Five KS2 projects to start with your class after SATS
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Once SATS are done and dusted, we know that striking that elusive balance of ‘fun’ and ‘focus’ in the classroom is no easy feat for a Year 6 teacher, especially with a timetable peppered with production rehearsals, sports events and transition days.
If you’re looking for a project to maintain pupils’ interest that can be taught flexibly around all those end-of-year commitments, you’re in the right place.
Below are 5 digital literacy projects aimed at Key Stage 2 that inspire super writing and culminate in the production of a short film (the perfect addition to any leavers’ assembly!). Each project contains structured lesson plans, IWB slides and video resources – downloadable at the click of a button.
1. Pupil Prime Minister (10 lesson project): What better time to inspire the next generation of leaders? Pupil Prime Minister challenges children to form their own political parties, create manifestos, draft speeches and produce their own public broadcasts. The resource has been created alongside former Defence Minister Peter Kilfoyle. Find out more about his motivation for getting involved here.
2. Plastic Times (15 lesson project): Plastic Times is an eye-opening environmental project, supported by CNN and Surfdome, that enables children to explore the significant issue of plastic pollution by producing a news report to highlight the damage caused to oceans and wildlife.
“What began as a filmmaking project, developed far beyond our expectations,” says teacher Laura Venn.’ Find out more about Laura’s experience of the Plastic Times here.
3. Film School (15 lesson project): What better way for pupils to celebrate their time at primary school than to write, direct and produce a video prospectus promoting their school to the world? Film School is a 15-hour project that provides all the resources pupils need to do just that
Watch the Sheriffhales School prospectus for a great example of what you could make.
4. Movie Trailers (5 lesson project): “Best week of my career!” said Year 5 teacher Carla Reeves, after her pupils filmed and watched their own Mythical Movie trailers.
Our shortest projects offer an ideal introduction to filmmaking, allowing you to choose from several possible trailer types – from historical narratives to Frightful Films. Read more about Carla’s filmmaking experience here.
5. Action Adventure Movies (35 lesson project): For a lengthier project that your class can really get their teeth into, the action and adventure resources encompasses 6 genres of writing, resulting in a thrilling class movie like no other.
“The class fell in love with the project from day one,” says teacher Tom Keene, “The huge smiles across their faces as they watched themselves back were a joy to behold. This is what teaching is all about.”
For instant access to all our digital literacy projects (over 400 hours of KS1 and KS2 literacy plans, IWB resources and stimulus videos spanning every writing genre) access full membership here.
