The Violin Man
The images above have had the text hidden so you have to put together the pictures and understand what story you believe the author is trying to tell.
Your task is to write your our own interpretation of this story. It should be captivating and show that you have thought about your spelling, grammar and choice of language.
Your task is to write your our own interpretation of this story. It should be captivating and show that you have thought about your spelling, grammar and choice of language.
Summary:
Oscar has always dreamed of being a great violinist, playing in a theatre to a full house. Instead he is a lonely man who plays to entertain the theatre-goers as they queue each night of the year - except Christmas Day, when the theatre is closed. His little daughter used to dance to his music but she died young and Oscar is on his own. One night his friend the night-watchman allows him to play in the darkened theatre after the audience has gone home. The conductor hears him and asks him to perform the following evening, which Oscar does - only to find that dreams are sometimes best left as dreams.
The Violin Man is a superb work that offers readers incredibly detailed, slightly surreal illustrations. Visual learners will delight in the hidden humour - such as whimsical titles on small drawers, little pink creatures that wander in and out of the double-page spreads, and one tiny character who appears on every page. What is perhaps most remarkable about the illustrations is that they are created using Photoshop on an Apple Macintosh computer - although it's almost impossible to tell. Thompson has illustrated his previous nine picturebooks with pen and ink, so the move to computer was significant.
Often the most remarkable picture books are those where text and illustration are created by the same person. Colin Thompson is one of the best Australia has to offer, especially as a creator of picture books for senior primary and junior secondary school students
Beautiful, sad, whimsical and incredibly moving, this is a superb piece of work.
Oscar has always dreamed of being a great violinist, playing in a theatre to a full house. Instead he is a lonely man who plays to entertain the theatre-goers as they queue each night of the year - except Christmas Day, when the theatre is closed. His little daughter used to dance to his music but she died young and Oscar is on his own. One night his friend the night-watchman allows him to play in the darkened theatre after the audience has gone home. The conductor hears him and asks him to perform the following evening, which Oscar does - only to find that dreams are sometimes best left as dreams.
The Violin Man is a superb work that offers readers incredibly detailed, slightly surreal illustrations. Visual learners will delight in the hidden humour - such as whimsical titles on small drawers, little pink creatures that wander in and out of the double-page spreads, and one tiny character who appears on every page. What is perhaps most remarkable about the illustrations is that they are created using Photoshop on an Apple Macintosh computer - although it's almost impossible to tell. Thompson has illustrated his previous nine picturebooks with pen and ink, so the move to computer was significant.
Often the most remarkable picture books are those where text and illustration are created by the same person. Colin Thompson is one of the best Australia has to offer, especially as a creator of picture books for senior primary and junior secondary school students
Beautiful, sad, whimsical and incredibly moving, this is a superb piece of work.
Level 1 - Knowledge Questions:
1. What happened after Oscar entered the concert hall?
2. How many people saw him perform?
3. Who was it that suggested he play the violin?
4. Can you name the daughter?
5. Describe what happened at the end of the picture book?
6. Who spoke to Oscar on the street?
7. Can you tell why Oscar looked so tired?
Extension Activities:
Make a list of the main events in The Violin Man.
Make a timeline of events that took place in the narrative.
Make a facts chart or a mindmap of the incidents that mark the steps in the imaginative journey.
Write a list of any pieces of information you can remember from the story.
List all the complications in the story.
1. What happened after Oscar entered the concert hall?
2. How many people saw him perform?
3. Who was it that suggested he play the violin?
4. Can you name the daughter?
5. Describe what happened at the end of the picture book?
6. Who spoke to Oscar on the street?
7. Can you tell why Oscar looked so tired?
Extension Activities:
Make a list of the main events in The Violin Man.
Make a timeline of events that took place in the narrative.
Make a facts chart or a mindmap of the incidents that mark the steps in the imaginative journey.
Write a list of any pieces of information you can remember from the story.
List all the complications in the story.
Level 2 - Comprehension Questions:
1. Can you write in your own words what Oscar experienced?
2. Can you write a brief outline of the imaginative journey?
3. What do you think could of happened next in Oscar's story?
4. What was the main idea of the narrative?
5. Who was the key character apart from Oscar?
6. Can you distinguish between what was real and imagined in the story?
7. What differences exist between Oscar's real world and his imagined world?
8. Can you provide an example that shows one of his worlds wasn't real?
9. Can you provide a definition for imaginative journey.?
Extension Activities:
Illustrate what you think the main idea was in The Violin Man.
Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events.
Write and perform a scene based on the story.
Retell the story in your own words.
Paint a picture of some aspect you like.
Write a summary report of a major event in the story.
Prepare a flow chart to illustrate the sequence of events.
1. Can you write in your own words what Oscar experienced?
2. Can you write a brief outline of the imaginative journey?
3. What do you think could of happened next in Oscar's story?
4. What was the main idea of the narrative?
5. Who was the key character apart from Oscar?
6. Can you distinguish between what was real and imagined in the story?
7. What differences exist between Oscar's real world and his imagined world?
8. Can you provide an example that shows one of his worlds wasn't real?
9. Can you provide a definition for imaginative journey.?
Extension Activities:
Illustrate what you think the main idea was in The Violin Man.
Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events.
Write and perform a scene based on the story.
Retell the story in your own words.
Paint a picture of some aspect you like.
Write a summary report of a major event in the story.
Prepare a flow chart to illustrate the sequence of events.
Level 3 - Application Questions:
1. Do you know another instance where a character gets lost in an imaginative world?
2. Can you group by characteristics the elements of an imaginative journey?
3. What factors would you change if you had written The Violin Man?
4. Can you apply the method used in the narrative to some experience of your own?
5. What questions would you ask of Colin Thompson?
6. From the information given, can you develop a set of instructions about imaginative journeys?
Extension Activities:
Take a collection of photographs to demonstrate a particular points in an imaginative journey or a physical journey..
Design a market strategy for your product using a known strategy as a model for an imaginative journey
1. Do you know another instance where a character gets lost in an imaginative world?
2. Can you group by characteristics the elements of an imaginative journey?
3. What factors would you change if you had written The Violin Man?
4. Can you apply the method used in the narrative to some experience of your own?
5. What questions would you ask of Colin Thompson?
6. From the information given, can you develop a set of instructions about imaginative journeys?
Extension Activities:
Take a collection of photographs to demonstrate a particular points in an imaginative journey or a physical journey..
Design a market strategy for your product using a known strategy as a model for an imaginative journey
Level 4 - Analysis Questions
1. Which events could have happened in a different order?
2. I wonder what might have happened, if Oscar's daughter was alive in the story?
3. How was this similar to another text?
4. What was the underlying theme of The Violin Man?
5. What do you see as other possible outcomes of the story?
6. What are some of the problems of in the narrative?
7. Can you distinguish between the real and imagined world in the narrative?
8.What were some of the motives behind Oscar's actions in the story?
9.What was the turning point in the story?
10.What was the problem with Oscar?
Extension Activities:
Design a questionnaire to gather information about suitable texts to supplement your study of Imaginative Journey.
Write a commercial to sell a new product for a virtual travel agent.
Conduct an investigation to produce information to support the view that without imagination human beings are just like animals.
Make a flow chart to show the critical stages in Oscar's journey.
Write a biography of Oscar.
Prepare a report about the Area of Study as it relates to The Violin Man.
Review a work of art in terms of form, colour and texture and reflect on the ways it takes you on an imaginative journey.
1. Which events could have happened in a different order?
2. I wonder what might have happened, if Oscar's daughter was alive in the story?
3. How was this similar to another text?
4. What was the underlying theme of The Violin Man?
5. What do you see as other possible outcomes of the story?
6. What are some of the problems of in the narrative?
7. Can you distinguish between the real and imagined world in the narrative?
8.What were some of the motives behind Oscar's actions in the story?
9.What was the turning point in the story?
10.What was the problem with Oscar?
Extension Activities:
Design a questionnaire to gather information about suitable texts to supplement your study of Imaginative Journey.
Write a commercial to sell a new product for a virtual travel agent.
Conduct an investigation to produce information to support the view that without imagination human beings are just like animals.
Make a flow chart to show the critical stages in Oscar's journey.
Write a biography of Oscar.
Prepare a report about the Area of Study as it relates to The Violin Man.
Review a work of art in terms of form, colour and texture and reflect on the ways it takes you on an imaginative journey.
Level 5 - Synthesis Questions
1. Can you design a ... to ...?
2. Why not compose a song about...?
3. Can you see a possible solution to...?
4. If you had access to all resources how would you deal with...?
5. Why don't you devise your own way to deal with...?
6. What would happen if...?
7. How many ways can you...?
8. Can you create new and unusual uses for...?
9. Can you write a new recipe for a tasty dish?
10. Can you develop a proposal which would...
Extension Activities:
Write about your feelings in relation to The Violin Man
Write a puppet show, soliloquy, song about The Violin Man?
Sell an idea that relates to one of the themes or issues raised by The Violin Man.
Devise a way to change the ending of the story.
1. Can you design a ... to ...?
2. Why not compose a song about...?
3. Can you see a possible solution to...?
4. If you had access to all resources how would you deal with...?
5. Why don't you devise your own way to deal with...?
6. What would happen if...?
7. How many ways can you...?
8. Can you create new and unusual uses for...?
9. Can you write a new recipe for a tasty dish?
10. Can you develop a proposal which would...
Extension Activities:
Write about your feelings in relation to The Violin Man
Write a puppet show, soliloquy, song about The Violin Man?
Sell an idea that relates to one of the themes or issues raised by The Violin Man.
Devise a way to change the ending of the story.
Level 6 - Evaluation Questions
1. Is there a better solution to The Violin Man?
2. Judge the value of studying picture books when your in Year 5/6.
3. Can you defend your position about enjoying picture books the are mostly written for junior primary?
Extension Activities:
Prepare a list of criteria to judge the success of The Violin Man.
