About the story
Rosa Aarons and her family flee the turmoil of Europe in the year of revolution in 1848. Like so many other refugees, such as Karl Marx they fled to England where they made friends who were Chartists. Seeking a new life free from political and religious persecution the Aaron’s family immigrate to the Victorian goldfields. The Californian gold rush has finished and a rich array of gold seekers from all over the world head for Australia to make their fortune. Rosa keeps a journal of her observations and feelings and adventures, which she shares with her good friend back in England. This is the story of her experiences on the Ballarat goldfields in the climactic year of 1854.
Before reading this novel
Activity 1:
Take a few minutes to discuss with a partner or as a class what you know about the Australian Gold Rush of the 1850's and then complete the first two columns of a KWL chart in your folder. Your teacher will show you how to draw up a KWL chart. It will be interesting to complete this chart at the end of this unit and see what has changed.
Take a few minutes to discuss with a partner or as a class what you know about the Australian Gold Rush of the 1850's and then complete the first two columns of a KWL chart in your folder. Your teacher will show you how to draw up a KWL chart. It will be interesting to complete this chart at the end of this unit and see what has changed.
Read Pages 3-17
This first part of the story introduces us to Rosa and her family as they are travelling from England to Australia. What have you learned about Rosa and what life was like on the ship? What is going on in Australia in 1854?
Activity 2:
Think about all the things you have learned about Rosa so far.
Discuss some of these questions as a class.
Who is she?
Where does she come from?
Why is she coming to Australia?
Who are her parents and what is her family like?
What are her friends like?
What is life on board the ship like for an immigrant to Australia?
Is it the same for all passengers?
How would Rosa be feeling about her move to a new country?
Complete the sheet below, it is in your folder.
Activity 2:
Think about all the things you have learned about Rosa so far.
Discuss some of these questions as a class.
Who is she?
Where does she come from?
Why is she coming to Australia?
Who are her parents and what is her family like?
What are her friends like?
What is life on board the ship like for an immigrant to Australia?
Is it the same for all passengers?
How would Rosa be feeling about her move to a new country?
Complete the sheet below, it is in your folder.
activity_2.docx | |
File Size: | 88 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read pages 18-34
Hobson's Bay, Melbourne 1854
Rosa has arrived in Melbourne! A new city in a new land!
We also read in this section of her journey out to Ballarat where the goldfields are.
Activity 3
It must have been an exciting experience for Rosa to explore a new city and then move by horse and dray to the Ballarat goldfields. However, she would have had her parents to protect her and make sure everything was arranged for her.
Can you imagine what it would have been like for her mother and father? How would they have felt? What things would have surprised them? What things would they have been disappointed with or worried about? Would Mama be thinking about where she would live and how she would cook? Would Vati be concerned with how he would make a living and provide for his family? What dangers might they find on the goldfields?
Imagine that you are either Mama or Vati and write a letter home to a friend or relative in London explaining what your journey is like so far. Write about what you have seen; what you have experienced; what you are worried about; what life is like;
How things are the same or different from home; What things you have found amusing or interesting. They will be your first impressions of life in Australia.
Use the sheet below, it is in your folder.
We also read in this section of her journey out to Ballarat where the goldfields are.
Activity 3
It must have been an exciting experience for Rosa to explore a new city and then move by horse and dray to the Ballarat goldfields. However, she would have had her parents to protect her and make sure everything was arranged for her.
Can you imagine what it would have been like for her mother and father? How would they have felt? What things would have surprised them? What things would they have been disappointed with or worried about? Would Mama be thinking about where she would live and how she would cook? Would Vati be concerned with how he would make a living and provide for his family? What dangers might they find on the goldfields?
Imagine that you are either Mama or Vati and write a letter home to a friend or relative in London explaining what your journey is like so far. Write about what you have seen; what you have experienced; what you are worried about; what life is like;
How things are the same or different from home; What things you have found amusing or interesting. They will be your first impressions of life in Australia.
Use the sheet below, it is in your folder.
activity_3.docx | |
File Size: | 79 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read Pages 34 - 50
In these few pages we start to see Rosa and her family settle into their life in Ballarat. There is a lot to learn and take on. I wonder how it must feel to move to a place that is so different from where you came from?
She tells us all about her first time at school and where they live. In this section we get to learn what the men, the women and the children do with their time.
Rosa and her family speak English but Rosa is discovering new words that are just associated with Australia and some that are particular to gold mining. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing for her. Do you remember that she thought her father was getting sick when she heard people say that Vati had caught 'gold fever!'
She tells us all about her first time at school and where they live. In this section we get to learn what the men, the women and the children do with their time.
Rosa and her family speak English but Rosa is discovering new words that are just associated with Australia and some that are particular to gold mining. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing for her. Do you remember that she thought her father was getting sick when she heard people say that Vati had caught 'gold fever!'
Activity 4
The following sheet is in your folder. Can you explain what is meant by each of the words in the left-hand column. The middle column shows how the word was used in the book.
The following sheet is in your folder. Can you explain what is meant by each of the words in the left-hand column. The middle column shows how the word was used in the book.
activity_4.docx | |
File Size: | 113 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read Pages 50 - top of 65
Licence Hunt
Wow a lot has happened in these 15 pages!
As a class make a list on the whiteboard or the easel in the library of all the things that Rosa has written about in these few diary entries from page 50 - 65.
After you have written your list, check with Mrs Brand's to see if you have the same ones or different ones.
Click here for Mrs Brand's list.
As a class make a list on the whiteboard or the easel in the library of all the things that Rosa has written about in these few diary entries from page 50 - 65.
After you have written your list, check with Mrs Brand's to see if you have the same ones or different ones.
Click here for Mrs Brand's list.
Read Pages 65 - 80
In these few pages we have learned about many of the problems or dangers of living on the goldfields.
