Learning journal
Occasionally in class, in the last five minutes, reflect on what you learnt about belonging in the lesson. Consider:
· What you understand belonging to mean
· What you have learnt about belonging from the written and visual texts you studies in class and in your own time
· Personal positive and negative experiences that relate to belonging
· How studying belonging has changed your perspective of yourself and your world.
Belonging picture and writing file
· Compile pictures, drawings, cartoons, maps, even personal drawings in a scrap book that reflect ideas, themes, characters and the concept of belonging explored in texts studied in class.
· Compile quotes, extracts from writing, poems, even writing that you have created, that reflect ideas, themes, characters and the concept of belonging explored in texts studied in class.
· Use magazines, internet, newspapers, the library, etc to find resources.
· Under each visual and written text explain how the resource relates to the themes, ideas, characters and concept of belonging reflected in set texts studied in class.
· Create a cover for your book using visuals and written text.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Rainbow's End: Analytical Response Plan
Plan your ideas by:
- Reading Rainbow’s End and related texts (of your own choosing)
- Researching how meaning is created through textual features in each text.
For each question come up with:
- an introduction
- a conclusion
- at least six main topic sentences
- your main ideas in point form underneath each topic sentence
- key quotes that support your points.
HSC-style question
Despite an individual’s desire to belong to a group or community, this is not always possible.
How do the texts you have studied represent the processes and results of belonging and/or not belonging?
Introduction
Belonging to a community or group is complicated. Societies are made up of complex rules and codes of behaviour, determined by those in power, which the members of the society are expected to adhere to. However this is not always possible, especially when an individual’s values oppose those values of people in positions of power…
Conclusion
As individuals, we struggle against the oppression of others who insist we blindly follow expected ways of behaving and belonging. Making a decision to rebel against expected ways of being can have a significant emotional impact on an individual’s sense of self ...
First body paragraph
Topic sentence
‘Errol’s plan for Dolly’ scene represents how closely belonging in Rainbow’s End is linked to the strength of the family and the relationships within the families.
Main points
Errol misinterprets the meaning of a better life for Dolly
Dolly is horrified at the thought of leaving her family, her home
Errol’s awareness of the meaning of home
Key quotes
‘This is my place. I am staying right here with my mum and my Nan’
‘real home’
‘real stove’
‘where you belong, and your family, is important’
Body paragraphs
‘Errol’s plan for Dolly’ scene represents how closely belonging in Rainbow’s End is linked to the strength of the family and the relationships within the families. Errol thinks to take Dolly away from her family in order to give her a better life. He creates an ironic image of a small flat in the city with a sitting-room and a ‘real stove’. He says that although there would be no room for visitors to stay, it would be better than what she has now.
Activity
If you have studied ‘Rainbows End’, use the modelled response as a guide to write a plan for the next five body paragraphs.
On a separate piece of paper, write the paragraphs in full, using your notes.
Second body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Third body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Fourth body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Fifth body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Sixth body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
- Reading Rainbow’s End and related texts (of your own choosing)
- Researching how meaning is created through textual features in each text.
For each question come up with:
- an introduction
- a conclusion
- at least six main topic sentences
- your main ideas in point form underneath each topic sentence
- key quotes that support your points.
HSC-style question
Despite an individual’s desire to belong to a group or community, this is not always possible.
How do the texts you have studied represent the processes and results of belonging and/or not belonging?
Introduction
Belonging to a community or group is complicated. Societies are made up of complex rules and codes of behaviour, determined by those in power, which the members of the society are expected to adhere to. However this is not always possible, especially when an individual’s values oppose those values of people in positions of power…
Conclusion
As individuals, we struggle against the oppression of others who insist we blindly follow expected ways of behaving and belonging. Making a decision to rebel against expected ways of being can have a significant emotional impact on an individual’s sense of self ...
First body paragraph
Topic sentence
‘Errol’s plan for Dolly’ scene represents how closely belonging in Rainbow’s End is linked to the strength of the family and the relationships within the families.
