In this elective, students explore and analyse a variety of texts that portray the ways in which individuals experience transitions into new phases of life and social contexts. These transitions may be challenging, confronting, exciting or transformative and may result in growth, change and a range of consequences for the individual and others. Through exploring their prescribed text and other related texts of their own choosing, students consider how transitions can result in new knowledge and ideas, shifts in attitudes and beliefs, and a deepened understanding of the self and others. Students respond to and compose a range of texts that expand our understanding of the experience of venturing into new worlds.
Educating Rita by The core text, Willy Russell's play Educating Rita explores the relationship between Rita and her teacher, Frank. Rita sees formal education as a way of transforming her life. Her deep sense of dissatisfaction stems from her perceived limitations of her working class background. Rita actively and successfully pursues an education as a means of transitioning into a new social context. Ironically, although the title signals Rita's 'education', Frank also experiences a transition when he is forced to leave the university and his bourgeois existence to begin a new life in Australia. Rita and Frank both '....leave a place that's just finishing for one that's just beginning' but whereas Rita now has choice, Frank has been forced to confront his shortcomings and has been given a second chance to reinvent himself with a new life in Australia. Although the deep sense of optimism at the end of the play suggests that both Rita and Frank are venturing into new worlds where their new knowledge has led to a greater understanding of self, the uncertainty of their futures is a reflection of the ongoing nature of transition.
The following hints are taken directly from http://exploringtransitions.weebly.com/related-texts.html.
I would like to acknowledge the work of ....................
Boyhood by The rubric suggests the following core contributing questions, which represent Deep learning for students.
1. How do we experience transitions into new phases of life and social contexts?
2. How can transitions be challenging, confronting, exciting and/or transformative?
3. How do transitions result in growth, change and consequences for self and others?
4. How can transitions result in new knowledge and ideas, shifts in attitudes and beliefs?
5. How can transitions lead to a deepened understanding of self and others?
6. What does it mean to venture into a new world?
Also
(State of NSW, Department of Education & Communities, 2014)
