Curated OER
Back to the Past
What was the Untied States like in 1938? What were the concerns of Americans in the post World War I era? What were their fears? What were their sources of news and entertainment? To understand the reaction to Orson Welles' radio...
Newseum
Use ‘War of the Worlds’ to Teach Media Literacy
Orson Welles' 1938 radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds" is the focus of a lesson that looks at the importance of clarity in broadcasting. After listening to the radio broadcast, class members discuss the ethical obligations to...
Curated OER
"War of the Worlds": A Broadcast Re-Creation
Why did Orson Welles' 1938 Broadcast of a adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds cause such a panic? To answer this question, class members listen to the original broadcast and research the panic that resulted. They then engage...
Curated OER
The War of the Worlds
Young scholars discover the concept of media based on literature. In this War of the Worlds lesson, students read the novel The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells and listen to the 1938 radio broadcast adaptation by Orson Welles. Young...
Curated OER
Discussion Web: Ender's Game
Designed to encourage readers to consider both sides of of the question of whether Ender is responsible for the death of all the buggers, individuals search for examples from Orson Scott Card's popular science fiction novel, Ender's Game...
Curated OER
Introduction to Film Editing
Editing is a major part of making an amazing film. Young film makers examine a clip from the movie Citizen Kane. They then discuss two editing techniques and examine them in other films. They write out short scenes, film them, and then...
Curated OER
The New Deal: The Works Progress Administration
How did American begin to come out of the Great Depression? Viewers will be intrigued to find one of the answers in this presentation, which details the Works Progress Administration. The slides detail various parts of the WPA with...
Curated OER
A Different Kind of Rock Star: Part 2
Students examine our society's fascination with Mars. In this journalism lesson students read an article that outlines the various ways Mars has captured our imagination and are given topics for discussion and a chart to...
Curated OER
Sun, Shadows, Surface Structure...and the Face on Mars
Students use light and shadow information to make inferences regarding the three dimensional shapes of specific objects photographed on the surface of Mars. Limitations of the of the data provided are discussed and entries made into the...
Curated OER
A Movie in Your Mind: Persuasive Text
Students listen to a broadcast of War of the Worlds and illustrate what they hear. In this persuasive text lesson students prepare for making a movie poster intended to persuade a director to make a film based on a short story.
Curated OER
I Spy with my Little Eye…
Learners read an article on Vienna. In this ESL lesson, students explore a recent incident between Russia and the United States, then complete several activities that reinforce the information in the article.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: William Randolph Hearst vs. Orson Welles
Story examining the feud between newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and Orson Welles, whose "Citizen Kane" was seen as a direct attack on Hearst. Interesting exploration from one of Hollywood's most famed battles.
Senses Of Cinema
Senses of Cinema: Orson Welles
The "lost films" of directing legend Orson Welles are exposed in this article. See images and read about the films that were never seen by the public as well as some of his famous works.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: Orson Welles, 1915 1985
A short biography of Orson Welles, director of many films including the acclaimed Citizen Kane. Welles is also well known for his reading of War of the Worlds over the radio in 1938, which caused many people to believe that the Earth was...
American Movie Classics Company
The Film Site: The Magnificent Ambersons, 1942
This resource provides an in-depth summary, poster, and cast list for the 1942 Orson Welles film, The Magnificent Ambersons.
Library of Congress
Loc: The New Deal Stage: Federal Theatre Project (1935 1939)
An extensive collection from the Federal Theatre Project, part of Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration, which provided funds for the arts during the second phase of the New Deal. Find play scripts, posters, and stage and costume...
American Movie Classics Company
The Film Site: Film Noir
Crime and gangster movies, detective mysteries and more -- all are of the film noir genre. Get to know the history behind this style of films.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Oral Storytelling and Dramatization
Students begin this lesson by discussing what makes a good, vivid story and creating a working checklist of the criteria for a good story. They explore background information about the Mercury Theatre production of the "War of the...
PBS
Flashpoints: The Federal Theater Project's the Cradle Will Rock
This PBS site provides background information on the events happenning around the US that might have attributed to communist scare brought on by the Federal Theater's musical "The Cradle Will Rock".