Alice - Learning Sequence

The learning sequence for the unit on "Alice in Wonderland" is an immersive, multi-week exploration of the classic text, designed to enhance students' comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills. In the first week, students become word detectives, using a grid to decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words encountered throughout the story. They delve into the historical context of the tale and begin to collect clues and evidence about the narrative. As they read the opening pages, they compare Alice's opinions on books with their own and discuss her motivations for following the White Rabbit, as well as her reaction to encountering a talking rabbit. Activities include thought bubbles to capture Alice's perspective, role on the wall to chart character development, and creative writing exercises focusing on word choices and punctuation.

As the weeks progress, students continue their journey through the text, examining homophones, investigating concrete poetry, and developing their understanding of expanded noun phrases. They engage in role-play and freeze framing to bring illustrations to life, and practice writing dialogue with attention to accuracy and punctuation. The unit also includes an exploration of riddles, Victorian games like croquet, and discussions on the fantastical creatures Alice encounters. Students are encouraged to link their readings to other knowledge and consider alternative subjects they learn at school. Towards the unit's conclusion, they delve deeper into character analysis, sequence events, and write from Alice's perspective using a variety of grammatical structures. Research into Victorian childhood and the use of archived materials provide a historical dimension, culminating in written pieces that reflect students' learning and personal engagement with the text.