Session 11: All About Attenborough
Start thinking: Which statement is the most powerful and why?
A
B
C
D
“The world’s wildlife has declined dramatically.”
“The ocean produces around half of the oxygen we breathe.”
“A forest disappears every few seconds.”
“Plastic has been found at the deepest point on Earth - the Mariana Trench”
How would seeing pictures or hearing a story change how powerful these messages are?
One man has spent almost 100 years helping the world understand all of these messages through storytelling.
Today we’re learning about
Sir David Attenborough.
What has Attenborough taught us about the natural world and what we need to do to protect it?
Today’s Big Question:
What has Attenborough taught us about the natural world and what we need to do to protect it?
PATHWAY
All About Attenborough
20 mins
z
Attenborough’s 3-Step Formula
David Attenborough is so influential because he tells stories very clearly. He often uses a 3-step formula to tell his stories effectively:
Step 1
SHOW
Present something extraordinary or visually striking.
Step 2
EXPLAIN
Reveal what is actually happening behind the scene.
Step 3
REVEAL WHY IT MATTERS
Explain why humans should care and what is at stake.
You are going to use that formula to create an Attenborough-style piece of storytelling.
In pairs, pick a scenario:
Scenario A
A sea turtle trapped in discarded ghost fishing nets.
Scenario B
A ancient rainforest being cleared by heavy machinery.
Scenario C
A vibrant coral reef turning completely white and bleached.
Scenario D
A wildflower meadow full of bees being paved over for buildings.
Copy this table, then fill in the boxes to plan your storytelling for your scenario. Be ready to talk through your plan.
Step | Your plan for this step |
Show (Present something visually striking) | |
Explain (Reveal what is actually happening) | |
Reveal why it matters (Explain why we should care) | |
Could you clearly picture the opening scene in your mind? |
Did their final sentence make you genuinely care about the issue? |
Did they clearly explain the cause of the problem? |
Which of their 3 steps was the most powerful, and why? |
Present your plan for your story. As you listen to other plans, be ready to answer:
WE HAVE COVERED:
Learner Journal
Part 1: Three Things I Learnt Today
Open your Learner Journal. Write down three things you learnt. These can be facts, ideas, or things that surprised you.
What do you think Attenborough meant when he asked, “The planet will continue, but can we?”
Learner Journal
Part 2: Reflective Question
Write your response in your Learner Journal, then finish sections 3-5.
“In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the Earth... The final chapter is ours to write.” Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and broadcaster (1979)
Storytelling gives us the power to make people care, but real change happens when we act. By making conscious choices to protect nature and speaking up, every one of us can be an agent of change.
Lock-In Quote
Extension Activities
Extension 1
Extension 2