Category: READING
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Library Lessons Term 4, 2024
This term, Year 6 library lessons have been exploring themes of identity and events that reflect historical, social, and cultural contexts.
We focused on the book Tangki Tjuta Donkeys by Tjanpi Desert Weavers.
Told in Pitjantjatjara and English and featuring the whimsical, distinctive sculptures that have made Tjanpi Desert Weavers famous, this dual language Australian story offers warm and humorous insights from an Anangu perspective.
After watching a video with instructions, from a talented Tjanpi Desert weaver, the students then made a small weaving themselves using colourful raffia.
We have been learning about First Nations’ peoples’ deep respect for Mother Earth and natural resources. We reflected that appreciation by using natural materials to make meaningful artwork. To finish off the unit the students collected and painted leaves with mindful and considered patterns to contribute to a collaborative project. Stay tuned to see what we create.
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Library Lessons Term 4, 2024
This term, Year 6 library lessons have focused on the powerful works of Gregg Dreise, including My Culture and Me, Hello and Welcome, Common Wealth, and Circles of Life. Through these books, students have been exploring themes of identity and events that reflect historical, social, and cultural contexts. We’ve discussed perspectives from First Nations Australians as well as voices from global authors, drawing connections to find both similarities and differences in the themes and plots across literary texts.
A particular focus has been on identifying and explaining the unique qualities of Dreise’s style, marked by his passion for sharing his culture. We’ve enjoyed learning specific elements of his cultural heritage and storytelling approach, which has deepened our appreciation for his work.
To conclude our studies, students participated in a yarning circle after reading Circles of Life. This session included a creative activity where each student painted a thank you circle, reflecting on things they are grateful for. It was a meaningful way to connect with the themes we’ve explored throughout the term.
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Here at AHS, we celebrated Book Week at the very end of Term 3.
Victoria Carless, author of Lani and the Universe, Gus and the Starlight, and other works, visited Year 5 and 6 students to share her journey as a writer. She spoke about her experiences writing plays, novellas, novels, web copy, and intranet copy, emphasizing that each student has a unique story to tell. Victoria encouraged the students to write stories they love to read and that one day maybe their book would be on the shelf with those very same books. She encouraged them to develop their characters by exploring their deepest fears. She also reminded them not to be afraid of removing parts of their stories that don’t move the plot forward. Lastly, she encouraged students to enter competitions as a great way to share their writing and receive feedback.
Students also celebrated with a dress up day, with Library staff and teachers joining the fun as characters from the popular “Rainbow Fairy” books.
