Monday - Period 3

Activities:

Short story, 'The Old Dog' continued - character, setting, plot and theme.

Homework:  Continue to read our Term 2 novel, 'Red Dog'.  You should have read up to page number 36 by now.  If you haven't you need to start.  This book must be finished before you return to school in Term 2.

Tuesday - Period 4

Assessment Task:  Diary Entry as a character in the narrative, 'The Old Dog'.  In class task.

Homework:  Read the following chapters of our class novel, 'Red Dog' - The Stinker and Red Dog goes to Dampier.

Monday - Period 5

Today's activities:

• Short story - 'Dreams' by Gina Dillon.  Listening Task.
• In anticipation of our novel unit in Term 2, we will also visit the library today to borrow our text, 'Red Dog' by Louise de Bernieres. 

You need to begin your reading of this text now and complete it BY WEEK 1 OF TERM 2.  Start this as regular reading homework or for 'DEAR' in Homeroom.

A few points of interest:

• This book is based on a real dog whose adventures have been chronicled by Louis de Bernieres after many interviews with Western Australians who knew Red Dog.
• It is an episodic novel, which means that each chapter is an episode in the larger story of Red Dog's life.
• You will note a small drawing on the corner of each page.  This is a flick book animation - flick through it and watch Red Dog move.
• This novel can be counted as one of your 'Personal Choice' books for the Premier's Reading Challenge.

Wednesday - Period 2

Activities:

Short Story Introduction:  Rules ...short stories should

1. Be read in one sitting
2. Start quickly with a very short orientation
3. Hook the reader immediately in the opening paragraphs
4. Develop only 1 or 2 characters
5. Develop only 1 main theme
6. Use words efficiently
7. End quickly after the climax

Subject specific terms for narratives examined within all narrative terms. (Mind map and definitions).

Homework:  Make sure you have read and are familiar with 'The Old Dog' short story in preparation for your in-class assessment task on Tuesday, 23/3/10 (diary entry writing).

Thursday - Period 2

Activities:

To finalise our study of autobiographies, you will compose a summary paragraph that explains what you have learned about Lance Armstrong through your study of his autobiography extract and short film (viewed earlier).  You are also asked to show your understanding of the subject specific terms we have focused on by including them in your paragraph where appropriate.

Homework:  NAPLAN practise questions.  Due Wednesday - 17/3/10.  Also remember to read the short story, 'The Old Dog' in anticiption of your assessment task in Week 9.  Choose the character that you will write as, and highlight the possible parts of the story you will address in your diary entry.

Tuesday - Period 4

Activities:

1.  Journalling
2.  Lance Armstrong activities (completed).
3.  Premier's Reading Challenge passwords issued.

Visit the Premier's Reading Challenge website, test your userid and password.  Register the books you have read online.

Monday - Period 5

Activities:

1.  Editing
2.  Diary Entry - examination of an 'A' diary entry.

Friday - Period 4

Activities:

1.  Spelling
2.  Lance Armstrong (completion of unfinished work)
3.  Submission of homework:  digital/handwritten diary entry

Wednesday - Period 2

Activities:

1.  Listening task
2.  Lance Armstrong language and comprehension activities.
Homework:  NAPLAN Reading Task due Monday, 8/3/10.

Monday - Period 2

Activities:

1.  Paired reading
2.  Lance Armstrong (continued)

Homework:  To prepare for your upcoming assessment task in Week 9, you are to compose a diary entry that reflects on your first day at high school.  Remember to include events, thoughts and feelings about this experience.  This should be 1 A4 page in length and typed if possible.  This will make proofreading and editing easier than a handwritten piece.  DUE - Friday 5/3/10 Period 4