Questioning and analysing
The Lost Thing: Asking Questions and anaylsing meaning
'The Lost Thing' written and illustrated by Shaun Tan tells the story of a boy who finds a strange creature at the beach. The boy throughout the book tries to find out where this creature belongs. This book is ideal for using in a lesson where students can be asked questions that relate to the four levels of comprehension (Winch et al., 2014). These questions aim to gradually build up understanding in the reader and include questions that are literal, inferential, critical and creative (Winch et al., 2014). Students can also analyse the meaning of this book and explore its central theme, which is 'belonging'.
Lesson plan
Introduction:
Before showing the children the book brainstorm with them what comes to mind when they hear the words 'The Lost Thing'.
Before reading:
Show the students the cover of the book.
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What do they see on cover?
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What do they think 'A tale for those who have more important things to pay attention to' means?
During reading:
Stop at a few different points in the book to ask a few questions to ensure students are following the story. Main discussion and questions can come at the end of the book. Sample questions may include the following;
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How would you decribe the setting where the story takes place?
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Why do think no one else is noticing the Lost Thing on the beach?
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How does the Lost Thing look to the boy when he discovers him?
After reading
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What is the boy's hobby in the book?
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What happened to the Lost Thing in the book?
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What happens to the boy? Why?
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What do you think the main theme is of this book?
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How did this book make you feel? Why?
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Now that you have read this book what do you think, 'A tale for those who have more important things to play attention to' means?
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Why do you think the boy sees weird things less these days?
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Why does 'not noticing' have a negative impact on people's lives?
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When can 'not noticing' be dangerous? Give real life examples.
Creative response: Re-write the story from he point of view of the the Lost Thing.
image: https://en.wikipedia.org/
image: www.shauntan.net
image: www.i-am-bored.com
The Lost Thing (The film)
The 'The Lost Thing' has been adapted into a short animated film. In a follow up lesson students could view the film and compare it to the picture book.
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How are they similiar? Explain with examples.
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How are they different? Explain with examples.
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Students could also examine the effects used in the film like the music and animation.
Teaching questions in reading - Before, During and After
Lesson idea from: http://www.australiancurriculumlessons.com.au/2013/03/09/teaching-questioning-in-reading-before-during-and-after-lesson/
To help students think about creating their own questions they can use Inspiration (version 9). Students can create a diagram in this program to map out their questions; before, during and after reading. As the children find the answers to their questions they can change that part of the diagram to a different colour and include the answer. Students can also use the internet to reasearch some of the answers to their questions. For example, a definition of an unknown word. Students could also analyse characters traits and connections to other characters through concept maps as well. To find out more about the possibilities for reading comprehenion with this program follow the link: http://www.inspiration.com/
Lesson idea: Inspiration Software
image: www.inspiration.com