Activity Introduction
Quick Summary: This lesson incorporates clips from Blue The Film as learning inspiration. In this Tuning In lesson, students use a series of visible thinking routines to explore their connection to the ocean and the impact of plastic on ocean ecosystems. They will begin to learn about how images communicate meaning. Students will consider ways the ocean is changing as a result of human activities and critically reflect on their own responses to this information. Students will develop their linguistic and non-linguistic communication skills by representing the issue of ocean health in an abstract or creative way.
Blue is a feature documentary film charting the drastic decline in the health of our oceans. With more than half of all marine life lost and the expansion of the industrialization of the seas, the film sets out the challenges we are facing and the opportunities for positive change. Blue changes the way we think about our liquid world and inspires the audience to action. Find out how to screen or download the film here. Along with the film is an ambitious global campaign to create advocacy and behaviour change through the #oceanguardian movement. To become an ocean guardian, see the website.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand some of the ways that scientists can help our environment.
- Students recognise some of the roles that scientists perform, and some of the skills and knowledge they require.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 7 English
- Understand how language is used to evaluate texts and how evaluations about a text can be substantiated by reference to the text and other sources (ACELA1782)
- Use comprehension strategies to interpret, analyse and synthesise ideas and information, critiquing ideas and issues from a variety of textual sources (ACELY1723)
Syllabus outcomes: EN4-2A.
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.7, OI.9.
Relevant parts of Year 7 English achievement standards: Students demonstrate understanding of how the choice of language features, images and vocabulary affects meaning. They select specific details from texts to develop their own response, recognising that texts reflect different viewpoints. Students create texts showing how language features and images from other texts can be combined for effect.They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, using language features to engage the audience.
Topic: Blue The Film, Ocean Conservation, Water, Sustainability.
Unit of work: Blue The Film – English – Year 7 & 8.
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – lead students in discussion.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one per student. Device capable of presenting a clip to the class. Lesson Presentation. Ocean Images Handout (optional), Our Oceans Factsheet (optional). Ocean Change Factsheet (optional).
Keywords: Blue The film, ocean conservation, marine ecosystems, wildlife.
Cool Australia and Northern Pictures would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of GoodPitch² Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation and Screen Australia in the development of these teaching resources.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
© 2017 Northern Pictures and Cool Australia
Teacher preparation
