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Countdown

"... the magazine is my major literacy tool." (Gay, primary teacher, NSW)

"I LOVE all your magazines! Some are cool and some are scary!" (David, Countdown reader 2008)

"I really like the stories in The School Magazine Countdown because the stories were interesting and had LOTS of information. I would always read the stories. If it hadn't been for The School Magazine, there wouldn't be good stories." (Regina, Countdown reader 2008)

"I can't wait for the next magazine." (Priya, Countdown reader 2008)

Welcome to Countdown, The School Magazine title for kids reading at an 8–9 year old level (year 3). Countdown corresponds with Early Stage 2 in the NSW K–6 curriculum.

• Read a sample story from Countdown magazine: Yakka, Yip and the Yahoos by Geoffrey McSkimming, illustrated by Kerry Millard (from Countdown #1, 2009)

The Countdown mascots, Yakka (a sulphur-crested cockatoo), and her mate, Yip (a pygmy possum), are ready and waiting to guide newly independent readers through a wealth of stories, poems, plays and articles that kids love to read and teachers love to teach with.

The magazines are lavishly illustrated with specially comissioned artwork by leading Australian artists, which makes them both appealing for their readers, and a valuable tool when exploring visual literacy with students.

Special features in 2009 include:

• a brand new serial comic called Robot School by Veronica Rooke
• a graphic novella in 10 parts, The Nelly Gang, by Stephen Axelsen, set in the Australian goldfields
• a celebration of Science Week. 

Teaching Units, written by experienced primary teachers and based on the NSW primary curriculum, are available for every issue to support the use of the magazine in the classroom. To subscribe, go here.

To read the list of books to be featured in Bookshelf, our book review section, go here.

For subscription information, go here.

Authors wishing to submit material for consideration for publication in Countdown can read our Submission Guidelines here.

The School Magazine welcomes feedback from subscribers. Please send your comments and suggestions to: school.magazine@det.nsw.edu.au

© State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Training, 1999 - 2009. All rights reserved.

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