English / Year 1 / Literature / Literature and context

Curriculum content descriptions

Discuss how authors create characters using language and images (ACELT1581)

Elaborations
  • identifying similarities between texts from different cultural traditions, for example representations of dragons in traditional European and Asian texts
  • identifying how spiritual beings are represented in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories
  • identifying some features of characters and how particular words and images convey qualities of their nature, for example some characters are portrayed as shy, others adventurous
  • discussing the characters of fictional animals and how they relate to those of humans
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Illustration,  Characters (Narratives)

Text

MoneySmart: Ava makes a difference

This is a digital big book about how a young girl makes and sells pancakes as part of a class fundraising event to help a family whose house has burnt down, and how she learns the importance of helping people in need. Developed as part of the MoneySmart Teacher Package, the story is suitable for children from Foundation ...

Text

Thank you rain! Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Thank you rain! The book celebrates the new life and sense of renewal that comes with rain. Themes of weather, the natural environment and gratitude form part of the book. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

Text

Sea Country: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Sea Country. In this picture book, Aunty Patsy Cameron shares the stories and traditions from her family’s seasonal life on Flinders Island in Tasmania. Find out when to pick ripe wild cherries, when the moon (mutton) birds fly home and how the nautilus shells smell ...

Text

The Emu Who Ran Through the Sky: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Emu Who Ran Through the Sky. The book is part of a series of books about the Bush Mob, a group of animals who work together to solve problems. These stories emphasise the value of respect for First Nations culture and country, as well as the importance of courage, ...

Text

The Sugarbag: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Sugarbag. The book explores themes of Aboriginal culture and customs, adventure and the activities of native bees and their ‘sugarbag’ honey. Some Wiradjuri language words are included. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

Text

Visual Storytelling

In this lesson, students will examine how illustrations contribute to the telling of a story. Through picture books (without words), students will discuss and interpret details about the characters, setting, and plot. Students will create illustrations to accompany a text and then write text to accompany illustrations.

Text

Silly Birds: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Silly Birds. This is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional story that was previously handed down to children from their parents and elders to highlight behaviour and to teach the consequences of good and bad choices. This unit includes practical ideas for using ...

Text

The Toast Tree: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Toast Tree. The book is about the special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. It explores themes relevant to discussions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. It emphasises the importance of storytelling and respect for nature, and ...

Text

Steve Goes to Carnival: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Steve Goes to Carnival. The book celebrates the festivals and culture of Rio de Janeiro as seen through the adventures of Steve the gorilla. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

Text

The Old Frangipani Tree at Flying Fish Point: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Old Frangipani Tree at Flying Fish Point. The book is an encouraging tale of overcoming the social expectations that sometimes hold us back from success. Themes include the importance of courage, confidence, family and community. This unit includes practical ideas ...

Text

Wandihnu and the Old Dugong: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Wandihnu and the Old Dugong. The book is a contemporary story about a young girl who has grown up in the city and who is to return to Badu Island to stay with her aka (grandmother). It is time for her to learn about the customs and culture of her people who come from ...

Text

The Sweetest Egg of All: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Sweetest Egg of All. The book is part of a series of books about the Bush Mob, a group of animals who work together to solve problems. These stories emphasise respect, friendship, action, honesty, problem-solving and teamwork. The book provides opportunities to ...

Text

The Shop Train: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Shop Train. The book was inspired by the ‘Tea and Sugar’ train that provided supplies to people living in remote communities between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

Text

Faraway Places

This imaginative digital text is an illustrated rhyming poem for teachers to read aloud to students. It is about a girl who visits different and amazing places. The resource includes a teaching sequence related to the Big Six components of literacy development (oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary ...

Online

Creating a reading culture in a school community

This teacher resource describes how Proserpine State School in Queensland successfully responded to the need to improve student outcomes, especially in the area of reading, by implementing a whole-school approach that encouraged students to read more, and more widely. The resource is presented in eight sections: Summary; ...

Online

Books in Homes Primary Programme

This teacher resource is about the Books in Homes Primary Programme, in which students in low socioeconomic status schools with limited access to books at home are provided with nine books of their choice per year. There are ten sections: Summary; Target student group; Method; Measures; Results; Lessons learned; Next steps; ...

Online

Little J & Big Cuz

These resources provide support for Early Years (K-2) educators with ideas and options for including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge, understanding and skills in their teaching and learning programs. A filter is provided to guide teachers to resources which relate to specific learning areas and/or year ...