Predicting genre

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literacy – interacting with others

Read the book blurb. Asks students which narrative genre they think Grimsdon might be — adventure, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, historical? Discuss language used that assisted students to determine genre.

Ask students to predict what might happen in the novel.

View the Grimsdon book trailer and lead discussion on the elements presented in the clip.

Students will: Predict which genre they think Grimsdon might belong. Make predictions about the story line Question, reflect and refine their predictions.

Families

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand; Literacy – interacting with others

Lead discussion on different types of family structures- are they the same? What roles does each family member have?

Students will: Contribute to discussion, listening to responses of others.

Flying machines

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literacy – Interpreting, analysing and evaluating

Ask students to consider what a ‘sneaker wave’ might be and what might cause one.

Reread the blurb and re-examine the cover, focusing on the flying machines. Using an interactive whiteboard, conduct a web search for da Vinci’s ‘Flying machine' and other flying machines.

Pose questions, ‘What adventures could you have in your flying machine?’ What extra equipment,such as a catapult, could assist your adventure?

Compare students’ work, provide feedback, focusing on creative suggestions.

Students will: Draw their own imaginary flying machine with their own special features. Caption the features and share in small groups. Record three examples of what adventures they could have in their flying machine. Add additional features to a machine.