Teacher introducing documentary filmmaking steps such as planning, scripting, narration, camera techniques and editing to Stage 2 students

Documentary in a day | Stage 2 English incursion

Program overview

Students will be introduced to the techniques of documentary film making. They will create a documentary showcasing the habitat features of natural areas in their school using supplied iPads.

Learning intention

Stage 2 students using iPads to film a nature documentary about school habitats during the Documentary in a day incursion
Students working in pairs to film habitat features and wildlife in the school grounds using iPads, following their script and storyboard

Activities

Workshop

Students will be introduced to the process of documentary making. They will learn production steps, planning, scripting, narration, camera techniques and editing skills.

Mobile filmmaking

Students will work in groups of two to develop scripts and storyboards based on field observations at various outdoor locations around the school grounds. Once they have a script and a storyboard they record their videos and photos, incorporating some dramatic camera techniques, to bring their scripts to life.

Editing

Students will learn how to use iMovie to edit their documentary, including sequencing, adjusting timing, adding titles, captions, sound, voiceovers, and background music.

Student's completed animations will be shared with the school via a Google Drive folder for a whole-class "documentary film festival" at a later date.

This program is also available for  Stage 3   and as an  excursion  to the Field of Mars Reserve.

Essential information

Cost and details

Cost 2026

DoE $27 per student – GST free

Non-gov $37 per student – GST free, min charge $750 per class

Risk assessment

Risk management plan

Classes

Maximum 4 classes per day.

School preparation

This is a full-day incursion. Schools to provide one extra large learning space, with a screen or projector, for all participating classes for the duration of the day. The space needs to accommodate all classes.

View

Nature documentary learning resource

Welfare

May not suit recently unwell participants.

For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program.

Extreme or wet weather

Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms.

Booking policy

Confirm student numbers and classes 7 days in advance.

Cancellation fee

Less than 30 working school days – $600

Less than 7 working school days notice – full cost

Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0

Suggested timetable

Time

Classes

Session 1

Introductory keynote and equipment distribution

Documentary planning

Recess
Session 2

Filming

Post production editing

Lunch
Session 3 Final editing

Please include your school's bell times in the notes section of your booking form.

More than 4 classes will need to book an additional day.

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

plan, script, sequence, review, communicate, audience, purpose, documentary, voiceover, cinematography, caption, timeline, title, duration, recording

Syllabus outcomes and content

English K-10 Syllabus (2022)

Creating written texts

Outcomes

  • Plans, creates and revises written texts for informative purposes, using text features, sentence-level grammar, punctuation and word-level language for a target audience EN2-CWT-02

Content

Informative purposes

  • Create informative written texts that include headings, paragraphs beginning with topic sentences, and may conclude information in a final paragraph
  • Create written texts that describe experiences and observations to connect with and inform an audience

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus (2024)

Physical and living systems depend on energy

Outcomes

  • Uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems ST2-SCI-01

Content

Living things depend on energy and materials to survive

  • Describe how the needs of living things are provided by the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere
  • Describe the relationship between habitat, ecosystem and environment
  • Observe and describe living and non-living things in a habitat
  • Describe ways in which plants and animals depend on each other for survival

English K–10 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2022.

Science and Technology K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024

Book now button linking to Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre Documentary in a day incursion bookings

Book now

Book your primary incursion using our online booking form.

Nature documentary learning resource tile linking to preparation and follow-up activities for the Documentary in a day incursion

Learning resources

View online lessons that support primary incursion and excursion programs.

Flora and fauna fact sheets tile for native plants, animals and habitats that students can feature in their school-ground documentaries

Flora and fauna fact sheets

View our curriculum-aligned fact sheets on Australian animals, plants, ecosystems and environments for NSW primary and secondary students, ideal for research, projects and classroom learning.

Program overview

Students will be introduced to the techniques of documentary film making. They will create a documentary showcasing the habitat features of natural areas in their school using supplied iPads.

Learning intention