Tag Archives: australian curriculum

A few books about families

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Just the way we are by Jessica Shirvington and Claire Robertson

Reading this story with your child will help them to know that families come in all different shapes and sizes and because of that we are all shaped in different ways in how we look, feel and act.


The family hour by Tai Snaith

The family hour by Tai Snaith explores how different Australian animals spend time together – frog dads sing, seadragon dads carry their babies in their pouch, echidna mothers feed their babies pink milk and Tasmanian devil families love to be noisy! 

As we read through this book we had a laugh at some of the  family antics, a hint of jealousy at some and a feeling of wonder with others. The animal world is so intricate and it is wonderful to read books like this one to make these facts much more fun for children.


The patchwork bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Van T Rudd

The Patchwork Bike by Maxine Beneba Clarke and Van T Rudd is a fun book filled with onomatopoeia, vibrant adjectives and outside active play.

As you read through this story the energy seeps out of the pages as the children tumble through the streets, run up and down hills and zoom along on their homemade bike.

Family forest by Kim Kane and Lucia Masciullo

The modern family comes in all shapes and sizes, with half-sisters, big brothers and step-parents. Some kids have a family tree, and others have a family forest! Created by the award-winning author Kim Kane and celebrated illustrator Lucia Masciullo, half-sisters, this gentle and witty picture book explores one such gorgeous family.

Erik the Lone Wolf by Sarah Finan

Everybody knows that wolves live in packs. But one little wolf cub dreams of setting off on his own adventure… all by himself! Will life as a lone wolf be everything he hoped, or will he miss the rough and tumble of the pack? This fun adventure story featuring a cute wolf cub teaches young readers about the value of friendship, showing how good friends can still be with you, even when they’re not!


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    Imaginative Texts – Books that take you to other worlds

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    Here is a list of some great books that can take your class to another world and inspire some great imaginative writing.

    Beware the Deep dark forest by Sue Whiting

    Errol by Zanni Louise & Phillip Bunting

    ‘Errol. Errol. Errol! Come this very minute!’ calls Errol’s mum. But does Errol listen? Not very likely. Errol has much better things to do!

    ERROL is illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal nominee Philip Bunting, and published by Scholastic in Australia, UK and Asia.


    Let’s escape by Mike Dumbleton and Kim Gamble

    Let’s escape by Mike Dumbleton is an adventure story that takes place within different storybook lands and times.

    The young boy creeps through a forest, rides a wild horse and shotos past giants – all in his pyjamas!


    The boy on the Page by Peter Carnavas

    One quiet morning, a small boy lands on the page.  As a world begins to grow around him, he finds himself doing all sorts of things.  He rolls down a hill.  He catches a shiny, silver fish.  He climbs a mountain, falls in love and builds a house.

    But one question troubles him…

    Why is he here?


    The Tunnel by Anthony Browne

    Anthony Browne is at his most brilliant in a new edition of this profound picture book about sibling relations.Once upon a time there lived a brother and sister who were complete opposites and constantly fought and argued. One day they discovered the tunnel. The boy goes through it at once, dismissing his sister’s fears. When he doesn’t return his sister has to pluck up the courage to go through the tunnel too. She finds her brother in a mysterious forest where he has been turned to stone…


    Castles by Allan Baillie

    One day a Princess came to the beach. She built a castle.

    But it wasn’t long before a rotten irate arrived. . .

    A day at the beach becomes a wonderful adventure in this picture book by Allan Baillie, the acclaimed author of Drac and the Gremlin. With stunning illustrations by Caroline Margerl, this magical story celebrates play and the imagination.

    http://t.dgm-au.com/c/357229/69171/1880



    The Dog runner by Bren MacDibble

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    “When the world turns upside down, the ones that survive are the first ones who learn to walk on their heads.”


    The Dog Runner , written by Bren MacDibble is a  poignant Middle grade fiction book that allows readers to delve into a world where food is scarce and the world population is suffering.

    We meet Ella, the quiet city girl who has lost her mother and hasn’t seen her for 8 months.  She borrows books from her neighbour by sliding them under his door and she remembers life before people started to become dangerous.  Her father and brother live with her and each day, although comforting to still have some of her family, is an act of survival.

    Until her Dad doesn’t return home.

    Ella and her brother Emery need to find not only their Dad but also Ella’s mum and Emery’s home out in the Mallee scrub. If they can find this place not only will they find his family but they will be able to live off the land and not have  to live off canned sardines and old books.

    But to get there they need to pass people who will stop at nothing and land that has little water or shade. Ella and Emery shouldn’t have to take a dangerous journey like this – but they must.

    But that’s when Maroochy, Wolf, Bear, Oyster and Squid come in –  A pack of dogs who are strong enough to pull a sled across the barren land. The adventure starts when they take off from the city and it is non stop suspense as they bump and race over the land.

    The Dog Runner highlights the importance of the danger of relying too heavily on the use of pesticides on farmed land, large corporations who focus on one type of grain and thinking we can constantly kill our soil and hope that it continues to give us more food.

    In this world that Bren MacDibble creates, a fungus has killed all crops around the world and it is only the genius of Emery’s grandpa that gives Emery and Ella hope that the world will again be fed and hopefully more aware.

