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Overview

This is a detailed 5-lesson learning pack designed for Australian Year 5-8 English classes focusing on Blueback by Tim Winton. The pack aligns closely with the Australian Curriculum v9 for English, and follows the NSW Stage 3 and Life Skills outcomes to accommodate autistic learners. Each 60-minute lesson is for 7 students and includes WALT statements, success criteria, scaffolded oral and independent activities with worksheets, and assessment strategies.

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Curriculum Alignment Summary

Curriculum References:

• Australian Curriculum v9 English:

  • AC9E5LA03: Understanding language features and text organisation (Year 5)
  • AC9E5LY07: Planning and delivering spoken and multimodal presentations (Year 5)
  • AC9E8LY06 & AC9E8LY07: Creating imaginative and analytical texts, presentations for audiences (Year 8)
  • Comprehension and interpretation including prediction, identifying themes, character analysis (Across Years 5-8)

• NSW Stage 3 & Life Skills Outcomes:

  • Outcomes addressing comprehension, narrative creation, reflecting on learning
  • Strategies for communication, participation, and collaboration

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Lesson 1: Exploring Blueback Context

WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Explore the setting, characters, and vocabulary of Blueback.
• Predict story themes and meanings using pictures and text extracts.
• Identify symbols and themes related to identity, values, and environment.

Success Criteria

• I can describe the setting and characters.
• I can explain new vocabulary words.
• I can make predictions about the story using clues from the text and images.
• I can identify and discuss symbols in the story.

Learning Objectives

• AC9E5LA03: Describe how texts use language features and are organised by purpose (e.g. narrative)
• AC9E4LY05: Use comprehension strategies of predicting and connecting
• NSW Life Skills: Engage in communication and comprehension tasks relevant to familiar text

Activities

Time	Activity Description
10 mins	Introduction & Brainstorm: Teacher shows images of underwater scenes & introduces Blueback. Students brainstorm what they know about ocean life and environments. Scaffold with guided questions.
15 mins	Vocabulary Exploration: Introduce 6 key words (e.g. reef, current, juvenile, habitat, conserve, vigilant). Use word maps – definition, picture, sentence. Provide visuals and gestures for scaffolded support.
15 mins	Predictive Reading: Show covers & blurbs; students predict story elements. Use sentence starters: "I think...", "Maybe the story is about...". Provide prediction worksheets with word banks for support.
15 mins	Symbol & Theme Discussion: Introduce concept of symbolism using the 'Blueback' fish image. Facilitate oral discussion on what it might represent - freedom, environment, courage. Support with picture cards.
5 mins	Reflection: Students share one new thing learnt. Teacher records for feedback.

Resources

• Blueback cover images and key scene pictures
• Vocabulary word maps (images + simple definitions)
• Prediction worksheet with sentence starters and word banks
• Symbol cards (fish, ocean, coral)

Assessment

• Oral responses during discussions
• Completed vocabulary worksheet and prediction sheet to check understanding

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Lesson 2: Character and Emotion

WALT

• Analyse how Tim Winton represents character emotions through language and setting in Blueback.
• Identify the main character and their feelings in selected extracts.

Success Criteria

• I can identify the main character.
• I can explain how the setting affects character emotions.
• I can give examples of words that show feelings.
• I can share how I feel about the character’s actions.

Learning Objectives

• AC9E5LA03: Understand and explain how ideas are represented through character and setting
• AC9E4LY05: Use comprehension strategies including visualising and connecting
• NSW Life Skills: Express preferences and communicate about texts

Activities

Time	Activity Description
10 mins	Review Key Vocabulary & Predictions from Lesson 1. Use a brief Q&A.
20 mins	Text Exploration: Read aloud an extract focused on the main character (Abel) and his interactions with the ocean. After reading, students highlight or mark words that show emotion (happy, worried, proud). Use highlighters or symbols for support.
20 mins	Role Play & Emotion Charades: Students act out emotions displayed by characters. Teacher models phrases like “Abel feels... because...”. Scaffold with emotion picture cards.
10 mins	Independent Worksheet: Match emotions to sentences from the text. Complete a simple written or symbol-supported paragraph: “Abel feels … because …”

Resources

• Printed text extract from Blueback
• Emotion cards and picture symbols
• Highlighters, worksheets with sentences and matching emotions

Assessment

• Observation of participation in role play and discussions
• Correct matching of emotions in worksheet

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Lesson 3: Themes of Identity and Values

WALT

• Explore themes of identity and environmental values in Blueback.
• Discuss how these themes are shown through characters’ choices.

Success Criteria

• I can explain the themes of identity and values.
• I can give examples from the text to support my ideas.
• I can share my own values about protecting the environment.

