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The Tunnel in our Backyard

The Tunnel in our Backyard brings to life for children the connection with the land around them – a land full of stories and reminders of history.

Tefere’s got a tunnel under his whare!’
Whänau, I reckon the rest of the unpacking can wait until later — let’s have an adventure!’

Jennifer and her whanau go to Te Atatu to help her cousin Tui’s family move house to Mount Albert. What they learn from Nanny on the way about Matariki and the Waterview Tunnel leads on to a big discovery once they reach Mount Albert – that old tunnels also run under here!

Under the guidance of Nanny and new neighbour Tefere, the kids relive old and more recent history and follow in the giant footsteps of the ancestor Ruarangi from Mount Albert down to Meola Reef in Point Chevalier.

Written by Malcolm Paterson. Illustrated by Hana Maihi.

$22.99 incl. GST

Out of stock

Description

One of the Sharing Our Stories series by Oratia Books, which encourage children to find out about centuries of history and unique environments.

Within the framework of The New Zealand Curriculum, The Tunnel in Our Backyard supports several principles, notably: Cultural Diversity and Future Focus (especially sustainability), plus elements under the Treaty of Waitangi (for example, the opportunity to acquire knowledge of te reo Mäori me ngä tikanga (te reo Mäori and tikanga Mäori). Of the five key competencies that the Curriculum endorses, this book links closely to Using Language, Symbols and Texts, Thinking, Participating and Contributing, and Relating to Others. It also lends itself well to recognising New Zealand’s Official Languages and the learning areas of Learning Languages, Arts, Science and Social Sciences. From 2023, Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories and Te Takanga o Te Wä will be taught in all schools and kura. The Tunnel in Our Backyard is an excellent resource encouraging a ‘sense of place’ and can be a template for schools in other areas to stimulate their local curriculum learning

Meet the Kiwi author

Malcolm PatersonMalcolm Paterson belongs to Ngāti Whātua iwi, which he represents in heritage and environmental matters. He is the author of four  Sharing our Stories books. Malcolm  lives with his family in Te Atatū, Auckland.

Additional information

Weight50 g
Dimensions28.5 × 20.5 × 4 cm
First published

2016

Format

Paperback picture book

ISBN

9780947506049

Page count

32

Published by

Oratia Books

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