Overview and Outcomes:

This is a three-week Writing Root that uses The Tin Forest by Helen Ward. The sequence of learning begins with children arriving to class to find that rubbish has been emptied out all over the floor! They look at ways that the rubbish could be sifted and sorted, and even recycled into something new.  Children will explore the main character and the journey he goes through in clearing up the rubbish around his little house and transforming it into a beautiful forest of tin.  Through the Writing Root, children write in role as the old man, producing diary entries and wishes and also write a postcard to him to pass on some advice. The sequence of learning finishes with children writing a persuasive piece to encourage others to protect an area in the local environment.  This book would work well alongside learning on conservation, climate change and the plant life cycle.

Synopsis of Text:

"There was once a wide, windswept place, near nowhere and close to forgotten that was filled with all the things that no one wanted." So begins Helen Ward's tale of the Tin Forest where an old man lives who tidies the rubbish and dreams of a better place. With faith, ingenuity and hard work, he transforms a junkyard into a wonderland in this poetic modern fable.

Text Rationale:

This beautiful book by significant author Helen Ward has strong links with the topics of the environment, recycling and protection of the rainforest which are expressed through imagery presented in the illustrations. The narrative tells of the ultimate triumph of nature over the devastating impact of man and will open discussions around protection of the environment and holding on to hopes and dreams.  

Links and themes:

Environment, activism, habitats, conservationism, the transformative effect of nature, hope

Date written: June 2017           Updated: September 2020