Instructional Series
This site will be closing soon as its content has moved to Tāhūrangi.
2024 titles are available on Tāhūrangi. Use the filters to find specific series.
Find Literacy resources at Tāhūrangi - Literacy.
Welcome to the English medium literacy instructional series teaching and learning resources for years 1 to 8.
- Gold
- Blue
- Green
- Orange
- Red
- Turquoise
- Yellow
- 4
- 2
- 3
- 1
- 4
- 8
- 6
- 7
- 5
- 3
- 2
- 1
- Social Sciences
- English
- Health and Physical Education
- Science
- Technology
- The Arts
- Learning Languages
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Non-fiction
- Fiction
- None
- Living world
- Nature of science
- Articles
- Stories
- Poems
- Plays
Search results
117 items - Showing 1 - 10
-
New Zealand Dinosaurs
by Hamish Campbell
illustrated by Spike Wademan
This engaging article explains what is known about the dinosaurs that once roamed New Zealand. It provides some background information on dinosaurs in general, including the most popular theory about why they became extinct. It also explains that for a long time, people believed no dinosaurs had ever lived in this country. Then it gives details of the dinosaur fossils found in various parts of New Zealand, which proved that idea to be wrong.
-
The Biggest Snake in History
by Norman Bilbrough
Imagine a snake longer than a bus and big enough to swallow a cow. That was Titanoboa, one of the most ferocious predators on Earth some sixty million years ago – five million years after the dinosaurs died out.
-
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.
-
-
-
Our Rocks Rock!
by Jill MacGregor
When Jack brings his rock collection to school, his classmates are amazed to find the rocks aren’t “dull and boring” like they thought. This article describes the rocks the children collect, “make”, and experiment with and explores their wonderment at the variety of rocks in their collection.
-
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:
-
-
Bok Choy
by Paul Mason
illustrations by Ant Sang
“He glared at the figure of Ah Sum moving slowly down the street …”
-
Stand Up: A History of Protest in New Zealand
by Dylan Owen
This article looks at a number of important social issues and significant events in New Zealand’s history, thematically linked around the idea of protest. The text is organised in chronological sequence from the passive resistance seen at Parihaka in 1881, through to the anti-TPPA protests in 2016.
Literacy Online home
