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Really Big Projects
In this unit, students are required to read and reflect on two books: The Really Big Food Project and The Really Big Book of Beliefs. This is the springboard for them to then research and create their own projects. Along the way they will keep individual project diaries. A key component of this unit is the way it builds an awareness in students of how their written and visual language choices influence the final product.
Index
- Introductory Activity
- Activity 1: The Really Big Concept
- Activities 2-3
- Activities 4-5
- Consolidation and Extension Activities
- Assessment
Unit Overview
Stage of Schooling: Upper Primary
Learning Focus: Writing (Asia Scope and Sequence for English, p 19)
Students write information texts such as descriptions, reports, explanations and simple arguments by researching unfamiliar topics from and about Asia to formulate and support opinions. They:
- support personal judgements about aspects of the peoples and cultures of Asia with relevant research.
Students understand that as writers they can influences others' opinions and portray people, characters and events from other cultures in particular ways by including or omitting information and by making particular language choices. They:
- reflect on the adjectives, verbs and visual techniques they use to present people, places, events and things
- examine their writing for the unspoken messages they may be reinforcing.
Texts/Resources
- The Really Big Beliefs Project (Curriculum Corporation, 2005)
- The Really Big Food Project (Curriculum Corporation, 2004)
Please note: While this unit can be completed using just one of these titles, it is preferable to use both.
Overview
The Really Big Project books highlight the diversity of Australian society and the influence of different cultures on the everyday lives of Australians. The texts invite students to develop informed attitudes, values and behaviour towards people with Asian backgrounds living in Australia, and through this towards Asia's people, lifestyles, events and issues. The unit requires students to read and reflect on the Really Big Projects and then to research, create and reflect on their own projects. They will keep individual project diaries during this process. A key component of the unit is encouraging in students an awareness of how their written and visual language choices influence the impact of their final product.
Duration
This is a flexible unit. The aims can easily be altered, as can the extent of the research students undertake. Two weeks would be the minimum length of time, and four weeks the maximum. For a shorter unit, the whole class could choose one project topic and work in groups to research its different aspects.
