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The novel is based on a first-hand account and focuses on the experiences of characters the same age as secondary students. It provides an opportunity for deep learning and exploration of courage, adversity, upstander behaviour and resilience. As such, it is ideal for inclusion in a quality Holocaust Education program, as described in:
Holocaust Education – Delivery Requirements: Characteristics of a quality Holocaust Education program | education.vic.gov.au Written by Michelle Prawer, our highly detailed Teachers Notes link to English, Humanities and Social Sciences. Students engage in critical and creative thinking and are encouraged to develop ethical and intercultural understanding. Personal and social capability will be enriched through learning to work with others on the projects suggested in the Notes. Suzy Zail is also available for school visits and Q&As. She can be contacted here. |
Teacher's Notes Testimonial
'Inkflower was our first year 9 English text for 2024 has revealed itself to be an ideal text to study in Year 9 English. The ‘Teacher Notes’ proved to be a valuable resource. The ‘In-Depth Text Study’ notes allowed the students to ‘zoom in’ and analyse and examine Zail’s characterisation, development of plot and key themes. Zail’s questions and prompts could also be used as formative assessments or as the subject of class discussions, encouraging students to reflect on the chapters read. In addition to non-assessed class work, these notes were also used to inform the students’ final assessment task, which was a ‘Theme Analysis’. Students were instructed to select two prompts and analyse the ways in which a particular theme, such as identity, loss and grief or truth versus lies, is demonstrated across the novel. A particularly engaging activity that students completed was one that required them to create their own cover for Inkflower. Students drew on symbolism, such as Emil’s tattoo or the gates of Auschwitz, to portray important elements of the novel. Zail’s additional resources at the back of the book about Motor Neurone Disease and the Holocaust, allowed students to expand their knowledge of key subjects related to their study of the novel.
-Praachi Juneja, Year 9 English teacher, Vic.
'Inkflower was our first year 9 English text for 2024 has revealed itself to be an ideal text to study in Year 9 English. The ‘Teacher Notes’ proved to be a valuable resource. The ‘In-Depth Text Study’ notes allowed the students to ‘zoom in’ and analyse and examine Zail’s characterisation, development of plot and key themes. Zail’s questions and prompts could also be used as formative assessments or as the subject of class discussions, encouraging students to reflect on the chapters read. In addition to non-assessed class work, these notes were also used to inform the students’ final assessment task, which was a ‘Theme Analysis’. Students were instructed to select two prompts and analyse the ways in which a particular theme, such as identity, loss and grief or truth versus lies, is demonstrated across the novel. A particularly engaging activity that students completed was one that required them to create their own cover for Inkflower. Students drew on symbolism, such as Emil’s tattoo or the gates of Auschwitz, to portray important elements of the novel. Zail’s additional resources at the back of the book about Motor Neurone Disease and the Holocaust, allowed students to expand their knowledge of key subjects related to their study of the novel.
-Praachi Juneja, Year 9 English teacher, Vic.
