Are we There Yet? By Alison Lester
Integrated unit of work
Book Title: Are we there yet? A journey around Australia
Author: Alison Lester
ISBN: 0670880671
Unit Rationale and Overview
This exciting integrated unit of work is designed for children aged 6 to 10 (Years 1 to 4). It fits in with Literacy Levels 2 and 3 in the Australian Curriculum. The activities can be modified for younger children and older children if desired.
The unit is designed to be an interesting unit for families travelling around Australia as well as a unit of work for a school classroom or home school for children who are keen to know more about this great country that we live in.
As a husband and dad of a family travelling around Australia I have tried to keep the unit of work as easy to teach as possible. Resources and materials needed for this unit are planned to be practical for families who may be travelling on the road.
It is important to purchase or borrow a copy of the book “Are we there yet?”. There are plenty of activities included and some may be left out depending on your situation and the needs of your children.
The unit of work has a major focus on literacy and ties activities for other curriculum areas as well. The Literacy component of the unit fits into the Australian
Curriculum.
I do hope that this unit of work in enjoyable and that the children in your care learn more about this great land.
Please find Australian Outcomes at the end of the unit activities.
Author: Alison Lester
ISBN: 0670880671
Unit Rationale and Overview
This exciting integrated unit of work is designed for children aged 6 to 10 (Years 1 to 4). It fits in with Literacy Levels 2 and 3 in the Australian Curriculum. The activities can be modified for younger children and older children if desired.
The unit is designed to be an interesting unit for families travelling around Australia as well as a unit of work for a school classroom or home school for children who are keen to know more about this great country that we live in.
As a husband and dad of a family travelling around Australia I have tried to keep the unit of work as easy to teach as possible. Resources and materials needed for this unit are planned to be practical for families who may be travelling on the road.
It is important to purchase or borrow a copy of the book “Are we there yet?”. There are plenty of activities included and some may be left out depending on your situation and the needs of your children.
The unit of work has a major focus on literacy and ties activities for other curriculum areas as well. The Literacy component of the unit fits into the Australian
Curriculum.
I do hope that this unit of work in enjoyable and that the children in your care learn more about this great land.
Please find Australian Outcomes at the end of the unit activities.
Learning Activities
Overall Book Activities
1. Reading: Read the book to your child/children and have them look at the pictures as you read. Ask them comprehension questions and creative thinking questions as you read through the book or at the conclusion of the book. Your child may be able to read the book independently or even read along with you.
2. Mapping: Get a blank map of Australia and print it out. You can find maps on google images. Have the children draw on a map the route that the family in this book take. This could involve labelling the map with towns, cities, states etc.
3. Spelling: Have the children pick out words from the book that they would like to know how to spell. Write these words into cards so that they can use them as flash cards. Alternatively the children can use an index book and write the words in here.
Specific Book Activities – places in the book
STREAKY BAY SA
4. Art Activity (Sharks) – Get the children to draw a picture of a shark. Have the children use grey crepe paper to scrunch up and then glue onto the shark. If your child is unable to draw a shark then you can find a template on the internet to use.
5. Writing Activities
a) Newspaper report: Get the children to write a newspaper article about a shark sighting off the coast of Streaky Bay. Encourage the children to use detailed and descriptive language as if they were reporters.
b) Diary entry: Write about what they did the first night at Streaky Bay.
6. Internet Research Activity: Look up this web site
https://www.streakybay.sa.gov.au
Write down five interesting facts about Streaky Bay in South Australia.
NULLARBOR PLAIN
7. Writing Activities
a) Dairy entry: Write a diary entry about crossing the Nullarbor Plains.
b) Narrative: Pretend you are an animal of the Nullarbor Plains and write about a day
c) Report: Write about a whale sighting using visually descriptive language.
8. Art activity: Have a go at sketching a whale. You may like to look at a picture
9. Internet Research: Look at http://www.nullarbornet.com.auand write down five interesting facts that you can find from this web site.
10. Art Activity: Draw the Old Telegraph Station. Find out information about the history of this station.
PERTH WA
11. Geography: Make a poster about Perth. The title can be “Come to Perth” and headings could be population, rivers, landforms, tourist attractions, industry and other features.
12. History: Complete a history timeline of Perth.
PINNACLES WA
13. Art activity: Look at a picture of the pinnacles and sketch them with pencil.
MONKEY MIA WA
14. Writing Activities:
a) Write a diary entry about what it was like to see the dolphins.
b) Write a poem about swimming with dolphins.
c) Report: Write an information report about dolphins.
15. Internet Research/Science: Look up the following web site. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/dolphin.html Write facts about dolphins in the format of a pamphlet with interesting information such as physical appearance, feeding habits and breeding habits.
16. Numeracy: Write down the average length of a dolphin.
TURQUOISE BAY WA
17. Writing Activities
a) Write a diary entry about snorkelling at Turquoise Bay. Talk about what you did to get ready and what you saw when you snorkelled.
b) Write an information report about Turquoise Bay.
