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Blueback- Task Cards
3 4 5 6 Pre & Primary Essentials Games & Activities English Language for Expressing & Developing Ideas Examining Literature Creating Literature Literature & Contexts Language for Interacting With Others Language Variation and Change 11 Pages

Blueback- Task Cards

This resource provides a series of engaging task cards based on Tim Winton’s Blueback. It encourages students to explore themes such as the environment, personal growth, and relationships, with a focus on creative writing, research, and reflection. Designed for years 3–6, these activities deepen comprehension and inspire critical thinking.

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Learning goals

  • We are learning to describe the settings in texts and character traits using descriptive adjectives that influence the mood of the narrative.
  • We are learning to discuss literary experiences with others, share responses and express a point of view using metalanguage to describe the effects of texts, text structures and language features.
  • We are learning to understand that the levels of formality increase with greater social distance.
  • We are learning to create and edit texts by experimenting with figurative language, story lines, characters and settings.
  • We are learning to plan, create, edit and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts with correct text structure, tense, language features, vivid vocabulary, punctuation, spelling and images.
  • We are learning to discuss characters, events and settings in different contexts and the authors’ reasons for these depictions.
  • We are learning to create and edit imaginative texts by using or adapting language features, characters, settings and plot structures, e.g. changing the setting, revising an ending.
  • We are learning to create texts using a range of sentence types, including dialogue and literary devices and work with peers to edit texts and share feedback.
  • We are learning to plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts with correct text structure, language features and grammatical features and incorporating research from a range of sources.
  • We are learning to analyse how text structures and language features work together to meet the purpose of a text and to engage and influence audiences.
  • We are learning to discuss texts and the authors’ reasons for character depictions, settings and events.
  • We are learning to describe the settings in texts and character traits using descriptive adjectives that influence the mood of the narrative.
  • We are learning to create imaginative texts based on familiar characters, settings and events from various cultures drawing from and innovating on texts we have read, e.g. revising an ending.
  • We are learning to create multimodal texts that adapt language features and patterns encountered in literary texts, e.g. characterisation, rhyme, rhythm, mood, music, sound effects and dialogue.
  • We are learning to discuss literary experiences with others, sharing responses and expressing a point of view.
  • We are learning to use metalanguage to describe the effects of texts, text structures and language features of texts.
  • We are learning to create texts by developing storylines, characters and settings.
  • We are learning to create texts that explore students’ own experiences and imagining.
  • We are learning to plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts with correct text structure, language features and grammatical features, and incorporate research from a range of sources.
  • We are learning to re-read and revise written texts and to edit texts for clarity, structure, grammatical and spelling accuracy.
  • We are learning to use software, e.g. MS Word or PowerPoint to plan, sequence, compose and edit multimodal texts featuring visual, print and audio elements.
  • We are learning to create literary texts using realistic and fantasy settings and characters that draw on our own experiences.
  • We are learning to create texts by experimenting with structures, ideas and stylistic features of authors, e.g. narrative view point, structure of stanzas and juxtaposition.
  • We are learning to understand, interpret and experiment with sound devices and imagery, including simile, metaphor and personification, in narratives, shape poetry, songs, anthems and odes.
  • We are learning to analyse how text structures and language features work together to meet the purpose of a text.
  • We are learning to analyse strategies authors use to influence readers.
  • We are learning to plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts with correct text structure, language features and images for purpose and the audience.
  • We are learning to re-read and edit work using agreed criteria and to explain our editing choices.
  • We are learning to use software, e.g. MS Word or PowerPoint, learning new functions as required to create texts.

