This term Room 16 will undertake a literature study on the well known Australian author A.B. (Banjo) Paterson. His ballads and poems contain Australian colloquialisms, Australian Standard English and slang. Paterson used words and imagery effectively allowing the reader to visualise the Australian bush and lifestyle in the late 1800s to early 1900s. During this study we will engage with the literature through activities that will promote the recognition of rhythm, rhyme, onomatopoeia, similes, metaphors and narratives in the ballads. The study will also provide us with the opportunity to enjoy the experience of reading and performing poetry. The ballads and poems demonstrate to students a different way of life and expose them to characters to use as a scaffold into their own compositions of narratives and poetry. During this unit we will develop our analytical and research skills. We will analyse the language, literary techniques and meaning of Paterson’s work. Furthermore, we will research the era that Paterson lived to create a narrative based in this time.

During the unit we will have the opportunity to develop our writing process including self-checks, proof reading, receiving and giving peer feedback and recrafting our work. We will use technology to research, create and post our work on a class blog for sharing with the wider community.

We will be developing our oral language skills through the reading of selected literature. Different opportunities for reading will be offered to promote fluency and expression. Additionally, oral language skills will be promoted through facilitated class discussion and by students participating in group discussions.