahuta Screenplay The Box Look inside this issue
Kaitiakitanga
by Susan Paris and Daniel Hikuroa
Most people think of a kaitiaki as someone who guards or protects the natural world. Maybe they look after a stream or beach, a native species under threat, or a local reserve. The term kaitiakitanga (the act of being a kaitiaki) comes from te ao Māori. It can mean each generation teaches the next about protecting taonga tuku iho – precious resources passed on by the ancestors.
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: Science, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 6
Topics: activists, ancestors, artist, biodiversity, climate change, environment, farming, Greta Thunberg, Hāwera, history, identity, jeweller, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, Māori knowledge, Mātauranga Māori, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, museums, Papatūānuku, pounamu, Ranginui, regenerating bush, taonga, Taranaki, tikanga, tīpuna, tradition, tūpuna, Wairoa, wetland, whānau
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Humphrey Hanley: Life on the upside
by Sarah Connor
Humphrey’s day starts when most people are stopping for morning tea.
Imagine if you couldn’t dress yourself or pack your own school bag. Imagine losing skin every time you bumped into something – or starting each day having your limbs wrapped in bandages.
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 7
Topics: accessibility, adaptation, disabilities, epidermolysis bullosa, inclusion, invention, making a difference, persistence, problem-solving, wellbeing
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
How Vaccines Work
by Matt Boucher
At different times in your life, most doctors will recommend that you get a vaccine. You might have received your first when you were only a few months old. Vaccines protect us from infectious diseases. Some of these diseases might make you feel unwell for a few days; others are deadly.
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: Health and Physical Education, Science
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 8
Topics: antibodies, cells, COVID-19, disease, flu, immune system, infectious diseases, iron lung, kaitiakitanga, micro-organisms, pathogens, polio, vaccination, vaccines, variants, viruses
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Going in Nature
by James Brown; illustrations by Jez Tuya
There’s trouble brewing in the local reserve, but Dad’s on to it …
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 7
Topics: environment, freedom campers, humour, kaitiakitanga, persistence, tolerance
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
After the First Rain
by Anna Smaill; illustrations by E. Logan
The sequel to “The Bucket Man”.
After the first rain, everything changed. That night – when we heard the giant crack of the rain machine shooting its flares into the bone-dry sky and the heavens open – it was like one huge party.
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 8
Topics: climate change, environment, family, guardian, invention, kaitiakitanga, knowledge, learning, rain, speculative fiction, survival, technology, weather
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Leftovers for Breakfast
by Vanessa Mei Crofskey; illustration by Toby Morris
The world started sometime a while ago, although I’m not quite sure of the F.A.C.T.S.
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: English, Science
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 8
Topics: humour, poetry, The Milky Way, the universe
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Tāne Mahuta
by Ellie Job, year 7, Belmont Intermediate; illustration by Kieran Rynhart
Go get a life. Loser! She’s so annoying ... Thoughts galloped around in my head like horses. I tossed and turned beneath the
soft covers of my bed. It was no use. Sleep wouldn’t come. I climbed out of bed and thrust an old, ripped hoodie over my pyjamas.Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 4
Topics: environment, kiwi, resilience, student writing, Tāne Mahuta, wellbeing
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
The Box
a screenplay by Leki Jackson-Bourke; illustrations by Minky Stapleton
A box, five ākonga, and a whole lot of confusion.
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: English, The Arts
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 7
Topics: communication, group dynamics, humour, kaitiakitanga, play
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
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School Journal Level 3 November 2022
There is a theme of kaitiakitanga in some of the content.
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 The Kaukalaikiki Girl Living by the Maramataka ✔ ✔ Stories Balancing Act Best Wedding Ever ✔ Kāinga Poem A Good Kaitiaki Student writing Sumner Beach Play All Rise Look inside this issue
The Kaukalaikiki Girl
by Olive Wilson
Pusi Urale’s journey from cheeky girl to artist.
