pre-structuralBefore we started reading the novel, I told you we were going to read a book. You had no idea who or what it was about. You might have guessed that one character was called 'Esther', from the title. However, in that title, she also denies that she is Esther so it would be difficult to explain her characteristics.
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Prestructural - We don't know anything.
UNISTRUCTURAL - We can describe one of Kirby's characteristics.
multistructuralAfter we started reading the novel, as soon as Chapter 1 even, we start to learn more and we can describe more of her characteristics from the information we are given. Example: The quotes below from Chapter 1, suggest that Kirby is quite a mature and well-adjusted young lady.
Kirby is caring, sensible and has a sense of humour. |
MULTISTRUCTURAL - We can describe several of Kirby's characteristics.
relationalReading a bit deeper, but using the same 3 quotes, we can start to interpret a bit more about Kirby's relationship with her mother. Logically, we can say:
1) that Kirby is more sensible than her mother (because she is managing the budget). 2) that Kirby's mother is emotional (or else she wouldn't be crying) and that Kirby, although only a teenager, has a strong and supportive personality to be able to cope with this. 3) that something (and we don't know what yet) has upset Kirby's mother. 4) that Kirby and her mum are used to having fun together because they are obviously in the habit of saying the phrase 'But I doubt it!' to each other and it is a regular joke between them. The quotes show that she has a loving and trusting relationship with her mother for these mature interactions to occur. |
Kirby has developed her sense of humour as a way of coping with her
over-emotional and somewhat incapable mother.
Relational - We can relate the characters/characteristics to each other and/or to some deeper meaning.
over-emotional and somewhat incapable mother.
Relational - We can relate the characters/characteristics to each other and/or to some deeper meaning.
extended abstractSo, we quickly have a good understanding of 2 characters in the book and we can logically interpret something about their relationship. Next, we need to be able to relate this to our knowledge of the world. You might say, "But Miss, I'm a boy! How do I know about girl's relationships with their mother?" However, most of us can relate to the idea of helping someone who is upset, even if it is not your parent or caregiver. You can always find something to help you understand an idea in a book and if you can't then you need to research this part of it.
We can think about what we know about parent/child relationships and explain what is 'normal'. You might say "Usually the parents manage the budget and help the teenager when they are crying!" So then, we can say, "Hmmm....why is the relationship between Kirby and her mother the wrong way round?" Somebody else might say...."In Science, when things are the wrong way around, we use the word 'inverted'!" So, we can come up with the following explanation which has greater value and interest for someone reading our writing: |
Normally, the parents care for the children. However, Kirby's relationship with her mother is inverted. She has become the responsible one in their family and is caring for her mother. This could be stressful for her but because she is a strong person, she seems able to cope. Her actions are heroic and her mother would be lost without her.
Extended Abstract - We can relate the characters from the novel to something in our own experience/the world or to a current or historical person/event. Predict outcomes based on knowledge and logical interpretation.
Extended Abstract - We can relate the characters from the novel to something in our own experience/the world or to a current or historical person/event. Predict outcomes based on knowledge and logical interpretation.