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A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the novel A Bridge to Wiseman’s Cove. The novel explores themes of belonging, coming of age, emotional growth, family, identity and love. This unit provides practical teaching ideas and an assessment task.

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By the river: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the verse novel By the River. The novel explores the tough and tender sides of growing up in a small country town with themes such as bullying, coming of age, connection to place, death, grief, identity and small town living. This unit provides practical teaching ideas, an assessment ...

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The Gathering: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the novel The Gathering. The novel explores themes such as good vs evil, conformity vs individuality, and the nature of friendship. This unit provides practical teaching ideas, an assessment task and an essay by Ruth Starke.

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Fox: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Fox which is a picture book that explores the themes of betrayal, friendship, jealousy, loneliness, loyalty and wilderness. This unit provides practical teaching ideas, an assessment task and an essay by Robyn Sheahan-Bright.

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Follow the rabbit-proof fence: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the accounts of the Stolen Generations as told to Doris Pilkington by members of her family in Western Australia in the 1930s. The memoir imagines the historical experiences of Indigenous Australians prior to contact with European colonists and the experiences and consequences ...

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The Art of Taxidermy: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the novel The Art of Taxidermy which is a verse novel about sadness and loss, and the role of art in helping people manage challenges. Themes include connections to the natural world, grief, holding on to the past, relationships and vulnerability. This unit provides practical ...

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The Divine Wind: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support The Divine Wind novel which evokes an era of Australians caught up in the events of war and its effects. Its themes include coming of age, family, friendship, identity, love, multiculturalism, racism and war. This unit provides practical teaching ideas, an assessment task and ...

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George Orwell’s '1984'

1984 is a novel by British author George Orwell, published in 1949. How has that period - the late 1940s - shaped the novel? What world event and its consequences led to Orwell writing such a dystopian novel? Professor Bowen claims the Senate House, formerly Ministry of Information, is the basis for the novel's Ministry ...

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First Tuesday Book Club: Sentencing 'The Book Thief'

People can express their opinions and attitudes in ways other than words. In this clip, join in the discussion about Markus Zusak's popular novel 'The Book Thief', and explore how verbal and non-verbal cues can add emphasis to your speech.

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Interviews With 10 Australian Authors, Ch 7: Playing with Hannie Rayson

It was while Hannie Rayson was at acting school that she realised she wanted to be a playwright. In this interview led by Tom Tilley she talks about how she began writing plays, why she became interested in the notion of Anglo Australian art and culture, and how all her characters are in some way an embodiment of herself.

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Tom Keneally and 1960s Australia

Have you heard of the 1967 Referendum, Vincent Lingiari or the Freedom Ride? The late 1960s was a period of great social upheaval with many young Australians unhappy with the treatement of Indigenous Australians and with Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. How effective is Thomas Keneally's parallel between the ...

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Jane Eyre: The role of women

What does Jane Eyre tell us about the role of women in 19th century England? Charlotte Bronte's best-known character is, according to Professor John Bowen, an 'assertive heroine ... who speaks the truth'. How does this distinguish her from other women of her time, especially those who serve as governesses? This clip from ...

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Jane Eyre: Who is Bertha Mason?

What do Jane Eyre and Bertha Mason have in common? In what ways are they different? How do you react to Bertha's character? Listen carefully as Professor John Bowen shares his thoughts about the significance of Bertha in Charlotte Bronte's classic novel. This clip is one in a series of four.

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Jennifer Byrne Presents: Teen titles dominate! The YA publishing industry

The Young Adult, or YA, publishing industry has exploded in recent years. But what is driving this surge in novels for teenagers? Join a panel of YA writers as they explore why this once niche market has become a literary phenomenon.

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Interviews With 10 Australian Authors, Ch 2: Draw with Bronwyn Bancroft

How do you draw a giant rainstorm? Bronwyn Bancroft loves Australian nature. She knows how to paint the weather, the land, and the animals. In this interview she speaks about what it's like to live in a country town when a storm hits.

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Radio National: What makes Shakespeare so special anyway?

Few literary figures are as widely revered as William Shakespeare. But just how did this glove-maker's son grow to become the greatest writer of the English language? Explore the extraordinary appeal of Shakespeare with John Bell, Australia's pre-eminent Shakespearean actor and director. If you like this clip, listen to ...

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First Tuesday Book Club: A moral minefield: Christos Tsiolkas's 'The Slap'

'The Slap', a novel from Australian author Christos Tsiolkas, created plenty of controversy when it was published. Why is it that some novels seem to stir people up more than others? Learn how the novel affected a group of panel members discussing popular Australian books.

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Heywire: To disconnect or not to disconnect?

How often are you ever truly alone? Today's technology can mean that we're in constant contact with friends and family. In this Heywire audio story, Dayna Duncan shares a time when she both needed to be connected and to balance her use of social media with other priorities in her life.<br /><br /> Could you write or record ...

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Characters in Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway'

Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway' is set in London over a period of a single day in June 1923. What other novel, mentioned in this video, is set over a period of a single day? What might be the consequences of setting a novel over such a short period of time? Other than Mrs Dalloway, name an important character in the novel. ...

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Heywire: Digging for diprotodons

Ever dreamed of finding buried treasure in your own backyard? For Natasha Camp, this is a reality. Her 'treasure' is not gold or silver, but the bones of ancient Australian megafauna. In this Heywire photo story, Natasha describes the latest dig at Floraville Station, Queensland, her family's property. It was on this dig ...