Curriculum P-6
My assembly presentations this year have all been about what is arguably something that impacts all aspects of our learning – reading.
I’ve spoken about the way reading can help us to be kind, show courage and seek wisdom, how a bookshop is like a bistro – where the three gourmet strategies for elevating our appetite for reading are to expand our literary palate, develop a taste for critical thinking and becoming the chef by engaging in active reading techniques. However, the latest presentation was about a very special literary event, fostering a love for stories and a strong sense of community.
Last Wednesday at 12.00pm, Oxley College Junior School celebrated reading with over 2 million students and teachers across Australia during National Simultaneous Storytime where all classes read ‘Bowerbird Blues’ by Aura Parker. This charming story follows a lonely satin bowerbird on a quest for all things blue, with his journey symbolising a deeper quest for connection and belonging.
Aura Parker describes Bowerbird Blues as a picture book about longing, searching, and love. The bowerbird in her story is captivated by the blue of the sea and sky yet finds something is always missing. Parker wrote this book to capture the feeling of longing for connection, to celebrate creativity and nature, and to raise awareness about plastic pollution.
One of the main messages in my assembly presentation was how many picture books aren’t just for younger students. They hold the power to engage students of all ages through complex themes and accessible storytelling.
Bowerbird Blues is an excellent example of this. This book provides opportunities to connect Mathematics with reading. Some examples of this would be by making connections between the blue objects in the story through identifying patterns, graphing the bowerbird’s collected items, discovering two and three-dimensional shapes and objects, measuring sizes of objects and posing mathematical questions like, “How many more $10 notes would the bowerbird need to buy his lady friend a really nice present?”
Another key theme in Bowerbird Blues is caring for our environment. The bowerbird collects items primarily from our rubbish, highlighting the issue of environmental pollution. His collection of plastic bottlecaps, straws, and tags serves as a metaphor for the environmental impact of our actions. This theme encourages discussions on sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental protection.
Ultimately, this picture book is a love story where the bowerbird’s quest for blue objects reflects a universal human experience: the longing for connection and belonging. It invites readers to reflect on their own search for identity and connection. Through the bowerbird’s journey, we learn about longing and the joy of finding what we seek, often discovering that the true treasures were with us all along.
For those who are interested in discovering more picture books with deeper themes, I would recommend the following as a starting point:
- Mirror by Jeannie Baker: This book uses detailed collage illustrations to tell parallel stories of families in Australia and Morocco, highlighting cultural diversity and human connection.
- Diamonds by Armin Greder: A powerful parable exploring how the desire for endless riches perpetuates inequality and corruption.
- Cicada by Shaun Tan: The story of a hardworking cicada who, despite being unappreciated, undergoes a beautiful transformation, serving as inspiration for anyone who feels undervalued.
Stories are magical doors to incredible places and unforgettable characters. They make us think, laugh, cry, and teach us important lessons. As our Oxley College Junior School students dive into the world of picture books, no matter their age, my hope is that their imaginations soar like the bowerbird’s wings, and deeper meaning is found in every story encountered.
Warm Regards
Alison Rasheed
Director of Curriculum P-6