Resilient Australia - Writing Stories About Resilience

Australian curriculum content descriptions: 

Year 7 English:

• Create literary texts that adapt stylistic features encountered in other texts, for example, narrative viewpoint, the structure of stanzas, contrast and juxtaposition (ACELT1625)
• Plan, draft and publish imaginative texts, selecting aspects of subject matter and particular language to convey information and ideas (ACELY1725).

Year 8 English:

• Create literary texts that draw upon text structures and language features of other texts for particular purposes and effects (ACELT1632).
• Create imaginative texts that raise issues, report events and advance opinions, using deliberate language and textual choices (ACELY1736).

Syllabus outcomes: EN4-6C, EN4-4B.

General capabilities: Literacy.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability. 

Relevant parts of Year 7 English achievement standards: Students create texts showing how language features and images from other texts can be combined for effect. Students create structured and coherent texts for a range of purposes and audiences.

Relevant parts of Year 8 English achievement standards: Students create texts for different purposes, selecting language to influence audience response. 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 – Teachers will need to introduce and explain the narrative structure, but much of the lesson is student-driven as they plan and craft their own narratives.

• A device capable of presenting a video to the class
• Student Worksheets – one copy per student

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

• Communication
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Empathy

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).