Children of the Rush Whole-Class Novel Study Year 6-7 Phase Two and Three

Description

This Whole-Class Novel Study breaks Children of the Rush by James Russell into six sections, each supported by a slideshow covering prior knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension, and key literacy skills. Students reinforce these concepts through follow-up activity sheets, culminating in a 2–3 paragraph narrative writing task where they apply their new grammar, figurative language, and vocabulary skills.

Dive into the 1860s Otago Gold Rush with this Children of the Rush novel study.

This comprehensive 6-week unit for Year 6 and 7 (Phase 2 and 3) provides a total literacy solution by intentionally building the foundations students need to succeed. By managing cognitive load through a structured framework, this resource ensures that students make meaning, build skills, and develop the confidence to move from deep reading to masterful, independent writing.

Each section begins by introducing prior knowledge and key vocabulary words that students will encounter in the following chapters of the novel. This strategy allows students to focus on deep meaning-making and the author’s craft rather than getting stalled by unfamiliar concepts or terms.

What is Included?

This resource uses a whole-class slideshow-based delivery paired with a comprehensive suite of supporting documents:

6 Interactive Slideshows: Each section includes prior knowledge, vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical analysis, literacy skills, and a writing task.
Additional Worksheets: Includes discussion prompts, GIST summarising sheets, writing tasks, and follow-up activity sheets.
NZ Curriculum Mapping: Direct alignment for Years 6 and 7 across Reading, Writing, and Critical Analysis strands.
Final Writing Class: The final “A Day in the Goldfields” writing task with student self-assessment and mentor text.

Equip your students with the context, the vocabulary, and the skills to succeed.

About the Novel: Children of the Rush (Book 1) by James Russell explores themes of social injustice, friendship, and bravery against the backdrop of the 1860s gold rush in New Zealand.

Please note: To use this resource, you will need at least one copy of the novel (1:1 or 1:2-3 is better!) Children of the Rush.