Inspired by: The Arrival - Week 1

In the educational activity inspired by Shaun Tan's "The Arrival," students are encouraged to delve into the narrative and themes of the story by examining the book's cover and first page illustrations. The primary learning objective is for students to explain and discuss their understanding of the text, keeping focused on the topic and using notes when necessary. Initially, they are prompted to speculate about the story's content based on the front cover and then reflect on the shared experiences of the characters depicted, who are all migrants forced to leave their home countries. The activity extends to researching real-life stories of refugees, such as Olympic marathon runner Guor Maker, whose harrowing journey from war-torn Sudan to the United States is both inspiring and educational. Students are tasked with creating a class presentation that outlines the various reasons forcing people to become refugees and the profound impact this status has on their lives.

Another aspect of the educational material focuses on narrative development, prompting students to read the first part of "The Arrival" and analyse the illustrations. They explore the purpose and focus of each image and the mood it creates, as well as what can be learned about the characters. Students are then challenged to write an account from the perspectives of the three different characters, enhancing their understanding of character and setting development. Additionally, in the activity titled "In My Suitcase," students use a colon to introduce a list, reflecting on the emotional and practical aspects of moving to a new country. They discuss and list items they would take with them, providing reasons for their choices, and learn how to effectively incorporate colons into their writing by examining key phrases that typically precede them. This exercise not only teaches grammar but also encourages empathy and understanding of the migrant experience.