When we moved into our home 31 years
ago, we made a stained glass window for our bathroom – a rainbow
with a pot of gold.
Rainbows and pots of gold come in many
guises. Rainbows are bright, elusive, and heavenly. Humans have
used them to symbolise peace, hope and unity. For the more prosaic,
a rainbow is a natural phenomenon- something science can explain.
We didn’t have enough sunshine for a
rainbow, but the pot of gold was full. Carol Fuller, my husband
Richard and I spent the last few days with Catriona Hoy and Claire
Saxby as they spoke about linking literacy and primary school science
using picture books. Their sessions were highly entertaining and
informative. They are warm and very easy going people - a delight to
host. Special thanks to them and to our very own Jenni Connor for
their entertaining, informative and inspired presentations at Reading
– it’s rocket science and more.
As I read the paper on Saturday and saw
an advertisement for someone to write an Aboriginal children’s book
on domestic violence, I remembered a comment made by all three
speakers. “The story comes first”. Whenever we read a book,
especially when we read to a child, choose the story. Books can be
used for bibliotherapy or to instruct but all of us will learn the
lesson much better if the story comes first.
More information about Reading - it's rocket science and more can be found at the CBCA events page.
Obviously, I agree wholeheartedly with Nella, since my passion is for narrative! I've become worried about books 'being abused' as educators desperately look for ways to improve student literacy outcomes. Please, please, support children into enjoying the story and appreciating its craft before putting it to other purposes - however worthy. Jenni Connor
ReplyDeleteHi Nella
ReplyDeleteThankyou, Claire and I had a lovely time. We feel like we made new friends and I certainly want to come back and see more of Tasmania. It was nice to get such positive feedback after our talks.
Catriona