Back-to-school resources for Autumn

30 Aug 2018

4 mins
Pupils in class
Pupils in class

As school gates open up again after a sizzling summer holiday, we're here to help you make this term an autumn blockbuster! Like an overflowing box of popcorn, this website is full to the brim with classroom confectionery. We've got hundreds of resources you can use to inspire, engage and develop young people's literacy, creative thinking and more - all using film.

Our free resources contain practical ideas and activities for using film creatively and effectively in class or at an Into Film Club, with many including PowerPoint presentations with embedded film clips.

Below are just some of the resources we've handpicked for you to use over the coming months - a period which features lots of key educational calendar events.

Into Film resources are something that we utilise to great effect. The resources have provided a platform that makes learning accessible and fun, helping students to find their way and bridging the attainment gap.

Michael Daly, Teacher at John Paul Academy, Glasgow

September

Celebrate literacy on Roald Dahl Day, get students talking on International Day of Debating and journey through cultures on European Day of Languages. 

Roald Dahl Day (13 September) - A wonderful opportunity to celebrate the world-renowned author and the power of literacy and storytelling. Roald Dahl on Film is a cross-curricular resource which captivates students and helps them explore many of Roald Dahl's most popular stories. The resource also includes a separate Roald Dahl Day assembly presentation. A Welsh version of this resource is available.

International Day of Debating (15 September) - Our Film, Democracy and Debate resource and separate assembly (produced in partnership with Debate Mate), are great vehicles for encouraging pupils to engage with democracy and debating.

European Day of Languages (26 September) - Use our European Day of Languages resource to help 7-19 year olds engage with language and culture through activities and films. For students aged 7-11, try our Love Languages: French and our Love Languages: Spanish resource, which use film texts to develop pupils' speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the target language. 

October

Inspire students during Black History Month and start conversations around wellbeing on World Mental Health Day.

Black History Month (1 - 31 October) - Our suite of Black Star resources, produced to support the BFI's 2016 Black Star programme, includes Diversity on Film: Black Star, an assembly looking at diversity in the British film industry. A range of curricular resources for use with students aged 11 - 16 are also available including Black Star: The Power of Persuasive speech, and Black Star: Diversity and Equality, each of which can be used for children aged 7 - 11 as a stimulus to spark discussion and support the curriculum.

Our brand new Animating Africa resource was produced in partnership with Africa in Motion (AiM), an annual African film festival that brings the best of African cinema to Scotland. The resource is designed to showcase and celebrate animation talent from across the African continent and beyond.

World Mental Health Day (10 October) - Introducing discussions about mental health can often be challenging. With our Mindfulness Through Film resource you can participate in mindful activities and create a conversation with your students highlighting the importance of mental health and wellbeing. We also have a range of film guides supporting this topic, including for Inside Out (7-16), Love and Mercy (14+) and Amy (14+), allowing you to explore the key themes of this sensitive subject through informal discussion.

November

Engage students with the issue of bullying during Anti-Bullying Week and explore multiple subjects on Remembrance Day.

Anti-Bullying Week (12 - 16 November) - Produced with support from the Anti-Bullying Alliance, our Anti-Bullying on Film resources - Primary and Secondary - are always popular. Continuing the Roald Dahl theme from September, our Learning Through Film: Fantastic Mr Fox resource, along with our film guides for Matilda, can be used to support Anti-Bullying Week, along with guides for other films including Eleanor's Secret and The Ant Bully. For older pupils, check out our Whiplash and Just Jim film guides.

Remembrance Day (11 November) - Produced in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, our set of cross curricular Private Peaceful resources, aimed primarily at students aged 11-14, provide an in-depth and collaborative way to commemorate World War One and Remembrance Day. For a less structured look at the topic, try our Testament of Youth film guide. In addition, get hands-on with our Dunkirk: The Dynamo Challenge resource and encourage your students to connect with the heroic events surrounding Dunkirk.

Parliament Week (12 - 18 November) - Like September's International Day of Debating, our Film, Democracy and Debate resource and separate assembly can once again help to engage your students in the world of politics and democracy during November's Parliament Week.

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