18. Art activity: Using a small box make a diorama with what you could see when you go snorkelling at Turquoise Bay. You can draw the pictures you need or even cut up pictures from brochures from the Tourist Information Centre.
19. Internet Research: Look up http://www.westernaustralia travellersguide.com/turquoisebay.html and write down interesting information you
BROOME WA
20. Writing Activities:
a) Diary entry: Write about eating fish and chips whilst watching the moon reflected on the mudflats in Roebuck Bay like they did in the book.
b) Procedure: Write how you would make fish and chips.
11. Geography: Make a poster about Perth. The title can be “Come to Perth” and headings could be population, rivers, landforms, tourist attractions, industry and other features.
12. History: Complete a history timeline of Perth.
PINNACLES WA
13. Art activity: Look at a picture of the pinnacles and sketch them with pencil.
MONKEY MIA WA
14. Writing Activities:
a) Write a diary entry about what it was like to see the dolphins.
b) Write a poem about swimming with dolphins.
c) Report: Write an information report about dolphins.
15. Internet Research/Science: Look up the following web site. http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/dolphin.html Write facts about dolphins in the format of a pamphlet with interesting information such as physical appearance, feeding habits and breeding habits.
16. Numeracy: Write down the average length of a dolphin.
TURQUOISE BAY WA
17. Writing Activities
a) Write a diary entry about snorkelling at Turquoise Bay. Talk about what you did to get ready and what you saw when you snorkelled.
b) Write an information report about Turquoise Bay.
18. Art activity: Using a small box make a diorama with what you could see when you go snorkelling at Turquoise Bay. You can draw the pictures you need or even cut up pictures from brochures from the Tourist Information Centre.
19. Internet Research: Look up http://www.westernaustralia travellersguide.com/turquoisebay.html and write down interesting information you
BROOME WA
20. Writing Activities:
a) Diary entry: Write about eating fish and chips whilst watching the moon reflected on the mudflats in Roebuck Bay like they did in the book.
b) Procedure: Write how you would make fish and chips.
WINJANA GORGE
21. Art Activity: Draw Boab trees in Winjana Gorge. If you cannot draw then you could create a college using pictures from postcards.
22. Writing, Geography and History: Create a pamphlet advertising Winjana Gorge.
BUNGLE BUNGLES
23. Writing Activities:
a) Write a poem about the Bungle Bungles. You may even try an acrostic poem with a phrase for each letter of the words
b) Write an information report about the Bungle Bungles and why they are a famous tourist attraction.
ALICE SPRINGS
24. Writing, Geography and History: Design a power point presentation to show about Alice Springs. Use web sites such as www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au and www.tourism.thealice.com.au. You may also like to visit the local library and use some information books.
25. Art activity: Make a collage with pictures of Uluru. You may also like to write facts on the back of the collage.
26. Speaking and Listening: Present a talk with the power point presentation.
TOP END – Katherine Gorge
27. Writing Activity: Write about a kayaking trip through Katherine Gorge making sure you describe what the scenery looks like.
KAKADU NT
28. SCIENCE: Write about the wildlife in Kakadu. The information could be presented in a power point presentation or a book format.
MOUNT ISA AND CLONCURRY QLD
29. Design a mini poster advertising life on the cattle stations. You can get information from this book as well as Our experiences on a cattle station.
DAINTREE
30. Art and Maths: Draw a big butterfly. Cut out shapes and then glue cellophane behind the shapes. Talk about the properties of the different shapes used.
CAIRNS QLD
31. Art and Writing: Design your own postcard and then write about Cairns on the
SURFERS PARADISE/GOLD COAST QLD
32. Choose one of the theme parks and research on it. Present your information in a creative way.
Web site suggestions: www.seaworld.com.au and www.dreamworld.com.au
SYDNEY NSW
33. Art: Draw crayon fireworks and then do a black paint wash over the top. Scratch off somne paint when dry to make a fireworks effect.
CANBERRA ACT
34. History: Draw a labelled picture that shows some of the historical significance of
HOBART TAS
35. Art: Draw the ferry going across Bass Strait.
36. Writing: Write an imaginative story about the ferry across Bass Strait.
PHILLIP ISLAND VIC
37. Science: Draw an outline of a penguin and fill the penguin with interesting facts.
21. Art Activity: Draw Boab trees in Winjana Gorge. If you cannot draw then you could create a college using pictures from postcards.
22. Writing, Geography and History: Create a pamphlet advertising Winjana Gorge.
BUNGLE BUNGLES
23. Writing Activities:
a) Write a poem about the Bungle Bungles. You may even try an acrostic poem with a phrase for each letter of the words
b) Write an information report about the Bungle Bungles and why they are a famous tourist attraction.
