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



Thursday, January 30, 2014

Goanimate: Fun fun fun!!

Create an account on goanimate.
Here are some examples from other students.
How to create a goanimate video? Have a look here or here.

Your task is here: 

The Kite Runner. Questions to the film

1)      What do you think of Hassan and Amir’s friendship? Was Amir using Hassan? Why or why not?
2)      Does Amir stand up for himself or Hassan later in the film? How?
3)      What do you think Amir should have done when he saw the boys attacking Hassan? Why do you think he didn’t act?
4)      How do you think Amir felt later? What about Hassan?
5)      Do you think Baba is an honorable and ethical man? Why or why not? What was your opinion of him before he stood up to the soldier who wanted to have sex with the new mother? What about after you found out he slept with the wife of his servant and was Hassan’s father?
6)      Which character do you identify with the most? Why?
7)      Baba states in the film that, “All sins stem from stealing of one form or another.” What do you think of that philosophy?

8)      What did Rahim Khan mean when he said to Amir, “There is a way to be good again”? Was it important for Amir to redeem himself? Why?
9)      What are the main themes in this story? Why did you choose these themes? Refer to the film. Suggestions: discrimination, redemption, family, nationality.
10)   Describe the main characters – refer to the film.
Khaled Hosseini

Improve your writing

Have a look at my Wiki
Do you want to focus on grammar? have a look here.
(more to come............)

English blog

I just want to recommend this amazing blog by Jaspreet Gloppen. You will find everything you need here.
I am really looking forward to learn a lot more from her, when I have time;  probably during the rainy season in Norway (i.e. during summer....).

Happy Easter :)

Er bare en snartur innom for å anbefale en veldig god blogg for engelsk. Alt mulig av interesse gjennomgås her. Jeg fant sidene om vurdering spesielt interessante.

Siden jeg ikke har tid denne våren, så har jeg bestemt meg for å lære meg å rette tekster ved hjelp av hurtigtaster i sommerferien (det kommer helt sikkert til å regne......). Tusen takk til Jaspreet Gloppen for deling!