Core Skills Analysis
Art
- Observed visual storytelling techniques including cinematography, costume design, and set design that reflect the 1960s era.
- Recognized how film as a visual art form conveys mood and character emotions through color palettes and lighting choices.
- Noted the symbolic use of aesthetics to represent social themes such as segregation and resilience.
English
- Identified character development and relationships through dialogue and narrative structure.
- Experienced elements of storytelling such as plot, conflict, and resolution within a historical fiction context.
- Gained exposure to diverse voices and perspectives through the narrative voice and character viewpoints.
History
- Learned about the American South during the 1960s, specifically regarding social segregation and civil rights issues.
- Understood the historical context of racial inequality and its impact on everyday life during that era.
- Recognized the role of ordinary citizens and domestic workers in the broader civil rights movement.
Math
- Identified patterns of social and economic inequality implicit in the story's depiction of employment and class.
- Reflected on quantitative concepts such as economic disparity and household labor division even if indirectly.
- Recognized the importance of statistics and data when studying historical social conditions.
Music
- Noted the soundtrack and period-appropriate music as a tool for setting tone and reinforcing the era of the story.
- Experienced how music can evoke emotional responses and enhance storytelling in film.
- Recognized the role of music in cultural expression relevant to the film’s social themes.
Science
- Considered psychological and sociological aspects such as group dynamics, empathy, and prejudice.
- Understood social science research themes around human behavior and social structures.
- Reflected on cause and effect relationships in social science contexts illuminated by the film’s events.
Social Studies
- Explored the themes of social justice, civil rights, and racial segregation in American history.
- Learned about power dynamics, systemic racism, and community activism through real-world contexts.
- Gained insight into the roles individuals and groups play in societal change and advocacy.
Tips
Watching "The Help" offers a rich springboard for deeper discussions about history, literature, and social studies. Encourage the student to write personal reflections or journal entries from the perspective of different characters to develop empathy and critical thinking. Extend learning by researching the civil rights movement and comparing the film's portrayal with historical facts to foster media literacy. Explore related art projects such as creating period-specific collages or visual timelines to connect historical understanding with artistic expression. Finally, use music activities to examine songs from the 1960s civil rights era to deepen emotional connection and contextual awareness.
Book Recommendations
- Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine: A historically inspired story about a slave's escape to freedom via a mailed box, teaching courage and history.
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson: A memoir in verse highlighting personal experiences and the civil rights era, offering insight into identity and history.
- If You Lived At The Time Of The Civil Rights Movement by Ellen Levine: An informative book that explains key events and figures of the civil rights movement in accessible language.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3: Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7: Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively and explain how the information contributes to understanding the text in which it appears.
Try This Next
- Create a character diary entry assignment where the student writes from the perspective of one of the maids or a family member.
- Develop a timeline of major civil rights events related to the film’s setting to visualize historical context.