Ready For Take Off

Ages: 5-11
Contributor:
Sam Collins

A dedicated elf races through the snow to make sure a present gets to its destination in time for Christmas Day.

Watch this video with your children, and then try some of our teaching and activity ideas below.

Teaching Ideas and Resources:

Write a narration for the advert.
The advert is called “Ready for Take Off”. Why did they choose that? Can you think of an alternative title?
Write a description of what life is like for the elves.
Stop the advert at 0:14. Write a list of adjectives to describe how the elf is feeling.
Imagine you are one of the elves watching and write an exciting account of what happened.
Write a report on the incident for the manager (Father Christmas!).
A lot of popular toys and other products are shown in this advert. Why do you think that is?
Write a newspaper advert to go alongside this advert.
Write a job description for an elf.
Write a persuasive letter to Santa explaining why the elf deserves a pay rise or promotion.

Get a copy of the Argos catalogue and price up a Christmas list using some of the items in the advert.

The elves’ jackets have reflective strips on them. Research how reflective materials (such as those used on high visibility jackets) work.

The music in the advert is Sabre dance by Khachaturian. Watch this video of Simon Rattle conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker Orchestra. How many different instruments are used in the piece? How is the orchestra organised?

Why has this music been chosen? Try playing different music and see what effect that has.