Conduct a debate about an issue that is raised in the novel e.g. communing with those we've lost and loved.
Make a booklet about 5 rules you see as important when studying for Imaginative Journeys at school where you are convincing others.
1. Is there a better solution to The Violin Man?
2. Judge the value of studying picture books when your in Year 5/6.
3. Can you defend your position about enjoying picture books the are mostly written for junior primary?
Extension Activities:
Prepare a list of criteria to judge the success of The Violin Man.
Conduct a debate about an issue that is raised in the novel e.g. communing with those we've lost and loved.
Make a booklet about 5 rules you see as important when studying for Imaginative Journeys at school where you are convincing others.
Ballet and a Violin
Intertextual Links
Intertextuality: (noun) the interrelationship between texts, especially works of literature; the way that similar or related texts influence, reflect, or differ from each other. Having an intertextuality knowledge allows you to find humor in the example, have a greater informed opinion or help you gain a more in depth understanding.
In the text, The Violin Man, music plays a large part in characterisation and relationships between the main characters. Watch the clip below and see how music plays an important role too...
In the text, The Violin Man, music plays a large part in characterisation and relationships between the main characters. Watch the clip below and see how music plays an important role too...
Early Moments in Rock History
Before reading... do you know these famous faces? (don't scroll down too far as their names are revealed!)
Complete the chart below of what you know and want to learn about early moments in rock history. This could include
- Famous rock'n'roll stars
- Song titles
- How people listened to music
- What years you think are discussed
- The influence this had on society
- Any other important events....
- Famous rock'n'roll stars
- Song titles
- How people listened to music
- What years you think are discussed
- The influence this had on society
- Any other important events....
user name: bertramps password: (what phase we are)
Writing Response:
In this book you learned about the impact of music on individuals and society. Why do you think some people are against freedom of expression such as with certain types of music?
In this book you learned about the impact of music on individuals and society. Why do you think some people are against freedom of expression such as with certain types of music?
Key Vocabulary:
acoustic
contributions
genre
influence
trademark
transistor
Extension:
civil rights
console
disc jockey
discrimination
economy
gig
institutions
integrating
jukebox
lyrics
phonograph
rockabilly
segregration
acoustic
contributions
genre
influence
trademark
transistor
Extension:
civil rights
console
disc jockey
discrimination
economy
gig
institutions
integrating
jukebox
lyrics
phonograph
rockabilly
segregration
Comprehension Strategy: Cause and Effect
E.g. I know that there are causes, or reasons, why events happen. When I put on a seat belt, it might be because I am getting ready to ride in a car. The seat belt helps keep m safe i my car in the event of an accident. So a cause for putting on the seat belt could be because I want to stay safe. However, I also know that not wearing a seat belt is against the law. So another reason to put on a seat belt might be to avoid getting a fine. So in this case the cause is wearing a seat belt, the effect is staying safe and avoiding a fine.
Cause: an event that makes something happen.
Effect: what happens because of, or as a result of, the event.
Where do we see a cause and effect connection in the text?
E.g. I know that there are causes, or reasons, why events happen. When I put on a seat belt, it might be because I am getting ready to ride in a car. The seat belt helps keep m safe i my car in the event of an accident. So a cause for putting on the seat belt could be because I want to stay safe. However, I also know that not wearing a seat belt is against the law. So another reason to put on a seat belt might be to avoid getting a fine. So in this case the cause is wearing a seat belt, the effect is staying safe and avoiding a fine.
Cause: an event that makes something happen.
Effect: what happens because of, or as a result of, the event.
Where do we see a cause and effect connection in the text?
Grammar and Mechanics: Propositional Phrases
Prepositions are words that show a relationship between things. They provide information about the location (inside, outside), direction (to, under, over)and time (after, before, during) when something happens. They can also explain the relationship between two words (about, with).
For example on page 4 of the text it states "It developed over time through the influence and contributions or many musicians." The prepositions of this sentence are over, through and of.
Can you find any more examples in the text?
Complete the activity below:
Prepositions are words that show a relationship between things. They provide information about the location (inside, outside), direction (to, under, over)and time (after, before, during) when something happens. They can also explain the relationship between two words (about, with).
For example on page 4 of the text it states "It developed over time through the influence and contributions or many musicians." The prepositions of this sentence are over, through and of.
Can you find any more examples in the text?
Complete the activity below:
Discussion Questions:
Comprehension Questions:
Writing Reports:
Your assignment will be to research an era of music from the past (1920 - 1989). You will be required to reasearch, plan and present your information in your own words. The assignment task sheet and checklist is below:
Your assignment will be to research an era of music from the past (1920 - 1989). You will be required to reasearch, plan and present your information in your own words. The assignment task sheet and checklist is below:
music_through_the_ages_project.docx | |
File Size: | 19 kb |
File Type: | docx |
criteria_for_music_through_the_ages_project.doc | |
File Size: | 139 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Planning Templates:
Report Writing Samples
Year 4: Satisfactory
Year 4: Above Satisfactory
Year 6: Satisfactory
Year 6: Above Satisfactory