Lesson Plans Grades 1-3 - Regent Park Film Festivalregentparkfilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/... · 2012 | Educational Resources | Grades 1-3 4 Grades 1-3 BEFORE Viewing

Educational Resources

2012

Lesson Plans

Grades 1-3

2012 | Educational Resources | Grades 1-3

2

Table of Contents

Introduction................................................................................................................................ 3

. •.1.-3.Program.Synopsis............................................................................................. 3

Before Lesson Plan

. •.Activity:.Treasures.for.Teaching...........................................................................4

During Lesson Plan

. •.Key.Question:.What.is.the.power.of.friendship? .............................................. 6

. •.Activity:.Film.Critic.Guide....................................................................................... 7

After Lesson Plan

. •.Key.Question:.What.is.the.power.of.friendship?...............................................8

. •.Discussion.Questions..............................................................................................8

. •.Summary.of.Activities.and.Storytelling.Prompts.............................................8

. Activities.Appendix:

. . •.Drama............................................................................................................. 9

. . •.Easy-to-do.Shadow.Puppets....................................................................10

. . •.Stop.Motion.Animation............................................................................. 12

Resources.................................................................................................................................. 13


3

Introduction

Welcome.to.the.Regent.Park.Film.Festival’s.school.program..This.resource.

accompanies.the.films.presented.as.part.of.the.festival’s.program.for.grades.1-3...

It.provides.you.with.a.program.synopsis,.ideas.and.tools.to.help.prepare.you.to.see.

the.films,.follow.up.activities.and.useful.references..We.hope.that.you.and.your.

pupils.have.fun.and.enjoy.learning.with.this.resource!

We.also.encourage.teachers.to.send.in.images.or.stories.of.their.classroom.

experiences.with.these.resources..We.would.love.to.feature.your.class.and.its.

creativity.on.the.festival.website.and.perhaps,.even.at.the.next.Regent.Park..

Film.Festival!

Regent Park Film Festival School ProgramGrades 1 -3 films:

Bottle

Owl.+.Raven.(NFB)

Peaceosaurus

The.Whale.Story

How.Chipmunk.Got.Its.Stripes

Grumpy.Old.Man

Program Synopsis:.This.year.the.Grade.1-3.program.looks.at.the.many.types.of.friendships.that.exist.from.close.school.yard.pals.to.people.in.different.parts.of.

the.world.who.find.understanding.through.the.exchange.of.what.some.would.call.

meaningful.pieces.of.trash..The.collection.of.films.question.how.different.people.

interpret.what.it.means.to.be.a.friend.as.well.as.to.need.a.friend..Films.like.Bottle.

and.The.Whale.Story.discuss.acts.of.positive.friendship.while.films.like.Grumpy.Old.

Man.illustrate.the.need.for.friendship.and.understanding.


4

Grades 1-3 BEFORE Viewing LessonTreasures for Teaching

Because.these.films.deal.with.themes.of.friendship.(among.people,.animals.and.

the.environment).several.lessons.that.are.found.in.the.TDSB.document.Treasures.

for.Teaching.K-3.will.prepare.the.students.for.viewing.the.films.at.the.festival..Each.

of.the.lessons.are.based.on.picture.books.readily.available.in.the.school.or.public.

library..There.are.multiple.lessons.for.each.book.that.address.a.variety.of.drama.and.

dance.expectations..Treasures.for.Teaching.K-3.can.be.found.in.most.TDSB.schools.

or.can.be.downloaded.from.the.following.link:.http://tinyurl.com/94pab28

Note:.You.will.have.to.log.in.with.your.TDSB.account..If.the.link.does.not.work,.login.to.TDSBweb;.go.to.Teachers.and.follow.these.links.on.the.left.side.of.the.page:

. •.Teaching.and.Learning

. •.The.Arts

. •.Elementary.Drama.and.Dance

. •.Treasures.for.Teaching.K-3.(you.can.download.a.pdf.version.of.the.whole

. . document)

In.particular,.the.following.books.deal.with.the.same.themes.as.the.festival.films:

Don’t Need Friends .by.Carolyn.CrimiRat.and.his.best.friend,.Possum,.live.in.a.junkyard..When.Possum.moves.away,.

Rat.feels.lonely.and.hurt.and.decides.that.he.no.longer.needs.friends..One.day,.a.

grouchy.dog.moves.into.the.junkyard,.and.makes.it.very.clear.to.Rat.that.he.doesn’t.

need.friends.either..Later,.after.some.very.cold.weather,.Dog.becomes.ill.and.the.two.

animals.realize.that.they.do.need.each.other.after.all.

