This annotated exemplar helps teachers to support the literacy and language learning of students in biology. To view other exemplars for history, mathematics and statistics, technology, and physical education click here.
The annotations are made under the headings of Structure, Ideas and Information, Audience and Purpose, Language, and Accuracy. Hover over each of these headings below and click to read the annotations. To increase the size of the text, use the Ctrl + keys on your keyboard.
Curriculum: Level 7 - Living World
Students will: explain how the interaction between ecological factors and natural selection leads to genetic changes within populations.
Secondary literacy exemplars teaching and learning responses: these notes provide assistance in supporting students to develop their writing at this level.
This example was sourced from a 2012 external assessment question: Achievement Standard 91157 Demonstrate understanding of genetic variation and change.
Exemplar annotation Biology Level 2 AS 91157 (PDF 293KB)
Task: Discuss this statement, considering the following points in your response:
"New Alleles - Mutations can result in the formation of new alleles, but not all new alleles enter the gene pool of a population."
Students need to use writing to explain concepts, processes, and theories relevant to curriculum tasks. They need to express increasingly sophisticated ideas and information, incorporate specialized vocabulary, and structure their responses according to purpose and audience.
Published on: 09 May 2016
Literacy in the Learning Areas: resources to support literacy learning in the context of each learning area.
Literacy in Secondary School Contexts: Assists secondary teachers to incorporate subject area literacy teaching and learning into their programmes of work.
ESOL Online Teaching Strategies: Strategies to support English Language Learners.
Assessment Resource Bank (NZCER) - Language of science: specialised language
Assessment Resource Bank (NZCER) Science
Literacy Learning Progressions: describe the specific literacy and language knowledge, skills, and attitudes students require in order to meet the curriculum reading and writing demands.
