This article explores different aspects of this New Zealand tree, including a description of its preferred habitat, the special features that help it survive, the creatures that live in or on it, and the significance it has for Māori. Students also learn that pōhutukawa are in danger from people and from possums – these trees need help to survive.
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.
Shannon’s dad is very shy. When the family moves, he is happy to work around the house. Inspired by the garden project at Shannon’s school and a section that needs clearing, Dad finds friends and a way to belong in his community. He even finds a new job. This story has themes of sharing and belonging.
“Making Paper” describes how a class turned waste paper into an interesting, new kind of paper. This example of a procedural text includes explanations and is well supported with photos. It requires students to “confidently use a range of processing and comprehension strategies to make meaning from and think critically about” text (from The Literacy Learning Progressions, page 14).
This dramatic poem uses personification to vividly convey sights and sounds of a thunderstorm. It shows the narrator, in a house, taking part in a two-way communication with the thunder, which is overhead.
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.
a traditional story from Tonga, retold by Feana Tu‘akoi
illustrations by Fraser Williamson
Two brothers with a reputation for trouble try to redeem themselves by carrying out some perilous tasks. Despite their best efforts, the brothers fail to impress the other villagers. Instead, they are banished to live in the heavens, where they can still be seen. Tongan students will relate to a traditional story from their culture. Some students may also be able to make connections to the importance of stars for navigation. A final section provides factual information about the constellations mentioned in the story.
Shannon’s dad is very shy. When the family moves, he is happy to work around the house. Inspired by the garden project at Shannon’s school and a section that needs clearing, Dad finds friends and a way to belong in his community. He even finds a new job. This story has themes of sharing and belonging.
“Making Paper” describes how a class turned waste paper into an interesting, new kind of paper. This example of a procedural text includes explanations and is well supported with photos. It requires students to “confidently use a range of processing and comprehension strategies to make meaning from and think critically about” text (from The Literacy Learning Progressions, page 14).
This dramatic poem uses personification to vividly convey sights and sounds of a thunderstorm. It shows the narrator, in a house, taking part in a two-way communication with the thunder, which is overhead.
Harry finds it hard to sit still in class. In this humorous narrative, he brings an exciting item to share for news. Unfortunately, it ends up causing an unfortunate accident that prevents Harry from sitting down at all!
This report, told from the perspective of a young girl, describes how and why her grandad catches mustelids (ferrets, stoats, and weasels). The theme of predators continues in the poem “
Hoiho” in the same Journal, providing an opportunity for students to integrate ideas from both texts. A third text in this Journal, “A New Home for Mokomoko”, continues the theme of protection of native wildlife.
Hoiho (a yellow-eyed penguin) is being pursued by a seal, and in this dramatic poem, the writer urges Hoiho to move fast and escape. Neither creature can move as well on land as they can in the water, and the descriptive, dramatic language, with frequent repetition of similar sounds, conveys a vivid image of the desperate “Wibble wobble, flip flop” pursuit. This example of a native bird in danger provides a thematic link to “Catching Mustelids” in the same Journal.
When a class from Westmere School find out that mokomoko (skinks) are a protected species, they decide to build a mokomoko refuge. This recount describes the process and provides information about mokomoko and their survival needs. It provides opportunities for students to practise identifying and summarising main points, about both the process and mokomoko.
Brady finds a wallet on his arrival at the stadium for a rugby game and is upset at the prospect of missing kick off when Dad insists on handing in the wallet right away. Luckily, their good deed is rewarded. The moral dilemma and author’s message in this text will promote rich discussion, and you may wish to read and discuss it over more than one session.
Harry finds it hard to sit still in class. In this humorous narrative, he brings an exciting item to share for news. Unfortunately, it ends up causing an unfortunate accident that prevents Harry from sitting down at all!