    Indigenous farming methods are the best suited farming methods for Australia and it is about time that we started to take more notice of how they looked after the land and always had diversity in what they grew. Many crops in Australia are not suited to the climate and the soil has been mistreated so poorly that the reliance on pesticides is increasing.

    This book sends a message to us all – re learn your Australian history and trust the methods and the crops that the first Australians grew. Stop relying on multinational companies and start looking towards smaller scale farms that take time to look after soils and produce.

    Tales from the inner city by Shaun Tan

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    We took the orca from the sea and put it in the sky. It was just so beautiful up there, so inspiring. But the calls of the mother never stopped.

    Every story in this compilation will make you think about the world we live in and the relationships we have with animals.

    You will come across animals we have forgotten, places that once were and never will be again, animals that live within our urban environments and others that want to live with us. You meet animals with agendas  – and will come away from each story wondering how much you really know about the animals that are part of this world.

    Each story is accompanied with an illustration which adds more depth. Each story is filled with ideas rather than character or plot development but leaves you wondering – how did we get here?

    These stories and poems can just be read for pure enjoyment and reflection but they can also be pondered upon – with the question – Is this really it?

    This book is for older readers to enjoy and think about how animals can save us, and how our lives are forever entwined, for better or for worse.

    So what can be done in the classroom?

    Animals & Sustainability

    Look at the table of contents and explore the way this has been created. Research how humans have and do interact between the animals and themselves. Draw similarities between the animal and human.

    Compare and contrast the living habitats of animals who dwell in urban and rural areas. Are there benefits to either way of living

    Explore the collective nouns for each of these animals.

    Literacy

    Explore flash fiction / microstory about a chosen animal after reading one in Tan’s novel (crocodile, butterfly, snails, shark, cat sheep, hippos, orca)  

    Explore the famous short story by Ernest Hemingway

    Why is this a good story?

    Explore how picture books can tell a story in less than 500 words.

    What do they need? What don’t they need?

    Flash fiction does not have images – or perhaps only one – so you will need to tell more but still not as much as a short story.

    Under the southern Cross by Frane Lessac.

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    Take a fact tastic tour on Frane Lessac’s most recent picture book – Under the southern cross and discover many intriguing facts about Australia that perhaps you never knew.


    Such as

    • A golden staircase rises from the sea over Broome with every full moon.
    • Ribbons of rainbows hover over Tasmania at certain times of the year
    • Cape Tribulation is home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world
    • The southern cross is used not only for navigation but to help with seasons and of course storytelling.

    Each page is filled with simple facts but overarching this is the double page lllustration highlighting the beauty and wonder of the particular place in Australia.

    Details abound and so much can be gained from just looking at the illustrations before reading the facts.

    Under the Southern Cross is a great book to use in the classroom to show how we can learn about what really makes each place around Australia unique. We often get caught up in the basic facts and landmarks – this book will inspire your students to look further into each individual place and see what really makes it different.

    What can you do with this book?

    Geography

    Plot each place on the map of Australia then compare at least two of them to discover the similarities and differences.

    Why have these places been chosen to be in this book? Find another place or two that you think should be included in the book for their uniqueness.

    Literacy

    Write a short piece – similar to how each place is introduced in the book to introduce a place of your choice.

    STEM

    Explore other constellations that are important in the Southern Hemisphere.

    Locate these in the night sky and find out if there are any Indigenous stories that accompany them.

    Teacher notes:

    https://www.franelessac.com/wp-content/uploads/Under-the-Southern-Cross-Classroom-Ideas.pdf

    The day we built the bridge by Samantha Tidy and Fiona Burrows

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    The first thing that you will notice in this picture book are the end pages, adorned with Australian native flowers – Gum blossoms, Wattle and Geraldton Wax flowers.

    The day we built the bridge by Samantha Tidy and Fiona Burrows is a beautifully illustrated picture book that allows younger readers to explore this important timeline of Australian history.

    Fitting in perfectly with any Australian history lesson, this book has a key focus around Sydney’s need for the harbour bridge. We see the journey from the bridges inception in the 1890’s until the day it was finished and celebrated in 1932.


    As a key icon of Australia, many of us may not know how much thought and how much time it took for this bridge to be built. It is something we see all time time in either our passing over it or viewing it on commercials about Australia. It’s connection is not only that of two land masses but also of a community that wanted more.

    The pictures in this book tell just as much of a story as the words do, and together they create a magical book that takes you back in time to a place that Sydney was.

    The day we built the bridge is an excellent way for children to see the time it took for the bridge to be built and the other things that were going on whilst this all was happening. It allows them to see what children did, how families worked together and the day to day life of Australians through the war and times where money was scarce.

    Stunning illustrations and poignant words will bring you back to this book again and again. It is one to share in the classroom and at home.

    So what else can you do with this book?

    History

    Write down different words that you associate with commemorative events in Australia. Why is the building of the bridge so important? Are there other events just as important? Can we rank these events?

    Use trove.nla.gov.au to explore images and newspaper articles from this time in Sydney and make comparisons to bg events of today.

    Research how bridges were made then and how they are made now – are there any differences?

    Create a timeline in your own space of the events that took place in the lead up to the bridge being created. What else can you add?