Main points
Errol misinterprets the meaning of a better life for Dolly
Dolly is horrified at the thought of leaving her family, her home
Errol’s awareness of the meaning of home
Key quotes
‘This is my place. I am staying right here with my mum and my Nan’
‘real home’
‘real stove’
‘where you belong, and your family, is important’
Body paragraphs
‘Errol’s plan for Dolly’ scene represents how closely belonging in Rainbow’s End is linked to the strength of the family and the relationships within the families. Errol thinks to take Dolly away from her family in order to give her a better life. He creates an ironic image of a small flat in the city with a sitting-room and a ‘real stove’. He says that although there would be no room for visitors to stay, it would be better than what she has now.
Activity
If you have studied ‘Rainbows End’, use the modelled response as a guide to write a plan for the next five body paragraphs.
On a separate piece of paper, write the paragraphs in full, using your notes.
Second body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Third body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Fourth body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Fifth body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Sixth body paragraph
Topic sentence
Main points:
Key quotes:
Rainbow’s End: Key Scene Analysis
To gain a better understanding of how language and visual techniques work together to create meaning, it is a good idea to analyse a few key scenes from the text.
ActivityMake notes about a key scene in Rainbow’s End, taking into account:
• language or visual techniques
• examples of the techniques from the text
• analysis of how these examples relate to belonging.
Then write a full analysis of the scene and its techniques, and their relation to belonging.
Key scene: Errol’s plan for Dolly
Techniques and examples:
Ironic imagery of a small flat in the city
Symbolism of material possessions
Definite tone used by Dolly to reject Errol’s offer
Analysis:
Errol misinterprets the meaning of a better life for Dolly
Dolly is horrified at the thought of leaving her family, her home
Errol’s awareness of the meaning of home
Full analysis of how the techniques and examples represent belonging:
‘Errol’s plan for Dolly’ scene represents how closely belonging in Rainbow’s End is linked to the strength of the family and the relationships within the families. Errol thinks to take Dolly away from her family in order to give her a better life. He creates an ironic image of a small flat in the city with a sitting-room and a ‘real stove’. He says that although there would be no room for visitors to stay, it would be better than what she has now. Harrison symbolically uses these material possessions to show that Errol has misinterpreted what a ‘real home’ means. Dolly is horrified at the thought of leaving the river and her family. To her, a home is not defined by the objects in it, but by the people she loves and spends time with. She rejects his offer, saying in a definite tone that ‘This is my place. I am staying right here with my mum and my Nan’. Later, when Errol returns, he demonstrates his understanding of her family bond, saying, ‘where you belong, and your family, is important’.
• language or visual techniques
• examples of the techniques from the text
• analysis of how these examples relate to belonging.
Then write a full analysis of the scene and its techniques, and their relation to belonging.
Key scene: Errol’s plan for Dolly
Techniques and examples:
Ironic imagery of a small flat in the city
Symbolism of material possessions
Definite tone used by Dolly to reject Errol’s offer
Analysis:
Errol misinterprets the meaning of a better life for Dolly
Dolly is horrified at the thought of leaving her family, her home
Errol’s awareness of the meaning of home
Full analysis of how the techniques and examples represent belonging:
‘Errol’s plan for Dolly’ scene represents how closely belonging in Rainbow’s End is linked to the strength of the family and the relationships within the families. Errol thinks to take Dolly away from her family in order to give her a better life. He creates an ironic image of a small flat in the city with a sitting-room and a ‘real stove’. He says that although there would be no room for visitors to stay, it would be better than what she has now. Harrison symbolically uses these material possessions to show that Errol has misinterpreted what a ‘real home’ means. Dolly is horrified at the thought of leaving the river and her family. To her, a home is not defined by the objects in it, but by the people she loves and spends time with. She rejects his offer, saying in a definite tone that ‘This is my place. I am staying right here with my mum and my Nan’. Later, when Errol returns, he demonstrates his understanding of her family bond, saying, ‘where you belong, and your family, is important’.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Writing prose from images
Activity: (This should take about 15 minutes to complete)
Imagine the still images (on the right side of the blog) reflect the setting of a potential narrative about ‘belonging’ or ‘not belonging’. Write a descriptive paragraph for each image, developing the story by adding, characters, plot and conflict. You may like to use some of your creative writing pieces from the activities above.