When she was a girl, Pusi Urale was often told she was kaukalaikiki. The word is informal Samoan and means cheeky or naughty. Mostly it’s used to describe girls who don’t quite behave the way society expects them to. But Pusi doesn’t see being kaukalaikiki as a bad thing.
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: The Arts, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 3
Reading year level: 5
Topics: acrylic, art, artist, creativity, curiosity, inspiration, kaukalaikiki, painting, patterns, persistence, pointillism, Sāmoa, siapo, tapa, watercolour
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Living by the Maramataka
by Haukura Jones
Heeni Hoterene is a kaitiaki of maramataka.
Heeni Hoterene grew up in Horowhenua. (On her mother’s side, one of her iwi is Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga.) The area is famous for its good climate and good soil, and Heeni’s whānau had a big vegie garden. Heeni learnt a lot about gardening from her koro. He traced what he knew back to their tūpuna, who lived on the same land.
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: Science, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 3
Reading year level: 4
Topics: ancestors, astronomy, environment, Hawaiki, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, marama, maramataka, Matariki, Mātauranga Māori, moon, new year, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, phases of the moon, Puaka, Puanga, seasons, stars, Te Mātahi o te Tau, time, tūpuna, whānau
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Balancing Act
by Sarah Penwarden; illustrations by Lisa Baudry
“Hana’s mum says she’s always wanted to get things right.”
Hana’s in her room with the door closed. She’s dancing in bare feet. There’s just enough space. She turns carefully, feels her calf muscles, strong and tight; concentrates on using her core strength. It’s a classic move, the arabesque. But it can be hard without a bar.
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 3
Reading year level: 6
Topics: ballet, dancing, self-care, wellbeing
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Best Wedding Ever
by Victor Rodger; illustrations by Paul Beavis
Levi’s dads are getting married, but he has other things on his mind.
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 3
Reading year level: 6
Topics: family, humour, marriage, special occasions, weddings, whānau
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Kāinga
by Paul Mason; illustrations by Leilani Isara
We push up the slope, hands held tight, the sweat like oil between our palms. I squeeze harder. If Grace gets away, she’ll break free and dash up the track. The ground’s hard as concrete. She can run faster than me.
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: English, Health and Physical Education
Curriculum level: 3
Reading year level: 5
Topics: diversity, family, gannets, kāinga, kaitiakitanga, tuakana-teina, whānau
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
A Good Kaitiaki
by Amy McDaid; illustration by Anna Crichton
When I was six, I got the kaitiaki award for saving a bee that landed in the school pool, and Mum’s held it over me ever since.
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: English
Curriculum level: 3
Reading year level: 6
Topics: humour, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, poetry
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Sumner Beach
by Elise Mackay, year 5, Russley School
Gentle waves brush onto my feet.
Grey sand crunches between my toes.
Chunks of driftwood lie like lazy cats.
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: English
Curriculum level: 3
Topics: beach, environment, natural world, sea, student writing
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
All Rise
by Simon Cooke; illustrations by Zak Komene
Everyone knows the story of the Little Red Hen. Undervalued. Overworked. A feathery legend from down on the farm...
Series: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Learning area: English, The Arts
Curriculum level: 3
Reading year level: 6
Topics: fable, folk tale, humour, play
In: School Journal Level 3 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
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School Journal Level 2 November 2022
There is a theme of kaitiakitanga in some of the content.
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 Estuaries Kaitiaki of the Estuary Saving the Lizards ✔ ✔ Taniwha Stories Tree Talk Hukarere and Hine Tai ✔ Interview Protecting the Waterways Student writing Harbour View Look inside this issue
Estuaries
by Ursula Cochran
Estuaries are home to many kinds of birds, fish, and plants. An estuary is a place where fresh water from a river or stream mixes with salt water from the sea. Estuaries are different from lakes and rivers because they have tides and salty water.
