Session 1 · AUTHOR: Understand
The world of the story
- 10 minRead a setting passage from the novel aloud twice. Close your eyes the second time.
- 20 minSetting sketch: draw what you see and label it with words and phrases from the text. Which details did the author choose, and which did they leave out?
- 15 minLiterature circles: discuss this week's chapters using your roles.
- 5 minHow does the setting make you feel, and which words do that?
Session 2 · AUTHOR: Techniques
Show, don't tell
- 10 minCompare 'She was nervous' with a sentence from the novel that shows nervousness through action, speech or thought.
- 15 minEmotion charades: act out a feeling with no words. The class names the actions that gave it away.
- 20 minWrite three 'show' sentences for three emotions using action, dialogue and thoughts.
- 5 minKuaka asks one question about a sentence you wrote.
Getting started
Use the 'show, don't tell' card: action, speech, thoughts, body, effect on others.
Stretch
Rewrite a paragraph of the novel from a different character's point of view.
Checkpoint
Each student can explain how the author builds one character and one setting, with quotes.
Activities for this week
- Five-senses setting walk: What makes a setting feel real enough to step into?
- Show, don't tell: How do writers show feelings without naming them?
Useful this week
- Children's and young adult literature ↗ The story of NZ children's books, from the School Journal to today.
- Reading engagement ↗ Book lists and ideas to find the right read.
- Storylines ↗ NZ authors, notable book lists and author visits.