Annie Lumsden,
A Girl from the Sea
Are you ready to dive in?
Suitable for children 7+
INTRODUCING
An adaptation of David Almond's
A Few things you'll need before we start :
- Paper
- Pens (the more colourful the better!)
-An open and creative mind
Are you ready? Let's Go!
A little bit about
the show...
Have you ever felt out of place? Perhaps you like something or dislike something that is different to everybody else? Or your family doesn't look like the ones you see in Films or Television?
Today we're inviting you to join Annie as she tells us about her journey of identity and individuality all with one very special picture...
Just a quick note that Annie will mention and perhaps pretend to be a few other characters during the tale today, but she is the only person who you'll actually get to meet. And don't worry if you don't have a lot of time, this story comes in six parts so if you're unable to watch it all in one go, that's okay, you can always come back tomorrow!
For Parents/Guardians/Teachers-
Attached next to each section of the piece is a resource that can be used amongst both virtual and in-person classroom settings. For further study, a version of the script can be found at the bottom of the page.
* Most of these exercises can be expanded to promote greater individual and group exploration. For advice on how to investigate the activities in more depth, please see the activity support page by clicking here or on an activity title.
Annie Lumsden, A Girl from the Sea
Part One: Annie's Hello
Story Structure and Features
We've just learnt that Annie's Mum is a really great story teller, can you make a mind-map to tell me what makes a good story?
Think about.. What happens in the beginning, middle and end? What are the characters like? Where does the story take place?
Part Three: Doctor John
In this section we meet our protagonist Annie Lumsden and she tells us quite a few things about herself.
With a partner, discuss and make a few notes on what you learnt about Annie from what you have just watched.
I'd also like you to write three things about how Annie's life is different or similar to yours?
Part Two: Telling Tales
What did Annie use to help her pretend to be Doctor John? What items do have around that you could use to build a character?
I'd like you to spend five minutes creating a character using all of the things that you have in your room or home to help you!
It can be anything/anybody you like, here are a few examples ... An alien, a firefighter, a clown, a dancer, the list is endless!
Let's share them and interact with each other!
When Annie falls it sounds like she enters somewhere pretty magical, doesn't it?
Using some of the tools from previous tasks, I challenge you to write a short story describing either -
1) A fantasy place you'd like to fall in to
OR
2) What you think the world in which Annie falls in to is like.
Top Tip - Remember your senses!
Part Four: Falling
Part Five: Where do I come from?
Acceptance and Respect
So here we see what Annie has discovered about her father and how her mum met him.
In small groups discuss what your family looks like. Is it big or small? Do you have siblings? What are the relationships like in your family (do you and your brothers or sister argue!?)
Where does your family live, maybe you have cousins in a different country?
Part Six: The Picture and The End
For your final task today I would love for you to draw a picture of yourself, one that really represents who you are!
Imagine that Jack has taken the picture, what secrets would it show?
Where would you be? What are you wearing?
What might you be doing?
Maybe you could write a small description to tell us how and why it is so special!
Annie Lumsden, A Girl from the Sea
by David Almond
Adapted and Performed by Leila Rhiannon Price
Produced, Directed and Filmed by Leila Rhiannon Price
With Special Thanks to Heather Lilley
Created as part of the Major Project Festival Week commencing March 15th 2021 at Cambridge School of Creative Industries, Anglia Ruskin University.