Curriculum alignment

AC9E4LE02 9 describe the effects of text structures and language features in literary texts when responding to and sharing opinions AC9E6LY03 9 Analyse how text structures and language features work together to meet the purpose of a text, and engage and influence audiences AC9E4LY06 9 Plan, create, edit and publish written and multimodal imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, using visual features, relevant linked ideas, complex sentences, appropriate tense, synonyms and antonyms, correct spelling of multisyllabic words and simple punctuation AC9E4LE05 9 Create and edit literary texts by developing storylines, characters and settings AC9E3LE03 9 Discuss how an author uses language and illustrations to portray characters and settings in texts, and explore how the settings and events influence the mood of the narrative AC9E3LE05 9 Create and edit imaginative texts, using or adapting language features, characters, settings, plot structures and ideas encountered in literary texts AC9E3LE01 9 Discuss characters, events and settings in different contexts in literature by First Nations Australian, and wide-ranging Australian and world authors and illustrators AC9E6LA01 9 Understand that language varies as levels of formality and social distance increase AC9E5LE05 9 Create and edit literary texts, experimenting with figurative language, storylines, characters and settings from texts students have experienced AC9E6LY06 9 Plan, create, edit and publish written and multimodal texts whose purposes may be imaginative, informative and persuasive, using paragraphs, a variety of complex sentences, expanded verb groups, tense, topic-specific and vivid vocabulary, punctuation, spelling and visual features ACELT1594 8.4 Discuss texts in which characters, events and settings are portrayed in different ways, and speculate on the authors’ reasons ACELT1603 8.4 Discuss literary experiences with others, sharing responses and expressing a point of view ACELT1612 8.4 Create literary texts using realistic and fantasy settings and characters that draw on the worlds represented in texts students have experienced ACELT1798 8.4 Create literary texts that experiment with structures, ideas and stylistic features of selected authors ACELT1611 8.4 Understand, interpret and experiment with sound devices and imagery, including simile, metaphor and personification, in narratives, shape poetry, songs, anthems and odes ACELA1516 8.4 Understand that strategies for interaction become more complex and demanding as levels of formality and social distance increase ACELY1711 8.4 Analyse how text structures and language features work together to meet the purpose of a text ACELY1801 8.4 Analyse strategies authors use to influence readers ACELY1714 8.4 Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, choosing and experimenting with text structures, language features, images and digital resources appropriate to purpose and audience ACELY1715 8.4 Re-read and edit students’ own and others’ work using agreed criteria and explaining editing choices ACELY1717 8.4 Use a range of software, including word processing programs, learning new functions as required to create texts ACELT1599 8.4

Discuss how language is used to describe the settings in texts, and explore how the settings shape the events and influence the mood of the narrative

