In this lesson students will read the text ‘The Rabbits’ written by John Marsden and then analyse the very detailed illustrations by Shaun Tan. ‘The Rabbits’ follows the story of the European settlement in Australia but uses Rabbits representing the Europeans and Possums representing the Aboriginals. Students will describe what they see in the picture, discuss if any illustrations have a deeper meaning (symbolism) as well as make connections to their own lives.

• Experiment with text structures and language features and their effects in creating literary texts, for example, using imagery, sentence variation, metaphor and word choice (ACELT1800)
• Make connections between students’ own experiences and those of characters and events represented in texts drawn from different historical, social and cultural contexts (ACELT1613)
• Analyse and evaluate similarities and differences in texts on similar topics, themes or plots(ACELT1614)

1. Start off by showing students the title and front cover. Ask students what they think this story will be about. 
2. Read through the story and ask students to make mental notes.

1. Upon finishing the text, ask students what they really think this story is about. Come to the conclusion that it is about the European settlement in Australia.
2. Split students into groups of 2-3 and allocate a particular page and illustration for them to analyse.
3. Tell students they need to answer the following questions and prepare a short 1 minute speech to present to the class.

• What can you see in your picture
• Discuss the link between the illustrations and the text
• Do any objects or characters in your illustration have a symbolic meaning? May have to discuss what symbolism is here.
• How does this picture make them feel?

Create a success criteria for the students to be marked against and set students to work

Conclusion:

1. Discuss what the students learned and how their perception is now changed.

Assessment:

• Work Sample
• Anecdotal Notes

Resources:

• The Rabbits by John Marsden