The Borrowers by Mary Norton

1. Is it:

- a film
- a series
- a documentary

2. What are borrowers?

3. What do the borrowers use to furnish their house?

4. Who are the Harpsichords and the Clocks?

5. What happens if a borrower is seen by humans?

6. Why are humans scared of borrowers?

7. When Pod is in the dollhouse and he sees the human boy at the window, is it a close up shot or a long distance shot?

8. Why does Pod have to teach Arriety to borrow?

9. How does a borrower get through a closed door?

10. What does Arriety do when she sees a boy?

11. “Human being are for borrowers like bread is for ……………………………”

12. What do borrowers use for carpet?

13. Design a borrowers tool.

The Fish Philosophy

The Fish Philosophy is a set of simple, interconnected principles that everyone can tailor to their own life and work – old wisdom for a new day. When you choose to incorporate these principles:

– Play, Be There, Choose Your Attitude and Make Someone’s Day – you’ll see a positive change in the relationships you create at work and at home. The underlying view of the Fish Philosophy is that meaningful learning occurs, when the learner is directly linked to and involved with, the content being presented.

PLAY Everyone can benefit from a little lightening up during the day. People who find ways to incorporate play into their daily lives approach their work, responsibilities and challenges with energy and enthusiasm. Some of the best innovations come from playing with ideas. Playfulness allows us to tap into our inner being - the child inside all of us. It is that person who won’t hesitate to ask “why” or “how come”. It is the person who looks at the world creatively and openly and who never hesitates to see the humour in it all.

BE THERE To “Be There” for another person has a powerful effect as it is about giving others our undivided attention. Listening is a big part of being there but it’s more than that. Too often we listen like we are in a debate, our minds focused on gathering information for our own brilliant comeback, rather than being emotionally as well as physically present. It is difficult to hear what another person is saying if our minds are stuck on what we want to hear. Being truly present means suspending judgement while you’re listening and realising that this takes awareness, commitment and practise.

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE Many of us believe our attitudes are caused directly by outside influences like unpleasant experiences or negative people. While these things may act as triggers for our feelings, we can choose to either be subservient to these events, few of which we can control, or we can take charge of our own responses. Choosing your attitude is about being aware of what your attitude is and that it may affect others. Once we choose to accept that we are the only ones deciding our attitude at a particular time and place, we decide whether to keep it or shape it into something more satisfying.

MAKE SOMEONE’S DAY To make someone’s day means taking a genuine interest in the unique gifts of others. Spontaneous or planned, when we brighten someone’s day we receive an internal gift that makes our life more meaningful. Making someone’s day may mean taking someone out to dinner or telling a friend, from your heart, how much you appreciate them. It moves past being civil or pleasant to take an extra step we didn’t have to take and that makes all the difference.

· development of the “whole student” as an engaged learner
· rewarding relationships
· positive classroom management
· personal responsibility and internal motivation for staff and students
· a safe and playful learning community
· respect for diversity
· conflict-resolution skills



1. "Play: We put more energy into what we enjoy, and finding ways to "play" can lead to greater productivity and creativity. Play is NOT about acting irresponsibly. In the livable workplace, it is about finding ways to have more fun accomplishing serious goals.
We can easily see that a light-hearted sense of "play" can be a major component of achieving consistent "efficient action."

2. "Be There: The glue in our humanity is in being fully present for one another. Being there also is a great way to practice wholeheartedness and fight burnout, for it is those halfhearted tasks you perform while juggling other things that wear you out."
"Put your whole mind into present action," Mr. Wattles says. And when one of the fish market guys stops goofing and turns to help a customer, that customer becomes the only other person in the place. Don't you wish EVERYONE you deal with in the course of a normal day had that kind of focus? (Don't they wish YOU did, too?)

3. "Choose Your Attitude: When you look for the worst you will find it everywhere. When you look for the best you will find opportunities you never imagined possible. You have the power to choose your attitude. If you find yourself with an attitude you don't want, you can choose another."
Mr. Wattles says, "You must learn to see the underlying truth in all things," and we know that our prevailing attitudes make this either possible or impossible. If your attitude is negative, you're expressing faith that what you do NOT want is on its way to you. But as Mr. Christensen notes, if the attitude you have at the moment isn't serving you — or anyone else — you can always choose again!

4. "Make Their Day: When you 'make someone’s day' (or even moment) through a small kindness or unforgettable engagement, you can turn even routine encounters into special memories. Few things are as rewarding and infectious as lifting another person's spirits, and the act of serving others quickly returns a feeling of satisfaction."

