2024 Book Blast: The Enchanted Forest -Tūī Whānau by Manurewa West Primary School

Enchanted Forest Picture Dictionary

MWPS — 2024-03-24 19:55:56 UTC

Create a picture dictionary with enchanted forest vocabulary. Introduce new words like 'whispering willows', 'twinkling', and 'mystical'. Each student will draw a picture representing the word and use it in a sentence, enhancing both their vocabulary and descriptive skills.

Story Map

MWPS — 2024-03-24 21:36:51 UTC

Have students draw maps of their own enchanted forests, marking where different creatures live, including the manu, magic plants, and other elements they've created or learned about.

Listen and Describe Bird Calls

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:29 UTC

Have students listen to recordings of the native birds' calls and songs. Then, ask them to describe what they hear and match the sounds to the correct bird. This activity helps develop auditory descriptive skills and familiarizes students with the unique calls of Aotearoa's native birds.

Bird Feeder Observation

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:30 UTC

Create a simple bird feeder project in class. This hands-on activity not only gets students involved in conservation by attracting local birds for observation but also allows them to describe the various birds that visit the feeder, noting differences in size, color, and feeding behavior.

Bird of the Week Presentation

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:30 UTC

Host a 'Bird of the Week' presentation where each week, a student or a group of students prepares a presentation on one of New Zealand's native birds. They research the bird's habitat, appearance, and behavior, and present their findings, focusing on descriptive language to share with the class.

Create-a-Bird Craft Station

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:31 UTC

Set up a creative art station where students can craft their own versions of a native bird using recycled materials. Encourage them to observe images of the bird closely, aiming to replicate its features accurately with their materials. This activity fosters creativity and attention to detail.

Interactive Enchanted Forest Exploration

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:31 UTC

Integrate technology by using an interactive app or website that simulates a walk through New Zealand's enchanted forests, spotting and identifying native birds along the way. Students can describe each bird they find in the app, noting special features.

Native Bird Quiz Game

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:33 UTC

Organize a fun and educational quiz game where students recall facts and descriptions of the native birds they have learned about. The quiz can include visual aids and sounds to make it more dynamic and engaging.

Enchanted Forest Drawing Activity

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:33 UTC

Invite students to draw scenes of an enchanted forest including some of the native birds they've learned about. They should focus on adding detailed descriptions of the birds and the environment on their drawings to practice their descriptive writing skills.

Maori Legends Reading Session

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:35 UTC

Read a Maori legend or story that features one of the native birds as a character. This allows students to connect emotionally with the birds and enhances their understanding of Maori culture. Discuss the traits and descriptive elements of the bird as portrayed in the story.

Compare and Contrast Birds Activity

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:08:36 UTC

Use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two or more of New Zealand's native birds, such as the tūī and the kiwi. Students will research and present information focusing on physical appearance, habitat, behavior, and other descriptive traits.

Immersive Writing Activity

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:54:32 UTC

WALT: Write A Narrative Part 1

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:57:32 UTC

WALT: Write A Narrative Part 2

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:58:24 UTC

WALT: Write A Narrative Part 3

MWPS — 2024-03-24 22:59:08 UTC

WALT: Write A Narrative Part 4

MWPS — 2024-03-24 23:00:29 UTC

Model Text: English Language Support

MWPS — 2024-03-24 23:03:07 UTC

Writing Prompt: Forest Destruction

MWPS — 2024-03-24 23:04:47 UTC

Replace the UK animals with NZ examples

New Zealand Manu

MWPS — 2024-03-24 23:12:37 UTC

A great tool for surfacing descriptive words

Authentic Text: How Kiwi saved the Forest

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:01:30 UTC

Series: Ready to Read Colour Wheel

Learning area: English

Category: Fiction

Descriptive language:

“swooping”, “soaring”, “rainbow wings”, “booming call”, “guardian”, “squawked”, “damp, dark forest floor”, “deep, sad breath”, “fade”, “grow dull”, “heart sank”, “most loved”

Authentic Text: Coronation Forest

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:05:07 UTC

Series: School Journal Level 2 May 2015

Learning area: English, Social Sciences

Curriculum level: 2

Reading year level: 4

Category: Non-fiction

Topics: conservation, environment, forestry, trees

Authentic Text: Timber!

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:07:48 UTC

Series: School Journal, Level 3 November 2011

Learning area: Science

Curriculum level: 3

Reading year level: 6

Category: Non-fiction

Fabulous Vocabulary Extension

-English

-Te Reo Māori

Authentic Text: Heartbeat

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:08:38 UTC

Series: School Journal Level 3, June 2012

Learning area: English

Curriculum level: 3

Reading year level: 6

Category: Non-fiction

Authentic Text: Bird of The Year

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:10:24 UTC

Series: Junior Journal 59, Level 2, 2019

Colour wheel level: Gold

Curriculum level: 2

Reading year level: 3

Authentic Text: And the winner is ...

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:11:28 UTC

Series: Junior Journal 59, Level 2, 2019

Learning area: English

Colour wheel level: Gold

Curriculum level: 2

Reading year level: 3

Authentic Texts: Kaupapa Kererū

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:13:14 UTC

Series: School Journal Level 3, June 2012

Learning area: English, Science

Curriculum level: 3

Reading year level: 5

Authentic Text: Kaitiakitanga

MWPS — 2024-03-25 01:22:04 UTC

Series: School Journal Level 4 November 2022

Learning area: Science, Social Sciences

Curriculum level: 4

Reading year level: 6

Story Circle: Collaborative Activity

MWPS — 2024-03-25 22:03:15 UTC

Students sit in a circle and each adds a sentence to create an enchanted forest story, emphasizing descriptive language.

or, find a buddy, sit in a circle and work as a pair to add a new sentence to the story