A totally unique teaching resource
| Reel Lives Kolkata is an educational DVD resource that can be taken into any learning environment and be used instantly. Introduced by local resident, classical Indian dancer and storyteller Sujata Banerjee, with over an hour of footage from Kolkata, Reel Lives Kolkata puts storytelling, movement and dance at the heart of learning. It is fun and interactive and contains over an hour of footage from Kolkata, a step-by-step Indian dance workshop for the coordinated and the not so talented movers and groovers, and a music section which introduces Indian classical instruments. Alongside this is a beginner’s guide to Hinduism in Kolkata, a visit to the rich market stalls and the real meaning of the bindi. Reel Lives Kolkata is the second DVD in the Reel Lives series so far. It focuses on building visual bridges to India and life in schools, homes and the markets. It works towards removing stereotypes that act as negative barriers to a world of awareness and understanding between young people in different parts of the world. Reel Lives Kolkata celebrates the similarities as well as the differences that exist between people. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with Reel Lives Sierra Leone equally successfully. |
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Rather than being an add on to the National Curriculum, this resource allows a global theme to be part of a school's ongoing work, primarily linking to history, geography, RE, music, dance, art and citizenship primarily. However, a creative mind can link Reel Lives Kolkata to all areas of the National Curriculum.
On a more local level, the DVD can also be used to increase awareness of and respect for peers in your classroom or school by acknowledging difference and celebrating the common threads that make us all human.
Reel Lives Kolkata includes:
Film Footage
- Day in the Life:
Two fascinating day-in-the-life stories from children in Kolkata, narrated by the children themselves. - Silk:
Where does silk come from? Follow the silk worm cycle and witness how important the silk industry is to one village, and how silk has a language all of its own. - Hinduism:
Sujata points out Kolkata’s key Hindu landmarks, and illustrates how Hinduism is incorporated in to daily life. From the importance of the bindi, to street corner shrines, deities and festivals, get a feel for how Kolkata’s Hindus go about their lives. - Transport:
How do people travel around Kolkata and get to work and school? Count the ways. You may be surprised how many there are!
Extras
- Block Printing: shows how artists print on materials including silk, quizzes test your fruits and vegetables, traffic surveys compare Kolkata with your town or city, and get to know some pupils, their likes and dislikes.
- Workshops:
- Dance: Kick off your shoes, strap on your ankle bells and work through this step-by-step classical Indian dance workshop for the talented and the two-left feet crew! Basic and fun!
- Music: What does classical Indian music have in common with western music? Find out and learn a two part song, whilst discovering some Indian instruments and how they are used.
- A Music for Change commissioned audio track all about Kolkata which links dance, stories and life in Kolkata. Use this in your school and classroom to add a musical element to your learning from Kolkata.
- Images: A selection of images from Kolkata that can be viewed on screen or downloaded for further activities suggested in the teachers’ booklet.
- Teacher’s booklet: A 16 page guide to using the DVD and activities linking to the National Curriculum.
- Further Resources: A resource folder including a comprehensive fact-file about Kolkata plus stories, recipes, maps and ideas for classroom activities and comprehensive links) to the National Curriculum.
- All sections of the DVD have English subtitles which can be turned on and off.