Abstract

Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox provides kindergarten-year 1 students (5-7 years of age) with the opportunity to define the term memory and explore how objects can be used as memory triggers. Students are explicitly taught the text type of personal narratives with the unit culminating in writing an autobiograhy scaffolded through Mem Fox's autobigraphy. Students experience first hand how memories can be recorded through people's stories (listening to guest speakers share their life story)and artefacts; visiting Canberra's historic Blundell's Cottage and St John's School House Museum.