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

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- English
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Technology
- The Arts
- Health and Physical Education
- Non-fiction
- Fiction
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- Articles
- Stories
- Plays
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Search results
77 items - Showing 61 - 70
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Take Note
by Tricia Glensor
This article provides information about the images on New Zealand banknotes, using the $5 note as an example. It provides opportunities for students to think critically about what makes the images special to New Zealanders.
Gold 1
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Weaving Tukutuku
by Kelly Joseph
This article explains how tukutuku panels are made and the symbolism of some of the patterns, including the patterns that feature on our $5 and $10 banknotes.
Gold 2
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Power from the Sun
by Maggie Twaddle
This report describes the use of solar panels to make electricity and includes an example of a school that has been using solar power since 2008. Students from the school share what they have learnt about solar power, including the fact that solar power is a form of renewable energy.
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Professor Clever
by Trish Puharich
illustrated by Ned Wenlock
In this humorous play, Professor Clever becomes irritated with the mess that trees make when they drop their leaves, so he comes up with an invention to solve the problem. When his children discover his invention, they are shocked and present an opposite point of view.
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Solar Power in Tokelau
by Iona McNaughton
This report highlights the world-first achievement of Tokelau in using renewable energy sources (solar energy and coconut oil) for all its electricity. It explains why Tokelau decided to switch from using fossil fuels and includes comments from a Tokelau family that illustrate the impact of the change.
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The Thief
Written by Renata Hopkins
illustrated by Andrew Burdan
In this lively mystery story, Sophie’s treasure has gone missing. Sophie and her cousin Manu make a plan to catch the thief – though students will discover that there is more than one “thief” in this story.
The Thief has a series of short chapters, giving students an opportunity to develop reading “stamina” on a longer story and to carry ideas across longer sections of text.
Gold 1
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Greedy Cat at the Market
by Joy Cowley
illustrated by Robyn Belton
Poppy the dog is staying with Katie’s family while Nan is away. Mum and Katie decide to take Poppy for a walk to the market, leaving Greedy Cat at home – or so they think!
Gold 1
#LFH
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Space Rubbish
by Kylie Parry, Illustrations by Jez Tuya
This humorous science-fiction play is set on a spaceship in the future. When the crew’s rubbish-blasting machine stops working, they are intrigued to find out how people used to deal with their rubbish in the “old days”.
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And the Winner is...
by Iona McNaughton
This article builds on ideas introduced in “Bird of the Year” (in the same journal) and provides information about six winners of the Bird of the Year competition. Much of the information is presented in the form of tables, allowing students to gain experience in reading different text formats. Together, the two articles provide opportunities for students to identify and discuss main ideas about native New Zealand birds.
Gold 1
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Bird of the Year
by Iona McNaughton
In this interview, Megan Hubscher of Forest & Bird talks to Iona McNaughton about the Bird of the Year competition – why it started and how it helps keep New Zealand native birds safe. Students can read about some of the past winners of the competition in an accompanying article, “And the Winner Is ...”
Gold 1