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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1187 items - Showing 921 - 930
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School Journal Level 3 November 2020
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) for the following:
TSM Stories No Girls Allowed ✔ Trouble in the Foodlands ✔ News for You ✔ Articles The Coprolite Hunters ✔ All As One ✔ Poem Huia ✔ Play An Interesting Situation ✔ Look inside this issue
No Girls Allowed
by Victor Rodger, illustrations by Daron Parton
Based on a true story: Victor Rodger explores what it means to make a difficult decision as a group to protect the interests of one person in that group – and the cost of taking a stand. He also makes the point that some things are worth calling out, especially when they involve injustice.
Trouble in the Foodlands
by Johanna Knox, illustrations by Toby Morris
This detective story is another instalment in the Minnie Sharp series, the only continued storyline at this level. The distinctive tone – hard-boiled detective noir – ensures the story has an entertaining surface, and this is matched with an equally satisfying plot: Minnie is required to solve conflict in the Foodlands, the main farming district on Mars. The character, setting, voice, and themes will be familiar to those who’ve met Minnie Sharp, allowing for reading activities across multiple texts – but the story also stands alone.
News for You
by Bernard Beckett, illustrations by Giselle Clarkson
This story has a mission: to shed light on the concept of algorithms, in particular the ways in which they influence our access to news. Bernard Beckett takes the Covid-19 lockdown as his starting point, using this shared experience to provide humour and appeal. This relevant context also allows students to explore the idea that people have different interests and perspectives and that news on social media has been curated for the user and may not represent all aspects of current events.
The Coprolite Hunters
by Neil Silverwood
Photographer Neil Silverwood has documented the work of New Zealand scientists before. This time, they’re hunting for coprolites – fossilised animal faeces. Analysing this “treasure from the past” allows scientists to learn more about our endangered native bird species, including the kinds of habitats that once supported them. This is another useful article about the work scientists do and the many ways in which they continue to learn about our world.
All As One
by Susan Paris with Tahir Nawaz
While Muslims account for a small percentage of New Zealand’s population, their community has had a high profile in recent years. This article provides a brief introduction to the community’s values, as seen through the eyes of four people involved with the Kilbirnie and Hāwera mosques.
Huia
by Bill Manhire, illustration by Rachel Walker
This item complements the article about coprolites in the same Journal, providing a more emotive response to the idea that extinction is permanent – and often caused by the actions of people. The poem might be called a mōteatea – a lament.
An Interesting Situation
by Jo Randerson, illustration by Ali Teo
This play links to the concept of financial capability learning. Jo Randerson has created a situation that is humorous and relatable, with a clear context that allows for a careful explanation of credit and interest – and a great twist at the end.
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School Journal Level 4 November 2020
PDFs of all the texts in this issue of the School Journal are available online as well as teacher support materials (TSM) for the following:
TSM Articles Rongoā for the Land ✔ Journeys of Discovery: The Life of Alfred Wallace ✔ Stories Aunties ✔ Dodinga, 1858 ✔ Far from Home Poem Shrinking Violet ✔ Play Like, Share, Subscribe ✔ Look inside this issue
Rongoā for the Land
by Mere Whaanga
Restoring the whenua on the Māhia Peninsula
Taipōrutu is a sheep and cattle farm on the Māhia Peninsula. The land has been in the same whānau for twenty generations. It was once covered in native bush: tī kōuka, mānuka, rewarewa, tītoki, kahikatea, nīkau, and kawakawa. These species ensured the health of the land and the health of its people – but then they were cleared for farming. A few years ago, the family who owns Taipōrutu came up with a plan to restore their whenua. They called the plan Ahikāroa.
Journeys of Discovery: The Life of Alfred Wallace
by Paul Mason
illustrations by Gavin Mouldey
The naturalist Alfred Wallace and his close association with the theory of evolution is little known – most people think of Charles Darwin. Yet Wallace’s story is a classic one of adventure, talent, and persistence before he was able to offer one of the most ground-breaking scientific theories of all time. Most readers are exposed to the work of scientists in the present day; the nineteenth-century setting of this text is an excellent way to broaden their understanding of how scientists have increased their understanding of the world over time and the major milestones along the way. This article is designed to be read alongside the fictional story “Dodinga, 1858”, written by the same author.
Aunties
by Maria Samuela
illustrations by Leilani Isara
Maria Samuela’s affecting story chronicles the week leading up to the narrator’s mother’s funeral, with all its sadness and confusion and overwhelming sense of loss. The story’s one light is the presence of the narrator’s extended family – and the sense that her many aunties will continue to be there in the future, providing the kind of support and love that usually comes from a mother. The text includes references to a girl’s first period.
