TEACHERS NOTES

Bridie’s Fire

Children of the Wind: Book 1 - 1948-1852

Bridie’s Fire vividly recreates the era of Ireland during the potato famine and early colonial Victoria.

Michelle Prawer, a dynamic English teacher, wrote an in-depth set of teacher’s notes for Bridie’s Fire. She commented:

“Because this story brings history to life, it would make a valuable contribution to both the SOSE and English classroom. In a school where SOSE and English are taught by the same teacher and are dealt with under the one umbrella, this book would be ideal.”

Material Downloads

Bridie's Fire Teachers Notes

Linked Resources

Sovereign Hill Education recommends using Bridie’s Fire in teaching the history of the goldfields and provides support material and links

The History Teacher’s Association of Australia recommends both Becoming Billy Dare & Bridie’s Fire for Year 6. Check out their resources for teaching Federaation here

Learn about the Irish Famine at Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum

Behind The Book: Bridie’s Fire

Featured

India Dark, The Four Seasons of Lucy McKenzie, The Lilliputians, Vulture’s Gate, Zarconi’s Magic Flying Fish, Bridie’s Fire, Becoming Billy Dare, A Prayer for Blue Delaney, The Secret Life of Maeve Lee Kwong, Walking Home with Marie-Claire, Children of the Wind Series, Strangers on Country, Kids Who Did, Topsy-turvy World, A Penny to Remember, The Red Camel, The Clever Cats Book Club, When Billy was a Dog, Eat the Sky

Watch this space

India Dark, The Four Seasons of Lucy McKenzie, The Lilliputians, Vulture’s Gate, Zarconi’s Magic Flying Fish, Bridie’s Fire, Becoming Billy Dare, A Prayer for Blue Delaney, The Secret Life of Maeve Lee Kwong, Walking Home with Marie-Claire, Children of the Wind Series, Strangers on Country, Kids Who Did, Topsy-turvy World, A Penny to Remember, The Red Camel, The Clever Cats Book Club, When Billy was a Dog, Eat the Sky

Teachers on Bridie’s Fire in the Classroom

There are great possibilities for using this book in the classroom at the middle years level. It is a wonderful way to introduce a little history (English, Irish and Australian) into the classroom and, given our own Irish heritage, this is a most appropriate area for study. It is also a story with well defined characters that would lend itself well to more intense character study or an exploration of the themes of survival, family, friendship, courage and even a look at child labour.

Kate Schneider, Healesville High School, VIC

Bridie’s Fire would be a valuable tool for students looking at developing personal futures and setting goals. Bridie’s self determination gives her the ability to set her own goals against all hardships. With each of these goals she is able to build relationships with others that lead to each small success. Using the novel to reflect on each goal and the associated choices Bridie made, could highlight how one can manage their own identity.

Leanne Banfield, Hartz Support Service, TAS

Junior History students would gain a lot from reading this novel, as it would give them a chance to immerse themselves in the period.

Janet Evans, Wynnum State High School, QLD