School Journal
On this page: Part 1 Number 5, 2006 | Part 2 Number 4, 2006 | Parts 3–4 School Journal online teachers’ notes | Using past issues
School Journal, Part 1 Number 5, 2006
“One More Minute” by Rachel Hayward. When it comes to doing the washing, the Mitchell family works like a well-oiled machine. But when Mum goes away for a few days, the washing piles up and things get out of control.
“The Alien under the Stairs” by Diana Creagh. Scott is writing a story at school – but suddenly the words are blown off his page and start buzzing around the room. This fantasy explores words and writing in an imaginative way, with an interesting twist at the end.
“Gumboots” by Janet Pates. This report opens with Taihape’s annual Gumboot Festival. Then, using a question-and-answer format, it journeys back in time to give interesting historical information about gumboots.
“Belladonna” by Janice Leitch. Belladonna the witch has lost her wand. Without it, she’ll be late for the meeting of witches. In this humorous play, three children (and their dog) help Belladonna to find her wand in exchange for the ice cream she promises them.
“Zoo Project” by Alan Bagnall and “Poetry” by Bev Wood are the poems in this Journal.
SJ1506, distributed September 2006.
School Journal, Part 2 Number 4, 2006
“Surprise” by Alan Bagnall. This fictional narrative recounts Mira and Rikki’s weekend tramping trip with their father.
“Dusty” by Rosie Boom. Through diary entries, an unnamed narrator tells of her attempt to save a baby sparrow. This text links very closely to the following “Caring for Birds”, which provides useful information about how to look after baby and adult birds.
“The Royal Breakfast” by Philippa Werry. The Queen just wants her breakfast, but it seems this may be too much to ask! The simple storyline and supportive structure of this play make it particularly well suited to younger or less confident students.
“When I Grow Up” by Barbara Berge. Cory, the narrator of this story, is a boy who acts first and thinks later. Students will enjoy reading about the dramatic sequence of events he initiates and following the “when I grow up” thread that runs through the text.
“The Dare” by Val Neubecker is the poem in this Journal.
SJ2406, distributed October 2006.
Parts 3–4 School Journal online teachers’ notes
The newly developed notes supporting Parts 3 and 4 of the School Journal were described more fully in the September 2006 Resource Link Online. Each set of notes will be developed to support a particular teaching purpose. The student texts will be selected from a variety of Journals.
The first set of notes, supporting the comprehension strategy of inferring, will be available in November at School Journal teachers’ notes.
Note: Using older issues of the School Journal
The Ministry of Education and Learning Media wish to remind teachers and schools that School Journal issues are designed to be used for no more than 10 years.
The Journals reflect the period in which they are published. It is important to remember, when using older Journals, that the content and illustrations may not reflect today’s approaches, particularly in regard to health and safety or to issues around values.
For example, the story “Four Wheeler Girl” in School Journal, Part 1 Number 2, 1990 shows a young child without safety equipment on a quad bike. While this may have been a common practice at the time, it would not be encouraged today.
If you do have older Journals in your school, you may choose not to use those that show practices now considered unsafe or inappropriate. Alternatively, you may use them with students to explore and discuss changes in society.
Please remember that parents and guardians might need to be alerted to such discussion in the classroom or to your awareness of content and illustration issues before choosing an older book to send home with your students for reading.