Blueback: Chapter 9 - Navigating Change in Longboat Bay

An engaging lesson for an 11-year-old homeschool student focusing on Chapter 9 of Tim Winton's novel 'Blueback'. This lesson explores themes of environmental change, community action, and personal responsibility through reading, discussion, and creative activities.

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Diving Deep into Blueback: Chapter 9 - The Changing Tides

Welcome, brave ocean explorer! Today, we're diving back into the world of Abel and Blueback, focusing on the very important events of Chapter 9. This chapter shows us a lot about how things can change, and how people react to those changes. Let's get started!

Part 1: Setting the Scene - Remembering Chapter 9 (15 minutes)

First, let's refresh our memory. If you haven't read Chapter 9 recently, take a few minutes to read it now. As you read, or after you finish, think about these questions:

  • What are the biggest changes happening in Longboat Bay in this chapter?
  • How does Abel feel about these changes? How does his mother, Dora, feel?
  • Who is Costello, and what role does he play? Why is he significant?
  • What does Abel start to do with his life as he gets older in this chapter?

Activity: Quick Chat! Discuss your answers to the questions above. What was the most surprising or impactful part of Chapter 9 for you?

Part 2: The Bay Under Pressure - Visualizing Change (20 minutes)

Chapter 9 shows Longboat Bay facing new threats. The abalone divers, the new houses, the talk of a resort – it's a lot for Abel and his mum to take in. Let's think about what this means for the bay.

Activity: 'Before & After' Bay Sketch

  1. Take your drawing paper and divide it in half.
  2. On one side, draw or describe (if you prefer writing) Longboat Bay as Abel knew it in his childhood – pristine, full of life, with Blueback swimming freely.
  3. On the other side, draw or describe how Longboat Bay might look if all the new developments Costello and others want come to pass. Think about the impact on the marine life, the water, and the peace of the bay.
  4. What are the key differences? How do these images make you feel?

Part 3: Abel's Voice - A Letter from the Future (20 minutes)

In Chapter 9, Abel becomes a marine biologist, dedicating his life to studying and protecting the ocean. He learns so much about the sea and its creatures.

Activity: Dear Future Caretaker of Longboat Bay...

Imagine you are Abel, many years in the future, after he has spent his life studying the oceans. Write a short letter (1-2 paragraphs) to a young person who will one day be responsible for looking after Longboat Bay. What advice would Abel give? What hopes would he have for the bay? What lessons from Blueback and his mother would he share?

Think about:

  • The importance of observation.
  • The fragility of marine ecosystems.
  • The idea of being a custodian rather than an owner.
  • The legacy of Blueback.

Part 4: Making Waves - Discussion & Reflection (10 minutes)

Let's think about the bigger picture:

  • Why do you think Tim Winton included these challenges to Longboat Bay in the story?
  • Do you think it's possible to have development (new houses, tourism) AND protect nature? How?
  • What can one person, like Abel, do to make a difference for the environment?

Wrap-up: Chapter 9 is a turning point. It shows that the world around us is always changing, and we have choices to make about how we respond to those changes. Abel chooses to learn, to understand, and to protect. What inspires you most about his journey in this chapter?

Great work today exploring the depths of 'Blueback'! Keep thinking about these ideas as we continue our journey with Abel.