Dodinga, 1858
by Paul Mason
illustrations by Gavin Mouldey
A historical narrative that is a companion story to the related article “Journeys of Discovery: The Life of Alfred Wallace” – this story provides some detail about the experiences the famous amateur naturalist Alfred Wallace had while travelling in far-flung places of the globe, hoping to crack the mysteries of evolution. Dodinga is the Indonesian village where Wallace was staying when he had his famous breakthrough in 1858. An author’s note describes the story’s links to actual events.
Far from Home
by Heidi Wang
2020 Winner of the Elsie Locke writing prize
illustrations by Andrew Burdan
Shrinking Violet
by James Brown
illustration by Sarah Wilkins
This sophisticated poem plays with the natural tension created when a poem’s form doesn’t seem to match the content. James Brown’s jaunty use of structure and rhythm challenges the reader to understand both what the poem is about and why the author made the decisions he made.
Like, Share, Subscribe
by Cassandra Tse
illustrations by Jez Tuya
This humorous play is a take on a familiar scenario: thoughtless online behaviour and our sometimes unhealthy relationships with screens. Although grossly exaggerated, Cassandra Tse’s point is still relevant, cleverly side-stepping the usual sides by portraying the adults getting it wrong and the kids getting it right.
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Orca – The World’s Largest Dolphin
by Ingrid N. Visser
This article shares information about orca and the research conducted by the author (Ingrid Visser runs the Orca Research Trust). It looks at how and why she carries out research and what is known about orca. It also covers some of the threats to their habitat and what we need to do to protect them. The article includes a text box about the various names given to orca and another with advice on how to act around orca should you encounter them.
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The Kōrero of the Waka
by Keri Welham
Te Waka Rangimārie o Kaiwaka is a 25-metre waka at the entrance to Kaiwaka School in Northland. The waka welcomes people to the school and is also enjoyed as a kapa haka platform, a play area, and a quiet place to sit. The focus of this article is on the whakairo (carvings) of the waka, which tell stories about the Kaiwaka area and the school community. The article includes a profile of carver Tim Codyre, who speaks of the rich and changing traditions of whakairo.
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The Way to Play
by Bernard Beckett, illustrations by Scott Pearson
When Room 6 wins the competition to design the school’s new playground, they are really excited. However, when it comes to deciding on the design, differences of opinion emerge and the students have to work through the conflict to come up with a design that will suit them all. This story provides an opportunity to introduce and discuss the acceptance and celebration of difference.
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He Toi Whakairo
by Kelly Joseph, illustrations by Isobel Te Aho-White
This poem is about the art of whakairo, linking to the article about the Kaipara School carved waka in this Journal. It shows that a theme can be explored in various ways using different text forms. It also provides a model for poetic writing on a topic. Students will be able to think critically about the art of whakairo by making inferences and finding specific information. They will also be able to identify and evaluate the language features and structures the author has chosen for her particular purpose. It includes a glossary of te reo Māori terms used in the poem and a pictorial glossary showing four whakairo patterns.
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Don’t Forget to Vote
by Simon Cooke, illustrations by Beck Wheeler
This is a humorous play featuring the characters from “Let’s Vote on It” (SJ L2 May 2020). It’s based around the importance of voting so that you can have your say. The citizens want to replace the king – a vote is held, but the king forgets to vote and loses the election as a result. Plays provide opportunities for students to develop their oral language and performance skills. They will also be able to use the characters’ actions and dialogue to make inferences and interpret the play’s main message.
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No Girls Allowed
by Victor Rodger, illustrations by Daron Parton
Based on a true story: Victor Rodger explores what it means to make a difficult decision as a group to protect the interests of one person in that group – and the cost of taking a stand. He also makes the point that some things are worth calling out, especially when they involve injustice.
-
Trouble in the Foodlands
by Johanna Knox, illustrations by Toby Morris
This detective story is another instalment in the Minnie Sharp series, the only continued storyline at this level. The distinctive tone – hard-boiled detective noir – ensures the story has an entertaining surface, and this is matched with an equally satisfying plot: Minnie is required to solve conflict in the Foodlands, the main farming district on Mars. The character, setting, voice, and themes will be familiar to those who’ve met Minnie Sharp, allowing for reading activities across multiple texts – but the story also stands alone.
-
News for You
by Bernard Beckett, illustrations by Giselle Clarkson
This story has a mission: to shed light on the concept of algorithms, in particular the ways in which they influence our access to news. Bernard Beckett takes the Covid-19 lockdown as his starting point, using this shared experience to provide humour and appeal. This relevant context also allows students to explore the idea that people have different interests and perspectives and that news on social media has been curated for the user and may not represent all aspects of current events.
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