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 of marine biologist, Lucas Handley and how he 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 biographic text, featuring Lucas Handley and his achievements/work with marine ecosystems, ocean health and marine science.
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 comprehend and apply their understanding of how combinations of written language and visual features can shape meaning and position audiences in relation individual stories and experiences that can inspire action among audiences.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 8 English
- Create imaginative, informative and persuasive texts that raise issues, report events and advance opinions, using deliberate language and textual choices, and including digital elements as appropriate (ACELY1736)
- Experiment with particular language features drawn from different types of texts, including combinations of language and visual choices to create new texts (ACELT1768)
Syllabus outcomes: EN4-4B.
General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and Creative Thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.7, OI.9.
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. They create texts for different purposes, selecting language to influence audience response. Students take into account intended purposes and the needs and interests of audiences.They 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: High – facilitate class discussion and assess student work.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one per student. Device capable of presenting a website, clip and digital worksheet to the class. Marine Sanctuaries Factsheet, Ocean and Coral Stimulus Images, Biographical Writing Factsheet, Reflective Writing Factsheet, Lucas Handley Biography, Valerie Taylor Biography, Editing Checklist.
Keywords: Blue The Film, ocean conservation, marine ecosystems, reflection, language, ocean, biographies, marine sanctuaries, ocean health.
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
