Impressions: Texts from Asia for the Lower Secondary English Classroom

This book is out of print.

Drawing on factual and fictional extracts, personal memoirs and visual texts, Impressions takes Year 7 and 8 students into the cultures and life experiences of people across Asia. Students will be both challenged and informed. There are memoirs from Vietnam, extracts from the Ramayana epic, and miniatures of the Indian elephant-headed god Ganesh. The emphasis is on folktales, myths, legends and autobiographical writings.

A series of accompanying activities – including critical reading and role-play – are designed to prompt lively discussion of the experiences and ideas raised.

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Index

Introduction

Student activities are provided under the following headings, with the outcomes described:

Talking Points, Reading Aloud, Role-play

Students will:

reflect on what is conveyed in texts viewed and read
interpret and discuss texts viewed and read in different cultural contexts
develop oral and dramatic interpretations and expressions of the texts.

In Writing

Students will be encouraged to develop writing skills appropriate to genre, audience and purpose.

Investigation

Students will:

define and develop research tools within a given framework
locate, read and discuss a variety of relevant resource material
collect and store information, synthesise relevant information and appropriately present material.

Visual

Students will:

be encouraged to develop an understanding, and appreciation of visual material
engage in interpretation and discussion of visual material in different cultural contexts.

The Ramayana