    If the bridge was a different design, how might Sydney look or feel?

    https://t.dgm-au.com/c/357229/137028/2741

    Captain Jimmy Cook discovers third grade by Kate and Jol Temple

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    Mum said she was looking forward to hearing about it, but we were having Kale for dinner and she had to get things ready. So this is a little tip for anyone who ever hears those words: Kale is not a person.

    Written in log format (diaries are for girls) children will enjoy the discoveries young Jimmy makes at home and at school.

    Jimmy (or captain Jimmy Cook we he likes to be called) is a young explorer determined to make a new discovery just like his predecessor Captain Jame Cook.

    He has to keep a log for his school project and takes it very seriously detailing any new discovery and plan to make his way to Hawaii.

    Jimmy shows determination in collecting as many stamps from the ‘Wheat blocks’ packs to win the prize that will take him to Hawaii. He is sure he will be one of the first to discover its uncharted lands and weird new animals. But will his enemy Alice Toolie beat him to it?

    Young kids will love this ( and their adults will too!)

    Onto Jimmy’s next adventure when we get back to the library!

    The Squid, the Vibrio and the Moon by Ailsa Wild, Aviva Reed, Briony Barr, Gregory Crocetti and Linda Blackall.

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    The squid sucks in water and the current whooshes Ali and Mai closer and closer

    Meet Ali and Mai , Vibrio fischeri Bacterium, who live inside Sepio – a Bobtail Squid. These three creatures need each other and live in ‘Symbiosis’, helping each other to grow and survive.

    This story has been broken up into three sections – the first explores the life cycle of Ali and Mai and their need to find a safe place inside Sepio’s body where they can not only survive but provide the Squid with something precious too – light!

    The second part of this book explores why Sepio needs the light organ to light up inside of this body as without it he will not be able to hide from hungry predators!

    The third section of this book if full of facts about each character in the story, what symbiosis is and how bacteria create light. The fantastic thing about this section is that the facts are written for children yet done in a way that even younger children can draw some meaning from the pictures.

    The Squid, the Vibrio and the Moon is another well written book published by CSIRO that gives all readers the opportunity to learn more about topics that may be otherwise too difficult to understand.

    Giving the helpful bacteria (Ali, Mai), protozoa (perhaps too scary for a name), Spirillum (Spiri) and Haemocyte’s (I am the guardian Haemocyte) names , make the existence of these microscopic creatures real to younger children. When something can’t be seen (even for adults) it’s hard to know it even exists. BUT with names and personalities given to these life forms, you can talk about them in much more depth and explore what they do with more interest.

    All children who I have read this book to have enjoyed it for a myriad of reasons – some enjoy the facts section at the back, others enjoy the story, some enjoy the sketches of the different sea creatures and of course many enjoy the whole book!

    It is a book that can be used as a springboard into both Science and English lessons in the classroom. Mathematic skills could also be drawn upon with the comparisons of different sizes of each character.

    Teacher notes can be accessed here: https://www.publish.csiro.au/book/7852/#forteachers

    Free Delivery on all Calendars at the Book Depository

    Yours troolie, Alice Toolie by Kate and Jol Temple

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    We’ve had a lot of laughs whilst reading ‘Yours troolie, Alice Toolie ’ by @katejoltemple

    You don’t need to have met either character before to enjoy the conversation between two classmates who have been made to write letters to each other because of a huge fight they had.

    Letter writing between two enemies could not get any better!

    The format of this story is fun – the font, the doodles on each letter entry and the honesty of how kids really see the world.

    Letter writing may even make a comeback….you never know.

    A great book to read and an even better book to use in the classroom to instigate some fun letter writing!

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    What can you do with this book?

    • Write some letters between classmates or friends. You can use the post and integrate learning about the Australian postal system or just post the letters in a made up box in the classroom.
    • Investigate the best way to capture and store a ghost. Compare this to the method Alice and Jimmy used. Which way is better?
    • Learn about where and why emoji’s were invented. Create some that you think may be needed in the future.
    • What is eco glitter? Create a list of all the things you love using that are not so eco-friendly. Are their alternative products out there that will not harm the environment?
    • Do you think another letter writing book could come out of this one? Write down some future ideas for Alice and Jimmy if there was to be a second book (it may not be letter writing – could it be something else?)

    War is over by David Almond, illustrated by David Litchfield.

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    Dear Jan, I am a boy like you. I am not at war with you. You are, not at war with me. Your friend, Jan. 

    It’s 1918 in England and the war is raging. John is a young boy who lives with his mother – who works in the biggest ammunition factory in the world, and wonders about his father who he can’t remember all that well, who is away fighting in the trenches in France.

    John knows in his heart that war is wrong but nearly all the adults around him tell him that he must engage in the fighting by disliking anything about the enemy.

    They tell him that this war could go on forever.

    He writes to the King of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury asking for them to tell him when it will be over.

    No answer.

    The concept of forever is enormous for anyone let alone a young child. In 1918 ‘forever’ would have felt never ending as communication was so much slower and children were very sheltered from what they could and could not hear.

    Jan cares for his mother who doesn’t know why she is at war. He wonders why no one stands up and cares about the foreverness of the situation.

