Curated OER
Black Actors in American Cinema
Young scholars examine the contributions of a few African American actors. After watching different films, they work together to recreate the film and the struggles faced by the actors. In groups, they compare and contrast the acting...
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Loading B&W Film
Ninth graders explore how to properly load black and white film. They observe black and white film being loaded into the developing tank and students correctly load the film into the developing tank.
Curated OER
Phenomenology Lesson Plan #3: Content Part 2
Students examine magazine advertisements to identify how the product is being sold to the consumer. They work together in groups to respond to ads and explain why they are successful.
American Documentary
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Plea Bargains
The outcome of 90 percent of criminal cases in the US is determined by plea bargains. Clips from the documentary Better This World create the backdrop for an investigation of the benefits and drawbacks of the plea bargaining process....
Curated OER
The Insurgency In Iraq: A Quandary for the U.S.
Students read articles, conduct Internet research and participate in a mock debate to explore the pros and cons of withdrawing from Iraq or remaining in conflict with the insurgency. They consider the difficulties of consensus building...
Hot Docs
Docs for School: Viewing and Teaching Guide
Teaching documentary in your class? Inform your instruction with a guide meant to support teachers as they begin with documentary. The resource includes information on what a documentary is as well as documentary modes, elements, and...
Curated OER
American Aloha Lesson Plan: Perpetuating Indigenous Cultural Traditions in Diaspora
Students examine the culture and decline of the culture of native Hawaiian people as the islands were colonized. They study issues of cultural identity for Native Hawaiians.
Curated OER
Lesson Plan for Nonfiction Comprehension: Posing Questions
Students practice writing questions on a selected topic. Students discuss questioning skills. They browse through books and magazines, review their textbooks, watch a film, or participate in a similar experience that will provide some...
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Lesson Plan for Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (1938)
Young scholars study the life and music of composer, Samuel Barber. In groups, representing trees, water, and stars they use interpretive dance to tell the story of the musical composition, 'Adagio for Strings, Op. 11' by Barber.
Curated OER
Jim Frankoski Lesson Plan Ideas
Students read about Jim Frankoski and his art to examine various elements in environmental art. In this art analysis activity, students analyze the location of photographs and how images create illusions that capture new viewpoints.
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"Big Enough" Lesson Plan
Middle schoolers gain awareness and knowledge about Dwarfism by watching and responding to a film.
Curated OER
From the Four Corners 1
Learners view a film looking at government propaganda during WWII. They look at the portrayal of Commonwealth tropps in "From the Four Corners." Students are asked to evaluate the utility of the film as evidence of why Commonwealth...
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Ghosts of Rwanda Pre-Viewing Lesson Plan
Learners watch a film about the history of Rwanda and discuss the meaning of genocide. They study the basic principles of the United Nations and examine how point of view effects the reporting of history.
Curated OER
Children's March Teacher's Guide, Activity 1
Young scholars study how political movements involve students as well as adults. They discover that young scholars of all ages have the power to make a difference in the world.
PBS
U.S. Agricultural Subsidies and Nutrition
Most young people don't spend a lot of time thinking about why some foods cost less than others. This resource uses clips from the documentary, Food, Inc. to explore the impact of agricultural subsidies on nutrition, health, and the...
Curated OER
Evaluating Information on Food Labels
What kinds of foods include corn? Corn syrup? Start by viewing a clip of Food Inc. with your middle or high schoolers. Then, study a list of corn-derived ingredients, encouraging your class to see how many food products contain corn. A...
Curated OER
Exploring the Complexities of Language
An interview with Dr. Rosemary Beam de Azcona launches a study of the complexities of language and how meaning changes across languages and cultures. The investigation continues as class members view clips of the film, The Tailenders,...
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REEL POLITICS: HOW HOLLYWOOD EXERCISES ITS FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Students list the five best films of the year, in their opinion; brainstorm a list of criteria for a "good" film. They compare their own lists with the nominees in this year's Academy Awards; consider patterns in Academy Award winners of...
Curated OER
American Made
Students view the Film American Made and view the experiences of a Sikh family in the Western part of America. In this life in America instructional activity, students explore the life of Americans who might by looks be thought to...
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Ghosts of Rwanda
Students participate in watching the film "Ghosts of Rwanda." They are put into a group of seven and assigned to track a specific area of the film. The group then discusses their assigned area of the film answering specific questions.
Curated OER
Hollywood Candidate
Students consider how a political candidate creates a campaign image. They, in groups, create short biographical films promoting various candidates currently running for office in the United States.
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Stereotypes and Tonto
Students identify stereotypes, especially those applied to American Indians. In this teaching tolerance lesson, students read an essay entitled " I Hated Tonto (Still Do)" and discuss the negative impact that stereotypes may have...
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"Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?"
Students view a documentary on Lee Harvey Oswald. They take notes during the film and use their critical thinking skills. They share their observations with the class and discuss.
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Art of Cynicism
Learners analyze selected pieces of art and infer how they reflect a sense of disillusionment, and/or cynicism in American society in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal. Then they identify and place cultural attitudes...