How can Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine help in KS1 Flying Machines class?
Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine can be an engaging and educational resource for a KS1 Flying Machines class in several ways:
Inspiration and Role Models
- Empowerment through Storytelling: The book tells the story of Miss Lili Todd, the first woman to design and build an airplane, highlighting her perseverance and determination despite societal challenges. This narrative can inspire young students, particularly girls, to pursue their dreams and break barriers, reinforcing the message that anyone can achieve their goals regardless of gender.
Educational Themes
- STEM Integration: The story provides an excellent opportunity to introduce basic principles of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Teachers can discuss concepts such as flight mechanics, aerodynamics, and the scientific method—observing, hypothesizing, testing, and iterating—which are all central to both the narrative and the engineering design process.
- Historical Context: By discussing Miss Todd's historical significance in aviation, educators can teach students about the evolution of flying machines and the importance of diversity in STEM fields. This context can help students understand how history shapes current technological advancements.
Interactive Learning Activities
- Hands-On Projects: Following the themes from the book, teachers can facilitate hands-on activities where students design and create their own paper airplanes or simple flying machines. This could include:
- Paper Airplane Design Investigation: Students can experiment with different designs to see which flies the best.
- Balloon-Powered Flying Machines: Engaging students in creating balloon-powered models can illustrate principles of propulsion and lift.
- Creative Expression: Students could also engage in creative writing or art projects inspired by Miss Todd's journey. For instance, they could write about their own dreams or create illustrations of their flying machines.
Conclusion
Incorporating Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine into a KS1 Flying Machines class not only enriches students' understanding of flight but also empowers them with lessons on resilience, creativity, and innovation. By blending storytelling with interactive learning experiences, educators can create a dynamic classroom environment that encourages exploration and discovery.
About the short film that inspired this children's book
The short film "Miss Todd" is an animated feature that tells the story of E. Lilian Todd, the first woman in the world to design and build an airplane. Released in 2013, it won a Student Academy Award and made history as the first animated film to win in the Foreign Film category. The film also received the Royal Television Award in 2014 and was showcased at numerous film festivals globally.
The narrative follows Lily Todd's journey as she faces societal challenges in her quest to achieve flight during the early 20th century. Despite being told that women should not aspire to fly, Lily's determination leads her to create her own flying machine. The film combines historical facts with imaginative storytelling, illustrating her struggles and triumphs in a male-dominated field.
The success of the film inspired the children's book "Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine," which uses stills from the animation to further convey Lily's inspiring story of perseverance and courage.