    He becomes friends with a man who everyone else thinks is crazy – but all Uncle Gordon wants to do is to help people to realise that not every German person is evil.

    He meets a young German boy in the forest and tells him that he is not at war with him.

    Jan is strong and determined yet shows the weaknesses of any young child. He shows that if we can see the world through eyes of understanding that perhaps these wars could never happen again – if we just see each other as equal.

    The simple black and white illustrations allow younger readers to understand more about the concepts of war, love, loss and government in this book. The illustrations also show both the stark reality of war – the loneliness and desolation – and the peacefulness of the world when war is over.

    War is over by David Almond, illustrated by David Litchfield is a book for children over the age of ten to read as the concept of war, although told in story form is still heavy and saddening. We need children to be aware of what happened but we also need to be able to discuss the different viewpoints.

    This book would also be an excellent book to read aloud in the classroom. It would ignite many conversations and debates and possible plans for the future.

    War is over by David Almond, illustrated by David Litchfield.

    Buy here today:

    War is Over

    Lesson ideas here: https://www.hachetteschools.co.uk/blog/2018/11/04/the-big-topic-wwi-and-wwii/

    Another book about bears by Laura and Philip Bunting

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    Sick of books about bears?

    Is your library shelf piling up with bears eating honey? Bears going on walks or bears getting cranky?

    Then you’ll love this book!

    Teachers who are looking into traditional or fractures fairytales will love this book as a great springboard to encourage creativity and problem solving when it comes to bears.

    Can you imagine if the three bears weren’t in the Goldilocks story? Would Goldilocks still eat porridge? Would the setting still be in the woods? Would there still be bears and beds and a scary ending?

    Children will love listening to the fourth wall being broken (another great lesson springboard) and wonder why bears are often chosen as a lead role.

    So what did we do in our classroom with Kindergarten?

    Children chose to either draw a story without bears ( goldilocks and the three lemurs) or draw things bears do in stories that they don’t normally do (another great lesson about anthropomorphism!!!)

    You’ll love this book – story and illustrations!

    Buy here now – click image of book

    Another Book About Bears

    Australia Remembers: ANZAC Day Remembrance Day and War memorials by Allison Paterson.

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    At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

    IMG_2655

    Australia Remembers by Allison Paterson is a book written for children of all ages.  

    Using visual literacy, young children can be engaged whilst the detailed descriptions of war time events will engage older children who will gain an understanding of why we remember the past on these days.

    Set out in a magazine like format, children can grab information through real photographs, did you know boxes, maps and quotes. They can utilise the clearly set out chapters and glossary to find out what they need to know and engage in some fun activities such as making their own Anzac biscuits, poppies and war memorials.

    Any topic such as war events often interests many children but there is not a lot of information about the war Australians were involved in that have been written for primary school aged children.

    Australian remembers is able to engage all children through the easy to manage layout, short snippets of information and photos from the past.  This book would be a wonderful resource to have in the classroom for ANZAC Day and Remembrance day – not only for those students who want to know more but also for those who need to see – through images – what these events are all about.

    In the Australian primary school curriculum these special days are highlighted throughout so having a resource like this will help teachers and children to have a greater understanding as many schools do hold a ceremony, but not often devote lesson time to it.

     

    Why should I read this book in the primary school classroom?

    With this book, students can read from pages and study the images through literacy sessions, participate in art creations mentioned in the back pages and use maps in geography lessons to gain a better sense of where these events happened in the world. It would also assist those older students who have difficulty reading more in depth books about the world wars of the past.

    Australian Remembers by Allison Patterson is a great resource for parents and teachers to share with children of all ages. This book shows that these stories will always play an important part in our society and that by reading them, talking about people who stand in these pictures and remembering the amazing feats done, their legacy will never be forgotten.

    Join in with the Book tour – check out the links below!

    IMG_3967.jpg

     

    We are together by Britta Teckentrup

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    We’re off to climb mountains, all the way to the top…Our friends keep us going – they won’t let us stop. 

    We are together by Britta Tenckentrup is a celebration of love and friendship.  Through colourful illustrations and fun peek a boo holes, children of all ages will see the power of friends as the story travels along.

    This book is a wonderful story to share with children as it highlights many things about self love and love of others.

    It starts with the importance of our own self – our special gifts, dreams and hopes but it then shows that with one other and perhaps more than one other – we can achieve so much more.

    Friends help us to see the bright side of life, they help us believe more in our selves and follow those dreams.

    Young children will love the new person that appears on every page and the people shaped holes that are made with each page turn.

    If ever we’re lonely, we’ll just say out loud: Let’s all stand together, one big happy crowd! 

    We are together by Britta Tenckentrup is a book to share with all young children, one to pour over the illustrations together and discuss about how we feel about ourselves and the people who surround us.

    Self belief and positive peer groups are such an influential catalysts in the development of our young children. Talking openly with children about their gifts and how working with others who respect us is important – and through We are together by Britta Tenckentrup, this discussion can be brought up so much easier.

    So what else can you do with this book?

    Personal Development 

    Link this book with any Personal Development units of work in the classroom – talk about the gifts each child has. Discuss the important people in their lives who support them and make them feel respected and listened to.

