Resilient Australia - Building Resilience To Natural Disasters - Stories Of Hope

Australian curriculum content descriptions: 

Years 7 English:

• Use comprehension strategies to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information, critiquing ideas and issues from a variety of textual sources (ACELY1723).
• Experiment with text structures and language features and their effects in creating literary texts, for example, using rhythm, sound effects, monologue, layout, navigation and colour (ACELT1805).

Year 8 English:

• Understand and explain how combinations of words and images in texts are used to represent particular groups in society, and how texts position readers in relation to those groups (ACELT1628).
• Create literary texts that draw upon text structures and language features of other texts for particular purposes and effects (ACELT1632).

Syllabus outcomes: EN4-4B, EN4-8D.

General capabilities: Literacy. 

Relevant parts of Year 7 achievement standards:
Students create structured and coherent texts for a range of purposes and audiences. They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, using language features to engage the audience. When creating and editing texts they demonstrate understanding of grammar, use a variety of more specialised vocabulary and accurate spelling and punctuation.

Relevant parts of Year 8 achievement standards:
Students create texts for different purposes, selecting language to influence audience response. They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, using language patterns for effect. When creating and editing texts to create specific effects, they take into account intended purposes and the needs and interests of audiences. They demonstrate understanding of grammar, select vocabulary for effect and use accurate spelling and punctuation.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium to High – teachers will need to facilitate class discussion and analysis of the article, and help support students through planning their creative writing. Some digital skill is needed to collate a class podcast.

• Student Worksheets – one copy per student

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• Communication
• Community engagement
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Digital literacy
• Problem solving
• Social skills

We encourage you to undertake the free PD Course How to teach a unit on fire and flood resilience for tips on how to best deliver this lesson.
If you’re concerned about the challenging nature of these topics, consider the free PD Course How to approach trauma in the classroom for information on how best to support your students.

This lesson was made in partnership with Minderoo Foundation (www.minderoo.org)