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STAGES 2 & 3

UARL FOCUS POINTS

A unique narrative written in graphic novel format, this text combines themes of adventure, family and dealing with grief while showcasing key locations around Australia. It provides teachers with an example of when elements in literature do not follow the form and function of a single genre.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

This book includes two journeys - can anyone describe them? (physical, travelling around Australia, the other metaphorical, self-discovery and personal growth of the characters of Daisy and Dad).

What does the graphic novel format do for the reader?

What aspect of the text helps us understand what is happening for the characters (speech bubbles)?

Which genres could this book be categorised as?

Focus on the graphic novel and comic strip conventions used in Dirt by sea. Note the use of frames to separate sections of the visual-verbal text and create reading paths. Discuss the way the location of speech bubbles also indicates the reading path. Highlight the different ways sound is represented, the types of speech bubbles that represent speech between two characters versus speech from a radio or television on pg. 1 and the way onomatopoeia has no frame/bubble on pgs. 3 & 4.

BLURB:

Daisy lives in inland Australia with her dad and her grandparents, loving the red dirt land around her. But when her dad realises she's never seen the beach, they set off on a trip you won't want to miss.

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STAGE: 2 & 3

UARL FOCUS POINTS

This text is clearly a blended genre, presenting many ideas that could be focused on alone or together. Oliver Jeffers mixes narrative and informative texts via space travel and the history of wars for land, all during a family car trip. It is a powerful text to explore genre.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

What type of text is this?

Would you consider this text more narrative or informative?

BLURB:

A father takes his two children on a thrilling out-of-this-world adventure into space and invites them to look back at Earth and the conflicts that have taken place since the beginning of time. This becomes a brief history of the world and a whistle-stop guide to the universe, all rolled into one – and told with Oliver Jeffers's inimitable perspective, wit and exquisite artwork.

Meanwhile Back on Earth gives a unique look at life on Earth with a cosmic perspective – and an enduring message that what binds us together matters more than what sets us apart. A timely story for families everywhere.

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STAGE: 2 & 3

UARL FOCUS POINTS

Yahoo Creek lends itself to discussion around genre. This text could be labeled a 'blended genre', presenting a 'mystery' based on 'informative texts' (newspaper articles).

DISCUSSION POINTS:

How do the newspaper articles create questions around the genre of this text?

BLURB:

While the title clearly states 'mystery', the book is constructed entirely of extracts from early newspaper reports – drawing on an archive compiled by the author of over seventy unique articles from early newspapers – juxtaposed with the words of Aboriginal Elder Peter Williams, who shared knowledge on the subject with the author, and his point of view on the colonial encounters.

Throughout the first century or so of Australian settlement by Europeans, the pages of colonial newspapers were haunted by reports of a bewildering phenomenon: the mysterious yahoo or hairy man...But what was it?

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EN2-UARL-01

Identify different text genres when a text is characterised by more than a single genre.

Understand that genre refers to texts that are grouped according to purpose, subject matter, form, structure and language choices, and that a type of text can differ in mode and medium.

EN3-UARL-02

Examine & experiment with elements in literature that do not follow the form and function of a single genre.

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EN2-UARL-01

Understand that genre refers to texts that are grouped together according to purpose, subject matter, form, structure & language choices and that a type of text can differ in mode and medium: Graphic Novel genre-style & narrative

EN3-UARL-02

Explain how genre can be recognised by established codes and conventions that govern content and construction of literature, and apply this knowledge when creating texts

Examine and experiment with elements in literature that do not follow the form and function of a single genre.

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HSIE: Geography

GE2-1: Features and characteristics of places.

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EN2-UARL-01

Identify different text genres when a text is characterised by more than a single genre.

EN3-UARL-02

Explain how genre can be recognised by established codes and conventions that govern content and construction of literature, and apply this knowledge when creating texts

Examine and experiment with elements in literature that do not follow the form and function of a single genre.

Theme, characterisation & perspective are other strong textual concepts in this text.

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STAGE 2 & 3

UARL FOCUS POINTS

This books presents a narrative non fiction, which will give teachers an example of elements in literature that do not follow the form and function of a single genre. Narrative non fiction is a common genre mix, aimed at engaging the reader in learning information. A great example to look at narrative structure and information structure simulatenously.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

What is a hybrid text? Does this text meet that definition?

Is this text more narrative than informative?

What elements could the author include to make it look more informative/non fiction?

BLURB:

In the summertime, Grandpa and I go cicada-watching. We put our camping gear into my wagon and walk down to the local reserve. Last year we saw five Green Grocers, three Yellow Mondays and one Floury Baker. Can we find the rare Black Prince this year? This heartwarming nonfiction picture book is written by award-winning author Lesley Gibbes and gorgeously illustrated by Judy Watson.
Book Features:

This first picture book bringing together award winners Lesley Gibbes and Judy Watson showcases the wonder and beauty of cicadas as well as highlighting the common pastime of cicada-watching.

Told in a charming voice, this picture book portrays the wonderful relationship between child and grandparent.

Full of fun and interesting facts about cicadas – perfect for nature lovers and budding wildlife scientists.

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EN2-UARL-01

Identify different text genres when a text is characterised by more than a single genre.

EN3-UARL-02

Examine and experiment with elements in literature that do not follow the form and function of a single genre.

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STAGE: 2 & 3

UARL FOCUS POINTS

This book provides teachers with parallel texts of narrative and factual information, and can prompt discussion around how genre can be recognised by established codes and conventions that govern content and construction of literature.

DISCUSSION POINTS:

What is the genre of this text? Why is it difficult to name one genre?

What are the two voices in the book? (narrative & scientific/informative).

Why has the author chosen to use two voices in this book? (the literary voice that describes what happens in a way that engages our emotions, and makes us feel full of wonder; and the scientific voice that explains in a very factual no nonsense way what is happening during each season).

Read different passages, mixing between scientific and liteary narrative and have children identify language used that show which voice they are hearing, eg ( passages that describe things and actions very precisely, or a passage that build imagery).

BLURB:

In the tropical wetlands and escarpments of Kakadu National Park, the seasons move from dry to wet to dry again. Those seasons have shaped the astonishing variety of plants, animals, birds, insects ... migratory birds by the thousands, grasshoppers and owls, lizards and turtles, fruit bats and spear grass. And, gliding past them all in the rivers and waterholes, the long, sinuous shapes of crocodiles ...

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EN2-UARL-01

Identify different text genres when a text is characterised by more than a single genre.

EN3-UARL-02

Explain how genre can be recognised by established codes and conventions that govern content and construction of literature, and apply this knowledge when creating texts

Examine and experiment with elements in literature that do not follow the form and function of a single genre.

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HSIE

Science - weather

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STAGE: 2

Dual narrative ...