For this lesson, students may be asked to bring a toy from home. If Lesson 4: Design a Knee-High Spy has been completed, encourage students to bring in the toy they used for their character profile. 

For this lesson you will also need a class set of some form of camera. For example, Ipads, Ipods or digital cameras.

Watch Episode 13 ‘Mission: Movie Mess’ on ABC iView or download from the ACTF Shop.

Lauchie and Scarlett are making a homemade movie with their toys in the backyard, but Silver Paw is determined to be the superstar.

As a class, discuss the movie-making process shown in the episode. Prompt students with questions such as:

• How did Lauchie and Scarlett work together to make their movie?
• What problems did they encounter while filming?
• How were those problems solved?

On the board, demonstrate creating a 3 panel storyboard planning out a beginning, middle, and end for a spy movie. 

Before drawing, physically act out your idea using toys.

Encourage students to do the same when planning their movie.

Ask the class:

• “Does my story make sense?”
• “Did we see the problem clearly?”
• “Is the solution connected to the problem?” 

Draw out the beginning, middle, and end of your story in the storyboard on the whiteboard.

When drawing out the plan ask yourself the following questions aloud, and answer them for the class:

Panel 1 – Beginning

• Who is in the story?
• Where are they?
• What are they doing?
• How are they feeling?
  
  

Panel 2 – Middle (The Problem)

• What goes wrong?
• Who causes the problem?
• Why is it tricky?
  
  

Panel 3 – End (The Solution)

• How is the problem solved?
• Which strength helps fix it?
• How do the characters feel at the end?

Students work in small groups (2–4) to plan a short film using toys they have brought from home or selected from the classroom. Using a three-panel storyboard worksheet, students create a picture plan showing the beginning, middle, and end of their film. Roam the classroom and assist as needed.

[INSERT STORYBOARD]

Step 1: Mission Briefing

Gather students and say:

Briefly revisit:

• What made Lauchie and Scarlett successful?
• What caused problems?
• How were those problems solved?
  
  

Write on the board:

Great Film Teams…

• Take turns
• Listen to ideas
• Solve problems calmly
• Share the spotlight 

Encourage students to:

• Film in a quiet, well lit spot
• Do a practice before filming
• Hold the iPad steady.
• Speak clearly and loudly enough.
• Follow their storyboard order. 

Students can either film as a 3-shot movie (one clip each for the beginning, middle, and end), or film their movie entirely in one shot.

Step 2: Begin filming

Circulate and ask thinking prompts:

• “What part of the story are you filming?”
• “Is this the beginning, middle, or end?”
• “How does your character solve the problem?”
• “Does your film show teamwork like in the episode?”
• “Watch your video back, and check that it makes sense” 
  
  

If conflict arises, guide with reflective questioning:

• “What would the Knee High Spies do?”
• “How can we make sure everyone feels included?” 

Step 3: Class screening and reflection

Hold a celebratory screening of each film.

After each film, ask:

• “What was the problem?”
• “How was it solved?”
• “How did this team show good teamwork?”
• “What did you enjoy?”
  
  

Highlight positive teamwork behaviours:

“I noticed this group shared roles.”

 “This team solved a disagreement calmly.”

Finish with this script:

You may encourage students to ask their friends if they would like a high five.