Introducing Rowan of Rin

Curriculum Focus

Stage: Australian Curriculum, Year 8
Strand: English - Literature
Sub-strand: Responding to literature, Examining literature
Content Descriptions:

• ACELT1620: Explore the ways that ideas and viewpoints in literary texts connect to their own experiences and to the world.
• ACELT1806: Investigate the author’s craft, including characterisation, setting, and use of detailed description.
• ACELY1739: Use interaction skills, including active listening, to guide discussion and develop text understanding.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

1. Gain an introduction to the novel Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda.
2. Understand the key themes of courage, community, and responsibility as central concepts in fantasy writing.
3. Develop skills in active listening, prediction, and text analysis, incorporating literacy strategies for English as Additional Language (EAL) learners.
4. Build confidence in discussing themes with their peers and sharing personal interpretations.

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Lesson Overview

Duration: 75 minutes
Class Size: 8 students
Main Modes of Delivery: Small group discussion, immersive storytelling, collaborative activities.

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Resources Needed

• Copies of Rowan of Rin (enough for students to share).
• Visual aid: A simple map that depicts the fictional land of Rin to introduce setting.
• Index cards, markers, and small whiteboards for group work.
• Key vocabulary cards with images for EAL learners (e.g. “bravery”, “quest”, “responsibility”).
• A pre-recorded audio excerpt from the book (Chapter 1 introduction, 3-5 minutes).

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Lesson Steps

1. Warm-Up Activity: Setting the Stage (15 minutes)

Purpose: Prepare students for the fantasy genre, introduce key vocabulary, and spark curiosity.

1. Brainstorming Game:

   • Ask students, “What makes a good fantasy story?” Divide the whiteboard into sections with categories such as “Setting,” “Characters,” “Adventure,” and “Magic.”
   • Allow students to call out words or phrases and write them on the board.
   • If students struggle, guide them with questions like, “What kind of characters do you think are in fantasy stories? Dragons? Villagers?”

2. Visual Map and Vocabulary Cards:

   • Show students the map of Rin and mark key locations like the village and the mountain for context.
   • Introduce four targeted vocabulary words on cards (e.g. “quest,” “weakness,” “courage,” and “teamwork”). Use strategies such as showing images or acting out their meanings, catering to EAL needs.

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2. Introduction to Rowan of Rin (25 minutes)

Purpose: Engage students with the story and introduce key concepts.

1. Audio Immersion:

   • Play a pre-recorded excerpt of the beginning of Rowan of Rin (3-5 minutes). Encourage students to sit comfortably and imagine the scenes as they listen.
   • After the excerpt, ask quick recall questions: “What is Rowan like?” “What do you think is special about the village of Rin?”

2. Character Prediction Activity:

   • Provide students with a brief description of Rowan (from the book’s blurb): “Rowan is timid but kind and thoughtful. He doesn’t seem like a hero… but will he become one?”
   • Have students split into small groups and predict how Rowan might change during the story. Provide prompts:
     • “What challenges might he face?”
     • “How will he grow as a person?”
     • Each group writes 1-2 sentences on their whiteboards to share.

3. Theme Discussion:

   • Introduce key themes (courage, identity, and community responsibility). Give examples from the real world to connect students’ own experiences. For instance, “Can you think of a time you were scared to try something, but did it anyway?”
   • Encourage all students to share their thoughts, even if just one sentence, to build confidence with speaking English.

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3. Interactive Group Challenge: "Rowan’s Quest Begins" (20 minutes)

Purpose: Create a hands-on, collaborative activity to deepen comprehension and engage imagination.

1. Quest Simulation:

   • Divide the class into two smaller groups. Each group receives a “Quest Card” that outlines a fictional mini-challenge. For example:
     • Your village well has dried up. The villagers look to you for a solution. Together, plan how you will journey into the dangerous mountains to find the source of fresh water…
   • Within their group, students brainstorm how they would approach the quest using teamwork. Offer scaffolding with guiding prompts:
     • “Who will lead the group?”
     • “What supplies will you bring?”
     • “What dangers might you face?”

2. Sharing Role-Plays:

   • Each group presents its plan using simple sentences or a short dramatisation to the rest of the class. This helps students practise spoken interaction in a fun, low-stakes setting.

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4. Reflection and Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

Purpose: Consolidate learning and encourage personal connections to the text.

1. Quick Write Reflection:

   • Ask: “How do you think Rowan might begin to act bravely, even though he doesn’t seem like a hero?” Students write 2-3 sentences in their notebooks. Provide sentence starters for EAL support:
     • “I think Rowan will… because…”
     • “A hero is someone who…”

2. Exit Ticket:

   • Before leaving, ask each student to share one thing they’re curious to find out about Rowan’s journey. Write their responses on the whiteboard as a teaser for the next lesson.

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Differentiation for EAL Learners

• Visual Aids: Use maps, drawings, and vocabulary cards with images to make new concepts accessible.
• Sentence Starters: Provide structured sentence beginnings for students who may find independent writing challenging.
• Repeating Key Phrases: Repeat important parts of the audio excerpt and provide a copy of the text for easier comprehension.

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Homework Task

Ask students to draw or write about a time they faced a challenge and needed help from others. They can use simple English and include labelled pictures or short sentences to describe the situation.

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Assessment

• Observation of group discussions and participation during prediction and theme activities.
• Review of reflection sentences to gauge understanding of Rowan’s character and themes.
• Exit ticket responses to assess engagement and curiosity for the next lesson.

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This lesson plan connects students to the world of Rowan of Rin through meaningful and imaginative activities while supporting EAL needs with scaffolded language strategies, fostering confidence and creativity.