When it comes to teaching and influencing the next generation, teachers here in New Zealand are fortunate enough to have access to a variety of top-notch teaching resources.
Tahurangi: A Digital Hub for Curriculum Content
Tahurangi is a noteworthy addition to education resources in New Zealand. Launched as a digital home for curriculum content, teaching resources, and educational news, Tahurangi is designed to simplify the search for high-quality teaching materials. The platform supports a wide range of curricular areas, including the New Zealand Curriculum, Te Marautanga o Aotearoa, Te Whariki, and more. With features like bilingual search functions, various search features, and the ability to download resources from the website directly, Tahurangi is a great tool for educators and teachers looking to enhance their lesson plans.
(https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/)
Essential Resources: A Treasure Trove for Educators and Teachers
Essential Resources stands out as a leading provider of educational materials in New Zealand. Catering to primary, secondary and tertiary education, it offers an extensive collection of resources covering subjects such as English, Maths, Science and the Arts. Beyond subject-specific materials, Essential Resources also focuses on professional development for teachers, with courses on teaching writing, spelling, grammar and more. This platform is praised for its role in supporting best-practice teaching and learning for teachers, both inside and outside of the classroom. https://www.essentialresources.co.nz/
Twinkl NZ: Power Up Your Lessons
Twinkl is specifically designed for educators and offers a treasure trove of downloadable teaching materials aligned with the New Zealand curriculum. From ready-made lesson plans and interactive activities to assessments and classroom decor, Twink boasts a wide variety of resources to help engage students and save teachers time. With a ‘freemium’ model, teachers and educators can access a range of free materials or upgrade for a wider selection, making Twinkl a valuable resource for Kiwi teachers seeking to enhance their lessons and support student learning. https://www.twinkl.co.nz/
Services to Schools from the National Library of New Zealand
The National Library of New Zealand offers an abundance of teaching and learning resources through its Services to Schools program. This initiative provides educators with free access to a vast lineup of online resources, including curriculum guides, student work aids, and research tools. The program emphasises the use of primary sources collected and preserved by the National Library,
offering a unique opportunity for students to engage with historical and cultural materials directly. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools
These resources are ideal for creating new, research-based works and for integrating a deeper historical and cultural understanding into the learning process.
Integrating these resources into teaching practices requires a thoughtful approach. Before diving head first into the resources listed above and implementing the material into lesson plans, it might be wise to familiarise yourself with the resources and to consider how they can be aligned with your teaching objectives and the needs of your students. Whether it is through the direct application of curriculum materials into lesson plans, the incorporation of primary sources into history lessons, or professional development courses to enhance teaching skills, these resources offer a range of possibilities and new opportunities to enrich education for both students and teachers.
