Objective

By the end of this lesson, Brodi will be able to analyze a historical event or figure through the lens of both a movie and a book, comparing and contrasting the portrayals and discussing the impact of these narratives on our understanding of history.

Materials and Prep

• A historical movie (e.g., "12 Years a Slave" or "The King's Speech")
• A historical book (e.g., "The Book Thief" or "The Diary of a Young Girl")
• Notebook and pen for taking notes
• Access to a comfortable viewing area for the movie
• Quiet reading space for the book

Activities

1. Movie Viewing: Start by watching the selected historical movie. Encourage Brodi to take notes on key themes, character development, and any historical inaccuracies he notices.

2. Book Reading: After the movie, read the chosen historical book. Suggest he highlights passages that resonate with the themes explored in the movie.

3. Compare and Contrast Discussion: Have a discussion about the movie and book. Ask Brodi to identify similarities and differences in how the historical events or figures are portrayed.

4. Creative Project: Brodi can create a visual project (like a poster or a digital presentation) that showcases his findings and perspectives on the historical event or figure.

5. Reflection Journal: Conclude the lesson by writing a reflective entry in his journal about what he learned and how his perception of the historical event or figure has changed.

Talking Points

• "What are the main themes in the movie? How do they relate to the historical context?"
• "How does the book provide a different perspective on the same event or figure?"
• "What characters stood out to you in the movie? Why?"
• "Did you notice any historical inaccuracies in the movie? How do they affect your understanding?"
• "What emotions did the movie evoke? How about the book?"
• "How do the visual elements of the movie enhance or detract from the story?"
• "In what ways does the author of the book shape the narrative through their writing style?"
• "What lessons can we learn from these historical events or figures today?"
• "How do you think the portrayal of this history influences modern perspectives?"
• "Which format did you find more engaging: the movie or the book? Why?"
• "What questions do you still have about the historical event or figure?"
• "How can storytelling in movies and books help us understand history better?"
• "Are there any other movies or books about history you are interested in exploring?"
• "What role do you think entertainment plays in our understanding of real historical events?"
• "How can we critically assess the information presented in both movies and books?"