Lesson Plan 3 - Adaptation of the Detective Tale
Objective: Students will view films that correspond with the novels of Mosley and Himes. Students will have to discern the similarities and differences from the written word and the visual structure of the word. Students will also focus on characterization details and editorial changes that alter the plot sequencing. The Pennsylvania State Academic Standards in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening addressed in this lesson are: 1.1.11.B; 1.3.11.E; 1.4.11.D; 1.5.11.B, .C., .D, .E., .F, & .G; 1.6.11.A, .B, .C, .D, & .E; 1.7.11.B. The Pennsylvania State Academic Standards in the Arts and Humanities addressing learning outcomes are: 9.1.12.K; 9.3.12.A, .C, & .F; 9.4.12.C. The Pennsylvania State Academic Standards in History are: 8.1.12.C; 8.3.12.A, .C, & .D.
Materials: Films (DVD or VHS), TV with DVD player or VCR or projection system, VHS or DVD hardware in computer equipment, poster or chart paper, writing paper.
Audience: This lesson is designed for both 9th and 12th grade students. The students will already have a base knowledge of film terminology to use to view films for critical analysis. These daily lessons are designed for a class period of 45 - 55 minutes. Teachers take note that these films contain adult content and need to be previewed before student viewing for editing.
Procedure: This is a two to three day lesson that can be conducted in a 45-55 minute period. Teachers must cue films to the section to be viewed if using VHS tapes before the first day of the lesson, but if using a DVD this step is not needed. Day 1 - give students questions they will have to answer before showing them the chosen clip(s) or the entire film. (See Appendix B) At least 10 minutes before the end of the class, stop film; ask students to retell what they saw, referring their answer to at least one question that was given them at the beginning of the class. Assign three questions, answered in the form of a constructed response for homework.
Day 2 & Day 3 - continue showing clips/film and encourage students to answer questions while they view so that after this showing there can be an intelligent discussion about the film's similarities and differences from the text. Assign the remainder of the questions for homework.
Assessments: Use the following questions to provide closure for the lesson and to also get reflective essay answers from students: What was the most enjoyable aspect of comparing the written story to its film interpretation? What was the most surprising thing about the differences/similarities between the story and the film? What effect do you feel this film had on its viewers, especially those viewers who had read the book? What conclusions have you reached about the process of creating a film adaptation of a literary work? For each of these questions students will have to cite two or three examples from the film and text to have a complete answer. Teachers can elect to have students answer all of the essay questions or they can be directed to select two essay questions to answer in depth.
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