Learning Objectives

• AC9E4LY05: Identify and discuss themes in texts
• AC9E5LA03: Understand how authors express values in narrative texts
• NSW Life Skills: Engage in discussions about topics of personal importance

Activities

Time	Activity Description
15 mins	Theme Introduction: Teacher explains ‘identity’ and ‘values’ with simple definitions and examples. Use a mind map visual showing ‘Who am I?’, ‘What I believe.’
15 mins	Group Discussion: Read key passage where Abel makes a choice to protect the environment. Prompt questions: “Why does Abel protect the reef?”, “What does this tell us about him?” Use sentence starters for support.
15 mins	Values Collage: Each student creates a collage (cut-and-paste or digital) representing things or values important to them – guided by teacher prompts focused on identity and protection of nature.
15 mins	Sharing and Reflection: Each student explains one part of their collage using sentences or communication aids. Teacher records reflections in learning journal.

Resources

• Key text excerpts
• Mind map poster of ‘Identity and Values’ theme
• Collage materials (magazines, scissors, glue) or digital tools
• Communication boards or sentence starters

Assessment

• Group discussion rubric (oral engagement, ability to support with examples)
• Completed collage with oral or assisted presentation

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Lesson 4: News Report Features & Applying the 5 W's

WALT

• Identify features of a news report.
• Use the 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) to organise information about Blueback.

Success Criteria

• I can list the features of a news report.
• I can answer questions using the 5 W’s about Blueback.
• I can start to plan a simple news report based on the story.

Learning Objectives

• AC9E5LA03: Describe features and organisation of informative texts
• AC9E5LY07: Plan and deliver oral presentations
• NSW Life Skills: Develop and organise information for familiar audiences

Activities

Time	Activity Description
15 mins	Exploring News Reports: Teacher presents a simple news report (sample text) – identify headline, introduction, facts answering 5 W’s. Use a graphic organiser poster.
15 mins	Class 5 W’s Activity: Read a summary of Blueback. As a group, answer Who? What? When? Where? Why? recording answers on a whiteboard or chart paper. Scaffold with sentence frames.
15 mins	Worksheet Activity: Fill out a 5 W’s graphic organiser about Blueback using pictures, keywords, and teacher support as needed.
15 mins	Oral Sharing: Students share one answer orally or through assistive tech to reinforce speaking skills.

Resources

• Model simple news report text
• 5 W’s graphic organiser sheets
• Sentence starters “The who is...”, “The what is...”
• Whiteboard/chart paper

Assessment

• Check completed 5 W’s worksheets for content accuracy and comprehension
• Oral sharing participation and sentence use

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Lesson 5: Comparing Text and Film Versions

WALT

• Identify similarities and differences between the Blueback novel and film.
• Express personal points of view about story elements.
• Reflect on learning using success criteria.

Success Criteria

• I can name similarities and differences between the novel and film.
• I can express my opinion about the story.
• I can reflect on what I have learnt.

Learning Objectives

• AC9E5LA03: Analyse how ideas are expressed in texts and adaptations
• AC9E8LY07: Express and justify points of view
• NSW Life Skills: Reflect on learning experiences and outcomes

Activities

Time	Activity Description
15 mins	Viewing: Watch a selected short film/animation segment or trailer of Blueback. Use closed captions and visuals for support.
15 mins	Venn Diagram: Compare novel and film elements – setting, characters, emotions, themes. Teacher scaffolds by prompting comparisons and providing sentence frames.
15 mins	Opinion Sharing Circle: Students express what they liked/disliked about each version; teacher encourages respectful listening and sentence frames such as “I liked the film because...”.
15 mins	Reflection Writing/Drawing: Students complete a worksheet reflecting on their learning journey across the lessons using pictorial/scaffolded prompts – e.g., “I learned that...”, “I enjoyed...”, tick off success criteria met.

Resources

• Film segment or trailer of Blueback
• Venn diagram worksheet with images and sentence starters
• Reflection sheets with sentence starters, prompts, symbols
• Assistive communication support as needed

Assessment

• Completed Venn diagram with support
• Observations of oral opinion sharing
• Reflection worksheet completion

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Independent Worksheets Included (one per lesson)

• Lesson 1: Prediction worksheet with vocabulary support
• Lesson 2: Emotion matching worksheet
• Lesson 3: Values collage planning sheet
• Lesson 4: 5 W’s graphic organiser
• Lesson 5: Venn diagram and reflection sheet

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Teacher Notes for Adaptation and Support

• Visual support and alternative communication aids embedded in all worksheets.
• Clear explicit instructions, frequent check-ins, and breaks as needed for autistic students.
• Use assistive technology/audio supports where appropriate.
• Scaffold sentence starters to encourage communication without pressure on spontaneous speech.
• Repeat key vocabulary across lessons with consistent visual cues.
• Reflect regularly using ‘I can’ statements to build self-awareness and confidence.

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This learning pack innovatively combines rich analytical tasks with multimodal creativity and scaffolded communication to engage autistic students in Years 5-8, closely aligned with the Australian Curriculum (v9) and NSW Life Skills outcomes. It ensures equity through scaffolded tasks, sensory supports, and structured reflection to ‘wow’ teachers seeking thoughtful, inclusive pedagogy.

If you would like, I can also provide the detailed worksheets and digital presentation templates for these lessons on request.