I started the unit with children filling in a before and after web (from Sheena Cameron's orange comprehension book) about what they already knew about Anzacs and Gallipoli, this was to activate prior knowledge. We read the book and before reading it again, I had my class sit eye to eye, knee to knee (EEKK) and recall something that happened in the book. Hmm... Some kids said they couldn't remember a thing, whilst others recalled many details. I planned for my class do a stretch to sketch (from Linda Hoyt's 3 R book). We folded a blank A4 page into four sections and the children had to visualise the story and think what would they draw in the first box, second box etc. After the second reading, they again sat EEKK and discussed what they would draw before going back to their desks and working independently... I was impressed. They shared their drawings and retold their story to a new partner.
On a different day, we broke into a character hot seat discussion. This allowed my students to have a good background to the book so we could discuss the theme and key ideas.
It was an AMAZING book with a friendship developing between two enemy soldiers. The children loved the realistic illustrations and the compassion between the two soldiers. I think it will stay in their memories for a long time.
