Documentary in a day incursion

Program

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

We are learning to create a nature documentary about habitats.

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 2 and as an excursion to the Field of Mars Reserve.

Essential information

Cost and details


Cost 2025	DoE $25 per student – GST free Non-gov school $35 per student – GST free, min charge $750
Cost 2026	DoE $27 per student – GST free Non-gov $37 per student – GST free, min charge $750 per class
Risk management	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

Documentary, habitat, visuals, voiceover, script, cinematography, zoom, action bar, background music, caption, title, duration, media, recording, title, timeline, techniques, sequencing

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