Land of Lizards by Emma Wood is an informative non-fiction text that weaves scientific explanation with cultural knowledge to explore the unique world of native lizards (mokomoko) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through clear sections, labelled photographs, and engaging facts, the text explains the differences between skinks and geckos, the habitats they live in, and how they survive in extreme environments ranging from rainforests to snowy mountains. The narrative introduces key biological ideas such as camouflage, reproduction, and adaptation, while also highlighting the long lifespan of some species on predator-free islands. Alongside scientific understanding, the text acknowledges Māori perspectives by explaining how mokomoko are regarded as tapu and as kaitiaki for people and places. Informative, visually rich, and accessible, the text supports students to understand biodiversity and conservation through real-world examples and voice.

The text is ideal for integrated learning across literacy, science, and social sciences, supporting inquiry into native species, habitats, environmental protection, and cultural perspectives in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This pack contains a range of response activities complete with activity explainer videos for exploring thinking skills and developing emotional understandings and compassionate inquiry including:

• Blooms Higher Order Thinking activities
• Book Club guide for deepening text discussion
• A range of activities to explore emotional understanding, compassionate inquiry, empathy development, vocabulary and developing skills for self and co-regulation.

Curriculum Phase: Phase 2
Year Level: Year 4

English (NZC Levels 2–3): reading for meaning and enjoyment, identifying key ideas and facts, understanding informational and report texts, interpreting visual information, building topic-specific vocabulary

Science – Living World: native animals and habitats, adaptations and survival, ecosystems, classification, human impact on the environment, conservation

Social Sciences – Aotearoa New Zealand Histories: Māori knowledge and perspectives, kaitiakitanga, continuity and change, identity and belonging, care for places and species

Text type: Non-fiction, informational text, scientific explanation, illustrated report

Key words include: Aotearoa New Zealand histories, mokomoko, skinks, geckos, native lizards, habitats, camouflage, adaptation, predators, survival, endangered species, extinction, biodiversity, ecosystems, classification, species, kaitiaki, tapu, Māori perspectives, conservation, protection, predator-free islands, Kapiti Island, Central Otago, rainforests, mountains, camouflage, reproduction, tail loss, regeneration, environmental stewardship, care for nature