Text+Choices+for+2011

It's time to consider out text choices for 2011. Bear in mind the following: We need to take into account our need to consolidate our teaching of new texts in a subsequent year, or years. Parents have to pay for our choices. It's helpful for families if texts can be passed on. It's also helpful if families can buy second hand copies of texts. A good teacher can teach just about any text successfully! It's all about preparedness and attitude. Change is good and shouldn't be feared, even if it incurs extra preparation. This can be stimulating for the teacher and students. Sometimes you have to drop the dead donkey.

Having covered those bases, I invite you to share your thoughts on our current texts. Just click on 'edit this page' and add your comments about our current texts. I'm hoping this forum will allow us to make the best decisions for 2011.

Year 7 Parvana's Journey. Trust Me Zarconi's Magic Flying Fish English Basics year 7

Year 8 Lockie Leonard Human Torpedo - I wanted to drop it, but I've been petitioned by kids in my own class, and in JC's, to retain it. Runner - I love teaching this text Holes - I used to love teaching this text (JR- think we should drop it- suggested replacement Ties that Bind Ties that Break) (Yes, JR. Now, I remember!! I think the text that you suggested should work well with the year 8s. JT) English Basics year 8 - it works for me

Year 9 Deadly Unna? Fighting Ruben Wolfe Chew on This Essential English year 9 Although John, Bruna and I have completed a comprehensive UBD on Deadly Unna? I think it's time for a change. I'm finding it rather tedious, only because it's been on the syllabus for so long. Having said that, not too sure what we could replace it with.

Essential English is quite good- Have used it to support teaching Issues and styles of writing. (Sophie) Year 10 Jolt The Story of Tom Brennan All Quiet on the Western Front ( JR- I love the book, my students (elearners) don't ) Essential English year 10 (JR-I don't find this text very useful) BTW, I'm okay with all of these texts but am about to read Cormac McCarthy's The Road - suggested by Matt T - as a possible alternative to All Quiet... Which is going over like WW1 in some classes. I've just read The Road and think we should put this on at Year 10 in place of All Quiet... However, I'd really welcome some other thoughts. There is no doubt that it's great literature. However, I don't think it would disenfranchise our less literate students. The narrative alone will drive them - especially if when you introduce it you begin with some gory sections re cannibalism. Here's a link to a good review on the text. //Here is the link// [|:] The Road is a modern master piece. I would use it as a Creating & Presenting piece in the style of VCE. Three SACs in three different forms with different prompts. This would help the students transition to VCE and help with teacher PD for future VCE teachers as well. Perhaps the context could be something to do with Humanity? There is a lot you could explore and supplement with other texts. - KD

Year 11 Night About a Boy To Kill A Mockingbird English at Eleven I'm okay with all of the above. Think we should definitely do Mockingbird next year.

I've enjoyed teaching all of the Year 11 texts this year. 'To Kill A Mockingbird' was an inspiring choice. The kids really enjoyed it. (Sophie)
Year 12 Maestro Encountering Conflict Context - The Crucible; The Secret River Look Both Ways. Well it's going. Replace with another film, unless you want to swap one of the C&P texts with a film. Maybe just changing one a year is the way to go. - KD   Think we should change a couple of texts, if not all. Team comments urgently required.

Looking forward to your input. Cheers. Judi

-Definitely need to change the year 12 texts! Can't face the thought of Crucible and Maestro again. Time for a change-keep it fresh. Let's change the context, perhaps. (RH)

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I have enjoyed //Maestro and Look Both Ways// (I realise we have to change the film for 2011) but this is my first year teaching the course. Can appreciate how others may be bored to distraction. I have been thinking about the context and I question whether we are getting the best possible writing out of our kids. Perhaps it's time to change. (Sophie)=====