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

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- English
- Social Sciences
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- Health and Physical Education
- Technology
- The Arts
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Learning Languages
- Fiction
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- Nature of science
- Living world
- Nature of technology
- Statistics
- Geometry and Measurement
- Planet Earth and beyond
- Technological knowledge
- Physical world
- Material world
- Number and Algebra
- Technological practice
- Gather and interpret data
- Use evidence
- Critique evidence
- Engage with science
- Interpret representations
- Articles
- Stories
- Poems
- Plays
- Activity
- Comic
- Kākano | Seed
- Tupu | Seedling
- Māhuri | Sapling
- Rākau | Tree
- Consonant digraphs
- Consonant patterns
- Initial and final blends
- Long vowels
- Short vowels
- Single consonants
- Complex morphemes
- Tense
- Vowel digraphs
- Contractions
- Syllable types
Search results
1187 items - Showing 901 - 910
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Taranaki Views
by Steph Matuku
“Taranaki Views” is a lengthy article that offers a range of perspectives on Taranaki Mounga. (“Mounga” is a Taranaki iwi pronunciation and spelling; it’s spelt “maunga” by most other iwi.) The text is written in two parts, the first presenting historical and geographical information about the mounga and incorporating the views of scientists and mana whenua. The second part is based on interviews with local people and focuses on what the mounga means to them.
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The Story of Taranaki
by Hone Rata, illustrations by Taupuruariki Whakataka Brightwell
This traditional story, known by many iwi in the Taranaki area, tells how Mount Taranaki was once called Pukeonaki and stood in the centre of the North Island, close to Mount Tongariro. The two mountains fought over Pihanga, a nearby mountain. Tongariro won and Pukeonaki left in anger and grief, travelling to his present position and forming the Whanganui River on the way. The people who came to live in the region later named him Taranaki.
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Magō!
by Hio Kelemete, illustrations by Vaitoa Baker
This is a humorous, entertaining story based on a true event. It provides examples of characterisation and dialogue as well as being a model for imaginative writing. This is a Pacific text. It provides a chance for Tokelauan and other Pacific students to see themselves and their culture reflected in the Journal.
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Come and Meet the Water Whānau
by Kerrin P. Sharpe
This poem links to “Our Blue Planet” in SJ L2 Nov 2019, showing how a topic can be approached in various ways in different genres. The poem takes the form of an invitation, with a series of headings and lists of single words or two words relating to those headings.
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Waiting
by Nadine Anne Hura, illustrations by Zoe Hannay
This is a gentle story with a twist, which is revealed in the final illustration. While most School Journal stories are set over a few hours or days, this piece has an unusually long timeframe: nine months. During this time, Bella learns a more positive way to count the days – by noticing the seasons change and trusting that something is happening, even though it may appear otherwise.
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The Polterheist
by James Brown, illustrations by Josh Morgan
“The Polterheist” is a comic story, deftly handled and with a tight focus, spinning great entertainment from a context many students will recognise – a school gala day. It provides a good model for student writing: taking the everyday and exploring its imaginative possibilities, with closely observed characterisation and a heavy reliance on dialogue to move the plot forward.
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Star-gazing
by Maria Samuela, illustrations by Rebecca ter Borg
“Star-gazing” is a fantasy while also being based, in part, on a traditional story from Mangaia, the second largest island in the Cook Islands. The “no place like home” lesson is spiced up with sassy dialogue and combative personalities, deepening its contemporary feel and appeal.
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Born to Run
by Lucy Corry
Arthur Lydiard was a New Zealand runner and athletics coach whose approach to training has left a lasting impact on the sporting world. Using speed and endurance-building techniques that he developed through trial and error, Lydiard coached several high-performance runners to Olympic success. A firm believer that anyone could be a champion, Lydiard played an important role in popularising jogging in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. “Born to Run” includes a profile of Lilly Taulelei, a year 10 student who has played for the New Zealand basketball team. She was also selected for an Asia-Pacific basketball team that played at the Global Championships in 2019. She shares her thoughts about what makes a good coach.
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Roar
by Kathryn Mercer
Hunting is hugely popular in New Zealand’s rural communities, and it’s often done within families. This article will be welcome reading for students who already hunt, giving them the opportunity to share their knowledge with classmates. Those unfamiliar with the past-time are introduced to the basics, especially the “why” of hunting and the different skills and pleasures involved.