Little Dinosaurs

Key Learning

• How narrative is created in film.
• Every element of a visual image carries meaning.
• Visual images can be ‘read’ like other texts.

You will need

TV and DVD player or computer, projector and screen.

A closer look using tools for reading film

Freeze Frame

Use the pause button to freeze the film on any short sequence of shots in the film.

• Ask the pupils to describe exactly what they can see.
• Where do you think the camera is? How far away is it?
• How do we get from one shot to the next?
• What can you tell about the characters from their size and shape?
• What makes the big dinosaur different from the others?
• What things can we see in the background? What do they tell us about the place?

Prediction

Play the film and pause at the point where the boy says, ‘I have no idea’. Ask pupils to make suggestions of their own, or predict what will happen next.

Questions for discussion (evaluating)

• How many voices can you hear? Who are they?
• How many little dinosaurs can you see?
• What does the big dinosaur have that makes him scary?
• Why is the big dinosaur picking on the little dinosaurs?
• What does the boy say the little dinosaurs should do if they are being bullied?
• How do the little dinosaurs overcome the big dinosaur in the end?
• What else do you think they could have done?
• What would you have done?
• What do you think will happen next?

Further activities

English/Literacy

Talking:


Tell the story as if you were one of the little dinosaurs.

Make/Create


Using a storyboard, draw a short sequence of shots from the film. Now ask pupils to imagine what would happen in the sequel and draw one or two shots from Little Dinosaurs II.

Art and Design

Drawing:


Draw a scene from the film, or find out more about dinosaurs and draw the one you like best to make a classroom display.

Animation:


Learn how to make a simple cut-out animation or how to make a Flipbook from a series of simple drawings to make your story come to life.

Related Activities

• Use our Ten tools for further exploration
• Read our citizenship pages
• Find out about making an animation with your class