CBC Archives

Ask students to name some of their favourite advertisements and explain why they like them. What do they think are some of the characteristics of an effective ad campaign? As a class, develop and record criteria for assessing an ad that students will create.

They may wish to consider some of the following:

headline captures attention

first few lines are interesting

sentences are short and clear

readers can understand all the words

ad is visually attractive

Tell students that they are managers of a new ski and snowboard resort in the Selkirk mountains. Alpine West wants to attract families. Students’ task is to create materials that will advertise the safety of the resort.

Direct students to the topic Avalanche! on the CBC Digital Archives website. Have students browse the clips The science behind the slide , Snowslides trap trains , Heli-skiing takes off , Don't cross 'the stupid line' , the additional clip The risks of heli-skiing and the text for these clips.

Students will work in small groups to create a brochure, the storyboard for a Web site, or the storyboard for a television advertisement.

Remind students to think carefully about design, sequence, and dialogue or text.

Have each group present its advertisement. Allow students to discuss and question each group’s work. For each, ask: Is the advertisement effective? Why or why not?

Assessment Tip
Have each group do a self-assessment, based on the criteria they chose in Before Exploring.

Students can research the technology that other countries, such as Switzerland, use to control avalanches.