    Explore the people we are friends with – how their strengths and their weaknesses help us to become better people.

    Visual Art

    Look at the technique Britta has used to introduce new characters on each page.

    Literacy

    Explore the use of rhyme throughout the story and create a new stanza that could be added somewhere in the book to add more information about the importance of self belief and friendship.

    Would you like Palm oil with that?

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    We hear about Palm Oil a lot and the devastation it can cause to rainforests.

    But how do you talk to children about this so to empower them to make the right decisions?

    Bornean-Orangutans-photo-via-WWF

    Photo from :https://greenglobaltravel.com/bornean-sumatran-orangutans-endangered-species/

    Check out this graphic that shows you how the big companies are still harming the environment with their gathering of Palm Oil : https://issuu.com/greenpeaceinternational/docs/final_countdown_pages_lr_greenpeace

    deforestation-palm_0

    Talking about Palm Oil

    1. Look at the list of the big companies that are still causing harm to many rainforests with their consumption of Palm Oil.
    2. Open your cupboard and see if you have any products of this brand OR owned by this brand
    3. Together list alternatives to a favourite brand of yours – can you by it from someone else? Can you make it? Can you live without it?
    4. How can you raise awareness of this?

    Here are some ideas:

    Make a graph to show to percentage of rainforest left in the world.

    Learn about the different animals who live in these rainforests.

    Learn about the people who live here – what is happening to them?

    Try and find some recipes so you can make your own cosmetics, chips or chocolate bars!

     

    Big brands to avoid —–

    L’Oreal owns: Maybelline New York, Garnier, Lancôme, Helena Rubinstein, BioMedic, Vichy, Biotherm, Shu Uemura, Kiehl’s, Soft Sheen-Carson, Redken, Matrix, Kerastase, Giorgio Armani, Inneov, Sanoflore, CCB Paris, Dermablend, The Body Shop, Skinceuticals, Ralph Lauren, La-Roche-Posay, and Yves Saint Laurent.

    Nestle owns: https://www.nestle.com.au/brands

    Pepsico owns: http://www.pepsico.com.au/brands/

     

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    Charlie’s Adventures by Jacqueline De Rose-Ahern and illustrated by Sophie Norsa.

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    Charlie’s adventures in South Africa by Jacqueline De Rose-Ahern and illustrated by Sophie Norsa.

    Have you ever wanted to visit South Africa but the thought of the long flight with small children was too much?

    https://www.derose-ahernstories.com/

    You will either be satisfied just reading this book or will be more inspired to head on over there after reading the adventures young Charlie has with his family in South Africa.

    As you follow Charlie’s journey you will learn a little of the local lingo, meet the animals that live on the savannah, walk through the city, taste the local produce, dance to some music and of course help Charlie to solve the riddles in order to find hidden treasure!

    After Charlie visits a new place in South Africa, he receives a clue which he needs to hold onto in order to solve the final riddle.

    The characters talk about a map which they use to move around South Africa and I would recommend pulling out a map so children can see where they might be travelling to as they visit different places.

    There is an added bonus in this story – a postcard at the back! Children love reading postcards and this one is blank, leaving space for children to write their own thoughts about this mini holiday!

    Charlie’s adventures in South Africa is part of series of travel books for children (which I haven’t’ read, but would be interested in seeing as it is a different way to ignite interest in other countries and its people.) In Jacqueline’s other books he visits Australia, Hawaii and England.

    Teacher’s will also love this book as it looks at a country in a different way – through the people and the eyes of a child. It will encourage an interest in maps and perhaps ignite some postcard sending!

    What can you do in the classroom? 

    – We looked at where South Africa was on the world map, then where is was in Africa.

    – As I read the book I showed matching images from South Africa – to make connections.

    – As I read I asked the children to listen to and look for clues.

    – After we read the children in Kindergarten drew what they thought Charlie saw on his adventure. You can see below what they have drawn and written.

    Join my facebook group – Growing Globally and socially conscious children – a closed group where we share ideas on how we can talk about big issues with young children through simple activities. 

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/sociallyconsciouschildren/about/

    And join in on the Book Blog tour running this week!

    blogtour

    The gum family finds home by Tania McCartney and Christina Booth.

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    Do you actually know how hard it is to find the perfect home?

    The Gum family are in need of a new home – it needs to be safe, secure ,comfortable and of course somewhere amongst the gum trees – where will it be?

    Join Tania McCartney and Christina Booth as they take the Gum Family on a rocky adventure around Australia, visiting many different and amazing geological formations in Australia.

    They visit the 12 apostles, wave rock, Kata Tjuta and the Glasshouse mountains – just to name a few. At each place the look for the perfect spot for a new home admiring the different ways the rocks have formed and changed over time.

    Children have a great sense of wonderment and awe and this book arouses just that.

    After we read this book we pulled out a map of Australia, books about each place visited and jumped on the internet to learn more.

    The book does contain a map, small pieces of information and real photographs but the need to learn more was inspired – so we did just that!

    Many students knew about Uluru and the Three Sisters but that was about it – so thank you to The Gum Family – these students all now know a lot more about the country they live in.

    I also enjoyed pulling out old photographs of my trip around Australia to many of these places and reminiscing about how I felt in each location.

