Exploring Citizenship Through Film

Peter Gonzales

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Exploring Citizenship Through Film

Analyze citizenship in film

In this lesson, students will analyze a film where the concept of citizenship plays a significant role. Through guided film analysis, group discussions, and a role-playing exercise, students will explore themes such as responsibility, community, and rights. This lesson is important as it enhances critical thinking and civic understanding, helping students to connect cinematic narratives with real-world civic concepts.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

90 mins

Approach

Analyze citizenship in film

Materials

Film clip (selected by teacher), Discussion Questions, Worksheet: Film Analysis, and Pens and Paper

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on the concept of citizenship.
Ask students what they think citizenship means and why it is important.
Introduce the film clip that will be analyzed, providing context about its relevance to citizenship.

Step 2

Film Viewing

20 mins

Show the selected film clip to the class.
Encourage students to take notes on key themes related to citizenship, responsibility, community, and rights.

Step 3

Guided Analysis

20 mins

Distribute the Film Analysis Worksheet.
Guide students through the worksheet, prompting them to identify and analyze key scenes that highlight citizenship themes.
Encourage students to think critically about the characters' actions and the societal implications.

Step 4

Group Discussion

20 mins

Divide students into small groups.
Provide each group with discussion questions to explore themes of citizenship in the film.
Encourage groups to share their thoughts and insights with the class.

Step 5

Role-Playing Exercise

10 mins

Assign each group a scenario related to citizenship themes from the film.
Have students role-play the scenario, focusing on the responsibilities and rights of the characters.
Encourage students to reflect on how their actions in the role-play relate to real-world citizenship.

Step 6

Closure

10 mins

Reconvene as a class and discuss the key takeaways from the film analysis, group discussions, and role-playing exercise.
Ask students to reflect on how the film's portrayal of citizenship relates to their own lives and communities.

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Discussion

Citizenship Themes Discussion

A discussion to explore themes of citizenship, responsibility, community, and rights as depicted in the film.

What responsibilities do the characters in the film have towards their community?

Encourage students to think about specific actions taken by characters and their impact on the community.

How are rights portrayed in the film? Are there any instances where rights are challenged or upheld?

Guide students to identify scenes where rights are a central theme and discuss the implications.

In what ways does the film reflect real-world issues of citizenship?

Ask students to draw parallels between the film's narrative and current events or societal issues.

Explain how a specific scene in the film illustrates the concept of citizenship. What evidence from the film supports your analysis?

Encourage students to cite specific dialogue or actions from the film that highlight citizenship themes.

Evaluate the effectiveness of the film in conveying messages about citizenship. What evidence from the film supports your evaluation?

Guide students to consider the film's narrative, character development, and visual elements in their evaluation.