Lesson ideas- Peter and the Wolf

What I did:

1.Pupils watched Prokofiev's animation; Peter and the Wolf (directed by Suzie Templeton).

2.We discussed the basics of the story (Character traits, plot development etc)

3.We also discussed the fact that there was no speech and that different music was used to represent characters.

4.Pupils were given one still from the film from which they had to write a descriptive paragraph.

5.We then used laminated cards with stills from the film and tried to create the correct sequence (This was a really fun whole class activity).

6.With the class in the correct sequence, and holding a still each, they each narrated their still.

7.We then worked on boxing it up (Opening, build up, main problem, resolution and ending).

8.In an ICT lesson, pupils narrated the story (written not spoken).

9.In P.E (dance) pupils worked on a routine, choosing a character and using the music from the film.

10.Finally, pupils wrote a story based on Peter and the Wolf.

N.B: I used the free DVD player “GOM” to capture screen shots.

If I had the time and expertise, I would have loved to create our own music and animation.

Other lesson ideas

  • Show the different characters and describe them, their actions and traits.
  • Character profiles.
  • Show the different characters and make up music for them.Ideas: Drums- Wolf, glockenspiel- birds, Guitar- Hunters, Cat-???
  • Complete a script for the film (could use still pictures with Photostory)
  • Make a Photostory using stills and give it a script (or narrate).
  • Compose the music for the film.
  • Freeze framethe DVD and ask pupils for thoughts.
  • Tell the story from the perspective of the: Cat, Wolf, Granddad orMagpie.
  • Use stills to simulate descriptive writing.
  • Act out the story.
  • Perform dances for each character (ask- How might each character move)
  • Poetry, using the settings or character as inspiration.
  • Rearrange the story using story boards from stills.
  • Invent a story (could re-sequence the stils)
  • Make a play based on the film.
  • Make a display with: Sequence in stills (including descriptions from pupils), Characters (with their profile next to them),
  • New stories (invented by children). Paintings (of settings)