 ACELT1794 8.4 Create literary texts by developing storylines, characters and settings ACELT1607 8.4 Create literary texts that explore students’ own experiences and imagining ACELT1604 8.4 Use metalanguage to describe the effects of ideas, text structures and language features of literary texts ACELT1791 8.4 Create texts that adapt language features and patterns encountered in literary texts, for example characterisation, rhyme, rhythm, mood, music, sound effects and dialogue ACELY1694 8.4 Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts containing key information and supporting details for a widening range of audiences, demonstrating increasing control over text structures and language features ACELY1695 8.4 Re-read and edit for meaning by adding, deleting or moving words or word groups to improve content and structure ACELT1601 8.4 Create imaginative texts based on characters, settings and events from students’ own and other cultures using visual features, for example perspective, distance and angle ACELY1697 8.4 Use a range of software including word processing programs to construct, edit and publish written text, and select, edit and place visual, print and audio elements
EN3-5B old Discusses how language is used to achieve a widening range of purposes for a widening range of audiences and contexts EN2-4A old Uses an increasing range of skills, strategies and knowledge to fluently read, view and comprehend a range of texts on increasingly challenging topics in different media and technologies EN2-3A old Uses effective handwriting and publishes texts using digital technologies EN2-2A old Plans, composes and reviews a range of texts that are more demanding in terms of topic, audience and language EN2-8B old Identifies and compares different kinds of texts when reading and viewing and shows an understanding of purpose, audience and subject matter EN2-10C old Thinks imaginatively, creatively and interpretively about information, ideas and texts when responding to and composing texts EN3-1A old Communicates effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes using increasingly challenging topics, ideas, issues and language forms and features EN3-3A old Uses an integrated range of skills, strategies and knowledge to read, view and comprehend a wide range of texts in different media and technologies EN3-7C old Thinks imaginatively, creatively, interpretively and critically about information and ideas and identifies connections between texts when responding to and composing texts EN3-2A old Composes, edits and presents well-structured and coherent texts EN3-UARL-02 new Analyses representations of ideas in literature through genre and theme that reflect perspective and context, argument and authority, and adapts these representations when creating texts EN2-VOCAB-01 new Builds knowledge and use of Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary through interacting, wide reading and writing, and by defining and analysing words EN2-HANDW-02 new Uses digital technologies to create texts EN2-SPELL-01 new Selects, applies and describes appropriate phonological, orthographic and morphological generalisations and strategies when spelling in a range of contexts EN2-CWT-03 new Plans, creates and revises written texts for persuasive purposes, using text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language for a target audience EN2-CWT-02 new Plans, creates and revises written texts for informative purposes, using text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language for a target audience EN2-CWT-01 new Plans, creates and revises written texts for imaginative purposes, using text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language for a target audience EN3-VOCAB-01 new Extends Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary through interacting, wide reading and writing, morphological analysis and generating precise definitions for specific contexts EN3-CWT-01 new Plans, creates and revises written texts for multiple purposes and audiences through selection of text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language EN2-RECOM-01 new Reads and comprehends texts for wide purposes using knowledge of text structures and language, and by monitoring comprehension EN2-UARL-01 new Identifies and describes how ideas are represented in literature and strategically uses similar representations when creating texts EN2-OLC-01 new Communicates with familiar audiences for social and learning purposes, by interacting, understanding and presenting EN3-SPELL-01 new Automatically applies taught phonological, orthographic and morphological generalisations and strategies when spelling in a range of contexts, and justifies spelling strategies used to spell unfamiliar words EN3-HANDW-01 new Sustains a legible, fluent and automatic handwriting style EN3-HANDW-02 new Selects digital technologies to suit audience and purpose to create texts EN3-UARL-01 new Analyses representations of ideas in literature through narrative, character, imagery, symbol and connotation, and adapts these representations when creating texts EN3-OLC-01 new Communicates to wide audiences with social and cultural awareness, by interacting and presenting, and by analysing and evaluating for understanding
VCELY359 Reread and edit own and others’ work using agreed criteria and explaining editing choices VCELT306 Discuss literary experiences with others, sharing responses and expressing a point of view VCELY358 Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts, choosing and experimenting with text structures, language features, images and digital resources appropriate to purpose and audience VCELY345 Analyse strategies authors use to influence readers VCELT265 Create texts that adapt language features and patterns encountered in literary texts VCELT283 Describe the effects of ideas, text structures and language features of literary texts VCELT274 Discuss texts in which characters, events and settings are portrayed in different ways, and speculate on the authors’ reasons VCELY361 Use a range of software, including word processing programs, learning new functions as required to create texts VCELA363 Understand that strategies for interaction become more complex and demanding as levels of formality and social distance increase VCELT297 Create literary texts by developing storylines, characters and settings VCELT316 Understand, interpret and experiment with sound devices and imagery, including simile, metaphor and personification, in narratives, shape poetry, songs, anthems and odes VCELT298 Create literary texts that explore students’ own experiences and imagining VCELT264 Create imaginative texts based on characters, settings and events from students’ own and other cultures including through the use of visual features VCELT327 Create literary texts that experiment with structures, ideas and stylistic features of selected authors VCELY299 Plan, draft and publish imaginative, informative and persuasive texts containing key information and supporting details for a widening range of audiences, demonstrating increasing control over text structures and language features VCELT328 Create literary texts using realistic and fantasy settings and characters that draw on the worlds represented in texts students have experienced VCELY300 Reread and edit for meaning by adding, deleting or moving words or word groups to improve content and structure VCELY302 Use a range of software including word processing programs to construct, edit and publish written text, and select, edit and place visual, print and audio elements VCELT253 Discuss how language is used to describe the settings in texts, and explore how the settings shape the events and influence the mood of the narrative

Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.

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