OR
Developing plot using images
Activity
Plot refers to what happens in the story – the action. Things happen to various characters in particular settings. The following strategy will help you to see how the plot of a story can develop. By writing short pieces about a series of seemingly unrelated images, your plot will take shape. Perhaps the ideas you come up with could inspire you to develop the narrative further.
Collect 4 - 6 images that seem to be unrelated. The more unusual they appear, the better. For example images of a lamp, a sheep, a cockroach and a baseball cap do not seem to relate to one another. Under each image write a short piece (about 100 words) through freewriting inspired by that image. Although the images may not seem to relate, try to connect each image when you write by creating a story. Add mystery, conflict, drama to your story.
You can find images anywhere – on the internet, in magazines and newspapers, photographs – old and new. It’s up to you. Choose pictures that appeal to you.
Imagine the still images (on the right side of the blog) reflect the setting of a potential narrative about ‘belonging’ or ‘not belonging’. Write a descriptive paragraph for each image, developing the story by adding, characters, plot and conflict. You may like to use some of your creative writing pieces from the activities above.
OR
Developing plot using images
Activity
Plot refers to what happens in the story – the action. Things happen to various characters in particular settings. The following strategy will help you to see how the plot of a story can develop. By writing short pieces about a series of seemingly unrelated images, your plot will take shape. Perhaps the ideas you come up with could inspire you to develop the narrative further.
Collect 4 - 6 images that seem to be unrelated. The more unusual they appear, the better. For example images of a lamp, a sheep, a cockroach and a baseball cap do not seem to relate to one another. Under each image write a short piece (about 100 words) through freewriting inspired by that image. Although the images may not seem to relate, try to connect each image when you write by creating a story. Add mystery, conflict, drama to your story.
You can find images anywhere – on the internet, in magazines and newspapers, photographs – old and new. It’s up to you. Choose pictures that appeal to you.
Point of View in Writing
Activity: (This should take about 10 minutes each to complete)
In first person, write a description of a scene from your childhood where you felt a strong sense of belonging or not belonging. Write in the first person using the present tense. Add aspects to your description that may not have happened, for example the setting or people involved.
Extension:
a) Write the same paragraph, but from a different character’s point of view. Compare and contrast the effect of each paragraph.
b) Write the same paragraph, but in third person. Compare and contrast the effect of each paragraph.
Modelled response: First person -My point of view
I remember I cracked my chin open. Jees it hurt. We were at the local pools. My aunty took us there on the holidays when Mum and Dad were at work. My brother had decided to jump off the highest diving board in the complex. I was about 6 years of age so the board looked like a tower jutting out of the ice blue water below. I was frightened of the water on account of being pushed in a pool at my grandmas by my cousin. Consequently, I refused to learn to swim.
My brother was about 8 and his courage astounded me. I was baffled that he would even contemplate such a daring feat. My baffleness expressed itself in a jumping fit of nervousness at the edge of the pool. As my brother stood up on the end the board, presumably convincing himself that flying through the air was a good idea, I slipped. My chin caught itself in between the water and the edge of the pool.
My fall must have corresponded with my brother’s jump as I saw the heavy splash in front of my face and my brother bobbing up out of the water.
Modelled response: Third person - Brother's point of view
He remembered walking up the slippery steps of the diving boards. He had made this journey many a time, but this time he stopped at the half way mark. Usually he would exit here, take his position behind the jumpers in front of him and look up toward the giant board in the sky. There he saw older guys, flexing their muscles, warming up for their dive.
Today he decided to join the big guys, waiting his turn till he stood on the edge. He looked down at his aunt and sister. His silly sister was jumping around like a jack in a box, popping here and there. His aunt was sheltering her eyes with her arm. He looked from his family to his feet to the water below, all the while his body vibrated with fear. Breathing became difficult. Behind him men grumbled to hurry up. He was with the big boys now and the only way was down.
In first person, write a description of a scene from your childhood where you felt a strong sense of belonging or not belonging. Write in the first person using the present tense. Add aspects to your description that may not have happened, for example the setting or people involved.
Extension:
a) Write the same paragraph, but from a different character’s point of view. Compare and contrast the effect of each paragraph.
b) Write the same paragraph, but in third person. Compare and contrast the effect of each paragraph.
