The Possum Problem
Possums. You hardly ever see them, but they’re all around: in the bush, on farms, in parks. They might even be in your garden. During the day, possums stay in their dens. These are dry, hidden places where they won’t be disturbed. Possums emerge after dark, millions upon millions of them, all across New Zealand. And what do they do? They eat.
About this resource
Series: School Journal Level 3 August 2017
Reading year level: 6
Category: Non-fiction
Topics: acclimatisation societies, bovine tuberculosis, change, ecosystems, endangered species, environment, food chains, fur, fur trade, hunting, New Zealand history, pest control,possums, predators, trapping
The Possum Problem
Words by Johanna Knox
Illustrations by Adele Jackson
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School Journal Level 3 August 2017
Inside this School Journal are two stories (Wild Things; Low Tide), one poem (Dog Training), one play (How Hemi Cleaned His Room), and three articles (The Subantarctic Islands; Te Tiriti o Waitangi; and The Possum Problem).
1 of 7How Hemi Cleaned His Room
This is a play with 5 characters/ 6 actors; Hemi, Tia, Popoto, Mutant fish (played by two actors) and Rubbish.
2 of 7Te Tiriti o Waitangi
This article gives a straightforward explanation of what the Treaty of Waitangi is, why it was needed, and what it says.
3 of 7The Subantarctic Islands
This visual text uses words and cartoon-style images to provide information about the five groups of islands that are found between New Zealand and Antarctica.
4 of 7Dog Training
"Dad would snap at us if we gave the dogs food: Don’t feed them at the table! It turns them into beggars!"
5 of 7Wild Things
But it wasn’t a mouse that woke us. It was another noise. It sounded as though someone with asthma was choking on a mouthful of cornflakes right outside my window. I froze.
6 of 7Low Tide
This short story describes what happens during the hour that Manu and his father have to rescue what they can from their ruined home.
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