Lesson plan: Moving Pictures
SUMMARY
This lesson focuses on developing pupils’ empathy. It is structured around the story of Logan, an eight-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who is being helped by a project funded by BBC Children in Need. Pupils watch a video about Logan then create mood boards using words and pictures to communicate the impact that BBC Children in Need has had on Logan’s life. They consider how they can make a difference to other children’s lives in the UK by taking part in the Big BBC Children in Need Spotacular.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Pupils will:
/ Develop empathy/ Understand how art can be used to communicate emotions
/ Know that BBC Children in Need supports disadvantaged children throughout the UK
RESOURCES
/ PowerPoint: Moving Pictures/ Video: Logan’s Story (you can either play this direct from the Moving Pictures PowerPoint presentation, or find it at .
/ A3 paper
/ Art materials/software
/ Video: Big Spotacular Introduction (you can either play this direct from the Someone Else’s Shoes PowerPoint presentation, or find it at
ACTIVITIES
Use the PowerPoint presentation Moving Pictures to support these activities.
Starter
Ask pupils to suggest some activities they enjoy doing and make a list on the board.
Model performing a mime to demonstrate an activity that you enjoy. Challenge pupils to create their own short mime to depict an activity they love doing and to perform it to a partner. Can they guess each other’s activities? Alternatively, pupils could discuss, rather than mime, their favourite activity.
Ask pupils to talk about why they love the activity they have chosen. How would they feel if they couldn’t do it any more?
Write their ideas on the board or on a ‘role on the wall’ (character outline).
Logan’s Story video
Tell pupils that they are going to watch a film about a boy called Logan, who has a physical disability called cerebral palsy. The condition means he would find it very difficult to do many of the activities they suggested.
Show the video Logan’s Story (you can either play this direct from the Moving Pictures PowerPoint presentation, or find it at
Give pupils an opportunity to share their thoughts and ask any questions about Logan’s story. Take into account the feelings of anyone who may be particularly sensitive to the issues covered by the film.
Ask pupils how they think Logan felt before and after help from his therapist (made possible by BBC Children in Need). Write their suggestions for words and phrases on the board.
Main activity
Give each pupil a sheet of A3 paper and ask them to fold it in half.
Challenge them to create a ‘mood board’ on the two halves of the paper to reflect Logan’s feelings before and after his therapy. Explain that a mood board is a visual representation of an idea or emotion that can include words, phrases, drawing, paint, collage etc. You could also give pupils the choice of creating their mood board using art software.
To inspire pupils, show them examples of paintings such as Picasso’s The Tragedy and Degas’ L’Etoile that show how colours can portray sadness or joy in art.
As an extension, you could ask pupils to write a brief explanation of their work and the choices they made.
The Big Spotacular
Show pupils the video Big Spotacular Introduction (you can either play this direct from the Moving Pictures PowerPoint presentation, or find it at This explains the background to the school’s upcoming fundraising activities and how, by taking part, they can make a real difference to other children’s lives throughout the UK.
Once they have watched the film, talk with the class about possible fundraising activities (you will find loads of ideas atbbcchildreninneed.co.uk/schools/resources ). If you are still at the planning stage for your Big BBC Children in Need Spotacular, ask pupils to work in groups to come up with fundraising ideas. If you’ve already decided on your fundraising activities as a school, challenge pupils to think of ways to make the fundraising as successful as possible.
Plenary
Ask pupils to share their mood boards and talk about what they have drawn/written and why. Encourage them to explain how fundraising for the Big BBC Children in Need Spotacular will help more children like Logan.
Why not use their artwork and writing to create a gallery for display in school?
CURRICULUM LINKS
England / Northern IrelandKey stage 2
- PSHE (Personal, social, health & economic)
- Art and design
- Literacy
- PDMU
- Art and design
- Language and literacy