This book rap on the picture book, Mrs Millie's painting by Matt Ottley, will be available during Term 4, 2001.

The Mrs Millie's painting book rap is suitable for Stage 2 students (Years 3 and 4).

Coordinator: Wendy Chapman (Wollondilly Public School, Goulburn).

From 15 October 2001, you may participate in the Mrs Millie's painting book rap by entering your email address in the boxes below and clicking the 'Submit' buttons. Please ensure you have registered the email addresses before doing so.

Teacher email will not be archived to protect privacy. The teacher rap runs concurrently with the book rap to provide additional support for teachers, and the opportunity to discuss issues which may arise during the rap.

You will receive confirmation emails for your Class group and the Teacher support listserv. Please save these messages as they contain important email addresses. Simply follow the instructions these contain when posting messages.

Rap points

These discussion questions guide the book rap. The question for the week is posted to the rap at the beginning of that week by the coordinators. Class groups post their answers and can respond via the rap to other school's replies during the relevant week for that rap point.

Rap point 1 (For related class activities see Program and planning)

Term 4, Week 3: week beginning 29th October 2001

The illustrations and events in Mrs Millie's painting give us important information about the character of Mrs Millie: her past and present circumstances, interests, worries and choices.

1. Complete a character profile of Mrs Millie, then name some of her characteristics and tell us how you found or identified these. (If we try not to repeat what other rappers have found, we will all combine to build up a total picture of Mrs Millie).
2. When you feel you know her well, EITHER:

• construct a brief literary description of this wonderful character

OR

• write Mrs Millie a letter

Send your literary description or letter to the rap.

1. If you met Mrs Millie, what would you do or say? In developing your literary description or letter, explore issues of Mrs Millie's life and/or personaility you have discovered through your character profile.

Rap point 2 (For related class activities see Program and planning)

Term 4, Week 4: week beginning 5th November 2001

Mrs Millie missed having her own garden, but she made the best of where she lived by transforming it into a more beautiful and friendly place.

How has your community made where you live special? Describe how your class, school, or a particular place in your community has been transformed into a more beautiful and friendly environment.

If you could choose, what features would most of your class like to have where they live, and why?

Rap point 3 (For related class activities see Program and planning)

Term 4, Week 5: week beginning 12th November 2001

You are a super sleuth reporter for the Daily Tribune newspaper. You have heard of some interesting happenings in your area since one of the residents, a Mrs Millie, returned from an amazing trip. Apparently, this Mrs Millie has become quite a sensation and the neighbourhood has an intriguing story to tell.

You investigate the case fully, and file a newspaper report on what has happened in the six months since Mrs Millie's return.

Rapid points

These are short, quick, supplementary discussion points interspersed between the main rap points, which may be posted during this book rap. See Rapid points in Programming and planning)

Rap maps

Find examples of maps and tally sheets. Students may use these to identify and locate schools participating in the book rap. Use these or create your own based on ideas from these examples.

Rap lingo

Rap sheets

Rap sheet 1
Rap sheet 2
Rap sheet 3
Rap sheet 4
Rap sheet 5

Rap reflection sheets

Ready to rap (for rappers to reflect on prior learning and expectations)
Rap reflection 1 (for rappers to reflect on the experiences and skills they have gained)
Rap reflection 2 (for rappers to reflect on the experiences and skills they have gained)