Modelled response: First person -My point of view
I remember I cracked my chin open. Jees it hurt. We were at the local pools. My aunty took us there on the holidays when Mum and Dad were at work. My brother had decided to jump off the highest diving board in the complex. I was about 6 years of age so the board looked like a tower jutting out of the ice blue water below. I was frightened of the water on account of being pushed in a pool at my grandmas by my cousin. Consequently, I refused to learn to swim.
My brother was about 8 and his courage astounded me. I was baffled that he would even contemplate such a daring feat. My baffleness expressed itself in a jumping fit of nervousness at the edge of the pool. As my brother stood up on the end the board, presumably convincing himself that flying through the air was a good idea, I slipped. My chin caught itself in between the water and the edge of the pool.
My fall must have corresponded with my brother’s jump as I saw the heavy splash in front of my face and my brother bobbing up out of the water.
Modelled response: Third person - Brother's point of view
He remembered walking up the slippery steps of the diving boards. He had made this journey many a time, but this time he stopped at the half way mark. Usually he would exit here, take his position behind the jumpers in front of him and look up toward the giant board in the sky. There he saw older guys, flexing their muscles, warming up for their dive.
Today he decided to join the big guys, waiting his turn till he stood on the edge. He looked down at his aunt and sister. His silly sister was jumping around like a jack in a box, popping here and there. His aunt was sheltering her eyes with her arm. He looked from his family to his feet to the water below, all the while his body vibrated with fear. Breathing became difficult. Behind him men grumbled to hurry up. He was with the big boys now and the only way was down.
Creative Writing: Characterisation
Character lost list
Activity: (This should take about 10 minutes to complete.)
Characters in stories are driven by a strong desire for something, just like people are in life. In stories the character goes on to achieve the desire or not. You may have noticed that in some of your freewrites that ‘you’ either did or did not achieve what you wanted.
A lost list of your character’s life is a good way to think about what has been important to your character. The reader wonders if the character will end up ‘finding’ those lost things. Or perhaps your character finds something valuable expectedly because of the search for the ‘lost things’. Why they are valuable and how the character came across them is interesting to readers as we gain insight into qualities of the character. The readers can connect with your character because they can appreciate his/her motivations and behaviour.
Write a list of things you have lost that were valuable to you. Freewrite about all of those things on your list.
Modelled response
My favourite t-shirt: I think my mum threw it out. It had a mighty big hole in the bottom of it. It was winter and I’d snuck the heater into my room, despite warnings from my mother against it. When I lent down to pick up something from the floor, the edge of it got caught in the spokes. I flapped about in a fright. I wasn’t concerned for my safety, but devastated that the flame was simmering the green fleece into black charcoal. A tried to cover up my deceit by sewing a leather patch over the hole that remained. Nobody was fooled, least of all my mother.
Activity: (This should take about 10 minutes to complete.)
Characters in stories are driven by a strong desire for something, just like people are in life. In stories the character goes on to achieve the desire or not. You may have noticed that in some of your freewrites that ‘you’ either did or did not achieve what you wanted.
A lost list of your character’s life is a good way to think about what has been important to your character. The reader wonders if the character will end up ‘finding’ those lost things. Or perhaps your character finds something valuable expectedly because of the search for the ‘lost things’. Why they are valuable and how the character came across them is interesting to readers as we gain insight into qualities of the character. The readers can connect with your character because they can appreciate his/her motivations and behaviour.
Write a list of things you have lost that were valuable to you. Freewrite about all of those things on your list.
Modelled response
My favourite t-shirt: I think my mum threw it out. It had a mighty big hole in the bottom of it. It was winter and I’d snuck the heater into my room, despite warnings from my mother against it. When I lent down to pick up something from the floor, the edge of it got caught in the spokes. I flapped about in a fright. I wasn’t concerned for my safety, but devastated that the flame was simmering the green fleece into black charcoal. A tried to cover up my deceit by sewing a leather patch over the hole that remained. Nobody was fooled, least of all my mother.
Characters in Your Life
Activity: (This should take about 10 minutes to complete)
Write a list of the most influential people in your life. They could be your family, friends, community members or school teachers.
Imagine that person. Think about a time that symbolises what that person means to you.
