Snake Surprise

It’s a boring wet day on Hazard River until Jack Wilde and his friends find a note on an abandoned boat.  The message is damaged but they can all read the words HELP ME. The gang must find out who needs help and why. But as they get closer to the answer, will they be the ones who need help?

Snake Surprise would fit well into a themed cross curricular unit on the environment or the Australian landscape. Fison weaves plenty of information about Australian flora and fauna into the stories without ever coming across and heavy handed or didactic. The setting of the story, Hazard River, which is near an ocean beach, is described in richly evocative terms. Students who have visited Queensland or Northern New South Wales will immediately recognize the landscape. This element along with the fact that the story takes place during the holidays means that the book could be an excellent starting point for some descriptive or reflective writing. For teachers looking for a way to deepen the creative writing skills of their students, Snake Surprise should provide some inspiration. Fison’s writing style is highly accessible. The self-deprecating and humorous first person narration provided by Jack Wilde will provide students with a model for developing a personal writing style.

The problem that drives the narrative is the conflict that occurs when development and conservation collide. There are countless examples of these situations and it should be easy to find one in the newspaper or on line. It is an issue that students may even have some experience of in their own neighbourhoods. The protection of animals is a side issue that can also be explored. Fison’s detailed description of the snake might also be a starting point for a discussion of the kinds of fauna that are protected and in what manner.

But Snake Surprise is a good read too and one that might just grab the attention of a reluctant reader or a student who needs to build some confidence in this area.

Facts

Australia’s koala population has been devastated over the last hundred years and is currently under great threat due to urbanisation and massive, uncontrolled habitat destruction. Although Koalas are not listed as endangered by any Australian state, continued clearing eventually leads to koala populations being isolated in small, fragmented parcels of land. They become totally cut off from other populations and extremely vulnerable to dog attacks and motor vehicle accidents. Bushfires are another major threat, as they become trapped at the top of trees and have the exposed skin areas on their hands, feet and face burnt, and they often succumb to smoke inhalation. Those that do survive often starve to death as their food supply may take several weeks to re-grow. Local extinctions occur because these devastated areas cannot get replenished. The current koala population is believed to be between 40,000 and 100,000 animals.

Before Reading

Class discussion

What does the title, Snake Surprise, tell you about the story?

Describe the cover. Does it give you any clues about the story?

What do you think of snakes?

Why are people frightened of snakes? Is it only the poisonous quality?

Why do people want to protect some places from building and development?

What is the purpose of nature reserves?

Is there a place that you love and would not like to see change? Why?

While reading

Comprehension Questions

Why are Jack, Lachlan and Mimi playing Monopoly?

What does Ben see out the window?

What is the Zingarra?

What theories do Jack and Ben have about the abandoned houseboat?

Describe the condition of the boat. What is Mimi’s theory about the mess.

Describe Lachlan’s prank.

What message do they find on the boat?

What happens to the message?

What kind of snake do they find on the boat? What is it doing?

What do they find in the cake tin?

What do they find out about the owner of the boat?

How do the kids get to Breakneck Island?

What do they find in the shed on the island?

What do they find out about James’ brother?

Who gets caught by Iggy?

What does Mimi do while she is captured?

How does Jack rescue Lachlan and James?

Why has James sorted out the problem?

What restaurant does James own? What promise does he make to the kids?

After reading:

The characters

Make a character chart like the following:

Character

Description

Quote

Jack Wilde

Ben Wilde

Lachlan Master

Mimi Fairweather

James Forsyth-Snugglebottom

Money Mad Iggy

Mr Beachball-Belly

Discussion Questions:

Is Jack the hero of the story? Why?

What kind of a person is James Forsyth-Snugglebottom

If James and Iggy are brothers, why are they so different? Are most brothers similar?

What part does Mimi play in rescuing James and saving the island?

Why has the writer chosen Jack to narrate the story?

The story

Discussion

Most stories are based on a problem. What is the problem in Snake Surprise? How is it solved?

Activities on Story

In small groups decide on five important turning points in the story. Find a key quote to support each of your examples. Share them with the rest of the class.

Create a timeline of the events in the story

In small groups decide which part of the book is the most exciting and why. Share your findings with the other groups. Are there any scenes that stand out? Why?

Activities – KLA Specific

SOSE Activities

· Protected Areas in Australia.

James Forsyth-Snugglebottom wants Breakneck Island to be a place where koalas and their natural habitat are protected. Australia has many areas that are protected.

Research Protected Areas in Australia and answer the following questions:

What are some of the different types of protected areas in Australia?

