Lesson 1: Exploring Key Ideas in The Deep
Objective: Students will identify the main ideas in The Deep and make connections to their own experiences.
Materials:
- The Deep by Tim Winton
- Whiteboard/Smartboard
- Worksheet: Key Ideas in The Deep
Introduction:
1. Begin by reading The Deep aloud to the class.
2. After reading, ask students to share what they noticed about the characters, setting, and events.
3. Write down student responses on the board under headings: Characters, Setting, Events.
Activity 1:
- Distribute the “Key Ideas in The Deep” worksheet.
- Students work individually or in pairs to write or draw the main ideas from the story:
1. Who are the characters?
2. Where does the story take place?
3. What important events happen?
- Once students complete the worksheet, have them share their ideas with the class.
Conclusion:
- As a class, summarize the key ideas on the board, helping students connect the characters’ experiences to their own (e.g., being brave, facing fears).
Lesson 2: Making Text Connections
Objective: Students will compare The Deep to another story they have read and identify connections between the two texts.
Materials:
- The Deep by Tim Winton
- Copies of another text (suggested: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister or a similar story)
- Worksheet: Text Connections
Introduction:
1. Recap the key ideas from The Deep.
2. Introduce the second text (The Rainbow Fish), briefly discussing its characters, setting, and events.
3. Ask the students: “How do you think these two stories might be connected?”
Activity 1:
- Read the second text aloud.
- Hand out the “Text Connections” worksheet. Students will:
1. Identify the characters, setting, and events in both stories.
2. Write or draw how the two stories are similar (e.g., both characters face challenges, both are about water).
Activity 2:
- Pair students to discuss their connections.
- Ask each pair to present one connection to the class (e.g., “In both stories, the characters are scared of the water.”).
Conclusion:
- Discuss how making connections between texts can help us understand stories better.
Lesson 3: Creating a Story Inspired by The Deep
Objective: Students will use their own experiences and imagination to create a short story, showing how images support the text.
Materials:
- The Deep by Tim Winton (for inspiration)
- Story creation template (includes space for writing and drawing)
- Art supplies
Introduction:
- Remind students of the key ideas in The Deep and encourage them to think about how they’ve faced fears or been brave in their own lives.
- Explain that today they will write and illustrate their own story about an adventure.
Activity
- Distribute the story creation template.
- Students will write a short story about an adventure they have experienced or imagined, using The Deep as inspiration. They should think about:
1. Who are the characters?
2. Where does the story take place?
3. What happens in the story?
- Encourage students to include drawings that support the meaning of their text (as in The Deep).
Conclusion:
- Have students share their stories with the class.
- Discuss how their illustrations help explain their story, similar to how The Deep uses images to add meaning.
Assessment:
- Evaluate student worksheets and stories based on their ability to identify key ideas and make connections between texts.
- Assess creativity and effort in story creation, as well as clarity of illustrations supporting the text.
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