Origins – An Inference-Based Film Lesson

Explore character emotion and setting with this engaging inference lesson based on the award-winning short film Origins. Designed for KS2 and lower KS3, this resource helps students practise inferencing skills — drawing conclusions from visual clues — and builds emotional literacy and empathy through multimodal storytelling.

What’s Included:

• Full lesson ActivInspire flipchart (4 slides) and PDF.
• Starter video link to BBC Bitesize on inference
• Guided viewing prompt using the short film Origins (link included)
• Inference-based comprehension questions
• Creative writing extension: robot diary entry
• Plenary discussion slide
• Linked to the UK National Curriculum objectives for inference and comprehension

Key Features:

• Video-based learning – supports visual and auditory learners
• Inference-focused – targets a key reading skill in an engaging context
• No dialogue – ideal for students of all reading abilities or EAL learners
• Creative extension – diary writing task promotes empathy and narrative voice
• Editable format – easily adapt for different year groups or classroom needs
• Linked to National Curriculum – supports reading comprehension objectives at KS2 and KS3

Perfect For:

• English / Literacy / Guided Reading lessons in KS2 & KS3
• Whole-class comprehension or small-group reading
• Cover lessons, enrichment or homework
• Emotional literacy and PSHE cross-curricular links