Using camera shots to improve literacy

Before we start creating our five-shot films, and now that we understand a little more about camera shots, it’s a good time to consider how we can use them for improving literacy.

In the video above, literacy advisor Chris Whitney discusses how she has engaged her pupils in relating camera shots to the literacy curriculum.

After viewing film sequences, Chris explores how pupils can be encouraged to turn these into prompts for creative writing, as well as ‘picturing’ words as shots when reading. Analysing film sequences and their shots, camerawork, sound, lighting and mise-en-scène (props, costumes, settings etc) can have a powerful effect on pupils’ vocabulary, descriptive writing and ability to deduce and infer.

How could you use these techniques with your students?

Would you change the approach to suit your cohort and their unique learning environment?