Learning Area: Languages

Novel and Film Comparison
Through this unit of work, students will examine the visual and printed texts of Paper Planes. The book is based on the motion picture screenplay Paper Planes. The major themes include relationships, loss, connectedness, friendship, independence and competition. Suitable for grades 5-8, teachers are advised to select from the following activities those that are best suited to cater for the age group they are teaching and to provide appropriate activities for group work that will support and extend students.

Fold’n’Fly: The Circling Clive
"The Circling Clive" is a paper plane design that makes its on-screen debut as one of character Dylan's original creations in the Australian feature film Paper Planes.
Originally created by THE PAPER PILOTS, this Fold 'n' Fly PDF provides students with the information they requite to recreate the original Clive design.

Activity Suggestions:
Photocopy the template (to scale) and instruct students to recreate Clive.
Explore with the class how simple changes to the original design may impact on the plane's aerodynamics.
After recreating Clive, ask students to design their own paper plane.
Host a class or school paper plane competition using Clive and/or students' original designs.
Watch the Paper Planes film and explore Dylan's creative and scientific journey.

The Hoopla Doopla: English & Chinese Language Resource contains both English and Mandarin language versions of 13 selected episodes from the Hoopla Doopla! TV series.

A unique series aimed at children aged three to seven years, Hoopla Doopla! uses physical action and comedy to entertain and to drive the narratives. A number of the 52 episodes are based on Chinese celebrations, including ‘Trading Places’. This episode centres on the Lantern Festival which takes place during the first month of the Lunar New Year.     

Teachers can access freely available support materials for three episodes – including ‘Trading Places’ through our Hoopla Doopla!: English and Chinese Language Resource. Developed in partnership with the Asia Education Foundation for lower primary students (F-2), the learning sequences in this resource are based on the Inquiry model of Engage, Explore and Reflect, and are aligned to the Australian Curriculum.

Director Robert Connolly and actors Ed Oxenbould and Peter Rowsthorn share their experience of making Paper Planes during this virtual excursion. The Q&A format provided students with an opportunity to ask their own questions about filmmaking - from the initial idea, to hiring of the cast and crew.