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.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Mona Lisa Smile: Methodology Teaching

This segment from the attractive movie Mona Lisa Smile is to be used with teachers of English or Methodology students, just like the previous post from the movie Temple Grandin. It is a great idea for reflections teachers should make so that they can reach all kinds of students.

I. Watch the scene from the movie Mona Lisa Smile. Then work with a partner and make a list of all the adversities the teacher faced in her first class with this group of students.

II. Work in small groups:

1. Describe the teacher's expectations before the class.

2. Describe her difficulty with the students.

3. Describe the group of students.

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such a group of students?

5. Describe the teacher's feelings during the class.

6. What would you do if you were in the teacher's shoes?

7. What would you do if you were one of the students?

8. How effective was this class? Was it well-planned? Why (not)?

III. What would you do to make these students interested in the content she is teaching? Think about a lesson plan and strategies to make the following class more effective. Share your ideas with the class.

IV. Watch the second segment from the same movie, Mona Lisa Smile, and answer the questions that follow in small groups.

1. How effective was her class? Why?

2. What were the teacher's strategies to make the class more effective this time? How successful was she?

3. How do you think the teacher's and students' relationship be from this class on?

4. Did you think about the same kind of strategy the teacher did? What did your ideas have in common and how different were they?

5. What kind of learners do you think they are? Visual, aural (auditory) or kinesthetic? Explain it.

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - MONALISA SMILE 1

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - MONALISA SMILE 2