Reading

While Reading Think About These Questions

Who is in the story? (Main character/s and minor character/s)
What is the main character like?
Physical features
How does the character act?
What kinds of things does s/he say?
What do other characters say and feel about him/her?
Where does the story take place (setting)?
What are the major events in the book?
Is there a conflict (problem)?
If so, how is it solved?
What is the most exciting part of the book?
How does the story end?
From what point of view is this story / book written?
What is your opinion of this book? Why?
Explain your likes and dislikes about the story.
Tell who you would recommend this book to and why.

Extension - Countries

- Write the names of 10 countries and their capitals.
- Would you like to live in another country? Why? Why not? If you answered yes...which?
- What do you call the people from... China, Holland, Iran, Mexico and Switzerland?
- Collect information about a country you are interested in and blog about it.

Extension - Games

- Try and remember the names of 6 toys and/or games. Write them down.
- Explain the rules of a game you like.
- Some people think computer games are bad for you. Do you agree? Why? Why not?
- How many 4-letter words can you make by combining the ones in HANDKERCHIEF'? You may use a maximum of two H´s and two E´s in any one word, but no extra letters.

Extension - Menus

- What did you have for dinner yesterday?
- Find out about the traditional Australian breakfast. Would you enjoy it? Why? Why not?
- Write 3 menus appropriate for young people.
- Research 8 different countries and their typical dishes. Blog your findings.

Extension - Flowers

- What´s your favourite flower? Draw it and explain why you like it so much.
- Write the names of 6 different flowers.
- Do you prefer natural or artificial flowers? Why?
- Design a small garden. Include flowers, plants and trees. What would you put and where?

Extension - Money

- Make a list of 10 countries and their currencies.
- You are going to a friend´s birthday party. You have got 5000 pesetas to buy a present for him/her. What are the best things you can find for that amount?
- How would you use a million dollars?
- Think of ways how the rich countries can help the poor ones.

Extension - Books

- Which is the best book you have ever read? What was it about?
- Do some research and tell me the names of 10 British and American writers.
- Who wrote the following books? Alice in Wonderland, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Frankenstein, Peter Pan, Call of the Wild.
- Read the following and continue the story.
Li Chuan was an 8-year-old Chinese girl. She lived with her parents and her brother Tse (6). They were very poor. One day...

Extension - Jobs

- How many different jobs can you remember in 1 minute? Write them down!
- What job would you like to do in the future? Why?
- Which is the best job in the world, according to you?
- Tell me about a business you would like to own. What would it be like? Refer to the premises, the staff , the furniture and/or the machinery you would need etc.

Extension - Shopping

- Make a list of the different kinds of shops you can remember.
- Explain what a Department Store is, name 6 different departments and explain what they sell at each of them.
- Think of 5 things you have bought lately and tell me how much they cost.
- Why do you think so many people enjoy looking at shop windows?

Extension - Cities

- Draw a map of the UK and find 10 important cities.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city?
- Write about a city you know well.
- Do some research on one of the following cities: Hong Kong, New Delhi, San Francisco or Sydney. Summarize your findings.

Extension - Housing

- Make a list of 8 different places where people can live.
- Name the different rooms in your house/flat.
- Describe your bedroom , your living-room and your kitchen.
- Draw the house of your dreams and write a paragraph about it.

Extension - English Lessons

- Would you like to be a teacher? Why? Why not?
- Mention the qualities of the perfect teacher.
- Suggest a few ways to improve our English lessons.
- You are the English teacher today! Devise an exam for your classmates. Include the main points studied in class, do not make it too easy or to difficult and make sure you know the answers to your questions.

Extension - Transport

- How many means of transport can you name? Write a list.
- What are the different parts of a car called?
- Write about the advantages and disadvantages of public transport.
- Plan a three-day trip by car to some places you like. Show your
itinerary on a map. Indicate the distances in kilometres. Refer to
the different sights you will see and the activities you will do.

Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns are ideas, feelings or qualities such as love, hate, kindness, fear, anger, imagination, courage, intelligence, loneliness, happiness, sadness, bravery, cowardice, embarrassment, joy, beauty, ugliness, confidence, luck, misfortune, mischief, bitterness, justice, injustice, grief, boredom, cheerfulness.

