Teacher Pack – My Octopus Teacher

Complete teaching unit, including assessment, for My Octopus Teacher, directed by Pippa Ehrlich and James Reed, featuring filmmaker, Craig Foster.  The unique documentary film captures the touching and beautiful story of a year Foster spent with a wild common octopus in the Great African Sea Forest and its life-changing effects.

“What she taught me is to feel that you are part of this place. Not a visitor. And that’s a huge difference.” Craig Foster

This comprehensive Teacher Pack – My Octopus Teacher equips educators with all that’s needed to deliver high-quality learning experiences which unpack the key messages of this profound film, with outcomes focused on students creating a narrative story drawn from lessons taught by the extraordinary subject of the film.

Contents (4 digital/editable/printable files ready for immediate download and use):

1. Teacher Guide (18 page .pdf)

• Unit overview
• Inquiry Questions
• Suggested Lesson Outline
• Teacher Answer Guide to Student Booklet
• Assessment Option 1 – English – Narrative
• Assessment Option 2 – Media – Short Narrative Film
• Extension activities (Science/Values)
• Additional resources/links

2. Student Booklet (16 page – .pdf/.doc formats)

• Pre-viewing activities
• During viewing activities
• Post-viewing activities
• Assessment Option 1 – English – Narrative (including Narrative Devices table and templates for Narrative Plan, Narrative Structure and Writing Checklist)
• Assessment Option 2 – Media – Short Narrative Film (including Storyboard template with codes and conventions)
• Extension activities (Science/Values)
• Additional resources/links

3. Teaching PowerPoint (20 slide .pptx)

• What is a documentary?
• Pre-viewing, Viewing and Post-viewing resources (including links)
• Assessment Preparation – Storytelling/Narrative Writing – cognitive verb ‘create’, narrative structure, features and the writing process
• Take Further Action

Unit duration: 12+ lessons (including assessment)