Trash - Learning Sequence

The Learning Sequence outlined in the unit overview provides a comprehensive three-month educational journey for students, exploring the themes and language of a novel set in a dumpsite. The first three weeks are dedicated to building vocabulary and understanding of the context, with activities such as using a word detective grid and synonym wheel to decipher unfamiliar terms. Students set up a timeline to track the story's main events and delve into the book's setting by researching Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, and the favelas. The curriculum includes writing information texts on favelas, engaging in role-play activities to empathise with characters, and practising the passive voice to enhance their writing skills.

As the unit progresses through weeks four to twelve, students continue to read and analyse subsequent chapters, focusing on character development, plot progression, and the author's use of suspense and tension. They engage in a variety of activities, including hot-seating characters, writing diary entries, and participating in class debates. The learning sequence also integrates cross-curricular elements, such as researching the Day of the Dead and the Amazon Rainforest, allowing students to enhance their geographical knowledge. The final weeks encourage students to reflect on the themes of the novel, discuss its narrative structure, and express personal opinions through balanced arguments. They also explore poetry, examining poetic devices and themes, and giving their own interpretations of the works read.