Where the Forest Meets the Sea: 1

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Transition – Art (Explain to students that they are creating a poster using recycled objects incl. wool, buttons etc.). They can use any materials, images and/ or text to relay their message about saving the forests. When students are asked to bring in recycled items for their poster it also involves parents in the learning process. There is a very strong environmental message in the book that if we truly immerse ourselves in nature and experience it with all our senses, we will want to preserve it and keep it this secret magical place that we visit and leave without a trace. Gorgeous collage illustrations highlight this cautionary tale about a tropical rain forest in North Queensland, Australia. The story features a little boy with a wild imagination who explores the pristine forest as his father fishes. It's a fun story to read aloud and we enjoyed reading it together and pointing at all the interesting details we saw in the picture. The boy in Where the Forest Meets the Sea imagines all kinds of things through the trunks of the trees and leaves of the forest. Children imagine what they might have seen before writing their own story. Beautiful collage illustrations take the reader on an extraordinary visual journey to a primeval wilderness, which like so many others is now threatened.

Opening this expertly designed picture book reveals two parallel wordless tales: one to be read left to right, the other right to left. The stories follow a day in the family life of two boys, who Continue reading » Share and discuss some photos from the walk as a class. Jointly construct a Y chart about what students saw, felt and heard. In a circle, students can take turns saying something that their father (or other extended family member) says. Students should demonstrate an understanding of each character’s relationship to place and how it has different meaning for different characters over the passage of time. They should also show an awareness of the themes that the author is trying to portray in the book. In their groups, students are to discuss the Daintree Rainforest and why and for whom it is a ‘special place’. They can use a graphic organiser (PDF, 168KB) to write down ideas.

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Working in pairs, discuss the role that the images play in increasing our understanding of the author's message. Hands-on engagement Students create a poster with the message “Save the forests” (words are on the word wall and IWB) Look at the front cover and ask students if the picture reminds them of anywhere they have been. Point out the boat and ask if anyone has been on a boat before. Ask students to predict the importance of the boat and its occupants, i.e. ‘Do you think the boat will be important to the story? Who do you think the people in the boat are?’ By the end of the lesson students develop inferential understandings about the author’s message re: protecting the environment. The boy experiences a connection between past and present. What can he hear? What can you hear when you close your eyes? Which are sounds of nature? Which sounds were not there before human development?

Brainstorm different ways students can contribute to the conservation of the Daintree Rainforest. In groups, students are to plan a presentation of a persuasive piece to raise awareness of the plight of the rainforest. Students can use any format they wish, such as a multimedia project, a play, a persuasive letter, a speech, a poster, etc. What really appeals to me about this book are the illustrations which are collages constructed from different materials including modelling clay, papers, natural materials and paints. The illustrator, Jeannie Baker, made two trips to the Daintree forest to research and collect the materials. Each time I read the book, I find new images and shadows hidden in the rich, textured illustrations and I feel the urge to reach out and touch them. Interacting with others – Listen to and respond orally to texts and to the communication of others (ACELY1646)We leave wowed by this ancient, beautiful meeting place of forest and sea, and hope it remains protected until we return. Good link between English and Geography. Love the idea of children using their imagination and their geographical knowledge to write their own version of the journey.

Cape Trib Horse Rides offers the only beach ride in the area. Riding through forest, along riverbeds and to the sea gives us two hours of total tranquillity. Steve, the guide – in his Akubra, sleeveless denim shirt and Blundstones – is a dead ringer for Crocodile Dundee, but less of a risk-taker. “They call it the Therapy Ride,” he says as he sweeps his tanned arm in the direction of Myall Beach. “All your troubles disappear in a place like this.” This has always been one of my favourite illustrated childrens books. Jeannie Baker's collages of the ancient Daintree rain forest and tropical waters are vivid, as is the environmental message that her books convey.

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Ask the students to retell the story as a sequence of events. Then get them to change one element; "how would Cairns is the gateway to Tropical North Queensland, so plan a stopover at Cairns Colonial Club Resort for the tranquillity of a tropical resort with the advantages of a city location. Or take a side trip from Cairns to Kuranda into the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest with the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, smells and tranquility of the rainforest. Explain to students the assessment requirements and show them an already finished exemplar poster (point out positive aspects including a title/ message, colour, materials…) Present students with a statement along the lines of: ‘The Daintree Rainforest is a good topic for a children’s book.’ Around the room place four signs that say ‘strongly agree’, ‘strongly disagree’, ‘agree’ and ‘disagree’. Have students stand next to the sign that reflects their opinions most strongly. A boy and his father spend the day in the rainforest of northern Australia and the boy imagines both the primeval past and the possible future for the area. The striking illustrations, which are collages made largely from natural materials, combine with a spare but thought-provoking text.