English / Year 3 / Literature / Literature and context

Curriculum content descriptions

Discuss texts in which characters, events and settings are portrayed in different ways, and speculate on the authors’ reasons (ACELT1594)

Elaborations
  • reading texts in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children/young people are the central characters/protagonists and making links to students’ own lives, noting similarities
  • exploring the ways that the same story can be told in many cultures, identifying variations in the storyline and in music (for example ‘The Ramayana’ story which is told to children in India, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Laos, Tibet and Malaysia)
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
ScOT terms

Characters (Narratives),  Settings (Narratives)

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

Why is it useful to have a big bad wolf character in stories?

Watch this clip to hear Andy Griffiths explain why it's good to have villains in stories. How can the "big bad wolf" character help to move the story along? Think about some of the stories you've read lately. Which characters were the "big bad wolf" characters and what did they add to the stories? 

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.

Text

Dreaming Stories

Produced by the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, find five local Dreaming stories that have been adapted and reproduced with artwork by the children of Coomaditchie and the youth of the Ngaramura Project.

Text

Importance of Country and Place

This learning sequence comprises two short inquiries, where students study Aboriginal identity and culture in the local area. In the first inquiry, students identify Aboriginal languages spoken and learn about the special relationship Aboriginal people have with Country. In the second inquiry, students explore Dreaming ...

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

This resource is a guide to using specific picture books to support the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and the general capability of intercultural understanding, within the context of learning areas such as History, Geography and English.

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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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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

Fairy Tale

How does culture influence fairy tales from storyteller to storyteller? Students will compare and contrast culturally distinct variations of the fairy tale, Cinderella. Students will also research the cultures represented in the fairy tales and create a visual art piece.

Text

Mythological Characters

How do Greek mythological figures inspire modern day characters? In this lesson, students will explore the connection between Greek mythology and modern culture. They will analyse Greek culture, mythological characters, and apply elements of mythology. They will design and paint original mythological characters with watercolours.

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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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Baby Business: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the story 'Baby Business' that tells the story of a Darug baby smoking ceremony welcoming baby to country. Themes include Aboriginal history and culture, child-rearing practices, connection to place, and Indigenous knowledge. This unit provides practical teaching ideas, assessment ...

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Work sample Year 3 English: My favourite thing to do

This work sample demonstrates evidence of student learning in relation to aspects of the achievement standards for Year 3 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 ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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Shirley Purdie: Ngaginybe Jarragbe, My Story: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Shirley Purdie: Ngaginybe Jarragbe, My Story. The narrative of the book is told in English and Gija. It is about Shirley Purdie’s life story, told alongside her paintings. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in your classroom.

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The Mark of the Wagarl: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book The Mark of the Wagarl. The book tells the story of Maadjit Walken, the Sacred Rainbow Serpent, mother spirit and creator of the Nyoongar Country of south west Western Australia. The story shares how a young boy receives the Maadjit Wagarl for his totem. This unit includes ...

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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.

Online

Cats, Dogs and Us: Education pack (years 3-4)

This education pack is an International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) resource designed to build students' understanding about the special place domestic cats and dogs have in people's lives. The pack consists of a teaching guide, a student magazine and six student worksheets focusing on topics such as the physical characteristics ...