What Happens? Analysing a television program
Program:
Round the Twist
Year Level:
Year 5 to Year 9
Curriculum Study Areas:
English; The Arts; Health and Physical Education
Themes/Topics:
Families; Growth and Development
Description:
This lesson is the first of a set of three that use episode 6 of
Round the Twist 3 as a means of examining film as text,
developing visual literacy, and exploring a range of social
issues.
The Nirandathal Beast ep 6 vol. 8 Round the Twist 3
This is one of a set of three. The other lessons in the set are:
2. Round the Twist - Mob mentality
3. Round the Twist - A fair go
Each lesson stands alone but if used as a set they should be
presented sequentially.
Resources:
Lesson plan:
View part of the program
View the episode The Nirandathal Beast until the scene where Bronson begins to shave
using the forbidden razor. This scene ends with a voice over of Tony saying, 'When you're
ready and not before'.
In small groups
Ask students to work in groups to predict what may happen as the story unfolds. Each group
can then share and justify their predictions.
Class discussion - film titles as clues
Ask students to consider the implications of the title The Nirandathal Beast. What clues
does this give us about the content of the story? What is the title a 'play' on?
View some more
View the next few scenes, stopping when Bronson first sees his reflection in the window and
notices he has a huge, bushy beard.
In same small groups
Ask students to modify their predictions for the rest of the story, based on this additional
information. Students must justify their ideas with evidence from the text or from their
experiences of similar texts/stories (intertextuality)
© Australian Children's Television Foundation (except where otherwise indicated). You may use, download and reproduce this
material free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes provided you retain all acknowledgements associated with the
material.
View some more
View the next few scenes, this time finishing when Bronson is first seen by a woman at her
window who screams at the sight of him.
In small groups
Students now review their predictions for the remainder of the story. Focus on the question:
how do you think the towns-people will react to this hairy creature in their midst?
On the board
List the reactions suggested by the students and ask them where their ideas have come
from. Do they know of any similar situations in real life?
Class discussion - actions and consequences
Before viewing the remainder of the episode, ask students to tell about a time when they did
something they were not supposed to do and the consequences of that action. You might
begin by sharing one of your own stories as this often builds a trusting environment. This
activity should be left very open - with students only sharing if they are comfortable doing so.
They may wish to concentrate on something they did when they were much younger.
Individual story telling time or Homework!
These actions and consequences can be drawn, cartoon style, and shared in small groups
or displayed around the room. If unwilling to share their own misdemeanors students could
relate the tale of another's.
View the whole episode
Now watch the episode in full.
Class comparison of predictions
Return to all the predictions and compare with the actual episode.
Class discussion - family treasures
The razor Bronson uses is a family heirloom - passed down from generation to generation
and part of a 'rite of passage' for the men in the family. What is a ‘rite of passage’?
Encourage students to explore these in other cultures or even their own?
Discuss with students whether they are aware of any similar items of historical significance
in their families (for example, many families have special jewelry items or baby gowns, etc).
© Australian Children's Television Foundation (except where otherwise indicated). You may use, download and reproduce this
material free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes provided you retain all acknowledgements associated with the
material.
Oral presentations
With family permission, students can bring their objects of significance (or photos of them) to
school and tell the class the story of that object and why it is important to their family. Set up
a simple museum-style display of the objects with accompanying descriptions written by
students. This can be an ongoing activity throughout the unit.
Next lessons:
Mob mentality
A fair go
© Australian Children's Television Foundation (except where otherwise indicated). You may use, download and reproduce this
material free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes provided you retain all acknowledgements associated with the
material.