In the first lockdown we brought you ‘Journey’ a whole school literacy unit based on Aaron Becker’s fabulous wordless picture book. This term, we are following it up with a project based on the second book in the trilogy: ‘Quest’. Whilst we build on lots of the ideas from the ‘Journey’ unit, ‘Quest’ takes us into literacy and beyond, across the curriculum exploring themes in the book from the angles of science, history, geography, art…the list goes on.
Why use a wordless picture book? Because it offers a low threshold, high ceiling learning opportunity, making it suitable for all of our learners: those with SEND, our lower-attaining and reluctant readers, other vulnerable groups including PP, GRT, EAL and boys.
What are we aiming to achieve with the additional curriculum projects? Learning opportunities that can be accessed by a range of ages, making them suitable for sibling households learning together. Tasks that can be accessed with as little I.T. reliance as possible, taking into account the needs of those households with limited devices and printing capability, or high demand for computer access due to the demands of home-learning and parents working.
In addition, this whole-school book-based project offers community and collaboration, making it easier to plan learning and cover gaps where bubbles close or teachers need to isolate.