We all have those unexpected occasions when, for whatever reason,
we need to fill in several days at the end of a unit or quarter, or we have to
call in for a substitute for multiple days at the last minute. I always like to
keep a lesson plan available if either of those things happen so that I am not
scurrying around trying to throw together something that will keep my students
occupied and out of trouble and that will also be a legitimate educational
experience and not just busy work.
The plan in these units use the 2001 film Shrek (the first
one) starring Michael Myers and Cameron Diaz, Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and A Series of Unfortunate Events starring Jim Carrey. I absolutely love these films and
so do my students. They are easy, fun, and keep students engaged while at the same
time allowing for some close analysis. Hopefully, you won’t feel like the time
was a complete loss. There are FIVE days of activities here for each film, plus some
additional ideas if you wish to extend the unit. The lessons are designed to
last approximately 50-55 minutes each.
Each film is divided into four sections, which last
from 20-30 minutes each. The first four days follow the same basic format:
a.
Students complete a previewing activity. The
first day this consists of getting some of their ideas about fairytales. Every
other day, students complete a type of mad-lib activity which serves as a
review of the previous day’s viewing. (This is helpful especially for students
who are absent on any of the viewing days. It helps them catch up on what they
missed.)
b.
Students view the section of the film for that
day and answer some during viewing questions. These are easy questions designed
to keep students paying attention.
c.
After students have finished watching the
assigned day’s section, students complete the after-viewing questions. These
questions require a little more thought and serve as a great springboard for a
whole class discussion. Students will need to be able to defend their answers.
d. Students will complete a different focus activity each day.
The fifth and final day students will complete a project of some type.
Additionally, there are a pages of writing topics and of additional projects that students can complete if you wish to extend the unit. T
If you use these with a substitute, there is a letter
for him/her with detailed instructions for implementing the activities. Since this unit is a no-prep one, it is pretty to use with a substitute if you're going to be out for several days.
Click on each link below to see and/or purchase each unit.
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