Teachers help children develop research and study skills and extend their use of high-quality literature, such as books nominated for New Zealand and international awards and books by specific authors. In addition, various trade materials and newspapers are used regularly to increase effective reading. Classroom organisation New Zealand classrooms are busy places, but they tend not to be excessively noisy. They are child-centred and structured to enable children to be active and independent participants. The organisation of New Zealand classrooms typically facilitates activity and talk.
Children mostly sit in groups of between four and eight.
The composition of the groups may be social or ability based, and groups are often mixed in gender. Children may change groups several times per day, depending on the activity or lesson. For most reading activities teachers use ability-based groupings, and the composition of these groups may also change as the learning needs of the children are addressed. The children are aware of the ability level of their instructional group. However, because grouping is flexible and changes to meet needs and interests, children appear to have no problems acknowledging difference among their peers.