School Journal
On this page: Part 1 Number 3, 2006 | Part 2 Number 2, 2006 | Part 3 Number 2, 2006 | Part 4 Number 2, 2006
School Journal, Part 1 Number 3, 2006
'Snail Snatch' by Jill MacGregor. Why would anyone want to farm snails? This factual recount tells how a group of children enter a competition to find snails for a local snail farm. When they visit the farm, they're astonished to discover what the snails are used for.
'Junk' by Celia Davies. Joshua and his poppa decide to make a trolley out of the junk they find in the basement. But is it really junk? This realistic story shows how a family deals with a problem with humour and common sense.
'Turei's Two Dollars' by Alan O'Neill. Before Turei goes to sleep, he puts the coin Nana has given him for his tooth on the window sill. While he sleeps, the creatures that live in his garden take the coin through a chain of adventures, watched by Morihana the goldfish.
'Beans' by Janice Leitch. This play takes a fresh look at the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.
'After Every Storm' by Don Long is the poem in this Journal.
Distribution
SJ1306, distributed May 2006.
School Journal, Part 2 Number 2, 2006
'Not Just Kicking and Punching' by Adele Broadbent. Corey learns ju-jitsu, a traditional Japanese martial art. This report recounts some of Corey's experiences and feelings about the sport and its impact on his life.
'Rats' Nests' by Diana Noonan. When Millie is asked to look after a rat that has been rescued from a laboratory, it seems easy to agree. But when she finds that her mother doesn't want a second 'rat's nest' in the house, things get more complicated.
'It's Snowing – Again!' by Jan Pye Marry. Anna and Peter live in North Dakota, where the first snow falls in October and usually doesn't melt until April. This report describes the advantages and disadvantages of living in such an extreme environment.
'Missing' by Marie Langley. This play is a spoof based on the story of the Gingerbread Man. Detective Inspector Baker is in search of the missing Mr Bread, also known as Ginger. This text will particularly appeal to students who like humorous wordplay.
'Whakaari' by Marie Anticich. Anne and her family own the volcanic island of Whakaari (White Island) off the coast of Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty. This detailed recount describes Anne's first visit there.
'Snowfall' by Philippa Werry is the poem in this Journal.
Distribution
SJ2206, distributed May 2006.
School Journal, Part 3 Number 2, 2006
'Big Shift' by Jacqui Brown. A flat in the city doesn't measure up to country living, but families change – and a boy learns that he must accept his new life if he's to be happy.
'In Sync' by Maggie Lilleby. Twins Laura and Emily have already won silver in the synchronised event at the national trampolining championships. Find out what goes on behind the scenes.
'The Day Mary Shook the Karaka Tree' by Jan Farr. Despite the fact there's plenty they'd rather be doing instead, Mum insists the kids chase tennis balls at her weekly game. One Thursday, Mary proves that a bad attitude isn't necessarily a bad thing.
'Shark Day' by Lani Young. 'Wow. Today was a special day all right. It was my dad's saofa'i, the first time I had seen a pig's insides, the first time I had seen a shark – and the last time I would want to go swimming at the beach at Lefaga!' Read about this Sāmoan family's special day.
'Tigers on the Prowl' by Despina Rosales. This article presents the facts about tigers, from their webbed toes to their big bellies.
'The GHB' by Bettina Evans. Not everyone loves the sound of the Great Highland Bagpipes, but the Scottish soldiers did, and so does twelve-year-old Nick Evans. In this article, he explains how he mastered the pipes.
'Shrimps' by Alan Bagnall is the poem in this Journal.
Distribution
SJ3206, distributed May 2006.
School Journal, Part 4 Number 2, 2006
'Stop Kissing My Sister!' by Alison Robertson. Joshua's sister has always received more than her fair share of family kisses – till Joshua complains. But although his message gets across, things don't turn out as he'd anticipated.
'Crocodile Women' by Trish Harris. Cousins Julia and Jen join an expedition with Earthwatch to help catch and study Nile crocodiles living in Botswana. Enjoy their story and photographs along with a crocodile fact file.
'Car Wash Cash' by Julia Wall. Matt's mad about cars, and cleaning them is one way of being near them. Will Matt resist temptation when a client leaves Matt in charge of his red convertible?
'Making Manu Taratahi' by Sue Gibbison. Join students from Kerikeri High School as they learn about and then build manu taratahi, traditional kites made from raupō, toetoe, and harakeke.
'Earrings' by Adrienne Frater. Ramona wants to wear earrings so badly she feels as if she might burst. And having a teacher who sports a different pair each day isn't helping. Then Miss Pool has an idea that might encourage Ramona to concentrate more during maths.
'Anyone for a Sandwich?' by Peter Batchelor. In this play, the author explores the provocative idea that a fancy sandwich isn't necessarily the best sandwich when it comes to trading lunch.
'A Swan Plant in the Kitchen' is the poem in this Journal.
Distribution
SJ4206, distributed May 2006.
Attention, teachers of year 7 and 8 students
Go to Journal of Young People's Writing – submission for details about submitting your students' work for the 2007 Journal of Young People's Writing. To download a flyer with this information, visit the Learning Media website.