    So this is what we did after we read the book:

    – We researched further into each location and wrote down some more points.

    – We worked out why tourists visit here and created a new brochure.

    – We discussed what might happen if some of these places crumble up? Get destroyed by human interference?

    – We discussed what koalas need in a perfect home.

    What have you done with this book?

    Wisp by Zana Fraillon

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    One day, a Wisp flew in on the evening wind. Dust rose up in swarms around it, feet trampled it into the dirt, nobody noticed it.

    Nobody, except Idris.

    Zana Fraillon , author of the Bone Sparrow and The ones that disappeared –  has again touched upon such an important topic that needs more action – the people who have to live in refugee camps for long periods of time.

    So many people flee their home countries every day in our world and most of these people end up in Refugee camps because they have left  everything they own behind them.

    However, The story of wisp focuses on hope- hope that one day there will be more to life than just wire fences, tents and desolation.

    A small boy by the name of Idris sits alone one day only to notice a small wisp floating around the camp, resting on those it passes by.

    With each touch, the Wisp brings magic. With each touch, the wisp brings memories.

    Memories get passed around on the wisp as adults and older children remember the wonderful things that had happened to them – before they became refugees and  lived in the camp.

    But when Idris, the main character of the story holds the wisp close, nothing happens, as all he knows is life in the camp.

    But Idris sees past this and  realises that the wisp for him can be a promise – a promise of life beyond the fence, a life full of excitement, adventure and love.

    Wisp allows the reader to see that there is hope and with continued pressure on the government to help there people, someday they will all be able to make wonderful memories again.

    So what else can you do? 

    Join my facebook group where we talk about ways we can inform children and the wider community about the big issues facing us today:

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/sociallyconsciouschildren/about/

    Teacher notes: https://www.hachette.com.au/content/resources/9780734418043-teachers-resources.pdf

    Visit: http://refugeecampauburn.com.au and book a time to visit what a refugee camp looks like.

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    Act: Join groups that send books and packages to children in dentention: https://befriendachildindetention.wordpress.com

    Even something as small as a letter can bring hope to a child in detention. 

    Ask:

    • How can we give children in detention hope?
    • Explore other books about refugees – do these all give hope?
    • Draw your own wisp and draw what would be inside of it if you had to live in a refugee camp.

    Sorry day by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler

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    Long ago and not so long ago, the children were taken away

    Sorry Day is a very important picture book  to share this Sorry day – or any future Sorry days.

    Released on May 1st, Sorry Day by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler is a powerful story that highlights both the impact on the families who lost loved ones when they were taken away and the impact Kevin Rudd and the Australian community had when they formally said sorry in 2008.

    The scene is set as we meet young Maggie who is excitedly waiting at the Sorry Day speech but amongst the excitement she loses her mother and frantically searches for her amongst the sea of legs and people.

    But as we watch Maggie we also see the loss the Indigenous people experienced during the period of The Stolen Generation, we experience through word and illustration how it would have felt to be ripped apart from your family with no warning.

    Dub Leffler’s illustrations are amazing and give so much more emotion to this meaningful story. We hear the story and we see the people.

    We hear their cries and we feel the emotion as we watch their faces.

    We read the history and we see how this has effected the current landscape.

    Sorry Day by Coral Vass and Dub Leffler is picture book you will not forget.

    I’m sure children will have many questions about this topic once this story has been read as the links between a child getting lost in a crowd and the story of children being taken away really pulls at the heartstrings and stirs so much emotion.

    Delve deep into this topic with your young readers, explore the past and think about how we can make the future a better place.

    What else can you talk about?

    • Explore the quote: Long ago and not so long ago, the children were taken away.
    • How did the story impact your emotions?
    • Why did the author jump between the past and the present?
    • How has the illustrator shown the difference between the past and the present?

    Sorry Day

    • When is Sorry Day and how long have we commemorated this day?
    • Explore the impacts of The Stolen Generation.
    • Why was there a Stolen Generation?
    • What can we do now to ensure inequalities between indigenous and non-indigenous people lessen?
    • How can you share the story of Sorry Day with others?

    Creative Arts

    • List any songs that you know of that explore this theme.
    • List any artwork that you know of that explores this theme.

    There are some excellent teacher notes here: https://flickingonthebook.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/3fe4b-sorrydayteachers27notes.pdf

    Buy this book now from Fishpond:

    Teacher notes written by Vanessa

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    Have a look at the notes I have produced recently and ask me how I can help develop teacher notes for your novel or picture book.

    ‘The teachers’ notes Vanessa prepared for me were well thought out, comprehensive and completed in a timely manner. They captured the essence of Esme’s Wish very well and would make a valuable addition to any teacher’s tool kit.’ Elizabeth Foster, Esme’s wish. 
     

    Esme’s Wish by Elizabeth Foster, http://elizabethfoster.com.au

    Continue reading →

    The worm who knew karate! By Jill Lever and Terry Denton

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    If a worm has no back bone, is it really that tough?

    We are often told to aspire to be the early bird…what would a worm aspire to be like?

    Is it fair to say that all worms hang out with bad apples?

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    There are too many worm analogies floating through my head right now…I’m sure you can come up with some more – would love to hear them!

