4
-NiE ,
17 MAY 2017
INTERMEDIATE Novel
In the middle of nowhere
DURING their voyage to Australia where they plan to settle as missionaries, the Robinson family become shipwrecked and are cast on an island. Although deserted, it is teeming with plant and animal life. Here, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, and their four young sons Franz, Fritz, Jack and Ernest, slowly adapt to their new life. They build a huge tree house, which becomes their new home. They learn new skills and obtain new experiences, some of which are dangerous. They remain united and optimistic, and manage to overcome their obstacles. A new family member is added when Fritz rescues Jenny Montrose, a victim of another shipwreck. When a ship arrives at the island 10 years later, everyone leaves except for Mr. and Mrs. Robinson. To them, the island has everything they need and it has become their personal Paradise or Eden.
– The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann D. Wyss (retold by Martin Powell)
Do you
NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Creative thinking ● Imagine
● Connect
Problem solving ● Present
Communicating ● Oral
● Written
Collaborating ● Listen
There are many kinds of animal life on the island, which has become home to the Swiss Family Robinson. Some of these animals such as their dogs Juno and Turk were rescued from the shipwreck. While their encounters with some animals are helpful, others are extremely dangerous. In groups of four, look in The Star for pictures of three animals that you think can be helpful in some way to the Robinsons on the island. Cut them out and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper. Then, draw a mind map showing the potential usefulness of the animals to the family. Present your work in class.
● Contribute respectfully
know?
Loggerhead sea turtle Ernest escapes sharks by clinging on to a loggerhead sea turtle. It is a reptile found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. The weight of an adult loggerhead sea turtle is around 135kg but some of the largest turtles can weigh as much as 450kg. It has a lifespan of between 47 and 67 years, and is considered an endangered species.
Cape buffalo The Robinson family have a narrow escape when chased by a cape buffalo. It is also known as the African buffalo. The largest ones are found in South and East Africa. The adult buffalo’s horns have fused bases, and form a continuous bone shield across the top of its head. It is considered to be dangerous. More than 200 people are gored and killed by the cape buffalo each year.
At the end of the story, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson decide to remain on the island even though they have the opportunity to be rescued. They say everything they ever need is on the island. What exactly did they mean by that? In groups of four, look in The Star for names or pictures of items (material or non-material) which, in your opinion, belong to the following categories.
● ● ●
Things we don’t want or need Things we want but don’t really need Things we really need
Find two items per category. Then, cut them out and paste them in the correct column on a sheet of A4 paper. Provide reasons for your choices. Then, present your work in class, and have the class decide the top item for each category.
Avian flu, or the H5N1 This is a disease that affects birds, including poultry, and can endanger humans. We definitely don t want or need the avian flu.
Things we want but don’t really need
It would be nice to own this bracelet but it is not something we really need. The money can be used for so many other more important things.
Critical thinking ● Identify
● Reason
Creative thinking
le Examp Things we don’t want or need
NiE Activity 2
● Brainstorm
Problem solving
Things we really need
Every child has the right to education no matter where he comes from. Education is something we all need because it gives us the opportunity to have a better life.
● Connect
● Question
● Present
Communicating ● Oral
● Written
Collaborating ● Contribute ● Compromise respectfully