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

- Blue
- 1
- 2
- Social Sciences
- Health and Physical Education
- English
- Science
- Fiction
- Stories
Search results
20 items - Showing 1 - 10
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The Night the House Shook
by Maria Hansen
illustrated by Kelly Spencer
This story, narrated by a young boy, is based on an actual experience during the Christchurch earthquake of September 2010. An earthquake wakes the boy. When the shaking stops, his parents check on the children and discover that his little brother, Lenny, has slept through the whole thing. When Lenny wakes, he can’t understand why his room is so messy.
Blue 3
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Greedy Cat’s Door
by Joy Cowley
illustrated by Robyn Belton
It’s Christmas time, and Greedy Cat overdoes his Christmas dinner with disastrous but hilarious results when he gets stuck in his cat door. Katie does her best to help, but this time, it’s Dad who solves Greedy Cat’s problem.
Blue 3
#LFH
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The Missing Socks
by Bernadine Ngaheu
illustrated by Philip Webb
In this narrative, Jack is getting ready for rugby but can’t find his socks. He asks his family and looks all through the house, with no luck. Finally, Noodles the dog solves the problem.
Blue 2
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The Gardener and the Scarecrow
by Dot Meharry
illustrated by Ali Teo
In this humorous narrative, the gardener needs to find a way to stop the greedy birds from pecking at his vegetables. Children will enjoy working out what the gardener has in mind!
Blue 2
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Stay Where You Are
by Tricia Glensor
illustrated by Elspeth Alix Batt
Jessie’s family is going for a walk in the bush, but Jessie wanders off the track as she follows a fantail. When she looks back to tell Mum and Dad about the fantail, they are not there. Jessie realises that she is lost and asks the fantail if it is lost too. She explains to the fantail that they need to stay where they are until they are found.
Blue 2
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Skipper’s Happy Tail
by Sharon Holt
illustrated by Marjorie Scott
In this humorous narrative, Skipper’s tail causes all sorts of trouble but finally comes in useful. The dramatic events and lively dialogue encourage expressive reading. This text is useful for monitoring children’s integration of reading strategies at the end of Blue level.
Blue 1
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Nibbles
by Tricia Glensor
illustrated by Andrew Burdan
Nibbles is based on a true story about a pet guinea pig trapped overnight in a flooded classroom. By the time the teacher gets to Nibbles, the cage is floating and Nibbles is swimming frantically.
Blue 1
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Waiting for Rēwana Bread
by Kiwa Hammond
illustrated by Adele Jackson
In this story, Aunty shows Mahi how to make rēwana bread in the traditional way using fermented potato. Mahi discovers it’s a long process, with lots of waiting – but a delicious outcome. See also shared book Bread.
Blue 3
#LFH
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Watching the Game
by Emeli Sione
illustrated by Jenny Cooper
When Mika and Mum go to watch Tusi and Pati play touch rugby, they take Rocky the dog with them. Rocky enjoys playing with the tennis ball – but then he suddenly catches sight of the rugby ball on the field! This is the third story about Mika’s family.
Blue 2
#LFH
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Monster at the Disco
by Janice Marriott
illustrated by Scott Pearson
Monster and Jack are enjoying the school disco when, suddenly, the lights go out and the music stops – it’s a power cut! The problem of the lights is soon solved, but what about the music?
Blue 3