What are some of the reasons that protected areas are established?

How are they policed?

In small groups choose one of the following types of protected areas. Research it and deliver a short talk to the rest of the class:

National Parks

Botanical Gardens

World Heritage Listed Sites

Historic Shipwrecks

Antarctic

Be sure to give examples of each and explain how and why they became protected areas.

Fraser Island

Research Fraser Island and find out why it is a protected area. Create a poster for visitors to Fraser Island. The poster should be both informative and attractive. Think about what information will appear on the poster and what images you will use. Consider the purpose of the poster. What is the best way to introduce the island to visitors, especially those from overseas?

Science Activities

· Snakes

Research Carpet Snakes to determine the following:

What do they look like?

How big are they?

Where are they found in Australia? Do they appear in any other countries?

What do they eat?

Why are they called ‘Carpet’ snakes? What is their real name?

What snake group do they belong to?

Is there a Carpet snake in your local zoo?

There are many different kinds of snakes in Australia. Choose one and make an informative poster with pictures and text. Display it in your classroom.

Many people like Money Mad Iggy are frightened of snakes. Create a survey to find which of your classmates is frightened of these creatures and why. Determine what percentage is afraid of snakes. Are you surprised by the result?

Despite their reputation, many poisonous snakes are protected in Australia. For instance, the maximum penalty for killing a Tiger snake in most states of Australia is 18 months in jail! Why do we protect such dangerous creatures? Write an expository essay that explores the issues surrounding the protection of poisonous snakes in Australia. Make sure that you include the scientific reasons for protection.

Media Activities

Write a newspaper article about the events on Breakneck Island and the role of Jack and his friends. Remember that the first paragraph of a newspaper article always includes Who, What, Where, When, and some indication of why the event is newsworthy.

An editorial is an opinion piece that states the newspapers position on a newsworthy issue. Pretend that you are the editor of the Hazard River Tribune. You are very disappointed that Iggy’s plan will not go ahead. State your reasons in a persuasive editorial.

Draw a cartoon for the editorial page on the issue.

The film of the book

In small groups, put together a proposal for a film version of Snake Surprise. Include the following:

A brief outline of the story

A storyboard to show how you will film the story

Suggestions for casting. Who will play the various parts?

Suggestions for a soundtrack. What songs could be featured?

A poster advertising the film

Propose the film to your classmates in a presentation

Drama Activities

In small groups of four, choose one scene to present to the class. You will need to write a script and consider the props and costumes you will need.

Blood Money

Everyone wants to have cool new stuff – right? So, when Jack Wilde and his friends find a bag full of money at Hazard River, it looks like all of their dreams have come true. But as they soon discover, money doesn’t always bring happiness. Sometimes, it buys a whole lot of trouble.

Class discussion

What does the title, Blood Money, tell you about the story?

Describe the cover. Does it give you any clues about the story?

What is your favourite place to holiday?

Why is it special?

While reading

Comprehension Questions :

What is Jack doing when Ben arrives in Chapter 1?

Who finds the bag of money first?

What distracts Ben when the boys are trying to find the bag?

Why does Jack get angry with Ben?

What happens when Jack and Ben try to hide the bag of money?

What prank does Lachlan play on the boys?

Why does the money divide the group?

Who wants to hand the money to the police?

What plan do they eventually settle on?

What scares Jack in the bathroom?

Where do the kids hide the money?

What do they find in Cranky Keith’s house?

Where does the money end up?

After reading:

The characters

Make a character chart like the following:

Character

Description

Quote

Jack Wilde

Ben Wilde

Lachlan Master

Mimi Fairweather

Cranky Keith

Discussion Questions:

What would you do if you found a bag full of money?

How would you spend $250,000?

Do you think the kids were doing the right thing when they broke into Cranky Keith’s house?

The story

Discussion

Most stories are based on a problem. What is the problem in Blood Money? How is it solved?

Activities on Story

In small groups decide on five important turning points in the story. Find a key quote to support each of your examples. Share them with the rest of the class.

Create a timeline of the events in the story

In small groups decide which part of the book is the most exciting and why. Share your findings with the other groups. Are there any scenes that stand out? Why?

Activities – KLA Specific

SOSE Activities

The trade in protected animals in Australia.

Research protected animals and discuss why people smuggle birds and reptiles out of Australia and what impact this has on local wildlife.

Make a poster warning people not to smuggle animals, eggs, or animal parts.

Media Activities

Write a newspaper article about the events on Hazard River and the role of Jack and his friends. Remember that the first paragraph of a newspaper article always includes Who, What, Where, When, and some indication of why the event is newsworthy.

