Technology in a Lesson Plan

The following is just one example of many lesson plans I taught that implements technology.

Whale Rider

Connections to Rainy Mountain

9^th Grade English

LEARNING TARGETS:

I can draw connections between film and text, relating the media to each other.

I can participate in a group discussion, collaborating with my group to share and build ideas.

·         SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

·         SL.9-10.1.d Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, with specific attention to culture, summarize points of agreement and disagreement, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views and understanding and make new connections in light   of the evidence and reasoning presented.

LENGTH OF LESSON:  One class period (approx. 50 minutes)

MATERIALS NEEDED:

·         Chrome book or desktop per student

·         Whiteboard and markers (that work!)

·         Projector and connecting DVD player with Whale Rider

SENTENCE COMPOSING: (5-10 minutes)

            Complete bell work: sentence composing focusing on absolute phrases.  This is completed on Google Drive in the Chrome Books.

JOURNAL JUMPSTART: (5 minutes)

            On a piece of paper, have students respond to the following prompt (written on the board):

Are the themes and ideas we have discussed in Whale Rider present in your own life? 

Or the lives you see around you?

Have students volunteer and share some of their responses.  Collect the responses.

           

ACTIVITIES:

Film analysis: (20 minutes)

            Explain to the class that we will be discussing some more aspects of Whale Rider and ultimately comparing them to Rainy Mountain.  This is a pre-emptive discussion for our essays that we will begin tomorrow (Wednesday).

            Divide the students into groups of three.  Using the projector, show the following clips from Whale Rider:

                        Pai leaving with her father and being called to the whales

                        Paka teaching the boys

                        Paka and Pai riding out in the boat and the end

            Write the following terms on the board.  Remind the students that these are the themes we discussed last week.

                        Culture, Change, Leadership

            After showing each clip, ask the students to discuss what is going on.  They can/should use the three words on the board as a spark for their discussion.  Then, groups will share their ideas with the class.

Rainy Mountain connection: (rest of class)

            Project the following questions.  Students, in their groups, will discuss.

How do these two cultures (Kiowa and Maori) changing?  Do they adapt to these changes?

What role do traditions and culture play in each story?

Myth plays an important role in both of these stories.  How so?

            With 5 or so minutes left in class, have the groups share their answers.       

CONNECTION TO FURTHER ACTIVITIES:

            The ideas discussed in class will be the focus of their essays that we will begin on Wednesday.

ASSESSMENT:

            Collect the Journal Jumpstarts.