More abstract nouns:

beauty
deceit
dedication
curiosity
trust
relaxation

Abstract nouns cannot be seen or touched in the same way as concrete nouns such as chair, table, dog, Lancaster, or Thomas.

An abstract noun refers to states, events, concepts, feelings, qualities, etc., that you can't touch.
eg: freedom; happiness; idea; music are all abstract nouns that you can't touch.

Here is an example:

When Pyewacket was confronted with a closed cupboard door, her curiosity got the best of her and she just had to find a way to open it!

Curiosity, one of the nouns in this sentence, is an example of an abstract noun. You cannot see curiosity itself. Curiosity has no color, size, shape, sound, odor, flavor, or texture; it has no quality that you can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. Any noun that escapes your five senses is an abstract noun. So, you can't hear it, feel it, touch it, taste it or smell it.

Narrative Writing Skills

To write a narrative, it is important to include the following:

- descriptive sentences with high level adjectives.
- speech marks, commas, expclamation marks, question marks, a hypen, a dash.
- plurals, compound words, common and proper nouns, abstract nouns.
- paragraphs
- intersting vocabulary words e.g. use vast for big, miniscule for little,
- a beginning, which sets the scene
- a complication
- a resolution or conclusion

Beginning/Orientation: This sets the scene, creating a visual picture of the setting, atmosphere and time of the story. Characters are introduced and clues are set in place for the coming complication.

Problem/Complication: This is where a problem or complication occurs that affects the setting, time or characters.

Problem seems to be resolved/Minor Resolution: Everything seems to be resolved.
New Problem/Complication: The problem or complication is now often worse than before.

Problem is solved/Ending/Resolution: The problem is solved and the story ends.
Moral/Coda/Evaluative ending: There may be a moral or message at the end of the story.

First, identify the experience that you want to write about and think about why the experience is significant.

Use vivid details and descriptions to actually recreate the experience for your readers. Try to remember that the information you present is the only information your readers have about the experiences. Keep in mind that all of the small and seemingly unimportant details known to you are not necessarily known to your readers.

Begin your narrative with a paragraph that introduces the experience and tells why it is important. This guarantees that readers will understand the significance of the experience as they read the story.


Potential prompts for your narrative essay:
If you're having trouble choosing an experience to write about, take a quick glance through these prompts. They might help you remember or identify a particularly interesting or significant experience to focus on.

A childhood event. Think of an experience when you learned something for the first time, or when you realized how important someone was for you.

Achieving a goal. Think about a particularly meaningful achievement in your life. This could be something as seemingly minor as achieving a good grade on a difficult assignment, or this could be something with more long-lasting effects, like getting the job you desired or getting into the best school to which you applied.

A failure. Think about a time when you did not perform as well as you had wanted. Focusing on an experience like this can result in rewarding reflections about the positive emerging from the negative.

A good or bad deed. Think about a time when you did or did not stand up for yourself or someone else in the face of adversity or challenge.

A change in your life. Think about a time when something significant changed in your life. This could be anything from a move across town to a major change in a relationship to the birth or death of a loved one.

A realization. Think about a time when you experienced a realization. This could be anything from understanding a complicated math equation to gaining a deeper understanding of a philosophical issue or life situation.

Viewing - Camera Angles

Aim: To provide a variety of activities to explain camera angles.

(Crossing into Media Studies and Oral language)

Before attempting this, it may be necessary (helpful) to relate this to Media Studies.

1. Take some “interesting’ pictures from a magazine.
Talk about/discuss - foreground
- middle ground
- background.

2. Look at advertisements, for example, children’s clothes. There is probably no background, or the background has been blotted/cut out. There is usually only a foreground taking up the whole picture.

3. Look at another picture. Is it a long distance shot? Is the horizon seen?
Find a long distance picture from a magazine.

4. Discuss the meaning of “close ups’ in pictures. Can you find any “close ups” in pictures? “Close ups” would probably be of one body part, for example, face or eyes, rather that the whole body as in point 2. There is probably no middle background.

5. “Focus” could also be discussed, that is: the point at which the subject is well defined and clear.

6. “Focal length” – discuss the distance between the camera and the subject.

7. “Frame” – discuss the limits as seen through the camera lens. In animation, films are made frame by frame, one picture at a time. If possible, children can look through a camera lens to see a frame.

8. Camera angle – can the children tell where the photographer was standing?
Discuss – - in front ... at eye level
- from overhead... as from a ‘plane or helicopter
- low angle... along the floor
- high angle... looking up high from down low.

