Inspired by: Traction Man Meets Turbodog - Week 4

Inspired by the book "Traction Man Meets Turbodog" by Mini Grey, students delve into the significance of capitalisation and its impact on a reader's understanding. The lesson's objective is to discern why Mini Grey opts to use capital letters for certain words and phrases. Through the activity, students debate whether 'Scrubbing Brush' should be capitalised and the intention behind this stylistic choice, whether it's to personify an object or simply label it. They compare different settings within the book, such as 'The Summit' and 'The Tool Shed' versus 'The Handbag' and the 'Bin-Things', to determine consistency in the author's use of capital letters. Further exploration is encouraged as students seek additional instances of capitalisation that serve to label or personify throughout the text.

Another aspect of the learning journey involves understanding the importance of punctuation in writing. The lesson titled "Commando Comma" focuses on using commas to enhance clarity and prevent ambiguity. Students examine sentences from the book where the presence or absence of a comma alters the meaning, such as Traction Man's expressions of frustration towards Turbodog and his queries to Scrubbing Brush. The activity prompts students to reflect on how a simple comma can significantly change the interpretation of a sentence. They engage in exercises that demonstrate this, with examples like "Let's eat daddy" versus "Let's eat, daddy", highlighting the essential role of commas in ensuring clear and accurate communication.