     

    The worm who knew karate By Jill Lever and Terry Denton is a hilarious book about a worm who decides to become a braver and stronger worm through the art of karate! Which made me think….how can we help our children to build their confidence? And what do those worms in my worm farm really get up to? Maybe it’s a secret dojo I have never been aware of….

    Confidence building in young children is vital. We need to set them up so that they can make it through life’s ups and downs at any stage. By reading books that have characters who make positive changes in their lives allows children to see what they can do when they are in a difficult situation. I know your child is not a worm

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    but this book shows them that they can make changes – they can learn something they are unskilled in, they can change friendship groups, they can be different and they can make themselves the best they can be. Books are a great way to tackle those bigger issues and make conversation around them a lot easier.

    BUT HOW CAN WE LINK THIS BOOK TO SUSTAINABILITY?

    Get yourself a worm farm! Do you need convincing? Here are ten reasons why you need one today:

    1. Worm farms are relatively cheap and need little maintenance.
    2. All your fruit, vegetable and loose leaf tea scraps can do in there
    3. They provide nutritious fertiliser for your garden through their wee. No more store bought chemicals!
    4. They are pets that do not need walking. Your children can easily look after them. There will be no arguments!
    5. You only have to outlay money on your first purchase – worms do their own thing after that!
    6. We have had ours for 5 years and haven’t had to do anything to it so I would say they last for a long time.
    7. They do not smell – great lid design and ventilation.
    8. Easy to use tap to get rid of the worm wee and easily removed lid to feed your worms.
    9. No more stinky bin juice or changing the bin daily.
    10. Your moving one step closer to having a more sustainable household!

     

    Literacy lesson ideas:

    Think of other sayings like ‘The early bird catches the worm’ Create a story or picture to go with one of these so that the meaning changes.
     – Barking up the wrong tree

     

     

     

    Colours of Australia by Bronwyn Bancroft.

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    Bronwyn Bancroft’s poetry brings the vibrant colours to life as we sail through shadows,ferns, clouds and raindrops.

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    Each page brings another part of Australia to life with shades, hues and patterns.

    As you read Colours of Australia, a calmness sweeps over the readers, immersing them in the Australian landscape.

    We loved reading this story, looking at the different shades of colour and wondering about the beauty of Australia.

    This is an excellent resource for anyone who wishes to link picture books to nature through Indigenous art techniques.

    So how does this link to sustainability?

    PLAY OUTSIDE!!

    This book encourages us to go outside – everyone! There is so much research pointing us in the direction of outside play. We need to get more in touch with the land, the plants and the animals that are part of our world. Nature is important in so many different ways. See my blog post on nature play.

    CREATE

    Compare pictures of some wonderful Australian locations and create them in your own way using colours and shades like Bronwyn Bancroft has.

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    Go to your local paint shop and grab some paint cards. You can find so many different shades of every colour and this can help children to discern between the different shades and how they wish to use them.

    Look a local river, a river in the daintree, a river in a farming area and a river in flood through the desert. Notice the different colours of the river at different times and different locations.

    Learn about Bronwyn Bancroft and her amazing artworks.

     

    LITERACY

    This book contains fantastic vocabulary to start drawing on the importance of synonyms in creative writing. Create your own synonym wall for each drawing in this book.

    Touch and feel words – which words in this story make us ‘feel’ the word? Discuss and find more of these.

    How do colours make you feel? What if you had synaesthesia. How would this effect how you ‘see’ colours?

     

    Happy reading!

    When should we send children to school?

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    This is a question that I am asked very often!

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    The main people who ask this are parents of children who are born between Jan – June – they are either going to be the youngest in their grade: Still four when they begin the school year or will be the eldest, possibly turning six before they begin school.

    So, as  a parent, what do you need to consider for your child?

    • If your child goes to preschool or daycare ask what they think. They see your child in a different way to a parent so trust their opinion.

     

    • Consider if your child is ready emotionally. Do they cry easily? Do they anger easily? How do they solve problems? Although your child will learn these skills as they grow up, in order for them to be happy socially, they need to be able to get along with other children as much as possible. They need to be able to talk to other adults and deal with small problems without breaking down. Keep in mind that some children will always be sensitive – have a look at this article about overexcitabilities to see if your child fits into this category: http://sengifted.org/archives/articles/overexcitability-and-the-gifted

     

    • There is some new research that is shows there can be harm in sending your child to school early rather than sending them late. BUT in saying that some children will be ready early as perhaps they have an older sibling or perhaps they are socially ready, eager and ready to learn. Check your child is ready – don’t send them because you want them to go or their friends are going. Send them because they are ready. 

     

    • Don’t think that sending them early is going to mean they will be able to read within a month. Kindergarten is now a time and a space for children to learn through play. Lessons are not as formal as they used to be and children are encouraged to move, talk and touch things in order to learn. Children need time to learn and by pushing them to know their alphabet or sight words will just turn them away from their ingrained passion to learn.

     

    • In saying that – read to your child. Encourage them to sound out words but do it in a fun way. No threats! Yes, reading is a very important skill and once we learn to read we can do so many things BUT pushing your child can teach them the incorrect skills which can do a lot more harm than good.

