Lara Secondary CollegeVCE English Unit 1AoS 1: Reading and Responding

Text: The Penguin Best Australian Short Stories edited by Mary Lord

ReadThe NeighboursA Gentleman's AgreementThe ChildrenOn The Train The Lottery

You The LearnerOk we’ve covered a bit in the last 3 weeks, we’ve read some of the stories, we’ve answered the questions, had some good discussion, written a practise essay, redrafted the essay, now its time to reflect on what you have discovered about your English skills.Use your funny little notebook and give a written response to these questions

1. How did you go in initially understanding the stories2. What helped you improve your understanding3. What do you think you need to do to improve your understanding4. What have you understood about your writing skills, what are you ok with , what do

you need to learn, what helps5. What about essay writing what are you ok with , what do you need to learn, what

helps6. What specifically are the things that you can identify that help you to learn new skills7.

Activities:1. Complete the 6 questions for each story.2. Complete the analysis grid for each story3. Compare your grid with your group – add new ideas4. Define perception5. Research, discuss & create a group definition of the genre “Short Story”6. What is the commonly accepted structure of Short Stories7. Create a concept map of the significance of perception in each story8. Create a quote bank that supports the notion of perception9. Literary devices – what does this mean 10. Give examples11. Each member of your group is to choose 1 story & identify the literary devices used

by the author to convey meaning, develop character & hold reader’s interest12. Essay writing workshop13. Clickview on essay writing

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Writing tasks 14.

- ‘On the Train’: Write the journal entry of the mother the day before the journey on the train.

- ‘The Children’: Write the article from The Weekly after the interview with Mr Allen- ‘A Gentleman’s Agreement’: Create a graphic character profile for the doctor.

Then, write a piece describing his character.- ‘Neighbours’: Write from the perspective of one of the neighbours – the Polish

widower or the Macedonian family. What do they think of their new neighbours? - ‘The Lottery’: Focus on setting as per Ted’s description as he looks out his

window. Using the same style as the author, describe the image of London (refer to 5 senses)

VCE English Unit 1 Area of Study 1: Reading and Responding

Homework

Exploring Language

Expressions and saying such as to “Go Beserk”, add meaning, colour and entertainment to our spoken and written language.

Use the links below to find the meanings and origins of the following list of expressions and sayings. http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/gswithenbank/sayindex.htmhttp://www.urbandictionary.com/

1. Gentleman’s agreement2. Don’t judge a book by its cover3. Keep your word4. Two – faced5. Children should be seen but not heard6. Don’t count your chickens before their hatched7. Gift of the gab8. Cut your lunch9. Possession is nine points of the law10. Goody two shoes

Provide 10 more of your own to share with the class