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, June 25, 2017

The Great Wall & Baraka: Rituals x Traditions

Talk to partner. Can you explain the difference between Ritual and Tradition?

Share your guesses with the class

Read the paragraphs about tradition and ritual.

• Tradition is a generic term that encompasses a wide variety of things and concepts that are handed down by one generation to another. A tradition is an act, behavior, or a belief system which has a special significance for the members of the society.

• Ritual is an act or a series of acts that are performed or observed in a society. In every society, important functions, events, ceremonies, festivals are marked by certain acts or a series of acts that are perceived to have a symbolic value. Rituals are observed almost religiously because, in most cases, they have a religious backing and, therefore, considered important for individuals in the society. It is the presence of rituals that make an event formal and traditional.

According to the definitions above, decide which situations are rituals and traditions.

a handshake to greet others
the practice to honor and respect the seniors
exchanging wedding rings on the alter
bride's wearing white on the wedding day

Traditions

2, 4

Rituals

1, 3

Watch the movie segment and make a list of acts involved in the rituals of the scene. Can you see any traditions? Have in mind the acts, clothes, feelings, etc.

Watch the segment from the fantastic Baraka and compare both rituals. What do they have in common and how they differ from each other.