Dirt By Sea - Michael Wagner - Book Study - Stages 2-3 - CBCA Shortlist 2023

This is a 20+ page integrated reading/writing unit based on the joyous book “Dirt by Sea” by Michael Wagner and Tom Jellett. This book has been shortlisted for “Picture Book of the Year” in 2023, by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

This bright, funny, engaging book tells the story of Daisy and her dad. When Dad realises that Daisy thinks the National Anthem line “girt by sea” is “dirt by sea” he realises she has never seen the ocean. He decided then and there to take her for a once-in-a-lifetime trip around Australia.

This book is told as a full-colour graphic novel. It showcases all the natural and man-made wonders of Australia, whilst showing the humanity of Daisy and Dad, who are dealing everyday with the loos of Daisy’s mum Sarah.

The unit of work contains separate resources aimed at both Stages 2 and 3.

The bundle contains:

• a printable comprehension booklet with targeted comprehension questions. The questions are largely open-ended so would suit either a Stage 2 or Stage 3 classroom.

• a suggested answer guide for the comprehension booklet.

• integrated writing tasks based on the book. There is a separate task for Stages 2 and 3. The Stage 3 task is also suited to Stage 4. Writing comes in the form of an open-ended writing stimulus presented in a booklet. I use stand-alone activities like this in my classroom as assessment tools, either at the beginning or the end of a unit of work. Both writing tasks are imaginative.

• a set of ten no-prep printable Literature Circle task cards. Tasks contain a high degree of student choice and are designed to be high-interest and engaging to allow for independent class work. All associated resources are included.

• all associated printables, which include researching, writing and Visual Arts tasks.

• work samples which may support teaching in your classroom.

All of my resources are intentionally created to support the teaching of specific texts - none of my tasks are lower order “filler sheets” or generic reader responses. Students are required to think deeply about each individual book and its unique features.

I have many other literature-based resources in my store (most of them based on Australia texts) so feel free to check them out.