Espresso turns Harry Potter mania into exciting classroom resources
15th November 2001
As the film of the year finally hits the big screen and Harry Potter mania truly takes hold, Espresso Education has been busy turning the children's phenomenon into exciting learning resources that support the National Curriculum. Using their close links with The Daily Telegraph and news broadcaster ITN to the full, Espresso is sending weekly updates to its 400 subscribing schools with the latest news reports and video footage on the movie. The updates sit comfortably within the Special Report on author J. K. Rowling which Espresso launched last year to coincide with the explosion in popularity of the books.
Highlights within the updates include a wide range of broadcast quality video clips including ITN news coverage of the London premiere, re-dubbed for greater relevance to the curriculum, and a tour of Gloucester Cathedral, where scenes inside Hogwarts school were filmed. There is also video footage of the well-publicised search for the 3 children to play the lead roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
In addition to the video clips, Espresso's Harry Potter updates include a vast range of written materials, including newspaper reports from The Daily Telegraph that have been altered to make them suitable for a younger audience. Espresso even sent their own 10 year-old reporter, Conor Campbell, to the Scottish premiere of the film and his review is included in this bank of superb resources. Once the film goes on general release, pupils will also be encouraged to submit their own reviews of the film for publication in the Expresso section of the Espresso service.
For teachers, there are suggested classroom projects, including pupils taking on the role of film makers and deciding which sections from each Harry Potter book would work on the big screen and which would be best left out. As always, the Espresso Staffroom is on hand to give advice and information on how all of Espresso's materials can be used to support the National Curriculum.
"These new resources sum up what Espresso does best", explains Lewis Bronze, CEO, Espresso Education. "We love turning current crazes and issues that children feel passionate about, such as Harry Potter, into materials that support learning. Our unique satellite delivery mechanism enables us to update schools with fresh video-rich content every week. This gives children the opportunity to learn from issues that are influencing them right now, ranging from Harry Potter to the current situation in Afghanistan."
Unlike other educational content providers, Espresso avoids the frustration of download delays on the Internet and CD-ROM's by using satellite technology to deliver its weekly information updates to schools. A satellite dish and Espresso box - costing £1875 - are required to receive and store the information. For the average Primary School a subscription fee from £5 per pupil is payable yearly.
For further press information or paper versions of this release please contact:
Espresso Marketing, Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 9RL
Tel: +44(0)20 8237 1200
Fax: +44(0)20 8237 1201
Email: info@espresso.co.uk
