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Journal > Language Arts
Let's Go to the Movies: Rethinking the Role of Film in the Elementary Classroom
by Michele Whipple
Grades | K – 8 |
Type | Journal |
Published | November 1998 |
Publisher | ![]() |
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Description |
Argues that elementary language-arts teachers should expand their definition of "text" to include film, a valuable instructional material. Notes that today's elementary students come to class with a great deal of knowledge about films--prior experiences which teachers can tap into. Discusses the application to film of reader-response theories.
Whipple, Michelle. "Let's Go to the Movies: Rethinking the Role of Film in the Elementary Classroom." Language Arts 76.2 (November 1998): 140-150.
Grades 3 – 5 | Lesson Plan
Get the Reel Scoop: Comparing Books to Movies
Students compare a book to its film adaptation, and then perform readers theater of a scene from the book that they feel was not well represented in the movie version.
Grades 6 – 8 | Lesson Plan | Standard Lesson
Writing a Flashback and Flash-Forward Story Using Movies and Texts as Models
Using the film The Sandlot, students are introduced to the literary devices of flashbacks and flash-forwards. They then write their own stories using those devices.
Grades 8 – 12 | Lesson Plan | Standard Lesson
From Text to Film: Exploring Classic Literature Adaptations
Students create storyboards to compare and contrast a book and its film adaptation.