Session 12 Rostrata Primary School Year 6 - Kristy Nita Brown & Mariya Konig

Warm Up: 

Today we did a Human Knot warm up activity to kick off the session. I divided students into groups of 4, then later into groups of 8, and instructed them to stand in circles, reach across to hold hands with people not immediately next to them, creating a “knot” of interlinked arms. The task was to untangle themselves without letting go of hands, stepping over or under arms as needed. The key rules: no dropping hands, work together, communicate, problem‑solve. 

Only one group of students communicated clearly, listened to each other, and moved carefully, bending up and down so others could untangle. They showed teamwork and patience, which helped them succeed. However, most of the other groups struggled. Instead of listening or working together calmly, they yelled over each other, pulled and jerked arms, and even fell over. While the game was energetic and fun at moments, it clearly highlighted that many students still have a way to go when it comes to teamwork, positive communication, and showing kindness in challenging situations. This activity was a useful reminder that building these skills takes time and practice.

Main Activity:

For the main activity, students were invited to determine the rules and structure of a one-minute filmmaking task that we’ll complete over the final sessions. I began by showing an example of a mini-documentary and explained how something similar could be created at school with minimal resources, for example, just a chair and two actors. This helped students visualise what was possible, even with limited time and equipment. From there, I shifted the focus to them, asking a wide range of questions about how they would like to approach the filmmaking process, from planning and roles to content. They responded with curiosity and enthusiasm, asking plenty of questions in return. I repeatedly answered, “It’s up to you,” which at first surprised them, but eventually sparked excitement as they realised they were truly in control. The only two non-negotiables were that each film crew must have no more than three members and that editing would be done using iMovie. Everything else, genre, style, filming method, even how to manage roles, was to be defined by the students themselves. It was exciting to see them shift from passive participants to creative decision-makers, taking ownership of their learning in a way that felt meaningful. Some students worked through the questions I had suggested on the board, some jumped straight into writing a script, and others spent most of the 20 minutes talking about who would do what. One group even started filming! It was interesting to watch how each group handled the situation. A couple of groups asked whether they actually needed a script, which led Mariya and me to share our view that, in order for everyone in the group to understand the concept and contribute effectively, some form of script was important. After that initial planning time, I showed the students a basic example of how a script is written. To make it more relatable and light-hearted, I told them a joke and modelled how it could be turned into a one-minute film. This seemed to clarify things, and we then gave them another 5–10 minutes to start shaping their own scripts.

Reflection: 

At the end of the session, we took 10 minutes to reflect as a group and discuss the Five Habits of Learning. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to wrap our sticks. Today, I realised how important reflection time is for students. Watching the Human Knot activity and the group planning, it’s clear some students struggle with collaboration under pressure. Having time to reflect and digest the experience (not just what they’re creating) is important.

Planning With The Teacher:

Mariya noticed that some students struggled with collaboration this week. She felt both hesitant and excited as she watched them break into small groups, set their own rules, and plan their films. Observing how each group handled the situation was very interesting, and we had many conversations about it. Mariya may try this approach again in the future.

Working With The Students:

The students were extremely excited by the opportunity to create their own rules, tasks, and roles for filming a one-minute film. Some took a more traditional approach, brainstorming roles and tasks on butcher’s paper and working through script ideas step by step. Other groups took more unconventional paths. One group didn’t write anything down at all, choosing instead to let one member lead with their idea. Another group jumped straight into filming. Each group believed their approach was the best and felt proud of their contributions and coordination. The energy and excitement around making the film are high, especially with the deadline approaching fast. I can’t wait to see how the students react at the screening.

Ideas Moving Forward:

Since the toy project took much longer than expected, we were running out of time when we decided to let the students choose the final Creative Schools project, with only four sessions remaining. Because of this, we didn’t spend time connecting it to the curriculum or thoroughly planning the project. The students are truly in control, and each session I try to introduce new filmmaking knowledge that they can choose to use, or not, as they see fit.

These four weeks may result in some fantastic one-minute films, or some that aren’t as strong, but what I expect to emerge is fun, creativity, and a growing passion for filmmaking, regardless of the final product’s quality.

As we wrap up, I’ll need to update the Creative Schools plan. Also, this year has been particularly challenging due to illness. Myself, my children, Mariya, and her students have all been affected. Coordinating sessions that work for everyone has been stressful. I’m not sure if this is something that can be improved going forward, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind.