John Boyne talks
Teaching notes
How to use this resource
‘John Boyne talks’ is part of the larger resource, Writers talk and aims to stimulate students to read and respond to literature.
John Boyne is an established adult writer and The boy in the striped pyjamas is his first book for younger readers. The award-winning book is about two young boys from different backgrounds looking at the holocaust from a child's perspective.
This resource contains five videos addressing his ideas about inspiration for writing, the writing process, characterisation, literary techniques and the messages in his work. Each video has a series of questions or comments for students to consider and discuss. Teachers may find it useful to combine this resource with others listed in the Related resources section to extend students’ learning.
‘John Boyne talks’ can be used with students to achieve outcomes from Stage 4 of the NESA English syllabuses. The syllabuses can be found at:
Stage 4
Students using ‘John Boyne talks’ in Stage 4 have the opportunity to:
- learn to read and respond to texts for pleasure and enjoyment
- learn to explore real and imagined worlds through engagement with texts
- learn about the features of texts including characterisation and setting
- learn about experiences and historical perspectives that shape texts.
Quality teaching
This resource, along with study of the texts written by the featured author, can be used to address the elements of Quality teaching in NSW public schools.
The Writers talk resource, related classroom discussion and learning activities enable students to:
- explore the features of stories and concepts developed by current writers whose work is acknowledged for its significance (Higher order thinking)
- use the metalanguage of literary criticism and language use (Metalanguage)
- learn through focussing questions that knowledge is socially constructed with multiple layers and personal interpretations (Problematic knowledge)
- recognise and explore connections to values and attitudes. Through the writers’ narratives, students can reflect on the way stories affect the perception of self in the modern world (Connectedness).