Jen and the Great One.by.Peter.EyvindsonThis.story.is.about.a.girl.who.loves.a.great.big.tree.near.her.home..The.tree.tells.

Jen.the.story.of.long.ago.when.there.were.many.trees.in.the.forest,.and.how.

they.were.lost..Eventually,.Jen’s.tree.is.threatened.by.a.road.expansion..Jen.takes.

action.by.trying.to.save.her.tree.and.by.enlisting.her.friends.to.help.plant.more.

trees.to.ensure.that.there.will.always.be.a.forest..The.book.explores.the.impact.of.

urbanization.on.the.natural.environment.


5

Cloudland by.John.BurninghamCloudland.tells.the.story.of.a.young.boy.named.Albert,.who.accidentally.falls.from.

a.mountain.and.is.rescued.by.the.children.of.the.clouds..Albert.has.wonderful.

adventures.up.in.the.clouds,.but.over.time,.he.begins.to.miss.his.home..Through.

role-playing,.the.students.explore.Albert’s.dilemma.and.find.ways.to.help.him..This.

lesson.is.intended.for.primary.students.

The Tunnel.by.Anthony.BrowneThe.Tunnel.is.a.story.about.fear.and.courage,.and.the.bond.between.a.brother.and.

sister..A.young.girl.enters.a.dark,.frightening.tunnel.to.find.her.brother.and.emerges.

at.the.other.end.of.the.tunnel.in.a.strange.forest..She.must.solve.the.mystery.of.the.

stone.statues.in.order.to.get.her.brother.back.

The Rat and The Tiger..by.Kieko.KaszaThis.story.describes.the.relationship.between.Rat.and.Tiger..Rat.tells.the.story,.

describing.how.they.play.together..It.soon.becomes.clear,.however,.that.Tiger.does.

not.treat.Rat.fairly..One.day,.Rat.decides.that.he.has.had.enough..Through.drama.

and.dance,.students.explore.friendship,.conflict,.and.conflict.resolution.

Stone Soup/La soupe aux cailloux..retold.and.illustrated.by.Jon.J..MuthThree.monks.enter.a.village.in.which.the.villagers.are.suspicious.and.embittered.

from.war..They.begin.their.visit.by.making.a.soup.from.stones,.but.end.up.creating.

a.delicious.feast.and.rekindling.a.spirit.of.collaboration.and.friendship.among.the.

villagers.

Crickwing..by.Janell.CannonThis.story.describes.the.relationship.between.a.South.American.Cockroach.and.

Leafcutter.Ants..Crickwing,.a.sculptor,.finds.himself.in.trouble.when.he.angers.

the.ant.queen.because.he.picks.on.her.army.of.leafcutter.ants..This.story.allows.

students.to.explore.themes.of.friendship.and.conflict.resolution.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship..by.Isabella.Hatkoff,.Craig.Hatkoff,.and.Dr.Paula.Kahumbu.(Note:.This.is.a.suggested.read.aloud,.no.lesson.plan.is.provided)


6

Grades 1-3 DURING Viewing LessonKey/ Essential Question: WhAT IS ThE POWER OF FRIENDShIP?Activities.teachers.can.do.to.help.student.engage.with.the.key/essential.question:

Materials: Film Critic Guide (one for each student), clipboards, pencils

1. BEFORE going to the Film Festival,.introduce.the.concept.of.film.critic.to.students.and.let.them.know.that.they.are.going.to.be.film.critics.as.they.watch.the.films.at.the.

Regent.Park.Film.Festival..(e.g..A.film.critic.is.someone.who.watches.a.film.and.shares.her/

his.opinion.with.others.).Read.the.programmer’s.synopsis.to.them.and.go.through.each.

film.so.that.they.are.familiar.with.the.titles.

2. Go over the Film Critic guide..Explain.to.the.students.that.after.each.film.that.they.watch.they.need.to.colour.in.their.response.to.the.film..5.stars.means.that.they.really.

liked.the.film.and.would.recommend.it.to.other.people..1.star.means.that.they.don’t.think.

others.will.like.it.or.should.watch.it..

3. Model using one or two examples.with.the.class,.personally.rating.a.recent.book.or.video.all.have.listened.to/watched,.perhaps.from.the.Before.Viewing.recommended.

books..(If.needed,.have.students.do.an.example.sharing.their.opinion.with.a.partner.).Have.

students.discuss.how.different.students.have.different.opinions.and.why.that.might.be.so.

