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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32 items - Showing 1 - 10
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Breathless
by Bernard Beckett
illustrations by Michel Mulipola
Breathless is a fictional, first-person narrative about a boy who suffers from asthma. His friends use humour and adventure to help him cope with the disappointment of not being able to play an important rugby game because of his illness.
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Diary of a Wild Boy
by Brando Yelavich
Diary of a Wild Boy is a true, first-person diary account of how 19-year-old Brando Yelavich circumambulated the New Zealand coastline on foot and, for the most part, alone.
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Bok Choy
by Paul Mason
illustrations by Ant Sang
This seemingly simple historical story carries an important message about discrimination. It is set in a goldmining town in Otago during the 1860s gold rush. Jacob’s mother is glad to buy bok choy (Chinese cabbage) from Ah Sum, but Ah Sum’s presence brings out the worst in their neighbour Mrs Bishop and her son, William. William taunts Ah Sum and leaves Jacob feeling confused about his loyalties. When Jacob slips into the river while fishing, it is Ah Sum who rescues him. The story shows how Jacob becomes aware of the realities of Ah Sum’s life. The ending is left open for readers to infer the longterm impact of Jacob’s encounter with Ah Sum.
Information and tips for using comics in the classroom:
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Marcus Thomas: New Zealand Caveman
interviewed by Susan Paris
Marcus Thomas: New Zealand Caveman presents an engaging account of why Marcus took up caving. His passion for caving as a child led him to contact the New Zealand Speleological Society, and he has gone on to explore many of New Zealand’s longest and deepest caves. The article is structured as an interview, with the interviewer’s questions forming the headings.
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In the End
by Mal Peet, illustrations by Andrew Burdan
When Billy was a young man in 1912, he saw his town torn apart by strikers and strike breakers as workers fought for their rights in the
goldmining town of Waihī. Years later, Billy is fighting in the trenches in Europe and has become friends with another Waihī man, Don. But Don’s memories of the strike are very different from Billy’s. In a graphic novel format that is set during both wars, dramatic events lead to a revelation that changes the way Billy and Don think about “sides”.Information and tips for using comics in the classroom:
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Quake, Rattle, and Roll
by Sarah Wilcox
When the Christchurch Cathedral lost its spire in 2011, it was the fourth time it had been toppled by an earthquake! This book explains why we have earthquakes and how they are measured.
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The Bittern
by Diana Noonan
The Bittern has been adapted as a graphic text from the story of the same name in School Journal 3.1.09. Both versions tell the story of Henare Kāretu, who, in an effort to protect the habitat of the bittern, refused to drain the wetland on his farm.
Information and tips for using comics in the classroom:
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Severe Weather
by Sarah Wilcox
This article defines, describes, and explains severe weather events and is accompanied by photographs, maps, and diagrams to illustrate the topic. Severe Weather uses the features and structures of informational text in ways that give opportunities to teach the students to use text structure as an important support for comprehension. Students can also use the text as a model for their own informational writing.
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Just Kidding
by Marisa Maepu
This story gently and implicitly explores the theme of bullying and provides opportunities for students to consider strategies for dealing with similar situations. Told through the eyes of a narrator, it portrays the tensions between Henry and Sefa but also focuses on the importance of maintaining personal integrity. The decisions taken by Henry and Sefa can be compared and discussed, with some analysis of the consequences. The story also deals with the responsibilities of those noticing bullying behaviour around them.
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Any Old Iron
by Greg O’Brien
This is the story of Jeff Thomson, the sculptor of a chicken that O’Brien and his brother bought as a birthday present for their mother. The chicken was made of corrugated iron. O’Brien describes Thomson’s inspirations, his training, the work that goes on in his noisy workshop, and the many and varied objects and animals that he has made from iron over the past thirty years. The text is well illustrated with photographs of these sculptures. O’Brien adds his own responses to them, providing insights that may motivate readers to consider unusual materials or subjects for their own artworks.
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