Welcome to the Geeky Gab Classroom!
Figuring out how to create lessons that students will be interested in is tough. As teachers, we have the state content standards to meet, the district curriculum guides to follow, standardized testing preparation, and whatever administration preferences your school enforces all to consider when making our lesson plans. PLUS, it somehow has to be engaging and entertaining so the students somehow do it. Easy as pie, right?
Of course not.
Luckily for you, Geeky Gab has a former middle and high school English teacher on staff. Melissa is certified in English, Social Studies, and Special Education at the secondary level so we've got you covered! (Except for you Math and Science people… but she'll do my best to include you so stay tuned.)
Using pop culture and entertainment franchises in the classroom is an easy way to draw students in and keep their attention. With the recent release of Geeky Gab's Pixar Ranking Podcast, we thought that a Pixar-related lesson plan would be appropriate.
This lesson plan is for 7th-9th grades and covers literary devices. Materials are included as well as the Colorado State Standards that are met. The lesson plan can be easily adjusted for higher grade levels, lower grade levels, and whatever content standards you need. The lesson plan is written in the Understanding by Design format.
Free copies of this lesson plan were distributed at Denver Comic Con June 15-17th 2018. If you met with Melissa at the Spine Press + Post and Geeky Gab booth or saw one of her panels, this is the plan she gave you! So if you lost it or any of the materials, you can print out a fresh copy here. The standards were missing from the plan she gave you, so you can find those listed here as well.
BONUS: writing assignment now included!
This lesson had been previously taught by Melissa in her 7th, 8th, and 11th grade classrooms. Her students all loved it. Because many of her students had IEPS and accommodations, those accommodations are pointed out in the lesson plan so that you can implement them as needed, too! Print directly form the blog, or download the printable Images at the bottom of this post.
Pixar Lesson: Understanding by Design
Colorado State Standards met based on 8th grade standards:
Standard 1. Oral Expression:
· Students can: a. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. (CCSS: SL.8.1)
· iv. Acknowledge new information expressed by others, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views in light of the evidence presented. (CCSS: SL.8.1d)
· b. Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation. (CCSS: SL.8.2)
Standard 2. Reading for All Purposes
· a. Use Key Ideas and Details to: i. Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (CCSS: RL.8.1)
· ii. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. (CCSS: RL.8.2)
· iii. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. (CCSS: RL.8.3)
· 2c. Use Integration of Knowledge and Ideas to: i. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea. (CCSS: RI.8.7)
Standard 3. Writing and Composition
· a. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (CCSS: W.8.3)
· i. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. (CCSS: W.8.3a)
· ii. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. (CCSS: W.8.3b)
· iii. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events. (CCSS: W.8.3c)
· iv. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. (CCSS: W.8.3d)
· v. Establish and maintain a controlling idea appropriate to audience and purpose
· vii. Write using poetic techniques (alliteration, onomatopoeia); figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole); and graphic elements (capital letters, line length, word position) for intended effect
· viii. Express voice and tone and influence readers’ perceptions by varying vocabulary, sentence structure, and descriptive details
Lesson:
Pixar Understanding by Design Lesson Plan
Lesson Title: Literary Devices with Pixar!
Grade Level: 7-9
Time: two 45 minute classes, one 90 minute class
Materials: Literary devices note sheet, literary devices worksheet, Pixar video short
Video Pixar's short film "For the Birds"
Students Will Understand That: Literary devices are used in all kinds of storytelling. Visual mediums use literary devices the same as written ones, same with auditory, etc. Literary devices are essential for storytelling and connecting with the reader/viewer.
Essential Questions:
· What are literary devices?
· Are literary devices only used for literature?
· How do literary devices connect the reader or viewer to the story?
Assessment Evidence:
· Students will be able to define literary devices
· Students will be able to identify the literary devices present in the video
· Students will be able to explain how the literary devices are used in the video
· Students will be able to explain how the literary devices was used to connect the viewer to the story
· Students will be able to identify at least 2 types of mediums where literary devices can be used for storytelling
Context: Learning what literary devices are, how to identify them, and applying critical thinking skills to determine how the devices are used to connect with the reader/viewer.
Hook: Warm up question: What is your favorite Pixar movie and why? Minimum 1 paragraph, 5 sentences explanation. For accommodations: minimum 3 sentences.
Direct Instruction: Go over the warm-up as a class and discuss.
On a projector or smartboard, project the literary devices notes. You can also print out the blank term sheet that pairs with the movie and have them fill it in instead of writing the notes down on their own paper. Your choice depending on how much you want to print off.
Directions: Literary devices are used in storytelling to give a deeper meaning to the story. All stories use them, even movies like Pixar. We're going to go over the different literary devices and come up with some examples together.
Go over each term and definition together as a class. Have students write down their notes in a notebook or piece of paper.
If you do not have a projector or smartboard, you can list each one on the board.
Key: It is important to have students write it down. Writing helps convert the information from short term to long term memory. They are more likely to remember the notes if they write them down.
Accommodations: for students with a disability, print out the partially completed notes or the complete notes for them. Both sets are attached at the bottom.
While going over each term and definition, have the class come up with two examples for each one. Some examples from previous classes have been provided.
Key: Having them come up with their own examples connects and applies the information to what they already know, thus transforming the information from rote memory to "learned."
45 minute class period break. The notes and examples tend to take up more time than you might expect. If they don't, you can move on to the next part.
Hook: Warm up question: Out of the literary devices we reviewed yesterday, which do you think is the easiest for you to identify and why? Provide an example of that device in another book or movie that is different from your notes.