4. Just prior to going to the Film Festival,.if.possible,.re-read.the.programmer’s.synopsis.to.them.and.go.through.the.titles.of.each.film.so.that.they.are.familiar.with..

the.titles.

5. At the Film Festival,.if.students.did.not.carry.their.own.materials,.distribute.and.go.over.the.films.again,.reminding.students.that.the.films.will.be.shown.one.right.after.the.

other.so.they.won’t.have.time.for.detailed.work,.just.quick.notes.

Note:.some.may.colour.in.5.stars.for.each.film,.this.is.a.common.response.as.they.learn.

to.discriminate.and.evaluate.their.thoughts,.feelings.and.opinions..This.can.be.debriefed.

back.at.school.

6. At the end of the Film Festival,.the.host.may.call.on.students.to.give.their.thoughts,.feelings.and.opinions.about.the.films..Alert.your.students.to.this.possibility.and.encourage.

them.to.not.only.say.which.one.they.rated.high.but.also.why.and.perhaps.who.they.would.

recommend.the.film.to..Continue.this.discussion.back.at.school,.using.the.Grades 1-3

After Viewing Lesson.

Cross-curricular Connections:.The.Arts:.(all):.Overall.Expectation.#2.-.after.being.a.Film.Critic,.students.can.go..on.to.reflect,.respond.and.analyze.other.art.forms,.including.their.own.productions

7


BOTTLE

ThE WhALE STORy

GRUMPy OLD MAN

hOW ChIPMINK GOT ITS STRIPES

OWL AND ThE RAVEN

PEASEOSAURUS

Be a Film Critic


8

Grades 1-3 AFTER Viewing LessonKey/ Essential Question: WhAT IS ThE POWER OF FRIENDShIP?Activities.teachers.can.do.to.help.student.engage.with.the.key/essential.question:

Discussion.questions:

What are different ways that stories can be told?.(wordless,.legend,.music,.narrative,.keeping.it.simple)

how was empathy shown in the films?

how do you solve problems with your friends?

how do people communicate across distance? With other languages? Cultures? Gender?

What makes someone a friend?

how have you been a good friend?

Summary of Activities:Using.either.technology,.art.or.drama,.have.students.create.their.own.story.about.

friendship:

. 1..Drama:.Using.limited.props,.students.act.out.a.story.

.. 2..Puppets:.Students.create.shadow.puppets.

. 3..Stop.motion.animation.or.claymation:.How.to.make.an.animation.

Story creating prompts:What.happens.when.two.opposite.things.meet?.(Pick.two.opposite.objects.and.use.

animation/puppetry.to.create.a.story?).It.could.be.two.people.

When.was.a.time.you.really.needed.a.friend?

Have.you.ever.fought.with.a.friend.because.you.are.different?.How.did.you.solve.it?

Can.humans.and.animals.be.friends?

Create.a.legend.to.explain.something.that.happens.in.nature..(E.g..How.Chipmunk.Got.Its.

Stripes,.or.how.raven.became.black.).See.Appendix.I


9

Activities Appendix

I. Drama: “how the Chipmunk got its Stripes”

Objectives:.1..To.have.students.thinking.about.storytelling,.the.different.ways.we.tell.stories,.and.the.different.stories.people.use.to.understand.the.world..2..To.use.body.

movement.to.tell.a.story.3..To.work.together.in.a.group..

Materials:.None.are.necessary..Can.use.desired.props.if.needed.

Instructions:1..Put.students.into.small.groups.

2..Ask.them.about.what.animals.interest.them..“Why.are.they.interesting?.Have.you.ever.

thought.about.how.that.animal.came.to.be?.Using.your.imagination,.how.do.you.think.the.

zebra.got.its.stripes?”

3..Provide.them.with.story.prompts,.different.ones.for.each.group..Some.suggested.ones.

are:.how.the.zebra.got.its.stripes,.how.the.fish.got.its.fins,.how.the.pig.got.its.curly.tail,.

how.the.giraffe.got.its.spots,.etc..

4..Ask.them.to.come.up.with.a.story.with.their.group.about.their.particular.animal..Each.

member.of.the.group.should.play.a.part.in.their.story..Tell.them.they.are.allowed.to.talk.

and.use.words.if.they.want.but.animal.sounds.are.preferred..Most.importantly,.tell.them.

to.use.their.imagination!

5..After.they.practice.with.their.group,.each.will.present.in.front.of.the.class..

Discussion:.After.each.presentation,.it.is.important.for.the.teacher/instructor.to.have.the.class.

applaud.and.debrief.the.presentation..Invite.positive.comments.first.and.then.engage.in.

discussions..Some.topics.you.can.discuss.are:.

