English / Foundation / Literature / Literature and context

Curriculum content descriptions

Recognise that texts are created by authors who tell stories and share experiences that may be similar or different to students’ own experiences (ACELT1575)

Elaborations
  • recognising that there are storytellers in all cultures
  • viewing stories by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers from online sources
  • comparing experiences depicted in stories with students’ own
  • engaging with texts that reflect the social and cultural groups to which students belong
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Personal and social capability Personal and social capability
  • Ethical understanding Ethical understanding
ScOT terms

Text structure,  Text types

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

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 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 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

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

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 ...

Video

Changing ideas and discovering themes in stories

Have you ever started out with an idea for a story and later realised you wanted to change it? You're not the only one! In fact, changing your mind is all part of the process of writing. Listen as author Tony Wilson explains how the idea for his book 'The Cow Tripped over the Moon' changed over time. What was his initial ...

Video

Andy Griffiths' tips for starting your story

Get some tips from Andy Griffiths on what to think about when you start to write a story. What does he say about plot? Why not take Andy's advice and start a story by thinking about something that has happened to you and then exaggerate it somehow. Concentrate on writing a short, dramatic moment by using lots of detail ...

Interactive

Syllabus bites – responding to literature

A web page with information, teacher guides and resources on responding to texts. This resource supports the NSW English K-10 syllabus.

Video

The journey to Injinoo

This animation of a contemporary story created by primary school children from the Northern Peninsula Area State College in Far North Queensland. The story is told in English language, a glossary of Aboriginal words and a transcript of the story is provided.

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

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 ...

Video

Tony Wilson's advice for new writers

What does author Tony Wilson think the hardest thing for new writers is? What does he say is the best way to get better at writing? Tony mentions an Australian author called Sonya Hartnett. Do some research and find out how old Sonya was when she wrote her first book. If writing is something you have fun doing, perhaps ...

Video

Thinking about settings with Leigh Hobbs

As Leigh Hobbs says, the great thing about inventing a character is that you also have the power to choose where they live. What's your character's world like? Describe your character at home. Where do they live? And what do they do there? Now choose a completely different location and plonk your character there. Think ...

Online

Primary English: different representations

These seven learning activities, which focus on 'representations' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers expose students to a wide range ...

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

Literacy coaching - reading comprehension

This teacher resource describes a successful evidence-based strategy developed by Darlington Primary School in South Australia to improve the reading comprehension of students from Reception (Foundation) to year 7. The central focus of the strategy was a literacy coach supporting teachers' explicit instruction of higher-order ...

Online

Seeking different results: the Accelerated Literacy program

This is a teacher resource describing the evidence-based Accelerated Literacy strategy successfully implemented by Mayfield East Public School. The strategy improved the literacy, especially reading skills and levels, of its students and the professional competencies of its teachers. The resource is organised in eight sections: ...

Online

Primary English: models and modelling

These seven learning activities, which focus on 'modelling texts' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers are provided with guidance about ...

Video

The Buyungurra who didn't listen

Listen as Bianca McNeair shares the story of "The Buyungurra who didn't listen". This is a traditional story that Bianca's mother told her when she was growing up. Bianca uses words from the Malgana language, which is spoken in the area around Shark Bay in Western Australia.