9. Go back to all previous pictures and discuss camera angle.

10. Children find an interesting picture from a magazine. Using oral
language, children give a “picture talk” telling why they found it interesting and including: - foreground
- middle ground
- background
- long or short focal length
- camera angle.
Other areas like colour, interest, experience and involvement can be discussed.
Before applying this knowledge to a Viewing session, use some selected photographs of family, friends and holiday snaps of scenery.
Talk about - foreground
- middle ground
- background.

Optional extras.

Talk about/discuss:
 What is the picture trying to say?
 Who, what, why and where?
 Is it a celebration? Why/why not?
 Do the people in the photo know they are being photographed?
 What happened just before/just after the photo?
 Are the people in the photo dressed up?
 What is the location of the photo?

Categorise:
 holiday
 festival/celebration
 portrait
 party
 scenery

** Can children tell where the photographer was standing?
** What is the camera angle?

After working through these topics/areas/activities, children should have a better understanding of camera angles.

Viewing - Round The Twist - The Cabbage Patch Fib

Believing that babies actually grow in the cabbage patch, Bronson actually finds one there.

1. Who wrote the Round the Twist series?

2. In the scene where Bronson is fishing with Nell in front of the jetty, does the camera zoom in or zoom out?

3. Where do the Twists keep their goldfish?

4. When Bronson is outside at night in the cabbage patch looking for babies, how does the director show that it is night?

5. What special effect does the director use for the baby?

6. What is written on the newspaper headline?

i. Blue boy alive and well
ii. Aliens invade a lighthouse
iii. Green baby found in cabbage patch

7. What effect does the director use to change scenes after the teacher tells Bronson to change the baby’s nappy?

Viewing - Round The Twist - The Cabbage Patch Fib - teacher edition

Believing that babies actually grow in the cabbage patch, Bronson actually finds one there.

1. Who wrote the Round the Twist series? Paul Jennings

2. In the scene where Bronson is fishing with Nell in front of the jetty, does the camera zoom in or zoom out? Zoom in.

3. Where do the Twists keep their goldfish? In tanks in the wall.

4. When Bronson is outside at night in the cabbage patch looking for babies, how does the director show that it is night?
Blue filters/lighting and turns down the lighting like on Kahootz.

5. What special effect does the director use for the baby?
The baby is green.

6. What is written on the newspaper headline?

i. Blue boy alive and well
ii. Aliens invade a lighthouse
iii. Green baby found in cabbage patch 

7. What effect does the director use to change scenes after the teacher tells Bronson to change the baby’s nappy? The new scene is rotated in.

Viewing - Round The Twist - Skeleton in the Dunny

When the Twists move from the city to live in an old lighthouse they discover that the outside dunny is haunted. One night they decide to have a showdown with a very flushed ghost.

1. Who stars as Linda?

2. Is Round the Twist:
a. a film
b. a cartoon
c. a series
d. a documentary

3. What is written on the sign at the edge of the cliff?
a. Long Beach
b. Suicide Leap
c. No standing

4. How long ago did the Twist’s mother die?

5. When Peter and Linda go up the stairs to an inside room what techniques are used/what effects to show that no one has been in for years?

6. When they are having dinner on the first night they have moved into the lighthouse, what two forms of lighting do they use?

7. What do they use to light their way to the outside toilet?

8. What is the sound that scares Linda when she is in the toilet?

9. How many screams do you hear in this episode?

10. What does the ghost look like?

11. What effects are used to show there is a storm?

Viewing - Round The Twist - Skeleton in the Dunny - teacher edition

When the Twists move from the city to live in an old lighthouse they discover that the outside dunny is haunted. One night they decide to have a showdown with a very flushed ghost.


1. Who stars as Linda? Tamsin West

2. Is Round the Twist:
a. a film
b. a cartoon
c. a series 
d. a documentary

3. What is written on the sign at the edge of the cliff?
a. Long Beach
b. Suicide Leap 
c. No standing

4. How long ago did the Twist’s mother die? Four years.

5. When Peter and Linda go up the stairs to an inside room what techniques are used/what effects to show that no one has been in for years?

rat, cobwebs on the clock, dust

6. When they are having dinner on the first night they have moved into the lighthouse, what two forms of lighting do they use? electric and candle

7. What do they use to light their way to the outside toilet? Flashlight

8. What is the sound that scares Linda when she is in the toilet? Screeching/violin sound

9. How many screams do you hear in this episode? Two

10. What does the ghost look like? He is yellow.

11. What effects are used to show there is a storm? Lightning

Viewing - Round The Twist - Birdsdo - teacher edition

Nell is committed to hospital for believing in dragons, so Linda, Pete and Bronson set off to prove her sanity. Rogue seagulls imprison Linda and Pete in a shack covered in birds’ droppings.