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: English, Science, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 4
Topics: environment, estuaries, habitats, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, migrating birds, ocean, pollution, protection, rivers, sea
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: English, Science, Social Sciences, Technology
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 4
Topics: climate change, crabs, environment, estuary, habitats, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, Maungatapu, Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Hē, pāpaka, pollution, Rangataua Bay, tāhuna, Tauranga Moana
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Saving the Lizards
by Iona McNaughton
In 2015, eighty native lizards were moved to Ngā Manu Nature Reserve because their homes were in the path of the new Transmission Gully motorway. The lizards stayed at Ngā Manu until new homes were made for them near the motorway.
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: English, Science, Technology
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: environment, geckos, habitats, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, kaumātua, lizards, Ngā Manu Nature Reserve, Ngāti Toa, skinks, Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai, Transmission Gully, Waikanae
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Taniwha
by Monique and Pātaka Moore; illustrations by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Taniwha have a special relationship with Māori, who tell many stories about them. Taniwha have different roles – and one of these is as kaitiaki. Many taniwha live in or near lakes, rivers, or the sea and help to protect and keep these places safe.
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: English, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 4
Topics: Awarua, environment, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, lakes, Pane-iraira, protection, rivers, sea, Tainui, taniwha
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Tree Talk
by Simon Cooke; illustrations by Scott Pearson
“We’re lost!” Ruby exclaimed, as she struggled to keep up with her brother. They were trying to find their way back to the campground, but the forest looked the same in every direction. “If we’re lost, it’s your fault,” Sefa said. “You ran off after that pīwakawaka.”
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: English, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 4
Topics: camping, climate change, environment, fantasy, holiday, trees
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Hukarere and Hine Tai
by Apirana Taylor; illustrations by Andrew Burdan
Can Hukarere see Hine Tai – the taniwha who lives in the rock pool?
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: English, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 4
Topics: environment, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, ocean, sea, taniwha
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Protecting the Waterways
by Keri Welham
Des Heke Kaiawha was a student at Maungatapu School in the 1980s. Since then, he has helped build knowledge of te ao Māori in the school. He spoke to Keri Welham about the waterways of Tauranga and his work to protect them.
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: Science, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 4
Topics: climate change, crabs, environment, estuary, habitats, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, mātauranga Māori, Ngāi Te Ahi, Ngāti Hē, pollution, stormwater, tāhuna, Tauranga Moana
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Harbour View
by Eden Rose, age 8, Year 4, Oteha Valley School
I live near the sea, north of Auckland. Above my house, there is a small but welcoming hill. It has a wooden chair and a breathtaking view of the sparkling ocean.
Series: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Learning area: English
Curriculum level: 2
Topics: family, harbour, sea, student writing, whānau
In: School Journal Level 2 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
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The Golden Bearing
by Reuben Paterson
This beautiful, life-sized golden tree was created by Aotearoa New Zealand artist Reuben Paterson (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Scottish).
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, The Arts
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: art, artwork, environment, gold, Golden Bearing, image, metaphor, mixed media, Reuben Paterson, symbol, tree
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
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Leaf Art
by Sophie Fern
When you put paper over a leaf and rub it with crayon, all the details of the leaf will show up on the paper. You can use leaf rubbings to create beautiful pictures.
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, The Arts, Science
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: art, artwork, crayon, environment, instructions, leaf rubbing, leaves, mid-ribs, nature, patterns, pictures, procedural text, tree, veins
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
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Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the Junior Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) and audio for the following:
TSM Audio Articles What is a Tree? ✔ ✔ Tree Facts ✔ ✔ Trees and Us ✔ ✔ Story The Sticky, Sticky Pine ✔ ✔ Artwork The Golden Bearing Activity Leaf Art For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Look inside this issue
What is a Tree?
by Sophie Fern
A tree is a type of plant. Grass is also a plant. So are vegetables. What makes a tree different from these other plants?
