Unlock the Power of Genre and Perspective: A Deep Dive into Informative Texts with Deadly Science and Meanwhile Back on Earth

This comprehensive, 5-week unit, crafted for NSW DET Stage 2 teachers, invites students to explore the fundamental concept of genre and the interconnected concepts of perspective and context.

Using the mentor texts Deadly Science: The Solar System and Meanwhile Back on Earth by Oliver Jeffers, this 230+ page resource empowers students to examine how texts are grouped according to purpose, subject, structure, and language choices—equipping them with essential skills to navigate and create texts within the informative genre.

Learning Journey & Core Concepts

Students will delve into the features that define genre, such as structure, purpose, and language, learning to categorize and analyze texts with confidence. Through engaging lessons, they’ll build an understanding that genre is not just a label but a way to organize information, communicate effectively, and present perspectives that resonate. They’ll also explore how context, audience, and mode can shape meaning within a genre, using informative texts as a lens.

What’s Inside This Unit:

This resource is meticulously designed to support teachers with every element needed to deliver a robust, insightful unit. It includes:

• Editable PowerPoint Presentation: A flexible, interactive presentation that reinforces each lesson and allows for teacher customizations to cater to individual class needs.
• Google Slides Link: Easily accessible, perfect for remote learning or digital integration in the classroom.
• Printable PDF: For quick reference and easy printing of lesson plans, handouts, and activities.
• Detailed Teaching Notes: Comprehensive notes guiding teachers on how to present each concept, facilitate discussions, and support students in achieving each learning intention.

Learning Intentions & Success Criteria

Each lesson is structured to deepen understanding and ensure clarity on key learning goals. Students will:

• Categorize and identify genres based on purpose and structure, honing their ability to discern informative texts across different modes and mediums.
• Analyze text features and understand how they support genre, from vocabulary choices to structural elements.
• Develop perspective by examining the viewpoints and contexts that shape texts, creating opportunities to discuss audience, language choices, and narrative voice.
• Create and revise informative texts, applying note-taking techniques, crafting opening statements and conclusions, and structuring content for clarity and engagement.
• Experiment with multimodal elements such as timelines and graphics to enhance meaning, developing skills to create genre-consistent multimodal texts.

Success Criteria Highlights

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

• Categorize informative texts and recognize the features that define them.
• Use genre-specific vocabulary effectively, understanding its role in supporting the text’s purpose.
• Explain different perspectives within texts and use a second-person narrative voice to explore new viewpoints.
• Summarize ideas efficiently during the planning phase, organizing thoughts in ways that support informative purposes.
• Identify language choices and explain how they reinforce genre, incorporating peer feedback to refine their creations.
• Experiment with multimodal features like timelines, exploring how each supports the reader’s comprehension of genre.

Unit Outcomes

With a focus on practical applications and hands-on learning, this unit transforms students into confident creators and analyzers of texts. They will leave with a clear understanding of genre’s role in communication, the power of perspective, and the skills needed to construct, revise, and publish polished, purpose-driven texts.

Perfect for Comprehensive, Flexible Learning

Ideal for diverse classroom settings, this unit is adaptable for both in-person and digital learning environments. Teachers can access everything they need—from teaching notes to interactive slides—ensuring a seamless, engaging experience for students eager to explore the world of genre through science and space.

Attribution is given to: © State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2023.