ESH151 Week 7 Waddle Giggle Gargle Glog

Listen to the story here!

Black shading: where magpies live in Australia

Image from www.anbg.gov.au

Image from http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au

Click below to watch my book review

Is this quality children's literature?I feel Waddle Giggle Gargle is suitable for Foundation level students, and is an example of quality children’s literature for several reasons. It has a wealth of language features and imaginative uses of language which encourage children to enjoy and learn from the text. The illustrations support the story, with facial expressions allowing students to better understand the characters’ emotions. A streetscape is provided, showing the gum tree with close-up images of the magpie in her nest, positioning the reader to view the magpie preparing for her young. Jonathon lives with his grandparents, which allows for discussion about alternate household structures. This book provides scope for extended learning through curriculum-linked activities in area such as English and Environmental Studies, and provides the overall themes of living in harmony with nature and diversity in families.

Language FeaturesThe magpie’s boisterous call is repeated six times throughout the book “Waddle giggle gargle paddle poodle!” The magpie’s call contains alliteration, in the repeated uses of words starting with the ‘g’ and ‘p’ sounds, and also consonance with the repetition of the ‘d’ and ‘g’ sounds in the middle of the words. This nonsensical string of words, each two syllables, rhythmically intersperse the narrative story and assist in the development of language skills by encouraging phonemic awareness.Onomatopoeia is used extensively in this book, reaching a percussive highpoint toward the end of the book when Jonathon and his grandparents create a magpie scarer:“CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! CLACK! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! ooOOooOOOOooooOOOOOooooo! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! CLACK!Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! Clatter! Rattle! BOOM! RATTLE! BOOM!” (Allen, 1996).

Image from http://www.penguin.com.au

speckled Magpie eggs

Image from http://museumvictoria.com.au

Activity OneStudents will listen to the text, then engage with it by sequencing the story into three parts, either by creating pictorial representations or an emergent knowledge of written words. This activity has links to Curriculum content codes: (ACELT1577), (ACELT1578), (ACELT1580)Activity TwoStudents will participate in a walk around the school to search for magpies, gum trees and birds nest. Students will observe the environment, make observations, engage in discussions and observations, and record their findings through drawings. Links to Curriculum content codes: (ACSHE013), (ACSIS011), (ACSIS233), (ACSIS012)

Visual ElementsPamela Allen has colourfully illustrated this sunny springtime story. We see an illustration of Jonathon, then pictures of his grandparents where we are positioned looking up at them. This may reflect how Jonathon sees his grandparents. A street of identically shaped but differently painted houses is shown, suggesting the story is set in an average suburb. The illustrations enhance the reader’s understanding of the magpie’s preparation for her young, with close-up views of her nest. Wonderful illustrations show Jonathon and his family being pursued by the territorial magpie, and Grandma and Grandpa have horrified faces when they fall over as a result of the attack. The illustrations of the magpie scarer are humorous, and finally, the reader sees young magpies which are quite differently coloured to their mother.

More information on magpies

Week 7: Vanessa ShawWaddle Giggle Gargle!Allen, P. (1996). Waddle giggle gargle. Ringwood, VIC: Puffin.

More lesson ideas here!

Image from youtube.com

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2013). Australian Curriculum: Foundation Year (v.5.1). Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/FoundationYear

... and listen to the magpie's song here!