    I once taught a kindergarten girl who was an excellent reader but had no comprehension skills. This was causing a very big issue as she was slowly dropping in her self esteem – she thought she could read and had been praised but now there was something related to reading that she couldn’t do. She had to go back to basics which was very difficult for her. 

     

    • Talk to the school. Ask what they think and allow them to meet your child. They may have open sessions where they can watch your child interact with other children around them and also how they approach different activities.

     

    • Trust yourself. You know your child better than anyone else. Trust that you know what is best for your child. You have raised them to be the best person they can be so far and I am sure you can continue to. Trust that you know what your child can do.

     

    • Keep reading those picture books! Enlighten your child to the world around them. Let them see words, play with vocabulary and have fun looking at pictures.

    Crusts by Danny Parker

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    Wow! This book is so much fun and so creative.

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    Who would have thought a great story of loss, adventure, creativity and hope would all stem from some crusts of bread!

    Crusts by Danny Parker and Matt Ottley is an adventure story which will inspire those of any age to think about how something small and simple can make a big difference if we put our minds to it!

    What would you do if you had kept all your crusts from your childhood? Our main character, Jacob comes up with a brilliant idea and saves a neighboring planet from doom.

    So how can we link this to sustainability? 

    • Think about what you do at home or at school with your food scraps? Food waste that is placed in a regular bin can take up to three times longer (or more) than scraps placed in a compost bin or worm farm. Compost bins and worm farms are very easy to come by and require minimal maintenance. Perhaps considering buying one or making your own!
    • Conduct a food experiment at home. Test how long food takes to decompose. Place some in the compost bin, some in the worm farm, some in a plastic bag in the outside bin. Although it is a stinky experiment try to do it for about three weeks. See what happens! You will be surprised!!
    •  Perhaps adults don’t waste their crusts but I am sure many of them waste those disposable coffee cups. What can you do with those waxy lined coffee cups? Or better still – could you buy yourself a reusable cup?

    Coffee cup ideas:

    • Plant some seeds in them for the garden
    • Cut them down to make mini bird feeders.
    • Turn them upside down to make some mini scare crows (or chicken scarers)

    Left overs

    • What can you make with your dinner left overs (before they go into the compost bin) a fun, yet messy activity! Allows for creativity and imagination.

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    We made a little hanger for birds and possums. This was the tops of some burnt cupcakes. (Whoops, we were playing outside and forgot the timer)

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    • Visit places in your local area who collect excess objects that can be put to use in other ways. Reverse garbage is great and you can come away with lots of goodies for craft.

    Social Justice

    Learn about companies that put left over food to good use. 

    Think about how you can create less food waste by being creative with leftovers.

    Creating

    Create your own spaceship out of food scraps – real or imaginary. Draw up the plan to scale and work out how you would stick it all together. Lots of fun!

     

    I loved this book and I hope you have fun with it too!

     

    The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

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    One boy’s quest for a greener world, one garden at a time.

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    The Curious Garden by Peter Brown is a book based on fact. The Highline is an abandoned railway line that people began to take back over and return it back to nature and open spaces for people to enjoy.

    It is a poignant book as many cities, suburbs and towns are starting to explore how they can become greener, literally.

    Many homes are using patches of their backyards for veggies patches and making the most of windowsill space.

    We loved reading this story, not only watching the plants grow in strange places but also watching the people come out into their city to cultivate and enjoy the green space.

    So what can you do?

    Keep a seed diary.

    Find some easy to grow seeds that produce colourful results – plenty of different types os sunflowers and everlasting native daisies are wonderful! The Diggers club have some great heirloom seeds on offer, worth checking out! A fresh legacy is also a great website for tips on how to grow a great veggie patch with your family!

    Grow your own food.

    I just listened to a great podcast by Laura Trotta with special guest Jessica Donovan. It highlights the importance of trying to grow some small amount of your own food. By growing your own food it gives your child a great link to where their food comes from, how long it takes to grow and how we need to help plants to grow. You can check it out here.

    Plan your dream garden.

    With your children get out your tape measures and scrap paper and plan your dream garden. Would you create a small maze out of lillypilli bushes? A herb maze? A stingless bee hive? A sunflower patch? Native flower garden?  A recycled water feature? The possibilities are endless and you can have so much fun doing it!

    Do you work somewhere where you could plan a rooftop garden? If you do see if you can otherwise have some fun planning a rooftop garden on your apartment, townhouse or house roof or walls!

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    Edible weeds

    How about investigating edible weeds? I haven’t done it yet but I am keen to find out what we can eat in our own backyard. We don’t spray our grass and it’s only the chickens who peck and poo all over it so I would guess our dandelions and purslane and other weeds could be an added delicacy!

    Have fun!

    Part of growing your own garden is about having fun. We even planted some seeds in an old shoe as we lost the other shoe! Have fun, try something new and get outside!

    Links

    Mathematics

    •  Measurement – mm, cm and m.
    • Explore cm2 and m2.
    • Explore design with shapes
    • Measure rainfall – ml & l
    • Seeds per m2

    Sustainability

    •  Grow your own food.
    • Link the importance of sustainable food growth but growing a variety of food and sourcing local food
    • Understand the importance of biodiversity and the need for different flowers and plants.