Bless You

An architect in the skies grows bored of his creation and decides to spice things up in this film that combines 2D animation, tilt shift photography and gratuitous explosions.

Watch this video with your children and then try some of our suggested teaching ideas below. If you have any other suggestions, please leave a comment at the bottom of the page!

English:

• Stop at 0:03. Ask the children to predict what it might be about. Then stop again, at 0:05. Have their ideas changed?
• Stop at 0:30. Collect vocabulary to describe the architect’s feelings at this point. Stop again at 0:35. How have his feelings changed? Collect vocabulary and compare the two lists.
• Write a story based on the plot of this video from the point of view of the monster.
• Write a diary entry from the point of view of someone living in the city.
• Write a setting description for a given point in the story.
• Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for destruction and other suitable vocabulary.
• Invent an alternative title for the video.
• Role-play an interview between a reporter and an eyewitness.
• Create a storyboard for the video.

Maths:

• Using dotted paper, create a design for a skyscraper, then write some questions for a friend to answer, such as: How many floors does this skyscraper have? There are 25 floors, each with 8 apartments. How many apartments in total?
• Design your own city map, using geometric shapes.
• Try this tower-themed maths problem.

Science:

• Read this webpage about sneezing and write an explanation of why we sneeze.
• Learn how far germs can travel in a sneeze. Design a poster showing good hygiene practices to help prevent illnesses from spreading.

Computing:

• Use 3D modelling software to design a building for the city.
• Use Scratch to create a short animation based on the video.

Design Technology:

• Read this article about the tallest skyscraper that it would be possible to build. Summarise the main issues.
• Learn about the Scoville scale for measuring chilli pepper heat. Design a meal using spicy foods.
• Look at these amazing cross-sections of unusual skyscrapers.

Art:

• This video uses two styles: photographic for the city and cartoon for the architect and the monster. Find and print an image of a city. Then, draw a cartoon monster, cut it out and add it to the scene.
• Use this Oak National Academy unit to explore architecture and 3D design.
• Look at a painting that features skyscrapers, such as Yellow Cab by Raymond Agostini. Discuss the style and use of perspective. Try making your own skyscraper painting.

Music:

• Create a soundtrack for the film.

Geography:

• Using Google Maps, look at the plan of a city near where you are. What features can you see that are also in the video?
• Use a 3D view in Google Earth to view a town or city from the same perspective as in the video. What do you notice? What buildings can you identify?
• Learn about the cities of the UK with this BBC resource.
• Make a list of the different kinds of buildings you would find in a city. Organise it according to their use, such as residential, business, etc.
• Learn about roads and road safety.

History:

• Choose a modern city and research its history.

Physical Education:

• Create an obstacle course that uses parkour skills such as jumping, climbing and crawling.

Religious Education:

• The video opens with a church. Make a list of other buildings of worship you would find in a city.
• The video could be seen as a creation myth. Can you think of any parallels with other creation myths or religious stories?

Languages:

• Learn some vocabulary about cities in the language you are studying.
• Create a simple narration in another language.

PSHE:

• Have a discussion. Why do you think the architect acted as he did? Was he right or wrong?
• Stop the video at 01:25. How does the architect feel? Things have not turned out as he expected. When has that happened to you? How did you deal with it?