|
Starship Q teachers' notes
BREAKER 3 SERIES. Macmillan Education. 2003
Publisher: MacMillan Education Australia
 Download the PDF of these notes.
Here are a range of activities which can be used to extend students' knowledge of the story, explore research skills and gives students the opportunity to express their ideas.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF STORY
The setting is a far-flung future. Iyaki and Aari, two alien lads join forces with Jackson, a human boy, to overcome their mutual distrust as they share jokes, stories and troubles. Only then do they manage to quell a mutiny on Star-ship ‘Q'. As Iyaki and Jackson get to know and like each other, this story is told from both points of view.
RESOURCES AND PREPARATION
In a science fiction story, the trend is that it
- starts with the premise ‘what if'
- describes someone or something that is technologically or scientifically based
- future oriented
- uses other worlds
- often a quest
- has some kind of internal logic
- contains unusual but sustained characters with whom the reader can identify
Readers are guided to other science fiction novels such as :
Astronet by Goldie Alexander.
6788 by Goldie Alexander.
Killer Virus: An Anthology of Short Stories by Goldie Alexander. This selection includes a number of science fiction stories.
For more advanced readers: ‘Galax-Arena' by Gillian Rubenstein. Phillip Pullman. Garth Nix.
TALKING POINTS
- There are two points of view (POV) to this story: Iyaki and Jackson's Damon's. Before they meet, each boy has different ideas on what the other might look like. What are they?
- Imagine you are Iyaki. How did you and Aari happen to end up on Star-ship Q? What happens to you? Why is this so scary?
- Imagine you are Jackson. Why are you trapped in your room? Why does meeting an Ig seem scary?
- Now try this exercise from an Ig point of view.
- Outline the differences between the two sentient (thinking) creatures. What is different? What is similar? What might an Ig look like? Compare his appearance with a human's.
- Iyaki and Jackson are being very brave. Can you think of any other situation where a boy might have to be brave? Might that situation occur around you? In a far away country? On this planet?
- Consider the story's end. What if Iyaki had been unable to use his telepathic skills? What might have happened then?
- Imagine a world where anger could be overcome by peace. In your opinion, would telepathy make us more tranquil?
- Is there any important message behind this story?
ACTIVITIES
- Make a story-board or collage to convey ‘BRAVERY' or ‘ALIENS' or some other unexpected situation.
- Form groups of three. Mock up an interview with Iyaki with you as the interviewer. Ask a friend to be Aari. Ask another friend to be Jackson.
- Then all change roles.
- Illustrate a cover for this story.
- What might happen after this story ends? Might Aari get Iyaki into other troubles?
- Describe the Igs' reactions to their first visit to Earth.
- Write the lyrics for a song called ‘STARSHIP Q'.
DEBATE
"All kids should be made to get along."
WRITING EXERCISES
- Design your own alien. What does it look like? What personality would you like it to have?
- Write a story called 'IGS HAVE COME TO OUR SCHOOL".
- Sketch a cover for your story.
- Pretend you are living in the future. In what ways might your life be different? Plan a typical day in the year 3550.
- You are visiting Space–Station X4GI. What do you like about it? What do you dislike?
- What do you decide to change?
WHAT INSPIRED THIS STORY?
"I have always been fond of science fiction. Through science fiction, a writer can create a whole world with its own clothes, music, language and customs. The writer can also use science fiction to make some important point.
Though the boy Igs in this story look different, they share many common interests with human boys. They must learn to get on together before they can save themselves. Just about every day we watch, listen and read about groups of people who live near each other but can't get along. This often leads to bloodshed and death. Even in this peaceful country there are many different groups who find it hard to see another point of view. I wonder if it would help if we could all become telepathic?"
|
