About this resource

A woman with styled hair and elegant attire smiles while clapping her hands, standing beside a man in a colorful, retro sweater who also claps. They are joined by a crowd in a festive setting, with colorful lights illuminating the background. The atmosphere appears celebratory and joyful.

“Caper Crew is a show where everything is skewed toward the ‘improbable’ end of the spectrum.”

- Keith Thompson, Script Producer and Lead Writer

Welcome

Caper Crew is a fun, heist-driven series where the kids are always the smartest ones in the room. This witty ten-episode series connects theme and character cohesively within an exciting mystery plot.

Accessing the series

The full series is available on ABC iview.

Schools can purchase a downloadable copy from the ACTF Shop.

About the resource

The resource aims to align with the quirky, comic tone of Caper Crew, so students and teachers can feel like they are in an extension of this world. The resource contains five modules in the form of “missions”. The idea is for the students to really enter the world of Caper Crew and take on investigative roles themselves as if they are members of the Joeys crew.

Themes, missions and lessons

Caper Crew deals with themes of self-belief and identity, family and loyalty, teamwork and problem solving. These themes will be explored across the learning modules.

The Caper Crew resource draws on the key themes and learnings from the series and takes them into tangible team-based activities. Each lesson will take on the form of a “mission” which is in keeping with the fun of the mystery and idea of the “caper”. Each lesson is self-contained, but can also be completed as a whole unit. Teachers can space out the modules to allocated class times or tackle the lessons that have the greatest relevance to their program. Each lesson contains a reflection in the form of a “mission debrief” at the end of the activity.

Mission 1: Know what your mark wants to hear

In this mission, you will discover how to understand what your audience wants, then use persuasive language and smart choices to share your ideas clearly and responsibly.

A group of four children and one adult huddle closely together, examining a piece of paper intently. They are outdoors near a brick building, with expressions of curiosity and focus as they engage with the document.

Mission 2: Join the Joeys Crew

In this mission, you will explore what makes a strong team member, then create your own profile to showcase your unique strengths, skills and personality.

A group of four children is seated in a cozy room, discussing strategies around a wooden table. A large bulletin board displays a map and a collection of notes and cards, while colorful storage bins and a bookshelf can be seen in the background. The atmosphere is casual and focused, suggesting they are engaged in a game or problem-solving activity.

Mission 3: Who stole the woodspring nug (again!)?

In this mission, you will work together to gather clues, think critically and build a case to solve a mystery using evidence and clear reasoning.

A group of four people sits in a nearly empty movie theater, each holding snacks. The two children are in the middle, with a boy looking attentively and a girl holding a drink. An older man on the left is focused on a popcorn box, while an older woman on the right enjoys her popcorn, dressed in a stylish coat. Soft lighting enhances the nostalgic atmosphere of the scene.

Mission 4: Operation "yes day"

In this mission, you will build a story together by listening closely and using your imagination to create exciting characters and events.

A young girl stands on a stage in front of dark blue curtains, wearing a vintage-style orange dress with floral patterns and a yellow belt. She holds a megaphone to her mouth, appearing to address an audience.

Mission 5: Gift of the gab

In this mission, you will step into character to plan and deliver a persuasive pitch, using strong arguments and performance skills.

Additional materials

The aim is to encourage students to use what they have in the classroom to resource the activities, e.g. making their own clue boards. Some of the modules have PDF resources attached that you can download and print when prompted.

Year level & Australian Curriculum

The student characters in Caper Crew range from ages 8-12. The resource is best suited to Years 3-4 and 5-6 in alignment with the Australian Curriculum. The activities are most aligned with English, with connections to Drama and the General Capabilities such as Critical and Creative Thinking and Literacy. They encourage students to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, pose questions, solve problems and develop literacy skills. Curriculum tables are available at the end of each mission.

Acknowledgments

Our warm thanks to resource writer Zoe McDonald for bringing the playful spirit and sense of mission from the Caper Crew episodes into this resource. Her creativity helps teachers and students dive into learning with curiosity, fun and a dash of adventure.