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, Science
Colour wheel level: Gold
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: annual, bark, biennial, branches, carbon dioxide, deciduous, endemic, environment, evergreen, flowers, habitat, introduced, leaves, native, nutrients, oxygen, perennial, photosynthesis, plants, roots, Tāne Mahuta, tree, trunk, twigs
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Tree Facts
by Sophie Fern
Information about some endemic and native trees in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, Science
Colour wheel level: Gold
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: bark, branches, comparison, endemic, environment, flowers, habitat, leaves, native, quiz, table, tree
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Trees and Us
by Philip Simpson
There are many kinds of trees in Aotearoa New Zealand, and every kind of tree is different. Each one has a different kind of leaf, bark, flower, and seed. Every tree is special.
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, Science, Social Sciences, Technology
Colour wheel level: Purple
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: atua, carbon dioxide, disease, endangered, environment, forest, global warming, habitat, kaitiakitanga, kauri, kauri dieback, medicine, oxygen, pests, protection, resources, rongoā Māori, Tāne, tōtara, tree, whakairo, wood
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
The Sticky, Sticky Pine
A traditional story from Japan, retold and illustrated by Jem Yoshioka
Long, long ago in Japan, deep in the forest, there lived a woodcutter. He was kind to the trees and only collected branches that had been blown down in the wind. That way, he didn’t hurt the trees. The kind woodcutter knew that trees were alive, so he looked after them.
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, Social Sciences
Colour wheel level: Purple
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: environment, evil, firewood, forest, goodness, Japan, justice, kaitiakitanga, kindness, moral, narrative, protection, reward, traditional story, trees, woodcutter
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
The Golden Bearing
by Reuben Paterson
This beautiful, life-sized golden tree was created by Aotearoa New Zealand artist Reuben Paterson (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Scottish).
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, The Arts
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: art, artwork, environment, gold, Golden Bearing, image, metaphor, mixed media, Reuben Paterson, symbol, tree
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
Leaf Art
by Sophie Fern
When you put paper over a leaf and rub it with crayon, all the details of the leaf will show up on the paper. You can use leaf rubbings to create beautiful pictures.
For an introduction to the theme of Junior Journal 64 as well as a list of related texts:
Series: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Learning area: English, The Arts, Science
Curriculum level: 2
Reading year level: 3
Topics: art, artwork, crayon, environment, instructions, leaf rubbing, leaves, mid-ribs, nature, patterns, pictures, procedural text, tree, veins
In: Junior Journal 64, Level 2, 2022
Publication date: November 2022
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Kaitiakitanga
by Susan Paris and Daniel Hikuroa
Most people think of a kaitiaki as someone who guards or protects the natural world. Maybe they look after a stream or beach, a native species under threat, or a local reserve. The term kaitiakitanga (the act of being a kaitiaki) comes from te ao Māori. It can mean each generation teaches the next about protecting taonga tuku iho – precious resources passed on by the ancestors.
Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Learning area: Science, Social Sciences
Curriculum level: 4
Reading year level: 6
Topics: activists, ancestors, artist, biodiversity, climate change, environment, farming, Greta Thunberg, Hāwera, history, identity, jeweller, kaitiaki, kaitiakitanga, Māori knowledge, Mātauranga Māori, Mitzi Jonelle Tan, museums, Papatūānuku, pounamu, Ranginui, regenerating bush, taonga, Taranaki, tikanga, tīpuna, tradition, tūpuna, Wairoa, wetland, whānau
In: School Journal Level 4 November 2022
Publication date: November 2022
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In the Bin
Nat and her friends help to tidy up the park.
Focus sounds: l e c f u b g r h
New high frequency words: the is
Series: Ready to Read Phonics Plus
Curriculum level: 1
Phase: Kākano | Seed
Scope: Single consonants, Short vowels, Consonant digraphs
Publication date: January 2023
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A Wet Ant
Ant tries to cool down but has some trouble!
Focus sounds: k j v w y z -ck
New high frequency words: The is A
Series: Ready to Read Phonics Plus
Curriculum level: 1
Phase: Kākano | Seed
Scope: Single consonants, Short vowels, Consonant digraphs
Publication date: January 2023