An editorial is an opinion piece that states the newspaper’s position on a newsworthy issue. Pretend that you are the editor of the Hazard River Tribune. Write a piece on reptile smuggling and why you think penalties should be increased.

Draw a cartoon for the editorial page on the issue.

The film of the book:

In small groups, put together a proposal for a film version of Blood Money. Include the following:

A brief outline of the story

A storyboard to show how you will film the story

Suggestions for casting. Who will play the various parts?

Suggestions for a soundtrack. What songs could be featured?

A poster advertising the film

Propose the film to your classmates in a presentation.

Drama Activities

In small groups of four, choose one scene to present to the class. You will need to write a script and consider the props and costumes you will need.

English Activities

Blood Money is based on a real story – two boys found a bag full of money in a creek and decided to hand it in to the police. See if you can find a story in the newspaper that inspires a story. Write your own story.

Write a chapter of Blood Money from Ben’s perspective.

Write another chapter at the end of the book. What eventually happens to the money and Cranky Keith?

Shark Frenzy

Jack Wilde and his friends are on holidays at Hazard River when they discover a dead shark washed up on the sand. It has no fins. Is it the work of a monster shark… a giant squid … or pirates? The gang decides to investigate. But finding out what killed the shark lands the kids in a whole lot more trouble than they ever imagined.

Facts

The grey nurse shark is one of Australia’s most endangered marine species. They were hunted almost to extinction in the 1960’s because people wrongly believed they were man-eaters. It is estimated that there are fewer than 500 left along Australia’s east coast. The grey nurse is not considered dangerous to people. Their teeth are designed to catch small prey such as fish, squid and crustaceans.

Grey nurse sharks are threatened by fishermen accidentally catching them and shark finning. Shark finning, where the shark’s fins are cut off (often while they are alive) and the carcass is thrown overboard, is banned in Australia. Sharks without fins drown or die of starvation. If things don’t change, the grey nurse shark could be extinct within 40 years.

Before Reading

Class discussion

What do you do during the holidays?

Have you ever had a real adventure?

What do you know about sharks?

Have you ever read a book or seen a movie or a TV show about sharks? How did it portray them?

What are the most popular kinds of stories about sharks? Why?

The title of the book is Shark Frenzy. What do you think the book is about?

What does the cover tell us about the book?

While reading

Comprehension Questions

What deal does Jack make with the sharks?

What is Lachlan doing when he is introduced by Jack in chapter 1?

Who finds the shark?

Describe the joke Lachlan plays on Jack.

What is the difference between Jack’s view of Hazard River and that of his parents?

Why is Lachlan the ‘King of Hazard River’?

Who does Lachlan think has killed the shark?

What is the other suspect?

What does Ben want to do with the Giant Squid?

How do the boys get to Pelican Island? Why do they go?

How does Jack feel when he is driving the boat?

What do they find on the island?

What happens to Ben? What does Jack do?

How does Ben change the story?

What does Jack think of Mimi? Why?

Where do the children find the word ‘Killer’?

What do they find while they are playing cricket?

What does Mimi say about pirates?

Why do they go to Flat Rock Island?

What is Ben’s reaction to the notion of a ‘marine park’?

What happens when they ‘cross the bar’? Why?

What is the purpose of the marine park?

What does Jack observe when he spies on the fishermen?

What is Mimi’s explanation?

Describe the fishermen’s shack. What do they find there?

How does the story end?

After reading:

The characters

Make a character chart like the following:

Character

Description

Quote

Jack Wilde

Ben Wilde

Lachlan Master

Mimi Fairweather

Discussion Questions:

How are Jack and Lachlan different? How are they similar?

Describe Jack’s relationship with Ben.

How do Jack’s feelings about Mimi change in the course of the story?

Are the four characters a good team? Why or why not?

Why has the writer chosen Jack to narrate the story?

The story

Discussion

Most stories are based on a problem. What is the problem in Shark Frenzy? How is it solved?

Activities on Story

In small groups decide on five important turning points in the story. Find a key quote to support each of your examples. Share them with the rest of the class.

Create a timeline of the events in the story

In small groups decide which part of the book is the most exciting and why. Share your findings with the other groups. Are there any scenes that stand out? Why?

Activities – KLA Specific

SOSE Activities

Marine Parks

Research Marine Parks and answer the following questions:

How many marine parks are there in Australia?

When and why were they established?

How are they policed?

Choose one and, in small groups, prepare a short talk that outlines the size of the park, its purpose, and the sea life found there. Use a map to show the other class members where it is in Australia.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Create a poster for visitors to Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The poster should be both informative and attractive. Think about what information will appear on the poster and what images you will use. Consider the purpose of the poster. What is the best way to introduce the park to visitors, especially those from overseas?

Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing remains a serious problem. Research the issue and find an example of a sea creature that is illegally fished. Share your findings with the class and be sure to answer the following. Why do people fish illegally? Why do they want the sea creature you have chosen? Is it a culinary speciality? Why is it so prized? How much money do people make? What are the punishments for fishing this particular creature?

Science Activities

· Sharks

There are two kinds of sharks mentioned in the book, the bull shark and the nurse shark. Research one of these to determine the following:

Where are they found in Australia and overseas?

What do they eat?

How big are they?

Do they have predators?

Are they a threatened species? Why? How are they being protected?

Share your findings with a partner who researched the other type of shark.

A debate on Sharks:

Sharks are very controversial creatures. In Shark Frenzy, Jack considers the idea that the ‘only good shark is a dead shark’ briefly before succumbing to Mimi’s ‘web of life’ argument. Divide into two teams with three members each and debate the following proposition:

“Sharks are too dangerous to be protected”

One side will agree and the other will disagree. The first speakers will introduce the main arguments. The second speakers will respond to the first speakers’ points and introduce further arguments. The third speaker will address the other sides’ arguments and summarize their own main points. The rest of the class will vote to determine the winning team.

Media Activities

Write a newspaper article about the capture of the illegal fisherman and the role of the kids.

Write an editorial about illegal fishing in the Hazard River area with reference to the Shark Fin incident.

Draw a cartoon for the editorial page on the issue.

Write a letter to the editor defending the fishermen.

The film of the book:

In small groups, put together a proposal for a film version of Shark Frenzy. Include the following:

A brief outline of the story

A storyboard to show how you will film the story

Suggestions for casting. Who will play the various parts?

Suggestions for a soundtrack. What songs could be featured?

A poster advertising the film

Propose the film to your classmates in a presentation

Drama Activity

In small groups of four, choose one scene to present to the class. You will need to write a script and consider the props and costumes you will need.

English Activities

Rewrite one of the key scenes from the point of view of one of the other characters.

Write a letter from Mimi to one of her friends overseas describing the events in the novel.

Have you ever had an adventure on a holiday? Write it up and read to the other members of a small group.

Write a poem called, “Shark”.

Write a review of Shark Frenzy. Be sure to give a brief outline of the story and some idea of the kind of reader that might enjoy the story. Post your review somewhere in the classroom. Read the other reviews. Do most people in the class agree on the book?

Research the writer, J.E. Fison. What can you find out about him in the book itself? What can you find out on line? Has he written other books? Do they sound similar? Are there any in your classroom or school library?

7. Have you read other adventure stories involving children? Write about one of them. How was it similar to Shark Frenzy? How was it different?

Toads’ Revenge

When Australia’s best-known adventurer moves to Hazard River, Jack, Ben, Mimi and Lachlan want to meet him. But instead of getting to know Just Orsum, the kids end up on his most dangerous and daring mission ever. Where will they end up? And more importantly, how will they ever get back?

Class Discussion

What do you do during the holidays?Have you ever had a real adventure?What do you know about cane toads?The title of the book is Toads’ Revenge. What do you think the book is about?What does the cover tell us about the book?

While reading

Comprehension Questions

Who are the kids hoping to meet at the beginning of the story? What do the kids try to escape from in Chapter 1?Where do the kids think they have landed after their surprise trip? Where do they actually land? What has changed since they’ve been away? Who do the kids think can help them? What is Josh Orsum’s job? Why have the toads mutated? How do the kids eventually solve the problem? What gifts do Ben and Jack receive at the end of the story?

After reading:

Make a character chart like the following:

Character. Description. Quote

Jack Wilde

Ben Wilde

Lachlan Master

Mimi Fairweather

Discussion Questions:

How are Jack and Lachlan different? How are they similar? Describe Jack’s relationship with Ben. Are the four characters a good team? Why or why not? Why has the writer chosen Jack to narrate the story?

The story

Most stories are based on a problem. What is the problem in Toads’ Revenge? How is it solved?

Is it possible to travel to the future? Do you think it will ever be possible?

Activities on Story

In small groups decide on five important turning points in the story. Find a key quote to support each of your examples. Share them with the rest of the class.

