Lesson Plans for Students in the 9th - 12th Grades
Lesson Plan One:
Analyzing Multiple Represenations of the Oklahoma Land Run
History is often told to us through classroom books. However, entertaining stories can also provide a better grasp of what may have happened or what could have happened. Documentaries can also provide a glimpse into the past with the support of experts and credible sources.
Lesson Plan Title: Using Film to Analyze the Oklahoma Land Run Event
Targeted Grade Levels: 9th – 12th
Lesson Plan Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, students will: (1) Understand different artistic approaches; (2) Understand how the creator draws information from history books and/or stories; (3) Be able to analyze factual information presented in an entertaining manner
For the Teacher:
In this lesson students will be practicing analyzing according to the following standards:
9.RI 7. Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment
9.RI 9. Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work
9. RI 5 Analyze how an author’s choice concerning how to structure a text, order events within it, and manipulate time create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Warm up:
Watch both short clips from the film Far and Away and the short clip about the Land Run 1889. Have students keep in mind the different artistic styles and the effects it has on the viewer. Also, have them be thinking about the idea of the creators drawing information from history books or other sources.
Activity:
Have students get into small groups of 3-4 and discuss the differences in artistic style. Have them discuss differences in a documentary type film versus an entertainment type film.
Answer the following questions:
1) What are the differences in how the Oklahoma Land Run is presented in these two films?
2) What are the benefits of presenting factual information in an entertaining manner?
3) Do you think the choice the creator/director used to relay information (whether factual or entertaining) in both films helps or hinders the audience’s ability to receive that information?
Review:
Have each group discuss their answers with the class.
Have students get into small groups of 3-4 and discuss the differences in artistic style. Have them discuss differences in a documentary type film versus an entertainment type film.
Answer the following questions:
1) What are the differences in how the Oklahoma Land Run is presented in these two films?
2) What are the benefits of presenting factual information in an entertaining manner?
3) Do you think the choice the creator/director used to relay information (whether factual or entertaining) in both films helps or hinders the audience’s ability to receive that information?
Review:
Have each group discuss their answers with the class.