Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Film review or film analysis?


This might help you:

Review
Analysis
Subjective evaluation

Aid to understanding
Introduce and identify
     Title, director, genre, producer, studio, (country), year, running time, actors/cast, rating.

The reviewer often situates the film with reference to other work by the same director / main actors, and other films in the same genre.

Simple identification is enough (Title, year, director). Other elements mentioned as necessary
Analyse/sum up the plot
Assume that the reader has a working knowledge of the plot – no summary is necessary unless the plot is your focus.

Discuss the genre
Evaluate the acting
Broader context
Chooses one or several elements and analyses how they work and contribute to the film (setting, narrative, theme, characterization etc.).


This document shows an introductory paragraphs for a film review and a film analysis for 3 different films. 
Read it and try to write your own introductory paragraph for a review and an analysis of a movie you have seen.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

My first Kahoot! :-)

My students love Kahoot! and I think it is amazing. I have tried it with my German classes as well. It certainly was a huge success :-) 


I started the school year with this Kahoot!:
Introduction to the English speaking world (you need to sign in first).

Want to make your own? Take a look here.


Freedom writers

Before we watch the moving film the Freedom Writers together, work with the following tasks and remember that the movie is based on a true story (and a book):

1) In your study group (of four students):
Find out about: 
student a) Rodney King, 
student b) racial Riots in LA  
student c)  integration programs in schools
student d) war zones in the LA Ghetto areas
Need help?

Present your findings to the other group members before watching the film.
Also take a look at the following links: Wikipedia and Foundation


2) After you have seen the film, write a brief summary of the film. Discuss the theme(s) with a peer/partner. 


Answer at least 5 of the questions on the worksheet here.

Take turns and present the questions you have prepared in groups. Maybe the other group members/ the class can contribute with more knowledge on the topic.

3) Then the group discusses the questions below:
a) Why do you think they called themselves the Freedom Writers? Where and when does the story take place (background information is very important)? Who are the main characters and how do they change throughout the movie?
b) Explain why one or more of the film's important issues are 
 tolerance, respect, trust, overcoming adversity, family, inequality in the educational system and success.
c) Read in pairs:  The truth behind the film


4) We have worked with the film the Freedom Writers and focused on the following competence aims:

"vurdere og bruke ulike situasjoner, arbeidsmåter og læringsstrategier for å videreutvikle egne ferdigheter i engelsk"
"vurdere egen framgang i arbeidet med å lære engelsk"
"drøfte engelskspråklige filmer og andre kulturuttrykk fra forskjellige medier"

Answer the following questions which are to be presented in your studygroups:

1. Which working methods have you used to learn about the Freedom writers Diary, and also to improve your English skills?
2. What have you learnt about setting, plot, characters and important themes from watching, discussing and analyzing the film

5) Want to learn more and improve your listening skills? Watch this: Ted Talk: Erin Gruwell