APN Newspapers in Education

All the material in the archived pages section relate to the previously published NiE pages. Click here to download the published page.

You will need to Register so you can download the supporting resources on this website. Click here to register.

Then click on the left-hand menu to access: The Theme quiz, downloadable pdf Theme lessons and teacher notes that go with the NiE page.

Kia ora tatou

This week’s NiE HUH? Current Issues page looks at the recent debate surrounding whether the design of the New Zealand flag needs to change to better reflect our national identity. You can easily use this debate as a starting point to investigate and examine a variety of issues around national identity, national history and republicanism. In addition you may choose to look at symbolism and meaning of things like our flag, coat of arms and the national anthem as well as art, logos etc.

Page contents
Test yourself – students are challenged to draw the New Zealand flag from memory. There are clues scattered about on the page (none of the actual New Zealand flag though). You may wish to ask students to do this task prior to seeing the NiE page.
Flag designs – five basic principles of flag designs are included and students use these principles to choose the best flag from a given selection.
Symbolism of the New Zealand Flag – the colours and the symbols are explained
Arguments for and against changing the flag – students make up a list of arguments for and against changing the flag.
Quotes – a selection of quotes from well-known New Zealanders giving their opinion on the issue. Students sort the quotes into groups.
Case Study(ies) – students learn about why two countries (Canada and South Africa) changed their flag. (The New Zealand Herald edition has only one case study – South Africa)

More information and teaching suggestions can be found under the More information tab on the left-hand menu.

The downloadable theme lessons include:
Flag design – using the five principles of flag design listed on the page, students design a flag for their school.
Editorial cartoon – students interpret an editorial cartoon about the flag debate
Contributor’s essay – in a group, students read and discuss an essay written by Mike Moore, former NZ Prime Minister and soon to start as New Zealand’s ambassador in Washington
Polls – using a Herald DigiPoll graphic as a guide, students conduct a poll among their classmates to find out what they think about the flag.

You can find these lessons under the Theme lessons tab.

e-Editions
One exciting addition to the year is the launch of the e-Edition – a digital replica of the newspaper with enhanced capabilities – that can be used in computer labs, on interactive whiteboards and at computer stations. We’re delighted to have received so many e-Edition orders, with multiple licenses for the whole classes or for a single teacher license. Talk to the NiE liaison teacher at your school to find out more or contact your local APN NiE coordinator.

Student Features

Encourage your students to use the Front Page Builder activity accessible from the home page. They do not need to register on the website.

Page Theme Quiz – new each week

Front Page Builder – an interactive front page builder where students use supplied current news pictures and captions to make their own front page.

Ka kite ano

The APN NiE team