Activity Introduction
Quick Summary: This lesson incorporates clips from Blue The Film as learning inspiration. In this finding out lesson, students will examine biographical and reflective language and text structures. They will consider the experiences the experiences of Dr Jennifer Lavers and how she has worked to make a difference to the environment. Using a selection of thinking, planning and writing tools, students will analyse the role of biographical and reflective language in communicating with audiences to inspire them to take action. Students will then produce a short written biography of Dr Jennifer Lavers and her achievements and work with seabird colonies.
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 will understand how biographical texts can be used to communicate individual stories and inspire action among audiences.
- Students will enhance their skills in making language choices that communicate both their understanding of individual stories and the actions and achievements can inspire audiences.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 8 English
- Analyse and evaluate the ways that text structures and language features vary according to the purpose of the text and the ways that referenced sources add authority to a text (ACELY1732)
- Recognise that vocabulary choices contribute to the specificity, abstraction and style of texts (ACELA1547)
Syllabus outcomes: EN4-3B
General capabilities: Literacy, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability.
Relevant parts of Year 8 English achievement standards: Students explain how language features, images and vocabulary are used to represent different ideas and issues in texts.They listen for and identify different emphases in texts, using that understanding to elaborate on discussions. Students understand how the selection of language features can be used for particular purposes and effects. They explain the effectiveness of language choices they make to influence the audience. Students create texts for different purposes, selecting language to influence audience response. They take into account intended purposes and the needs and interests of audiences. Students demonstrate understanding of grammar, select vocabulary for effect and use accurate spelling and punctuation.
Topic: Blue The Film, Ocean Conservation, Water, Sustainability.
Unit of work: Blue The Film – English – Year 7 & 8.
Time required: 90 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – lead students in discussion.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one per student. Device capable of presenting a website, clip and digital worksheet to the class. Seabirds Stimulus Images Sheet, Biographical Writing Factsheet, Reflective Writing Factsheet, Jennifer Lavers Biography, Valerie Taylor Biography, Editing Checklist.
Keywords: Blue The Film, ocean conservation, marine ecosystems, reflection, language, ocean, biographies, seabird colonies, plastic pollution.
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
