Please note: In the Year 4 Course this resource comes as a downloadable PDF.
Introduction
First Contacts is a literature study that will help you guide your children towards a love of good books. With each book study you will open their eyes to different aspects of Australia’s history. Witness with delight, as their knowledge of Australia’s culture and heritage blossoms in a very natural way.
Six Australian picture books and two
excerpts from other longer works have been chosen for study. Many books and
illustrators are award winners. The stories were chosen for their educational,
literary and artistic merit. Every book has something special to share with
your child that will enrich their experience of Australia.
Curriculum Themes & Discussion Questions
Each lesson highlight’s various cultural and historical perspectives about Australia prior to 1800. The books are the teachers, and they need no major embellishments. After a reading, encourage a discussion with your child about issues raised in the book. The pictures often tell us more than the words, so make sure to examine those as well.
In the primary years children are introduced to the history of Australia at an age-appropriate level from Year 4 to Year 6. Australian history is again covered in high school especially in Year 9.
A Record of Learning
After reading the book encourage your child to create a memento of their learning. Here are a few suggestions to consider for recording your lessons.
- Practise oral narrations. Regularly stop during the reading to ask the child what has happened so far. This tests comprehension and helps them remember what they have learnt.
- Book Log Rating. Have your child record the title of the book into their Book Log (found in their Virtual Cupboard) and have them rate the book on a scale of 1-5. A small space has also been provided for them to write a comment about the book. For example, something they found interesting about the book, story or artwork.
- Notebook the lessons. Have them write about what they have learnt during the lesson; for some this may be a written narration; others may prefer to draw a scene from the story, and some may like to do both. Many children in Year 4 are quite articulate but their written skills do not match their oral ability, in circumstances like this the parent may wish to write for the child as they dictate what they want written.
I hope you enjoy reading these books this term.
Michelle Morrow
Lesson One: My Place
Book title: My Place by Nadia Wheatly and Donna Rawlins
First published in 1987 (CBCA Book of the Year)
About the Book:
This book covers 200 years of Australian history. The story starts in 1988 and works backwards over 10 year periods. Each decade shows what is happening in a particular street in Sydney. It shows the cultural and physical changes that occur. You can read this book backwards and forwards.
Themes:
This book explores the themes of place, and how one place changes from the past to present. It highlights the diversity of people who live in Australia.
Teaching Notes:
This is a long book and best not done in one sitting. Read over a few sessions this week.
My Place by Nadia Whealty
(This book takes about 25 minutes to read - we encourage you to purchase a copy or get one from the library).