Movie Segments for Warm-ups and Follow-ups

This blog contains a series of movie segments to be used to brainstorm, warm up, follow up, and activate schemata, preparing the students for the topic that will be discussed in class. Here you will find the segments, the lesson plans, and varied topics to foster conversation. You may use the activities for a full two-hour class or they can be used separately to brainstorm or wrap up the topic, focusing on conversation, vocabulary and listening comprehension.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

In the Electric Mist & Footloose: Drunk Driving

A. Talk to a partner.

1. What is the law concerning drinking and driving in your country?

2. Do you agree with it? Why?

3. Should the law be more lenient or tougher on this issue?

4. Is drinking and driving a problem where you live? What should be done to prevent it from happening?

B. Each student has a set of questions.

Student 1 asks student 2 his/her questions. Then they switch roles:

Student 1:.
1. Should the passengers of a drunk driver be punished? Why (not)?

2. Do you agree with the police's breathalyzing drivers even is he/she hasn't drunk or does not look drunk?

3. Have you ever driven drunk? Have you ever been a passenger of a drunk driver? If so, why did you do it?

4. What is the most appropriate penalty for a drunk driver?

Student 2:

1. Do you think there should be zero tolerance for any alcohol in a driver’s bloodstream? Justify your answer.

2. What should happen to a drunk driver who kills a pedestrian?

3. What should happen to a drunk driver who is caught by the police while driving in the city? .

4. What should happen to a drunk driver who is racing other cars on the streets?

5. Should drink laws also apply to cyclists? Why (not) ?

C. Watch the segment. Take turns asking the following questions about the segment:

1. Describe what happened.

2. What were some of the traffic laws the driver broke?

3. Which is more serious? Drunk driving or marijuana smoking and driving? Why?

4. What's your opinion about the police officer's attitude towards the driver?

5. What should the officer have done?

6. What do you think will happen next?

D. Work in small groups. Design a slogan for an advertising campaign on Drunk Driving. Share it with the class and choose the best one.

E. Watch the segment from the movie Footloose and discuss the questions:

Discuss:

1. Do you agree with the prohibition?

2. What did the teens do wrongly, in your opinion?

3. Should the City Council decide what people can or can't do to have fun? Explain.

4. What are the possible consequences of such a drastic decision?

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - FOOTLOOSE
MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - IN THE ELECTRIC MIST