ALICE SPRINGS
24. Writing, Geography and History: Design a power point presentation to show about Alice Springs. Use web sites such as www.alicesprings.nt.gov.au and www.tourism.thealice.com.au. You may also like to visit the local library and use some information books.
25. Art activity: Make a collage with pictures of Uluru. You may also like to write facts on the back of the collage.
26. Speaking and Listening: Present a talk with the power point presentation.
TOP END – Katherine Gorge
27. Writing Activity: Write about a kayaking trip through Katherine Gorge making sure you describe what the scenery looks like.
KAKADU NT
28. SCIENCE: Write about the wildlife in Kakadu. The information could be presented in a power point presentation or a book format.
MOUNT ISA AND CLONCURRY QLD
29. Design a mini poster advertising life on the cattle stations. You can get information from this book as well as Our experiences on a cattle station.
DAINTREE
30. Art and Maths: Draw a big butterfly. Cut out shapes and then glue cellophane behind the shapes. Talk about the properties of the different shapes used.
CAIRNS QLD
31. Art and Writing: Design your own postcard and then write about Cairns on the
SURFERS PARADISE/GOLD COAST QLD
32. Choose one of the theme parks and research on it. Present your information in a creative way.
Web site suggestions: www.seaworld.com.au and www.dreamworld.com.au
SYDNEY NSW
33. Art: Draw crayon fireworks and then do a black paint wash over the top. Scratch off somne paint when dry to make a fireworks effect.
CANBERRA ACT
34. History: Draw a labelled picture that shows some of the historical significance of
HOBART TAS
35. Art: Draw the ferry going across Bass Strait.
36. Writing: Write an imaginative story about the ferry across Bass Strait.
PHILLIP ISLAND VIC
37. Science: Draw an outline of a penguin and fill the penguin with interesting facts.
Outcomes (Australian Curriculum – General Capabilities: Literacy Continuum)
Level 2 (By the end of Year 2)
Navigate, read and view texts with illustrations and simple graphics. Listen to two or more step instructions for undertaking learning tasks. Respond to texts read aloud.
Interpret and use texts to explore topics, gather information and make some obvious inferences using comprehension strategies.
Compose and edit a small range of learning area texts. Plan, rehearse and deliver short presentations on learning area topics. Use simple and compound sentences to record observations, and make connections between ideas.
Recognise and use nouns. Identify and use language that expresses feelings and opinions and compares and evaluates people and things. Describe how images add to, contradict or multiply the meanings of words in a text, and compare images with the accompanying print text.
Spell topic words, new words with regular letter patterns and some common irregular words.
Use mostly familiar vocabulary with a steady introduction of new vocabulary.
Level 3 (By the end of Year 4)
Listen to spoken instructions with some detail for undertaking learning area tasks. Listen to identify key information. Respond to texts read aloud. Interpret literal information and make inferences to expand topic knowledge using comprehension strategies.
Compose and edit a range of texts. Plan, rehearse and deliver presentations on topics incorporating some learned content and appropriate visual and multimodal elements. Use simple, compound and complex sentences to describe, explain, report and make connections between ideas and events.
Recognise and use adverbs and prepositional phrases that provide detailed descriptions in the learning areas.Differentiate between the language of opinion and feeling and the language of factual reporting or recording.
Use growing subject specific vocabulary to read, discuss and write about learning Spell topic words, more complex irregular words, regular words and word families containing known letters and letter clusters, and use strategies for attempting unknown words.
Level 2 (By the end of Year 2)
Navigate, read and view texts with illustrations and simple graphics. Listen to two or more step instructions for undertaking learning tasks. Respond to texts read aloud.
Interpret and use texts to explore topics, gather information and make some obvious inferences using comprehension strategies.
Compose and edit a small range of learning area texts. Plan, rehearse and deliver short presentations on learning area topics. Use simple and compound sentences to record observations, and make connections between ideas.
Recognise and use nouns. Identify and use language that expresses feelings and opinions and compares and evaluates people and things. Describe how images add to, contradict or multiply the meanings of words in a text, and compare images with the accompanying print text.
Spell topic words, new words with regular letter patterns and some common irregular words.
Use mostly familiar vocabulary with a steady introduction of new vocabulary.
Level 3 (By the end of Year 4)
Listen to spoken instructions with some detail for undertaking learning area tasks. Listen to identify key information. Respond to texts read aloud. Interpret literal information and make inferences to expand topic knowledge using comprehension strategies.
Compose and edit a range of texts. Plan, rehearse and deliver presentations on topics incorporating some learned content and appropriate visual and multimodal elements. Use simple, compound and complex sentences to describe, explain, report and make connections between ideas and events.
Recognise and use adverbs and prepositional phrases that provide detailed descriptions in the learning areas.Differentiate between the language of opinion and feeling and the language of factual reporting or recording.
Use growing subject specific vocabulary to read, discuss and write about learning Spell topic words, more complex irregular words, regular words and word families containing known letters and letter clusters, and use strategies for attempting unknown words.