•..Working.in.a.group:.What.was.it.like?.What.was.difficult?.What.was.easy?.How.did.you.

work.together?

•..Body.movement:.What.was.new?.Difficult?.Easy?.Enjoyable?.

•..Storytelling:.What.did.you.learn.about.storytelling?.Why.is.it.important?.Why.do.you.

think.different.people.have.different.stories.for.understanding.the.world?.


10

II - Shadow Puppets

Shadow.puppets.are.a.fun.and.simple.way.to.tell.stories.in.a.visual.way..Stories.with.

shadow.puppets.can.be.told.with.or.without.words,.to.music.or.with.live.sound.effects.

What you will need:1..Shadow.Puppet.Screen

The.shadow.puppet.screen.can.be.constructed..

simply.and.will.act.as.the.‘stage’.for.the.shadow.play.

Materials: White.or.off-white.broad.cloth.or.bed.sheet,.wood.for.frame,.staple.gun.and.staples,.3”.‘L’.

brackets,.screws.

While.the.shadow.puppet.screen.can.be.any.size,.5‘0”.x.4’0”.provides.a.good.size.playing.

area.that.can.also.be.easily.set.up.on.a.table.top.for.performances,.then.stored.in.the.

classroom..

To.construct.the.screen,.first.assemble.a.wood.frame..The.frame.can.be.made.from.pre-

cut.canvass.frames.that.snap.together.at.their.corners,.or.1”.x.2”.pieces.of.pine.lumber..

The.pre-cut.frames.are.readily.available.at.art.stores.such.as.Curry’s.Art.Store,.De.Serres.

and.Above.Ground.Art.Supplies..1”x2”.pine.is.a.less.expensive.option,.and.can.be.bought.

and.cut.to.size.at.a.local.hardware.or.lumber.store..

Once.the.frame.is.assembled,.stretch.the.fabric.across.the.frame.and.staple.it.to.all.four.

sides.so.that.its.surface.across.the.frame.is.taut..Screw.the.“L”.brackets.to.the.back.of.the.

frame..They.will.be.used.to.keep.the.frame.standing.when.it.is.placed.on.a.table.or.desk.

top..To.ensure.maximum.stability,.it.is.a.good.idea.to.use.a.small.amount.of.duct.tape.on.

top.of.the.“L”.brackets.to.tape.the.screen.in.place....

2. Light SourceThe.light.source.is.placed.behind.the.shadow.puppet.screen,.with.the.shadow.puppets.

manipulated.between.the.light.and.the.screen..The.light.can.be.a.simple.floor.or.desk.

lamp.with.the.ability.to.be.angled.so.that.it.shines.directly.on.the.vertical-standing.screen..

Incandescent.light.bulbs.will.give.a.softer,.more.appealing.light.for.the.puppets.


11

3. Shadow Puppets

Materials:.Bristol.board.or.any.thin.cardboard.(ie..cereal.boxes),.popsicle.sticks.and.BBQ.

skewers,.glue,.brass.clips,.tape..

The.shadow.puppets.can.be.made.from.bristol.board.or.recycled.cardboard,.such.as.

cereal.boxes..Students.can.draw.their.shapes.(such.as.people,.animals,.scenery,.buildings,.

etc.).directly.on.the.bristol.board.and.then.cut.out.the.shapes.with.scissors..Remember,.

the.shadow.puppets.will.be.behind.the.screen,.so.there.is.not.need.to.worry.about.seeing.

pencil.marks.or.‘mistakes’.on.the.puppet,.so.encourage.students.to.be.creative!..

The.bristol.board.shapes.are.then.glued.to.popsicle.sticks.or.BBQ.skewers.and.are.ready.

to.be.used.behind.the.shadow.puppet.screen..For.moving.parts,.for.example.a.waving.

arm,.students.can.cut.these.parts.out.separately.and.then.attach.to.the.body.of.the.

puppet.with.brass.clips,.allowing.these.parts.to.move..Each.moving.part.should.have.its.

own.popsicle.stick/BBQ.skewer.

Students.may.also.get.creative.with.colour.if.there.is.coloured.gel.or.acetate.sheets.

available..Any.transparent.materials.such.as.these.will.show.through.the.shadow.screen.

when.lit..

The Shadow Play

There.is.no.limit.to.the.possibilities.for.the.shadow.play!.Before.building.the.puppets,.

teachers.can.decide.if.the.students.are.going.to.make.up.their.own.characters.and.stories,.

or.tell.a.familiar.tale..Once.this.is.established,.students.can.create.their.shadow.characters.

and.scenery..

