4.4_Bronwyn+N

Bronwyn N

Hi Everyone

I have been working on a narrative program for Stage 3 students. Thanks, in advance, for looking at the program and participating in the wiki.

Our Stage 3 teachers chose __not__ to integrate our writing unit into HSIE this time. The narrative unit was mainly undertaken in Term 3, during which time we were studying government in HSIE. At the same time, our Stage 3 students were heavily involved in preparing for our musical production of 'Beauty and the Beast' at the end of term. Because of this, we wanted to look at fairytales and narratives in general, in our reading, and felt it would be preferable not to integrate into HSIE.

Narrative: A writer uses text to build character and narrative that engage and affect the reader.
 * Conceptual Focus:**


 * Literacy Skills - Focus Areas:**
 * Character
 * Cohesion


 * Cohort of Students:** I have a class of 30 Year 6 students - 15 girls and 15 boys. This is the school's entire Year 6 cohort and the the range of writing abilities is very large, including a number of students who struggle with writing. All have been enjoying the unit and seem proud of their efforts. They love the creative aspect of narrative writing and a few of them would write all day, if they could! The two Year 5 classes have also been working on the program. Overall, the Year 5 group is relatively stronger, academically, than Year 6 and the top Year 5 students outperform those from my class.


 * Strengths**: The engagement of students in the writing acitivities has been very positive. Students have responded particularly well to the fact that there have been two main emphases, ie 'character development' and 'cohesion'.


 * Weaknesses**: The program was very full and time constraints have been an issue at times. Also, I had a prac student for the last month of Term 3. Teachers all agreed to carry the unit over into Term 4.


 * Other Background Information**:
 * My class has previously studied 'Mao's Last Dancer' (junior version), hence the references to this book in my program
 * I made a few Notebooks/PowerPoint along the way, which I'm happy to share if anyone wants a copy (definitely nothing brilliant, but served their purpose)
 * We read lots of short narratives throughout the unit (mainly picture books and School Magazine texts) as part of the reading program
 * Re the final assessment task: After stories are computer-published they will be compiled and bound into a class book. Copies will be made for the school library and all students in the class

Am happy to receive any comments or suggestions relating to my program! Many thanks ....

Bronwyn