Sharp Thoughts

A pre-reading activity for the novel 'Trash' by Andy Mulligan, focusing students on the concepts within the novel.Skill focus: - Critical thinking about a statement. - Impulse control and working in silence. - Connecting concepts in a novel to lived experiences. - justifying choices by explaining verbally. Extension task: Writing about how two concepts are true or untrue for the first chapter of the novel 'Trash'. Year levels: years 5-9, upper primary, middle school, Stage 4 Timing: 20 minutes

This is the handout all students need at the start of your year together. It outlines exactly how to use a book, or a folder for writing in class and also how to organise their computers so work does not go into the mysterious technological realm never to be seen again. This supports executive functioning skill development.

This worksheet defines the seven types of sensory imagery found in literary texts and provides a space for students to identify each type of imagery in the prescribed text.Skill focus:- Identify imagery in a given text. - Develop or revise an understanding of the types of imagery and their specific names. Year levels: 7-12, secondary students. Timing: 10 minutes excluding text examination for examples.

Pre-reading activity for a novel study of 'Trash' written by Andy Mulligan. Skill focus: - Begins to develop analytical skills for visual literacy. - Develops verbal collaboration and detail development via conversation. - Uses guided questioning to elicit specific responses. - Students work using the 'Think, Pair, Share' routine to develop answers before recording them. Year levels: 5-9, upper primary, middle school Timing: 20-40mins