A walk through the eighties story

Learning Activity 4
Areas of Learning
The Hi-Tech Eighties
Points to Note
What to Do
You may need to spread aspects of this activity over several
days and/or repeat them several times.
Before bringing your learners in, set out different areas
in the hall for different parts of the story. Gather all your
learners into a small area of the hall before you begin your
story. Explain to them that the eighties were a very busy
decade and they need to have lots of energy because
they are going to be active. Then use Resource 5: A Walk
through the Eighties to accompany this sensory activity.
Setting the Scene
This lesson should take place in a large open space, as you
will need to move around freely.
Explain to your learners that we are all going back to
the 1980s. Ask whether any of the staff were born in that
decade. Joke with the learners about how old the staff are
compared to them. Search on Audio Networks (My School
Apps) for Pass the Time by Gareth Johnson and Justin
Johnson. Play this to start the lesson.
What You Need
Resource 5:
A Walk through the Eighties
Eighties film
During the story, record some clips and take photos of the
activities and learner reactions. Using an application like
iMovie or MovieMaker, create a film of all your experiences
of the eighties. Use a mix of your learners’ favourite songs
from the eighties as a soundtrack.
If possible, take a recording of Thriller to a wooded area
and walk through the woods as you listen to it. Before you
take your learners outside, you could hide some Halloween
type resources to represent the video (please take into
account your learners’ age range and beliefs, and those of
your staff).
Stepping Back in Time
Post-Primary
Language and Literacy
The Arts (Music and Drama)
Personal Development
Environment and Society
Physical Education
Further Suggestions
Thriller experience
10
Primary
Language and Literacy
The Arts (Music and Drama)
Personal Development and Mutual
Understanding
The World Around Us
Physical Development and
Movement/Physical Education
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Large open space (preferably a hall)
Big wigs and mirrors
Cowboy hats
Gravy granules and warm water
Images of Princess Diana
Princess jewels, tiaras, clothing, etc.
Prince crowns and clothing
Baby dolls
Computer and projector
Leather jackets
Inflatable and real guitars
Drums and drum sticks
Long wigs for the rock look
• Clay or dough
• Teddies of all shapes and sizes
• Basket, laminated image of ET and a
blanket
• Communicator or recordable button with
the words ‘ET phone home’ recorded on it
• CDs or DVDs
• Cheese, pineapple and pickled onions
• Pass the parcel – a gift or surprise
wrapped enough times to allow each
learner in the group to unwrap it once
before someone discovers the gift
• Pac-Man costume (search online for an
eighties Pac-Man costume)
• White clothing or an old shirt
• Ultraviolet light
• Torches, lights and skeleton hands
• Eighties fluorescent clothing –
legwarmers, fingerless gloves etc.
Stepping Back in Time
11