The Story
The story begins with a young girl called Mara. A thirteen-year-old who dreams of one day becoming an airplane designer. But every day, she test flies her model airplanes in the fields behind her house and every day, they crash. Perhaps the saying if at first you don't succeed try and try again is her motto! One day, after yet another unsuccessful flying attempt, Mara sits gloomily at a picnic table, trying to come up with new ideas. Suddenly, inspiration hits her on the head – literally. A tiny 5-inch-tall boy and his fantastical flying machine drop out of the sky. She realizes that he is in trouble: his flying ship is broken, and the rest of his fleet is leaving without him. Now Mara must use every ounce of inspiration she has to fly her new friend back home – before it’s too late! |
Learning Opportunities
Setting description - use the image above and collect language that children can use to describe the scene. Discuss how use of language can paint a picture in a reader's mind, so it is important to choose words carefully.
Recount - Write Mara's journal detailing her failed attempts and her feelings, children could portray her different feelings when she meets Lucas and when her flying machine finally flies. Retell - Tell the story from the point of view of Mara or Lucas. Dialogue - Write dialogue between the two characters at different points. When they first meet. Perhaps Lucas is offering encouragement. |
Narrative writing - Create narratives based on Lucas and the rest of the mini aviators, perhaps linked to 'The Borrowers' stories or similar. Write alternative endings before we find out that they are carrying the stars.
Description - Write a description of the tiny flying machine, focus on component parts.
Character Description - Stop the film when we first see Lucas, he is dressed like a Victorian, describe him and compare to Mara who has an iPhone.
Alternative Ending - Stop the film when the bag lands on the table - create a narrative from there without allowing the children to see what happens in the rest of the film.
Design and build flying machines in DT. Explanation - explain how the machine works, how it flies and what it is made of. Persuade - Lucas to use your flying machine rather than Mara's. Advertise - Create adverts to sell your flying machine to the other miniature aviators.
Narrative - Discuss how the aviators find the stars. Where do they take them to? What do they do during the day?
Description - Write a description of the tiny flying machine, focus on component parts.
Character Description - Stop the film when we first see Lucas, he is dressed like a Victorian, describe him and compare to Mara who has an iPhone.
Alternative Ending - Stop the film when the bag lands on the table - create a narrative from there without allowing the children to see what happens in the rest of the film.
Design and build flying machines in DT. Explanation - explain how the machine works, how it flies and what it is made of. Persuade - Lucas to use your flying machine rather than Mara's. Advertise - Create adverts to sell your flying machine to the other miniature aviators.
Narrative - Discuss how the aviators find the stars. Where do they take them to? What do they do during the day?