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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Search results
78 items - Showing 41 - 50
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Super Shells
by Feana Tu‘akoi
This report describes some of the many ways people have used shells, now and in the past. Much of the information is conveyed by intriguing, captioned photographs.
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Mariri the Flying Man
retold by Maria Samuela
When Mariri, a great explorer, realises his homeland of ‘Avaiki has become overcrowded, he and his warriors set off to find a new home for their people. This traditional tale, featuring rich literary language, describes their discovery of an island (now called Atiu) and Mariri’s subsequent, extraordinary plan for getting back to ‘Avaiki to bring his wife to the island.
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Hana Kōkō
by Steph Matuku, illustrations by Scott Pearson
Santa Claus is plump, with rosy cheeks and a curly white beard ... who says?
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Rātā me te Rākau
retold by André Ngāpō
illustrated by Andrew Burdan
This is a retelling of the traditional Māori tale of Rātā and his quest to find a tree to make a waka. In his haste, Rātā forgets to ask permission from Tāne-mahuta, the god of the forest, and finds that each time he chops down his chosen tree, it is mysteriously restored the next day.
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Something Alive
written and illustrated by Jem Yoshioka
Jem Yoshioka was born and bred in New Zealand to New Zealand-born parents, so technically she only belongs to one place. But her Japanese ancestry is a living part of her. This graphic novel, written and drawn by Jem, explores a struggle we are all familiar with: that of seeking to understand who we are and where we belong. Rich in both written and visual imagery, this text invites multiple readings.
Information and tips for using comics in the classroom:
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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:
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Puawai Cairns: Te Papa Detective
by Whiti Hereaka
This article describes the work of Puawai Cairns, a curator at Te Papa Tongarewa. Puawai believes that as a curator, her job is to tell stories about people: “Each one always begins with a taonga.”
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Pepeha
by Pātaka and Monique Moore
This article explains what a pepeha is and why it is important in Māori culture.
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Tafoe O!
by Hio Kelemete
Every Sunday, a group of Tokelau adults and children meet in Wellington to pass on cultural knowledge. Recently, artist and master carver Paulino Tuwhala guided the group through the task of carving foe (paddles), which they used to perform a tafoe (dance).
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Kupe and the Giant Wheke
A traditional story, retold by Steph Matuku, illustrations by Isobel Te Aho-White
This traditional tale features in the oral traditions of many iwi. It tells of how Kupe discovered Aotearoa while pursuing a giant wheke (octopus) across the Pacific. As he chased the creature around Aotearoa, Kupe explored the new land and named many places.