Brainstorming significant words

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literature — Responding to Literature; Examining Literature

Provide whole class with a brainstorming activity focusing on the significant words from Grimsdon

Demonstrate how to create a character and setting using Wordle. Have students work in groups to develop their own Wordle.

Students will: List main characters and settings (for example, Grimsdon, the Palace, the Haggle, the Sea Serpent). In groups, students will create a word cloud using noun groups and adverbials to describe a character and a setting.

Exploring word choice and meanings

Australian Curriculum: English sub-strand: Literature — Responding to Literature; Examining Literature

Select interesting and less common words and ask students to find dictionary meanings, such as for haggle, palace, Griffin and raven. Discuss why Deborah Abela chose these precise word.

Have students reflect on word choice.

Students will: Record dictionary meanings of selected words in table format (three columns — Word, Dictionary meaning and Grimsdon meaning). Complete the table using the Grimsdon meaning of words.

Students will reflect on why Deborah Abela selected certain words to convey meaning and to create atmosphere and suspense.