The Man Who Walked Between the Towers - Teaching Slides

The educational material provided by Focus Education UK Ltd. offers a multifaceted approach to teaching about Philippe Petit's daring high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. The lessons encourage students to explore vocabulary related to the event, such as 'steeples' and 'construction', and to verify their understanding of these terms. Students are prompted to engage with various aspects of the story, including the historical context of the towers, the physical challenge of the high-wire walk, and the emotional journey experienced by Petit and his audience. Through guided questions, children are invited to consider the height of the buildings, the time taken to construct them, and their eventual fate, fostering a deeper connection to the narrative and its significance.

As part of the learning experience, students are asked to analyse the text to gain insights into Philippe's character, using evidence to support their conclusions. They delve into the logistical challenges faced by Petit and his team, such as the acquisition and transportation of the necessary equipment to the rooftops. The material includes a toolkit to aid students in crafting various written pieces, including journalistic and eyewitness reports, by providing structural guidelines and proofreading prompts. This comprehensive toolkit also encourages the use of formal language, effective word choices, and sentence structures to engage readers. Additionally, scientific concepts such as gravity and forces are integrated into the curriculum, linking the story to scientific principles and providing a holistic educational experience.