Overview

This is the first three lessons of the lesson sequence focused on ‘The Short Story’. In the following three lessons students will begin their exploration of narrative with a focus on the short story form. 

Lessons 1 – 3 set the foundations for this learning by reflecting on prior knowledge and building a strong understanding of the elements of an effective narrative.  

By engaging in this sequence of learning, students will come to understand the following:

• the characteristics of an effective narrative 

• the form, features and structural elements of a short story 

• the various ways authors experiment with the elements of a short story  

• ways students can experiment in their own imaginative writing.   

These lessons address the following outcomes – a student:

• EN4-2A: effectively uses a widening range of processes, skills, strategies and knowledge for responding to and composing texts in different media and technologies 

• EN4-5C thinks imaginatively, creatively, interpretively and critically about information, ideas and arguments to respond to and compose texts 

• EN4-6C identifies and explains connections between and among texts 

In Lesson 1, students will develop an understanding of the importance and purpose of storytelling in society by reflecting on their own experiences of story and exploring the ideas of famous writers. 

During this lesson, students will: 

• understand that reading and writing are valuable experiences 

• learn how to use the Cornell note-taking method to take notes  

• understand that texts are created for different and varying purposes. 

Outcomes 

• EN4-5C thinks imaginatively, creatively, interpretively and critically about information, ideas and arguments to respond to and compose texts 

  • S405EP1: describe and explain qualities of language in their own and others’ texts that contribute to the enjoyment that can be experienced in responding to and composing texts 

  • S405RC13: discuss aspects of texts, for example their aesthetic and social value, using relevant and appropriate metalanguage

The coding for this content point comes from the English Textual Concepts and Learning Processes resources for Stage 4 English – Stage 4. 

Student will respond to the question ‘what makes a good story?’ by considering their own experiences of story and constructing a list of the ‘ingredients’ necessary for a good story. They will then use these ‘ingredients’ to create a recipe poster for an effective story. 

During this lesson, students will: 

• develop a personal understanding of the essential elements of a good story 

• present their personal understanding. 

Outcomes

• EN4-3B uses and describes language forms, features and structures of texts appropriate to a range of purposes, audiences and contexts 

  • S403EP1: engage with the language and structures of texts in meaningful, contextualised and authentic ways

• EN4-6C identifies and explains connections between and among texts 

  • S406DA2: explain the similarities and differences in meaning and language between texts created for different purposes or audiences 

The coding for this content point comes from the English Textual Concepts and Learning Processes resources for Stage 4 English – Stage 4.  

Student will begin to unpack the term ‘narrative’ and learn strategies that they can use to understand new vocabulary. They will reflect on prior learning of this topic and combine this with new knowledge. This will help students more deeply understand the essential elements of narrative. This learning will support students with their own experimentation. Students will have the opportunity to craft imaginative pieces. This will, in turn, help students to continually refine their own short stories.  

During this lesson, students will: 

• gain a greater understanding of the term ‘narrative’  

• use word webs to incorporate new words into your vocabulary 

• understand the essential elements of an effective narrative through experimentation. 

Outcomes

• EN4-3B uses and describes language forms, features and structures of texts appropriate to a range of purposes, audiences and contexts 

• S403EP02: identify, discuss and reflect on the ideas and information in a range of texts 

• S403DA7: recognise and use appropriate metalanguage in discussing a range of language forms, features and structures 

• S403UA21: understand how to use spelling rules and word origins, for example Greek and Latin roots, base words, suffixes, prefixes, spelling patterns and generalisations to learn new words and how to spell them

The coding for this content point comes from the English Textual Concepts and Learning Processes resources for Stage 4 English – Stage 4.