The Emu and the Jabiru - Sentence Builder
The Sentence Builder activity allows students to create meaningful, grammatically correct sentences using word cards based on The Emu and the Jabiru Dreamtime story. Students select a subject, verb, optional preposition, object, and adverb to build imaginative sentences, followed by writing and creative extension tasks.
This hands-on literacy task strengthens grammar knowledge, oral language skills, and understanding of Indigenous storytelling themes.
Learning goals
- We are learning to identify features, such as characters and settings, of different literary texts and give reasons for personal preferences.
- We are learning to draw connections between personal experiences and the worlds of texts and share responses with others.
- We are learning to identify aspects of different types of literary texts that entertain and give reasons for personal preferences.
- We are learning to draw connections between personal experiences and the worlds of texts, and share responses with others.
- We are learning to select and discuss texts that satisfy our personal preferences and providing reasoning.
Curriculum alignment
Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.
Differentiation
Modifications
• Provide a scaffold sheet with fixed sentence starters for emerging writers.
• Allow oral building of sentences before written recording.
• Colour-code cards further for strong visual support.
Extensions
• Students swap one card to change the meaning and discuss the impact.
• Use built sentences to create mini-narratives or comic strips.
• Write conversations between the emu and jabiru using created sentences.