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teacher notes

WeirDo 3: Extra Weird Written by Anh Do Illustrated by Jules Faber

SynopsisThe hilarious adventures continue in the third book in the series about the unfortunately named Weir Do. After a recap on the antics of Weir’s unique family we learn more about their strange but hysterical talents. Who would have guessed that Grandad could recognise the sound of a squirrel scratching his bottom!

Weir’s dad is working hard on his cool dance moves for a local talent contest and Weir is trying out for the school soccer team. Will they succeed or experience yet more embarrassment?

With laugh-out-loud moments at every turn of the page, this book will engage and delight children and adults alike. The perfect choice for reluctant readers and for everyone who is a little diff erent!

About the Author Anh Do is a popular TV personality, actor, comedian, producer, keynote speaker and award-winning, best-selling author.

Weirdo, the fi rst hilarious book about the loveable but unfortunately named boy Weir, won the Australian Children’s Book of the Year, 2014.

The Happiest Refugee won Indie Book of the Year and ABIA Book of the Year in 2011.

Anh’s award-winning picture book The Little Refugee, illustrated by Bruce Whatley, was also named an Honour Book by the CBCA in 2012.

Anh has lived an incredible life. He and his family escaped from war-torn Vietnam and very nearly didn’t make it to Australia. They battled hunger, dehydration and the threat of pirates but managed to survive. Thankfully, they eventually reached Australia where the whole family pulled together to build a new life.

• Graphic novel • Families • Celebrating differences • Talent • Friendships • School life

Teacher Notes may be reproduced for use in school activities. They may not be redistributed for commercial sale or posted to other networks. Copyright © 2014 Scholastic Australia Pty Limited. For more great resources go to www.scholastic.com.au/toolkit 2.

Discussion Points1. TALENT SHOW

Everyone in Weir’s family has something they are good at, however odd it might be!

His mum is good at guessing how many things fit into other things, like how many lollies in the jar?

His granddad has super hearing and his sister, Sally is brilliant at hoopla.

CIRCLE TIME

Get everybody into a circle. Explain that you will pass around a toy, and when you are

holding the toy it is your turn to talk. If you don’t want to talk you can pass the toy onto the next person. When someone else has the toy it’s your job to listen carefully to what that person is saying.

FOCUS:

We are all good at something. Think about what you are really good at (hint: it’s usually something that you really enjoy!) When it is your turn to speak, tell us:

What is your special talent?

What do you enjoy about this the most?

Now pass the toy around and take turns to talk about the focus topic.

2. MY FAMILY

Take this opportunity to discuss family life, leading into family history on CM c.

Weir Do has a unique family. When you think about it, EVERY family is unique—there really isn’t a normal family.

PARTNER TALK

! Watch point—be aware of any pupils who have experienced a death in their immediate family,

or who are experiencing a particularly turbulent home life.

Talk to the person next to you about the following points, then swap over and listen to your partner’s answers.

• Who is in your family, including extended family and of course pets!

• Who do you get on the best with in your family?

• Do you argue with anyone a lot?

• What are your all-time favourite things to do with your family?

• Is there anyone in your family that lives far away, or in another country?

Choose some partners to recount what their partner said about their family.

Extend this activity into family heritage with CM c, My Family Tree.

Activities and CopymastersACTIVITY 1—MY TALENT

After the discussion work, get the children to write about their talent on CM a.

Download CM a My Talent

ACTIVITY 2—MY MOVE YOUR MOVE

CM b could be completed before or after playing My Move Your Move .

This could be played as part of a Physical Education program or just for fun.

Get the children to stand in a circle while music plays. The idea is it that children take turns around the circle to do their move, then the rest of the class copies the move as a group.

It’s funny to name the moves, just like Weir’s dad!

Download CM b My Move Your Move to get wacky with dance ideas!

ACTIVITY 3—MY FAMILY TREE

Share with your class some examples of old family trees and ancestry websites, explaining how some people research their family history as a hobby. Show how the higher up the tree you go, the further back in time it is.

Once the children have talked about their own immediate families, and understand the concept of the past, model your own family tree on the board to demonstrate how to complete CM c.

Download CM c My Family Tree

Download CM d The Time Machine EXTENSION

Text copyright © Anh D

o, and illustrations copyright © Jules Faber.