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As you watch this video, consider:

• What are the benefits of using Coloured Cards?

• What challenges do you foresee in your own RC classroom?

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▪What connections can we draw between the non-fiction texts and the book? (Refer to the respective session plans to read more about the thematic focus.)

▪What do the non-fiction texts offer that the book does not?

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• What do you think is the 'Power of Words' in Frindle?

• What makes the 'Power of Words' an important theme of the novel Frindle?

Please make a new INDIVIDUAL post. Do not forget to put in your name and group number. See sample post below.

• My reflections on "Power of Words" would be....

• I think the "Power of Words" is an important theme in the novel because...

1. As a group, consider what Judy Morgan wrote in her article from the point of view of your assigned character (see below for which character you are assigned).

2. As your assigned character, how does what Judy Morgan make you feel / react?

3. Pick out at least two words or phrases from Judy Morgan's article which made you feel / react that way. Explain why those words or phrases had that effect on you.

Assigned Characters:

Groups 1-2: Mrs Chatham (the Principal)

Groups 3: Mrs Allen (Nick's Mother)

Groups 4: Nick's Classmates

Groups 5: A member of the general public in Westfield

Access to this will be removed by 19 Jan 2025.

• Context: Participants have completed the task in their groups, and they are now constructing one as a class

• The facilitator selectively noted examples she knew, rather than every example

The facilitation featured in this series of videos comes after a small group-level discussion on the mass detention event in Chapter 8 (Activity 3.1 in the Module Guide)

As you watch this set of videos, consider:

• What are the benefits of using the Circle of Viewpoints?

• How might you use questioning techniques to challenge students to engage more deeply with the text?

Creativity/Innovation vs Conformity/Institution

• Nick is a creative

• Mrs Granger adheres to the "law"

• Nick rebels against the restrictions/rules set by Mrs Granger

• Nick challenges the norms

• Mrs Granger may find change uncomfortable since she has a reputation as an upholder of "laws"

The power of language - who decides what words mean?

Different perspectives from different generation - innovation and challenging established norms.

• Nick wants to challenge how language works and explore the power of words.

• Mrs Granger wants to uphold structure, tradition, and respect for established language.

• Nick's influence on his classmates may play a part.

Conflict 2: power struggle between the young and the experienced. They both want to win the battle!

Conflict 3: societal norms vs a refreshing perspective. Do we conform to the existing rules (dictionary says this!), or can we challenge the norms and build upon it? After all, someone created the word in the first place - why can't we create a new word too?

1. Convention and creativity. Mrs Granger sticking to the book vs Nick trying out new things; bending rules, pushing boundaries.

2. Power and Influence: Mrs Granger is a person of authority. By virtue of the fact that she is a teacher, she has the power of the class. Equally, Nick is also a strong character and has great influence. Is his influence greater than that of his teachers?

3. Order and Chaos: Parents were supportive of Nick (acceptance of the chaos), yet very careful about the repercussions that would happen down the road depending on what he said at interviews and how they presented themselves to the Principal etc. (wanting to keep order in the public sphere)

On first glance, it seems that words are this powerful tools used by humans and is created by hundreds of smart people years ago.

However, we then see a shift in the power where words used can be changed relatively easily, in the case of Frindle where it eventually got added into the dictionary because of the number of people using the word.

I think it is an important theme because it is the reality where new words are created by different generations e.g. "woke", "rizz", "delulu".

It is an important theme as we can relate to how things can go viral these days such as the Italian Brainrots... This Frindle is an example of how the word went viral during the 1990s.

2. The power of words is a key theme because it captures the central conflict and underlying message of the novel. Nick’s journey demonstrates how a single idea can spark significant change.

How is the pen mightier than the sword?

A pen that produces words can do good and it can also cause damage.

In the context of the book -

Good - invent new words to add to the dictionary, enabling people to use them to express themselves in ways not available before

Bad - Hidden meanings depending on how words are used and what context they are being interpreted in

I think it is an important theme as we can see how the conflict between Nick and Mrs Granger escalated over just a simple word. The complications that arose came about because they both have different interpretations of how words can come about and be used by society. We also saw a battle of wits between them as they both tried many times to fight their battle through words.

• This shows that once people gave frindle meaning, no one could stop it. Mrs Granger could not stop it.

• The word had power because people believed in it.

I think it is an important theme because the conflict between Nick and Mrs Granger brings to my mind the idea of modernisation vs traditional authority. It makes me think about who truly controls what goes into the dictionary?

I think that it is an important theme because it represents linguistic innovation and creativity. It also transforms the relationship between Nick and Mrs G; from conflict to mutual respect and understanding.

In Frindle, the word created by Nick brought out the theme of Consistency vs Change and how words can influence society.

I think it is an important theme in the novel because it was what created tension and conflict in the story, but through that, mutual understanding and respect, as well as growth in the characters.

Words can convey thoughts and feelings. They affect the reader and evoke emotions and responses.

How are words significant?

They give form to thoughts and allow people to communicate their feelings and what is on their minds. They preserve culture and heritage.

How was this demonstrated in Frindle?

The story was based on the 'battle' for a word to be recognized and used.