Orion and the Dark - Learning Sequence

The learning sequence for 'Orion and the Dark' spans over six weeks, providing a comprehensive unit overview for educators. The initial week focuses on vocabulary development, where students utilise a word detective grid to understand unfamiliar words throughout the unit. The character of Orion is explored through visual and role-play activities, encouraging students to delve into his emotions and fears, and to critically assess the realism of his solutions to problems. These discussions lead to creative writing tasks, where students convert speech from bubbles into direct speech, and engage in proofreading their work. Additionally, the character of Dark is introduced, with students predicting his appearance and discussing his role in helping Orion overcome his fears.

In the subsequent weeks, the learning sequence delves deeper into the narrative and language features of the story. Students engage in activities such as predicting sound sources, creating expanded noun phrases, and experimenting with onomatopoeia. They also analyse a poem, 'The Sound Collector', to understand the use of tone, volume, and sound effects, which they then apply in their own writing and performances. As the unit progresses, students examine the transformation in Orion's character and emotions, using a range of adverbials to enhance their storytelling. The final weeks involve drafting and proofreading a story, building on the dialogue and descriptions developed earlier. The unit also integrates cross-curricular learning, with students incorporating scientific knowledge about light sources into their writing, showcasing the unit's multifaceted approach to learning.