Direct Instruction Continued: Go over the warm-up as a class and discuss.
After reviewing the definitions of literary devices and coming up with two examples of each, que up the video. You will play the video twice. The first time, they only need to watch it so they should have everything except their notes put away.
Directions: We are going to watch a short video two times. The first time, I want you to put your pencils down and just watch the video.
Play the video.
After watching the video "For the Birds" once, have them take out a piece of paper and list each literary device with enough space next to it to fill in. You can also provide the blank handout for them to fill in next to each term. It is your choice based on what you want to print off. Now, you are going to play the video a second time and they are going to look for examples of literary devices in the video. This video has no speaking, so it is a great choice for accommodations because hard of hearing students won't miss out, and other students won't be distracted by dialogue to miss the literary devices.
Key: It's important to make a point that the movie has no dialogue, but the literary devices are still present. This is important to consider when answering the essential question "How do literary devices connect the reader to the story?" because they don't have to be verbal or written in order to be present and have an impact. So how DO they do it? (Emotion and sensation, mostly.)
Directions: We are going to watch the video a second time and this time, I want you to identify as many examples of the literary devices on your piece of paper as you can. Write down the example in the blank space next to the term while you're watching. It's okay if you don't get all of them, but you should be able to get at least half.
Play the video a second time.
Check if the class needs a third viewing. It's a short video, so you can play it as many times as they need to get at least half the terms filled out.
Group Activity: In partners, have the students discuss and help each other fill in more of their sheets.
Directions: I want you to go through your notes and discuss together the examples you came up with. Help each other fill in terms that were left blank. You have 5 minutes.
Class Discussion: Have them return to their seats with their notes and go over them as a class. Project the blank notes or write them on the board. Fill in the best examples for each term that the students came up with.
Writing Assignment: Now that they have completed their worksheets, have them take out a blank piece of paper. Individually or in pairs, have them create a dialogue for the birds. The dialogue must include examples of literary devices such as: figurative language, diction, hyperbole, irony, simile, and metaphor.
Directions: The video didn't have any words, so you are going to write your own. Based on the tone, mood, and theme, what do you think the birds are saying? Write an appropriate conversation between the birds. Your conversation must include at least 3 of the following literary devices:
· similes
· metaphors
· hyperbole
· figurative language
· irony
There needs to be at least 6 exchanges of dialogue (3 from the small birds, 3 from the big bird.) More is welcome. Total of 6 sentences minimum.
15-20 minutes.
Collect both the movie worksheet and the written assignment when they are done. Your choice if you want to check their notes for a grade, too.
Materials:
Notes:
Literary Devices for Literary Analysis
Literary Devices: Styles or techniques an author uses to get across their message.
Literary Analysis: Looking in depth at literature using literary devices to provide a deeper meaning.
Types of Literary Devices
Characterization: Development of characters. Flat, static (doesn’t change), dynamic (well-rounded, evolves as story goes on).
Example: _Flat: Superman, Snow White, Yoda, Donkey, C3PO. Static: Han Solo, Captain America, Batman. Dynamic: Luke Skywalker, Woody, Anakin Skywalker, Fiona, Sherk,
Simile: Comparing two objects by using "like" or "as."
Example: _It was like walking on a cloud. Her scarf was as green as an emerald.
Metaphor: Comparing two objects by saying one is the other.
Example: _The stars are diamonds. Airplanes are shooting stars.
Symbolism: Comparing an object to an idea or concept.
Example: _the pen is knowledge. The eagle is freedom. The brain is knowledge. A car is freedom. The road is helpfulness. A road is path to success.
Theme: Main Idea, the main lesson, or overall message of a story.
Example: _Cinderella: Be kind, don’t let people treat you badly. Toy Story: getting to know people before judging them. Mulan: Trust what you know and what is right.
Tone: How the author feels about the story and the emotion they are conveying.
Example: _F. Scott Fitzgerald is bitter about the American Dream.
Motif: Recurring pattern, theme, symbol, or idea.
Example: _ Odyssey: hospitality. Journey to get home. Struggles. HG: Mockingjay.
Narrative: How the overall story is told. NOT narrator. Point of view, flashbacks, non-chronological/ chronological, flash-forwards.
Example: _Odyssey: 1st person, 3rd person, chronological, flashback.
Irony: To differentiate or contrast two things: the first being the way things are expected to be, and the second being the way things actually are.
Example: Getting run over by an ambulance
Hyperbole: An exaggeration used for emphasis
Example: I am so hungry I can eat a horse. It must have been 100 miles from the parking lot to here.
Imagery: Using figurative language to target the five senses to form a picture or sensation.
Example: The blood red orange was sticky and sweet.
Mood: How the reader or viewer feels about a scene.
Example: How to Train Your Dragon: Happy when Hiccup and Toothless become friends. Scared when Toothless is trapped on the ship, etc.
Allusion: _The story references other works of fiction, history, or events.
Example: _ Animal Farm: alludes to COLD WAR. Pixar alludes to other Pixar movies.
Allegory: _A hidden meaning within a story or scene typically moral or political.
Example: _Harry Potter is an allegory for the Holocaust. Star Wars: WWII (Empire trying to take over the galaxy/ Hitler taking over the world). Terminator is an allegory for humanity’s dependence on technology leading to destruction.
Worksheet:
Literary Device: Definition: Example:
Characterization
Metaphor
Symbolism
Theme
Tone
Motif
Narrative
Irony
Hyperbole
Imagery
Mood
Allegory
Allusion
Diction
