Lesson plan:

Plot structure

As a whole class
Revise the concept of plot structure:

exposition --> conflict or problem ---> climax ---> resolution

If students are familiar with the series have them fill in some of the events from previous episodes under the headings exposition and conflict. This particular episode provides resolution to a number of the continuing narratives even though some of these are only implied.

Revise the concept of resolution. It can be helpful to explain the French term for resolution which is 'denouement'. Denouement means 'untying of the knot' and is an apt description of the function of the resolution in film and literature. List the problems established during the series before viewing. They are:

• Mr Gribble and Nell's fight for election to the Senate
• Pete's competition with Gribble junior for the love of Fiona
• Bronson's objections to his father's plans to marry Miss James.

After viewing add a fourth problem to the list - the ghosts in the lighthouse (if it has not been identified).

Class discussion

Discuss how each problem is solved in this episode and distinguish between those narratives which are completely resolved and those in which the resolution is only implied.

Like a number of other episodes of Round the Twist - Skeleton on The Dunny, Know All, Quivering Heap - this one uses the narrative formula of the ghost/s which cannot rest in peace until something from the past has been put right.

Ask students to compare the similarities between these episodes and create their own story based on this formula.

Special FX

In small groups

Atmospheric effects are used to advantage in this episode. Draw students' attention to the storm effects - lightning, thunderclaps, howling wind, dramatic music. Atmospheric effects are used to make the events on the screen seem more real and in some circumstances suggest events that are either impossible or too expensive to actually depict on screen (it is cheaper to create the sound of a ship burning and sinking than it is to burn and sink one on screen).

Divide the class into small groups and give each group a mood scene that they must create entirely through the use of sound effects. Some suggestions are a haunted house, a party, a farm at dawn, a video game parlour, a campsite at night, a burglary, a busy harbour. They will need to first discuss the appropriate sounds to fit the mood they are trying to create. Once they have decided on the sounds they write a sfx (sound effects) script like this one:

Provide each group with a portable cassette player and ask them to record their sound effects play using materials to hand. They will need to experiment to see what sounds the most realistic. Try crinkling alfoil for the sound of fire crackling, banging a spoon on a tin lid for a thunder clap, punching a cabbage for a fist fight, blowing across a comb for wind, wobble cardboard for thunder rolls. They will think of many more ways of creating noise.

Play the sound exercises to class and discuss how effective they are in establishing mood.

Extension activity

Older students might try a more sophisticated version of the activity above by working with dialogue, music and sound effects. Give students a copy of the story outline below or alternatively, have them write their own and swap the outlines between groups. Their task will be to write the dialogue, select the music, choose the sound effects. Rehearse the scene and then use a video camera to record it.