Search results

Text

Tell Me Why: Unit of work

This unit of work has been written to support the book Tell Me Why. Author Sarah Jackson shares her journey of self-discovery as she connects with her Aboriginal heritage. The text incorporates the Stolen Generation in a way that is relatable to younger audiences. This unit includes practical ideas for using this book in ...

Text

Debating guide for classroom teachers

This teacher guide provides advice about the key elements of debating as well as a judging guide, planning templates for each speaker and links to a range of resources.

Text

Character Sketches

What techniques do storytellers use to create characters? In this lesson, students will analyse how a character's personality traits, actions and motives influence the plot of a story. They will use their senses to create character sketches, then dramatize the character for an audience.

Interactive

Level Up Minecraft

This unit of work involves in-world Minecraft explorations and in-class activity. It is intended for students in regional areas to know and understand the issues that surround safety on and around rail lines. Students consider why there are safety issues, how technical systems at active crossings can go a long way to making ...

Online

Creating your own potato chips: marketing

Learn how to make an advertisement! In this activity young learners will produce a short (30-60 second) advertisement to promote potato chips. This learning activity is the final part of a sequence of 3 individual learning activities focused on creating your own potato chips. The order of these learning activities are: ...

Downloadable

Newshounds: Misinformation and disinformation

In this lesson, students learn that everyone should Stop, Think, and Check before passing on information they come across on the internet. Students apply critical literacy skills to assess examples of misinformation and disinformation presented in different formats including social media and web posts. This lesson includes ...

Text

How to teach digital citizenship and online safety - Scope and sequence Australian curriculum

This resource provides links to lessons and activities at each level of schooling from Foundation to Year 10 in the area of online safety.

Text

Mountain Creation

In this lesson, students will dramatize the ways a mountain can be formed. They will analyse poems about mountain creation from the perspective of the Tohono O’odham indigenous people of Arizona and Mexico. Students will compare the poems to science-based descriptions of mountain formation.

Video

Differences between writing a picture book and a novel

As a writer, what are some of the things you have to consider when writing a picture book as opposed to a novel? Think of the differences in format, layout and work processes. Why does Lili Wilkinson think it is harder, in some ways, to write a picture book? What makes it easier in other ways?

Video

Know your audience

Before you watch this video, guess the intended readership of Shamini Flint's Diary series about a boy playing sports. How did you come to this conclusion? Were you correct? Why do you think it's important for writers to think about who their intended readers are?

Video

One forest, many communities

Find out how local community groups use, value and manage the Armidale Pine Forest. View this clip created by young reporters from Presbyterian Ladies College in Armidale, New South Wales. The clip was developed as part of the ABC Splash Live 'Making the news!' project, which featured local sustainability stories by students ...

Video

Importance of humour

Humour is a literary device some writers use to great effect. What are some of the reasons Shamini Flint uses humour in her books? What would be the effect of removing humour from her Diary series about a boy who is bad at sports?

Video

How to write about what you love

Many of us enjoy writing when it is about something we care passionately about. Watch Lili Wilkinson describe her love of gardening and how she incorporated that love into her book, 'Green Valentine'. Can you think of something you care passionately about to create a story around?

Video

Interviews With 10 Australian Authors, Ch 9: Leigh Hobbs as Old Tom

Leigh Hobbs writes and draws the pictures in the Old Tom stories. He describes Old Tom as being ‘sneaky' and ‘sly' and ‘naughty'. What words would you use to describe Old Tom? In the video, Leigh talks about what he was like when he was a child. In what ways are Old Tom and Leigh the same?

Video

Libraries in decline

Did you know that libraries have been around for over 4000 years? For a very long time, you could only borrow books from libraries, but in recent years this has changed. You can now borrow magazines, DVDs, CDs and even download ebooks! How does Sarah, the reporter, feel about this? How does Debra, the librarian, feel about ...

Video

Andy Griffiths' tips for starting your story

Get some tips from Andy Griffiths on what to think about when you start to write a story. What does he say about plot? Why not take Andy's advice and start a story by thinking about something that has happened to you and then exaggerate it somehow. Concentrate on writing a short, dramatic moment by using lots of detail ...

Video

Dust Echoes, Ep 10: The Wagalak Sisters

The Wagalak Sisters are creation sisters. In this telling of the story, there are two sisters, but there could have been three, four or more. The sisters carry their power in their dilly bags. When they walk, they use the contents of their dilly bags to create the landscape. In their hands, the landscape that is created ...

Video

Why is it useful to have a big bad wolf character in stories?

Watch this clip to hear Andy Griffiths explain why it's good to have villains in stories. How can the "big bad wolf" character help to move the story along? Think about some of the stories you've read lately. Which characters were the "big bad wolf" characters and what did they add to the stories? 

Interactive

Snapseed - Google Play app

Retouch, adjust perspective and re-edit your photos with this photoediting tool. Free when reviewed 26/5/2015

Interactive

Telestory - iTunes app

Create your own news broadcast, fun movie or your own themed TV shows using this video-creation tool. Videos can be saved in app or published via Telestory's moderated video channel 'ToonTube'. Free when reviewed 5/6/15.