Lift Off :: About

About Lift Off

Lift Off uses actors, puppets and animation in a blend of fiction, fantasy and documentary to educate while it entertains. At the centre of each story are a group of children living in an apartment building, their friends and their magical rag doll “EC”.

There are characters to help children learn. These include LOTIS, a lift that can take children to any place and any time to encourage them to explore the world and their imaginations, and Backsaks that use language creatively and symbolically.

Lift off includes animated short films; Munch Kids in which children wonder about the solutions to environmental and personal issues and other puzzling big ideas.

Lift Off Theme Packs

Each Lift Off video contains 2 episodes on the same theme from Lift Off 2 accompanied by teacher’s notes.

Theme Pack Episode Synopses

Brand New: Lesson Idea: All Sorts of Families A Sense of Community What a Character	Part A - The Ponti’s arrive just in time for Marco to help Nipper learn to rollerblade. Part B - Friendships are tested when Aku and Marco start rival gangs.
Under Pressure: Lesson Idea: Friends Stories Without Words	Part A - Terry the Tortoise helps Nipper come out of his shell and deliver his talk to the class. Part B - Kim would do anything to be the Princess in the school play, even trade EC.
What's Missing?: Lesson Idea: All Sorts of Families	Part A - Max’s luck has run out so he returns for his lucky charm but Mr Fish is in the way. Part B - Aku misses her mum and takes it out on dad.
My World: Lesson Idea: Smile! You’re On Candid Camera A Taste of Italy	Part A - When Gran does canteen duty at school, Poss is convinced her world will fall apart. Part B -Annie and Raph sneak off and find themselves in “Italy”.
Would I Lie?: Lesson Idea: Aboriginal Art	Part A - Marco and Aku realise “little lies grow out of control”. Part B - Raph goes to great lengths - and heights - to prove he can keep a secret.
Give and Take: Lesson Idea: Aboriginal Families Today Aboriginal Art	Part A - Cousin Pirili arrives in time to help Aku solve her pumpkin problems. Part B - Aunt Joyce’s exhibition is almost ruined when Pirili hides one of her paintings.
Far Out: Lesson Idea: It’s About Time Stories Without Words	Part A - Raph wants to catch an eclipse while Marco wants to miss the dentist. Part B - Annie finds the cow that jumped over the moon so Kim and Aku build a rocket to send it back.
Out Of This World: Lesson Idea: What’s the plot?	Part A - Aku’s goldfish Herbie is gone but not forgotten when he returns to haunt the plumbing. Part B - The contents of a mysterious crate set imaginations running wild.
The Shape I'm In: Lesson Idea: Stories Without Words	Part A - Nipper is worried about Gran’s health, until he spends a day trying to keep up with her. Part B - Nipper pretends to be sick to get a day off school and Poss isn’t happy about it.
Heroes: Lesson Idea: Aboriginal Families Today	Part A - Marco faces his fear of lightning when he has to babysit Raph and Mr Fish. Part B - Nipper is jealous of Marco because his dad is a fire fighter.
In Your Shoes: Lesson Idea: Aboriginal Families Today Aboriginal Art In your Shoes B	Part A - Nipper and Poss become adults for the day when they swap places with Ted and Jenny. Part B -Poss thinks Kim’s new running shoes are the reason she wins races.
We're Not Alone: Lesson Idea: Aboriginal Families Today That’s advertising	Part A - When Marco and Aku fight over EC, Marco makes his own doll. Part B - Poss finds a message in a bottle that leads her to the hospital.
Episode 13 – From Where I Stand: Lesson Idea: A Sense of Community	Part A - Aku and Nipper won’t let Annie into their new cubby until she stops biting them. Part B - Mr Fish learns what it is to be a child again, with a little help from EC.

Teaching Resources>>