English / Year 5 / Literature / Creating literature

Curriculum content descriptions

create and edit literary texts, experimenting with figurative language, storylines, characters and settings from texts students have experienced (AC9E5LE05)

Elaborations
  • drawing upon fiction elements in a range of model texts; for example, main idea, characterisation, setting (time and place) and devices; for example, figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification), to experiment with new, creative ways of communicating ideas, experiences and stories in literary texts
  • creating a visual map, which may include digital mind maps, of figurative language, storylines, characters and settings in a text that may inspire their own writing
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
ScOT terms

Editing,  Text structure,  Creating texts,  Imaginative texts,  Language conventions

Text

Examining Characterisation

In this learning sequence Year 5 students learn to identify literary techniques that contribute to characterisation. They then experiment with those techniques to develop a believable character. This learning sequence is the third of five sequences within a larger unit of work titled ‘My Life as an Alphabet: Exploring Narrative’.

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Observing and Experimenting with Authors' Techniques

In this learning sequence Year 5 students identify techniques that authors use to engage the reader and they experiment with writing techniques and styles used by authors. Barry Jonsberg’s novel, My Life as an Alphabet, is used as a mentor text in this sequence. However, teachers could also choose an alternative text and ...

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A Closer Look at Setting and Context

In this learning sequence Year 5 students examine the setting and historical, social and cultural contexts in narrative texts. They learn to improve understanding by using questioning and inferring techniques. Barry Jonsberg’s novel, My Life as an Alphabet, is used as a mentor text in this sequence. However, teachers could ...

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Bursting to Write

This article discusses the power of short-burst writing as part of warming-up a unit. Short burst writing is a process that supports children to think like a writer. It teaches them to bring their writing alive (painting pictures in their heads of their readers) and helps them to understand the craft of description.

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Little Lunch English Resource

Designed to complement the award-winning Little Lunch television series, this resource aims to support teachers working with Year 3-6 students. Little Lunch is a mockumentary series set in primary school following the lives of students and their teachers as they navigate schoolyard politics, interpersonal behaviour, friendship, ...

Text

Mountain Creation

In this lesson, students will dramatize the ways a mountain can be formed. They will analyse poems about mountain creation from the perspective of the Tohono O’odham indigenous people of Arizona and Mexico. Students will compare the poems to science-based descriptions of mountain formation.

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Character Sketches

What techniques do storytellers use to create characters? In this lesson, students will analyse how a character's personality traits, actions and motives influence the plot of a story. They will use their senses to create character sketches, then dramatize the character for an audience.

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Work sample Year 5 English: Informative text - Bushfires

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 5 English. The primary purpose for the work sample is to demonstrate the standard, so the focus is on what is evident in the sample not how it was created. The sample is an authentic representation of ...

Interactive

Alison Lester – writing your own books

This twelve video resource contains video of author and illustrator Alison Lester guiding students to create, first a collaborative whole class book and second, an individual book using digital technologies. In each video Lester discusses aspects of her creative processes and the books she has written. Her books are aimed ...

Video

What inspires you to write

If you love to write, have you wondered why? Reflect on some reasons why you (or anyone else) might love writing, then watch Lili Wilkinson describe why she loves to write. How important is curiosity to her? How is that curiosity linked to empathy and why is that important to being a good writer?

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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 ...

Video

How to Build Stories, Ep 4: Exploring genre and setting of your story

Every genre has different rules. But once you know them, you can choose which rules you want to break. Find out how you can mix and match genres to create unique, interesting stories!

Video

To plan or not to plan

Different writers approach writing in different ways. Some just dive in with nothing but an idea, while others like Morris Gleitzman like to spend some time planning their story before writing. What's your writing style like? Discuss the pros and cons of both styles.

Video

Characters as friends

Do you agree with Morris Gleitzman when he says that characters you create are like friends? How hard do you think it is to put your characters through difficult situations and make them suffer if you feel this way?

Video

How to Build Stories, Ch 2: Creating characters for your story

Great characters help us fall in love with stories. Characters need to keep readers excited, but they also need to think and feel in ways we can all understand, and they need to remind us of people in our own lives. Follow these fantastic tips to create interesting, relatable characters!

Video

BTN: Andy Griffiths' writing tips

Watch this clip as Andy Griffiths offers his tips on how to write a story. See if you can come up with your own story that begins with you opening a box marked, "DO NOT OPEN". What's in the box? What happens next? Keep in mind Andy's three tips!

Online

Cats, Dogs and Us: Lesson Plans (years 5-6)

This teacher resource is an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) resource designed to encourage students to examine the physical characteristics and natural behaviours of cats and dogs, and discuss the various ways we live with and care for cats and dogs around the world. It consists of seven lesson plans, two worksheets, ...

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.

Interactive

Syllabus bites: Visual literacy

A resource with information, study guides and resources on visual literacy to support the English K-10 Australian Curriculum in English. It provides a series of activities, guidelines and tasks about visual texts from a variety of sources. Contains writing scaffolds, templates and proformas for responding and composing ...