Have.some.time.for.students.to.experiment.with.their.puppets.and.light.on.the.screen,.

allowing.for.new.discoveries.and.ways.of.visually.communicating.an.idea.or.story...


12

III - Stop-Motion Animation

Stop-motion.animation.can.be.a.fun.and.simple.way.to.tell.stories.combining.hand-made.

art.and.digital.technology..

1. Creating a Story and StoryboardingEverything.begins.with.a.good.story!.Once.students.have.created.a.simple.story,.create.a.

storyboard.to.guide.the.filming.process..A.storyboard.is.a.series.of.simple.drawings.that.

show.what.each.shot.will.look.like.in.the.sequence.of.the.story..It.is.this.storyboard.that.

will.guide.the.animation.process.

2. Making Characters and Scenery.Characters.and.scenery.can.be.completely.handmade,.or.by.using.pre-existing.objects.

(e.g..Lego.characters.and.scenery)..Handmade.characters.made.from.Playdough,.or.

similar.products,.can.be.easily.manipulated..Scenery.can.be.made.from.cardboard,.

construction.paper,.paint,.printed.photos,.and.any.number.of.creative.ideas.from.students’.

imaginations..

3. Filming Using.a.classroom.iPad.and.an.app.such.as.the.NFB’s.PixStop,.the.stop-motion.animation.

process.can.be.very.collaborative.and.creative.for.both.students.and.teachers..

The.filming.area.can.be.as.simple.as.a.tabletop.where.the.scenery.and.characters.are.set.

up.in.front.of.the.iPad..Remember.to.be.sure.that.the.iPad.is.secured.and.does.not.get.

bumped.during.filming..When.animating,.remember.that.it.is.a.step-by-step.and.frame-by-

frame.process..Encourage.students.to.think.about.actions.in.small.steps.to.create.smooth.

movements..Each.time.a.movement.is.made,.a.picture.is.taken.on.the.iPad..When.played.

back.in.the.app,.these.individual.pictures.create.moving.images..

Encourage.collaboration,.experimentation,.and.discoveries.that.come.from.“mistakes.”.

There.is.always.a.chance.to.reshoot.in.animation!..

The.nfb.ca.website.is.a.great.resource.for.using.animation.in.the.classroom..The.PixStop.

app.can.be.found.on.this.site,.blog.posts.by.teachers.who.have.used.stop-motion.

animation.in.their.classrooms.as.well.as.other.resources..


13

Resources

NFB Resourceshttp://blog.nfb.ca/blog/2012/01/11/want-to-create-stop-motion-films-we-made-an-app-for-that/

The.NFB.stop-motion.app.PixStop..Originally.created.for.the.NFB.education.initiative,.this.app.is.

user.friendly.enough.for.use.in.the.classroom..Free.in.Canada!

http://www.nfb.ca/

Hours.and.hours.of.free.movies.can.be.streamed.through.the.NFB.site.or.their.free.moving.

watching.app.

http://www.nfb.ca/education/

Tons.of.resources.for.teachers.including.education.playlists,.curriculum-based.resources.and.

study.guides,.including.lesson.plan.ideas.for.using.PixStop.app..All.free.in.Canada.

Animate it!http://www.animateit.org.uk/home/

Collaboration.from.several.studios,.including.Aardman.Animations,.this.is.an.online.and.

soon.to.be.phone/tablet.animation.app.specifically.designed.for.children..

Special Deliveryhttp://tiff.net/tiffkids/festival/specialdelivery

Special.Delivery.is.a.TIFF.programme.that.reaches.out.to.youth.in.under-served.local.

communities.who.may.not.otherwise.have.access.to.the.film.festival.experience..Special.

Delivery.brings.film.screenings,.director.discussions.and.film-craft.workshops.to.schools.

and.community.groups.free.of.charge..Over.the.past.ten.years,.Special.Delivery.has.

reached.almost.12,000.children.and.youth.across.the.Greater.Toronto.Area.

Special.Delivery.presentations.and.workshops.are.available.for.daytime,.evening.or.

weekend.sessions..There.is.also.flexibility.in.the.selection.of.films.and.type.of.workshop..

To.discuss.the.particular.needs.and.interests.of.your.group.and.for.further.information,.

please.email.us.([email protected]).

Lesson Plans Grades 1-3 - Regent Park Film Festivalregentparkfilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/... · 2012 | Educational Resources | Grades 1-3 4 Grades 1-3 BEFORE Viewing

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