SoundAffects Topics can either be downloaded directly off this website, or can be purchased on DVD at a £5 extra charge (e-mail info@soundaffects.org.uk).
To use this material you will need to have Quick Time installed on your computer in advance of the lesson. It can be found for free, from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.
Each Topic consists of between two and five lessons. Material for each lesson is contained in one zip folder; within this you will find a separate folder for each lesson, plus a file of Background Notes for the whole topic. (These are designed for use initially by the teacher when preparing the lesson, although s/he may then feel it is appropriate to use this information with the class.)
Within each lesson folder, you will find a Lesson Plan; this is the best place to start, and it includes instructions for using the material, including discussion and extension activities, also activity sheets and picture cards which you can print out and distribute. The lesson plans also show curriculum links for each lesson.
Within the lesson folder you will also find between one and seven audio/picture files, which are designed for use as instructed in the Lesson Plan. These are mv4 video files for use on a computer with Whiteboard; when you click on the file the audio will play (please ensure that the volume is loud enough for everyone in the class to hear comfortably), whilst one or more still picture shows. Each lesson folder also contains a transcript of audio material for this lesson. You may or not feel it is necessary to use this to aid understanding; if so, you may want to print it out and distribute in advance.
Finally, in some cases the lesson folders also contain extra activities/background material (for instance, maps, or charts for the children to complete); all this will be detailed in the lesson plan.