1.Watch for the special effect at the beginning of this episode with the faces.

2. At the beginning of this episode you see the word Birdsdo written in the sky. When it changes to the next scene, which one is true?
a. it fades to the next scene
b. music separates the scenes
c. the scene goes black then the next scene starts

3. What mysterious sound is heard occasionally in the background? Music.

4. When the two characters are talking on the phone about sending Nell to hospital, how do they show both characters talking? They split the screen.


5. How does the director show that Nell is in the hospital? Hospital bed, curtains around the bed, nurse.

6. What costumes and props are used to show that there are Arabs in this episode? Long white robes, a cloth over their heads, Arab flags on the car.

7. How much money did Tony Twist get for his statue? $500

8. What special effect could they use for the bird poo? Shaving cream, paint.

Viewing - Round The Twist - Birdsdo

Nell is committed to hospital for believing in dragons, so Linda, Pete and Bronson set off to prove her sanity. Rogue seagulls imprison Linda and Pete in a shack covered in birds’ droppings.

1.Watch for the special effect at the beginning of this episode with the faces.

2. At the beginning of this episode you see the word Birdsdo written in the sky. When it changes to the next scene, which one is true?
a. it fades to the next scene
b. music separates the scenes
c. the scene goes black then the next scene starts

3. What mysterious sound is heard occasionally in the background?

4. When the two characters are talking on the phone about sending Nell to hospital, how do they show both characters talking?

5. How does the director show that Nell is in the hospital?

6. What costumes and props are used to show that there are Arabs in this episode?
7. How much money did Tony Twist get for his statue?

8. What special effect could they use for the bird poo?

Viewing - Round The Twist - A Good Tip For Ghosts

Birdsdo

Nell is committed to hospital for believing in dragons, so Linda, Pete and Bronson set off to prove her sanity. Rogue seagulls imprison Linda and Pete in a shack covered in birds’ droppings.

1.Watch for the special effect at the beginning of this episode with the faces.

2. At the beginning of this episode you see the word Birdsdo written in the sky. When it changes to the next scene, which one is true?
a. it fades to the next scene
b. music separates the scenes
c. the scene goes black then the next scene starts

3. What mysterious sound is heard occasionally in the background?

4. When the two characters are talking on the phone about sending Nell to hospital, how do they show both characters talking?

5. How does the director show that Nell is in the hospital?

6. What costumes and props are used to show that there are Arabs in this episode?
7. How much money did Tony Twist get for his statue?

8. What special effect could they use for the bird poo?

Viewing - Round The Twist - A Good Tip For Ghosts - teacher edition

A Good Tip For Ghosts

To pass a nerve test, Pete must collect a rotting skull from the pond at the tip in the middle of the night.


1.In the first scene where the Twists are driving in their truck, what are they doing that is illegal? No seatbelts.

2. How much does it cost to dump a load of rubbish at the tip? $5

3. Why does Mr Twist, who is a sculptor, go to scavenge at the tip? To get all his materials/supplies.

4. As the Twists drive away from the tip, what rises up from an old tub? A ghost.

5. When Tony Twist is talking to Bronson’s teacher, is it a close up or a long shot? A close up.

6. In the scene where the English teacher is talking to Pete, what can you see on the wall behind them that shows you that this is being filmed? Shadows from the lights.

7. What sound effects do the children hear as they are walking to the tip at night? Footsteps and breaking twigs.

8. What colour lighting or light filters are used to show that it is set at night? Blue lighting/filters.

9. What is special about Pete and Linda? They are not just brother and sister, they are…..? Twins.

10. What sound and visual effects do we hear and see when the ghost appears? Music and smoke.

Viewing - Round the Twist

Have you ever,
Ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
If all the king’s horses and all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put me back together again.
I’d say – rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
Hey! Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.
I can hear myself say, this is not my day,
I’m saying what the hey,
You won’t believe me anyway,
I can hear myself say, this is not my day,
I’m saying what the hey,
You won’t believe me anyway.
Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Have you ever, ever felt like this,
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?
Around the twist!