School Journal – books
On this page: Part 1 Number 1, 2006 | Part 1 Number 2, 2006 | Part 2 Number 1, 2006 | Part 3 Number 1, 2006 | Part 4 Number 1, 2006
School Journal, Part 1 Number 1, 2006
'Don't Miss the Bus!' by Philippa Werry. This recount describes a walking bus making its way to a Wellington school. Two text boxes explain walking buses and list their advantages.
'Eating Worms' by Christine Larsen. The narrator of this story is looking forward to a sleepover but is anxious about the eating habits of his friend's family. His fears are confirmed when he is offered frogs' egg pudding for dessert. He is eventually let in on the family joke.
'Game On!' by Trish Puharich. This article recounts a school's Olympic celebrations, held every four years. It conveys the fun, excitement, and learning, from the opening ceremony and through two weeks of sports events, to the final closing ceremony.
'Flying the Flag' by Trish Puharich. This report provides background information about the New Zealand flag, looks at current debate about the flag, and challenges readers to form their own opinions.
'Don't Eat Me!' by Anne R. McDonell. It's hard to eat your tea when it's begging you for mercy! This short, free-verse poem is based on an extended metaphor comparing a plate of food to a person's face.
'Possum Pie' by Sue Gibbison. Dad is the family cook in this play. He makes an evasive response to yet another query about what he's cooking for dinner, but his family take him at his word, triggering a debate about possums. The main ingredient of the dinner remains a mystery at the end of the play.
Distribution
SJ1106 was distributed in February 2006.
School Journal, Part 1 Number 2, 2006
'Brothers' and Sisters' Day' by Asha Patel. This report describes key aspects of the Indian festival of Raksha Bandhan, a special day for brothers and sisters. The accompanying recount focuses on Roshni and her Aunty Vanita as they prepare for and take part in the day with their brothers.
'Cyclone Tokotoru' by Tipene Watson. Cyclone Tokotoru is headed Kuia's way – in the form of her three mokopuna.
'Becoming a Kiwi' by Sun Lyoung Kim. This recount is written from the perspective of Joshua, a Korean boy now living in New Zealand as he and his mother and sister take part in a ceremony to become New Zealand citizens.
'Emily's Hens' by Rosie Boom. Emily is delighted when her father shows her the hen house he has built, complete with five hens and a rooster. This photo-article describes how Emily cares for her hens and finds fresh eggs for her family to eat.
'Molly's Messy Desk' by Diana Noonan. Molly finds it impossible to keep her desk tidy, but this turns out to be an advantage when the science centre forgets to give her teacher the samples the class needs.
'Family Feelings' by Marie Langley. This series of cartoons is intended to stimulate discussion among students about relative places (birth order) in families.
Distribution
SJ1206 was distributed in March 2006.
School Journal, Part 2 Number 1, 2006
'The Hole Truth' by David Hill. Tension builds at Battle HQ as General Id Yot prepares to enter the giant black hole at the centre of planet Klog's galaxy. Unfortunately, the whole venture turns out to be a load of rubbish!
'Nippers' by Jill MacGregor. This report describes a Beach Carnival Day hosted by the Paekakariki Junior Surf Club. The report concludes with a paragraph about surf lifesaving in New Zealand.
'Great-grandpa' by Sue Gibbison. On the day after the planes crashed into the twin towers, a child visits his great-grandpa, who has been reminded of the day during the war when he lost his hearing and began smoking. Great-grandpa decides to give up smoking in the hope that, if he can do this, perhaps those who wage war could be persuaded to give up their guns.
'Pigeon Post' by Philippa Werry. This report explains why and how the world's first airmail service was set up in New Zealand as well as describing the use of pigeons in the two world wars.
'Nana's Sunrise' by Desna Wallace. This simple but poignant poem is written from the viewpoint of a child whose name her grandmother has begun to forget. It expresses Casey's hope that her grandmother will keep the memory of the hug they shared, even if she continues to forget her name.
'Spider's Web' by Alan Bagnall. At the school camp, Dion and Tama are first to pitch their tent. When they have to help Janine's group, they miss out on playing on the water slide. Their mischievous act of rebellion in knotting up the ropes rebounds on them when Janine's tent is the only one to withstand a sudden storm.
'Puppets' by Sue Gibbison. This article recounts how a group of students performed School Journal plays as puppet plays. The students explain how they made their puppets.
Distribution
S2106 was distributed in February 2006.
School Journal, Part 3 Number 1, 2006
'Friday Night Out' by Kathy Taylor. When they go to a game at the Wellington stadium, minding his kid brother makes Jason do his 'mean, squinty-eyed look', but Bub has the last laugh.
'What's for Pudding?' by Adam Pryor. This photographic article describes how Rosemary and her friend Joseph prepare and cook a traditional Solomon Islands dish made of cassava and coconut milk.
'Giving It a Shot' by David Tulloch. Is coming third good enough, or is Lauren's dad right about shooting for first?
'The Tail of the Gecko' by Marlene Bennetts. This short article discusses how the gecko's tail functions as a safety device and a built-in larder.
'Bushwalk' by Feana Tu'akoi. This play would make thought-provoking reading for any classes about to embark on outdoor education opportunities. When an emergency happens, Ty, who is the slowest walker, proves to be a faster thinker.
'Memories' by Anna Kenna. Sophia's box of treasures helps her think through her feelings about difficult things.
'Pirates' by Pauline Cartwright is the poem in this Journal.
Distribution
S3106 was distributed in February 2006.
School Journal, Part 4 Number 1, 2006
'Terevaka' by Evelyn Tuhi-Herewini. As Terevaka helps to prepare a feast for the visitors from New Zealand, he has a strange feeling that their coming may signal something unexpected.
'Why Do I Blush?' by Julia Wall. This brief article explains the physical reasons why our cheeks turn red, often when we least wish it.
'The Mobile Garden' by Chitra Soundar. When the Sultan of Delhi asks King Raya for an impossible tribute, his clever minister finds a way to do what is asked.
'Getting There' by David Hill. A boy sets out on a far journey, carrying a strange blue and silver ball that his guardian says will help him in ways he does not yet understand. Read about his landfall in a new world.
'Mathematical Mum' by Eleanor Hughes. Supermarket shopping with a calculating mother means a brain workout for her kids, who have to calculate how much of everything they need.
'Frozen Food' by Philippa Werry. There are no supermarkets or fast-food outlets at Scott Base, but the hard-working staff need to be fed well in such a demanding environment. This article tells how the Scott Base staff's food needs are planned for; how their food is delivered, stored, and prepared; and even how the food wastes are disposed of.
'Jack's Auntie and Her Long Brown Hair' by Lee Dowrick is the poem in this Journal.
Distribution
SJ4106 was distributed in March 2006.