Draw/ sketch/doodle/write notes about that person. Whatever you do, allow the memory of them to come into your mind.
When you are ready, write about that person and the memory of them that comes to mind.
Modelled response
My grandfather sat on the verandah, watching over his hoard of grandchildren who descended on his quiet lawn every summer. For years he had watched us with that half smile, frown that I had inherited from him.
The call had been made by my boisterous cousin, the one who with the wicked temper chased my brother up the street the day before for telling him he could not ride a bike to save himself. All the kids chased after the two of them, my brother being too quick, thankfully, avoiding another almighty display of roguery on the quiet suburban streets.
The call echoed through the house. I dropped my toast on the table, beside the plate, and raced to the front lawn to be the first on one of the two bikes. To the lake, the chanting grew as the momentum for the adventure sunk in. I roughly picked up the handle bars and while in motion, jumped onto the seat. I rode low on account of the youngest cousin being the last to use it. My knees pushed up beside my torso as I struggled to move past the letter box at the end of the concrete driveway.
I zig zagged my way out of the street across the neighbour’s front lawn, turning back to see my cousins flying out the front door, jumping over the verandah, crashing into the small garden my grandmother tended meticulously.
My grandfather laughed, elated by the excitement. My grandmother stood half way in between the creaky screen door, with a tea towel in one hand, calling out to leave her precious garden alone. More grandchildren rushed passed her following the same route as the last.
I out in front, peddled madly, turning constantly to ensure they had not made enough ground to catch up to me. I knew the drill, first to be immersed in the lake was the winner and everyone else was a rotten egg. Having been a rotten egg many times before, this was my chance.
By this stage I was out on my own, not a relative in sight. I arrived at the foot of the lake, swung the bike from under me, ripped of my smock and dived into the water.
When I came to, in front of me was a black swan, bobbing up and down in the water like a buoy, disturbed by my sudden entry into the water. Its rounded body glossed in the sunlight, an oily black of beauty and serenity. Above the mound of its belly a tiny patch of red baked in the sunlight.
Write a list of the most influential people in your life. They could be your family, friends, community members or school teachers.
Imagine that person. Think about a time that symbolises what that person means to you.
Draw/ sketch/doodle/write notes about that person. Whatever you do, allow the memory of them to come into your mind.
When you are ready, write about that person and the memory of them that comes to mind.
Modelled response
My grandfather sat on the verandah, watching over his hoard of grandchildren who descended on his quiet lawn every summer. For years he had watched us with that half smile, frown that I had inherited from him.
The call had been made by my boisterous cousin, the one who with the wicked temper chased my brother up the street the day before for telling him he could not ride a bike to save himself. All the kids chased after the two of them, my brother being too quick, thankfully, avoiding another almighty display of roguery on the quiet suburban streets.
The call echoed through the house. I dropped my toast on the table, beside the plate, and raced to the front lawn to be the first on one of the two bikes. To the lake, the chanting grew as the momentum for the adventure sunk in. I roughly picked up the handle bars and while in motion, jumped onto the seat. I rode low on account of the youngest cousin being the last to use it. My knees pushed up beside my torso as I struggled to move past the letter box at the end of the concrete driveway.
I zig zagged my way out of the street across the neighbour’s front lawn, turning back to see my cousins flying out the front door, jumping over the verandah, crashing into the small garden my grandmother tended meticulously.
My grandfather laughed, elated by the excitement. My grandmother stood half way in between the creaky screen door, with a tea towel in one hand, calling out to leave her precious garden alone. More grandchildren rushed passed her following the same route as the last.
I out in front, peddled madly, turning constantly to ensure they had not made enough ground to catch up to me. I knew the drill, first to be immersed in the lake was the winner and everyone else was a rotten egg. Having been a rotten egg many times before, this was my chance.
By this stage I was out on my own, not a relative in sight. I arrived at the foot of the lake, swung the bike from under me, ripped of my smock and dived into the water.
When I came to, in front of me was a black swan, bobbing up and down in the water like a buoy, disturbed by my sudden entry into the water. Its rounded body glossed in the sunlight, an oily black of beauty and serenity. Above the mound of its belly a tiny patch of red baked in the sunlight.
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