Discuss some of the problems or dangers that Rosa has experienced or seen so far. Perhaps you can write them up on the whiteboard or the easel.
Activity 5
Use the list of ideas to write an acrostic poem on the following sheet. The sheet is in your folder.
Discuss some of the problems or dangers that Rosa has experienced or seen so far. Perhaps you can write them up on the whiteboard or the easel.
Activity 5
Use the list of ideas to write an acrostic poem on the following sheet. The sheet is in your folder.
dangerous_diggings_activity_5.docx | |
File Size: | 56 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read Pages 81 - 100
The feelings of unrest are starting to build. A lot of things have happened over the past 20 pages.
Discuss:
Was Mr Scobie's death treated fairly?
Did Mr Bentley get the correct treatment by the courts? How did he get away with murder?
Had Joannes done anything wrong?
Was Joannes treated fairly? Did he deserve to be charged with assault?
Were Father Pat's actions right? Should he have to pay for Joannes?
Did Mrs Cadwallader treat Rosa fairly? Should she force Rosa to put a verse from the Bible on her sewing if it wasn't part of her religion?
Are the miners treated fairly when they have to pay a miner's licence? Are the licence hunts fair?
Is it right to fight for what you believe in? Is it right to use violence?
Activity 6
Think of all these issues as you write your responses on the following sheet
Discuss:
Was Mr Scobie's death treated fairly?
Did Mr Bentley get the correct treatment by the courts? How did he get away with murder?
Had Joannes done anything wrong?
Was Joannes treated fairly? Did he deserve to be charged with assault?
Were Father Pat's actions right? Should he have to pay for Joannes?
Did Mrs Cadwallader treat Rosa fairly? Should she force Rosa to put a verse from the Bible on her sewing if it wasn't part of her religion?
Are the miners treated fairly when they have to pay a miner's licence? Are the licence hunts fair?
Is it right to fight for what you believe in? Is it right to use violence?
Activity 6
Think of all these issues as you write your responses on the following sheet
activity_6.docx | |
File Size: | 59 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read Pages 102 - 121
These few pages are all about the newly formed Ballarat Reform League.
What things are the people in this league fighting for?
Who or what are they against?
What side is Rosa's family on?
Do you think their claims are fair? Why or why not?
Why is the flag such an important symbol? Why was the Southern Cross chosen to be on the flag?
Why would the raising of the flag for the first time be such a significant part of history and a moment to always remember for Rosa?
Can you think of an event in your lifetime that has been significant and that you have felt proud to be part of? Something that you will always remember?
It may not have been a happy occasion, but a historical one. What about the Brisbane floods? How will people remember that event in 50 years time?
Rosa felt a little upset that the concerns of the adults were taking priority over her play. Is that normal for a child to feel like this? How do you think Rosa handles this situation?
Can you remember a situation where you felt that your concerns were less important than adult concerns?
Complete the questions on the sheet below:
What things are the people in this league fighting for?
Who or what are they against?
What side is Rosa's family on?
Do you think their claims are fair? Why or why not?
Why is the flag such an important symbol? Why was the Southern Cross chosen to be on the flag?
Why would the raising of the flag for the first time be such a significant part of history and a moment to always remember for Rosa?
Can you think of an event in your lifetime that has been significant and that you have felt proud to be part of? Something that you will always remember?
It may not have been a happy occasion, but a historical one. What about the Brisbane floods? How will people remember that event in 50 years time?
Rosa felt a little upset that the concerns of the adults were taking priority over her play. Is that normal for a child to feel like this? How do you think Rosa handles this situation?
Can you remember a situation where you felt that your concerns were less important than adult concerns?
Complete the questions on the sheet below:
Activity 7
flag_activity.docx | |
File Size: | 68 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Read Pages 122-152
History in the Making?
Did Rosa witness history in the making as her father suggested?
What were the most important events in this last section?
What is a rebel? Are rebels bad? Why or why not? Who are the rebels in this story? Do we need to have rebels?
Put yourself in the shoes of Rosa, how would you have reacted if you had been caught up in such dramatic events?
Do you think Rosa behaves like a child or a young adult?What are the things she says or does that make her seem child-like?
What are the things she says or does that make her seem quite grown up for her age?
Compare yourself with Rosa. In what way is your life the same as Rosa's? What are the differences in the way you live you life?
Activity 8
Journal your life and Rosa's life. Reflect on the entire book to do this activity.
Did Rosa witness history in the making as her father suggested?
What were the most important events in this last section?
What is a rebel? Are rebels bad? Why or why not? Who are the rebels in this story? Do we need to have rebels?
Put yourself in the shoes of Rosa, how would you have reacted if you had been caught up in such dramatic events?
Do you think Rosa behaves like a child or a young adult?What are the things she says or does that make her seem child-like?
What are the things she says or does that make her seem quite grown up for her age?
Compare yourself with Rosa. In what way is your life the same as Rosa's? What are the differences in the way you live you life?
Activity 8
Journal your life and Rosa's life. Reflect on the entire book to do this activity.
Activity 9: A letter to a relative of Rosa's alive today
Write a letter to Rosa's relative. It may be a great great grandchild or other distant relative.
Tell him or her all the things you admire about Rosa and what she did.
Tell him or her about how some of Rosa's experiences made you feel.
Tell him or her how you think Australia is a better place today because of the actions of the diggers.
Tell him or her how life as a child in 2013 is different to Rosa's life when she was a child on the goldfields.
Tell him or her all the things you admire about Rosa and what she did.
Tell him or her about how some of Rosa's experiences made you feel.
Tell him or her how you think Australia is a better place today because of the actions of the diggers.
Tell him or her how life as a child in 2013 is different to Rosa's life when she was a child on the goldfields.