Inspired by: Weslandia - Week 5

Inspired by the imaginative world of "Weslandia" by Paul Fleischman, this week's learning activity centres on the art of crafting expanded noun phrases and using commas for clarity. Students will delve into the technique of conveying complex information succinctly, as demonstrated by Fleischman's character Wesley, who creates a range of products from his plants. A key example used to illustrate this concept is Wesley's invention of a loose-fitting robe crafted from the soft inner fibres of the stalks. Fleischman adeptly compares the robe to jeans using a concise, comparative structure: "Unlike jeans, which he found to be scratchy and heavy, the robe was comfortable, reflected the sun and offered myriad opportunities for pockets." Students are encouraged to explore the construction of 'unlike phrases' that combine main and relative clauses to compare different items, such as clothing or accessories, and to articulate the advantages of one product over another using Fleischman's sentence structure as a model.

Another aspect of learning is focused on the retrieval, recording, and presentation of information from non-fiction sources. Students will assess Wesley's latest creation, a mosquito repellent that has become popular among his peers. The task involves comparing various mosquito repellents, considering their advantages and disadvantages, such as the effectiveness of Deet versus natural alternatives. Students will investigate the features of different repellents, examining aspects like type, special features, and suitability for certain age groups. Additionally, they will explore the language and textual features found on product packaging, such as bullet points and the imperative verb tense, to guide users in the application and storage of the product. The activity culminates in designing their own insect repellent packaging, with a focus on writing, and evaluating the suitability of their designs, fostering an understanding of how language can be used to inform and persuade consumers.