Page 27 - Ziptales Program Manual - AU

Children in History (Extending
Literacy 3-6)

The Bell and the Bushrangers: Three children overhear a pair of bushrangers plotting
a robbery. When they tell the police, however, they are not believed. Can they identify the
scoundrels and prevent the crime – without harm to anyone? An adventure story set in the gold
rush period of Australian history (1857), featuring live child models dressed in period costume,
in an authentic setting. The story is the vehicle for conveying large amounts of historical
information. (1591 words) (Zip Stage 7) (Flesch 2.7) (Lexile 500-700)

Secret Journey: A boy sets out to find his long lost father. His journey takes him by
riverboat, coach and on foot through the Australian countryside – but always he seems to just
miss his father. Can we hope for a happy ending? A ‘road movie’ set in the inland pioneering
and riverboat period of Australian history (1890), featuring live child models dressed in period
costume, in an authentic setting. The story is the vehicle for conveying large amounts of
historical information. (1493 words) (Zip Stage 7) (Flesch 2.7) (Lexile 500-700)

Runaway: A naughty boy accidentally starts a steam engine, which rapidly becomes a
dangerous ‘runaway’ – and the boy is trapped on board! Can his school mates catch the engine
and rescue him before there is a terrible crash? A ‘thriller’ set in 1915, featuring live child
models dressed in period costume. The story discreetly conveys large amounts of historical
information, not only about everyday life but about the ‘Great War’ and Gallipoli. (1596 words)
(Zip Stage 7) (Flesch 2.3) (Lexile 500-700)

Digital documentaries:

* The Real History behind ‘The Bell and the Bushrangers’: an overview of life on the
gold fields, bushrangers and the Eureka Stockade. (3064 words) (Zip Stage 9) (Flesch 6.4)
(Lexile 950-1100)

* The Real History behind ‘Secret Journey’: a documentary on life in pioneering times,
the riverboat era, the coming of the railways. (2946 words) (Zip Stage 9) (Flesch 7.0)
(Lexile 950-1100)

* The Real History behind ‘Runaway’: a detailed depiction of life in 1915, the First World
War and Gallipoli. (3475 words) (Zip Stage 9) (Flesch 6.8) (Lexile 950-1100)

At the end of every story is a true and false
comprehension test, for immediate feedback.

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