Create a timeline of the events in the story

In small groups decide which part of the book is the most exciting and why. Share your findings with the other groups. Are there any scenes that stand out? Why?

Activities – KLA Specific

SOSE Activities

Research an environmental disaster and answer the following questions:

How did it happen?

What impact did it have on local wildlife?

What was done to clean it up?

What long-term damage was done?

How could it be avoided in the future?

Research cane toads and answer the following:

1. Why were they introduced to Australia?

2. Did they do what they were meant to do?

3. How far have they spread across Australia?

4. What impact have they had on local wildlife?

5. What efforts are being undertaken to control cane toads?

6. What other animals have been introduced as biological control agents in Australia?

7. Have they been successful?

8. What animals were introduced into Australia by European settlers? (rabbits and foxes)

9. What impact did they have?

Science Activities

· Cane toads

Where are they found in Australia and overseas?

What do they eat?

What is their lifecycle?

Do they have predators?

Media Activities

Write a newspaper article about an environmental disaster.

Write an editorial about who was responsible for the disaster.

Draw a cartoon for the editorial page on mutant cane toads.

The film of the book:

In small groups, put together a proposal for a film version of Toads’ Revenge. Include the following:

A brief outline of the story

A storyboard to show how you will film the story

Suggestions for casting. Who will play the various parts?

Suggestions for a soundtrack. What songs could be featured?

A poster advertising the film

Propose the film to your classmates in a presentation

Drama Activity

In small groups of four, choose one scene to present to the class. You will need to write a script and consider the props and costumes you will need.

English Activities

Rewrite one of the key scenes from the point of view of one of the other characters.

Write a letter from Mimi to one of her friends overseas describing the events in the novel.

How do you imagine the future? Write a description.

Write a poem called, “The Future”.

Write a review of Toads’ Revenge. Be sure to give a brief outline of the story and some idea of the kind of reader that might enjoy the story. Post your review somewhere in the classroom. Read the other reviews. Do most people in the class agree on the book?

Research the writer, J.E. Fison. What can you find out about the author in the book itself? What can you find out on the internet? Has the author written other books? Do they sound similar? Are there any in your classroom or school library?

Have you read other adventure stories involving children? Write about one of them. How was it similar to Toads’ Revenge? How was it different?

HERE ARE SOME EXTRA FACTS ABOUT THE ANIMALS IN THE HAZARD RIVER SERIES:

GREY NURSE SHARKS:

The grey nurse shark is one of Australia’s most endangered marine species. They were hunted almost to extinction in the 1960’s because people thought they were man-eaters. In fact, grey nurse sharks aren’t considered dangerous to people. Their teeth are specially designed for catching fish, squid and crustaceans. Now there are fewer than 500 left along Australia’s east coast.

Grey nurse sharks are threatened by fishermen accidentally catching them and shark finning. Shark finning is where the shark’s fins are cut off (often while they are alive) and the carcass is thrown overboard. It’s banned in Australia, but it still takes place. Sharks without fins drown or die of starvation. If things don’t change, the grey nurse shark could be extinct within 40 years.

TIGERS:

The tiger is one of the world’s most beautiful animals, it is also one of our most endangered. One hundred years ago more than 100,000 tigers roamed Asia, now the numbers have dropped to around 5,000. Three subspecies of tigers have become extinct. The rest live in isolated populations.

Poachers kill tigers to sell their skin and body parts for traditional medicine. Tigers are also threatened by the destruction of their habitat. As forests are bulldozed to make way for agriculture, roads and houses, tigers lose their habitat. They have nowhere to hunt and nowhere to hide when poachers come looking for them.

KOALAS:

The koala is an Australian icon, but it is under threat from the destruction of its habitat. The koala is not endangered animal, but conservationists are concerned because its numbers have declined dramatically in the past 100 years. Between 40,000 and 100,000 koalas are left in Australia.

As land is cleared for housing, roads and industry koalas are isolated in small populations. Those that live near housing can be killed by dogs, run over by cars and have even drowned in backyard swimming pools. Bushfires are also a big threat to koalas. Koalas become trapped at the top of trees and are often burned. The ones that do survive can starve to death because they have no food.

GHOST BATS:

It is estimated that there are only 5,000 ghost bats left in Australia. Our only carnivorous (meat eating) bats are threatened by miners destroying the caves where they live and developers clearing the land where they feed. Ghost bats are also easily disturbed by people visiting their roosts. Ghost bats get their name from their white appearance when they fly overhead. They have long ears and a flap on the end of their nose called a noseleaf. They roost in caves, old mines and deep crevices in rocks.