Lesson 9

We will write essays comparing the levels of realism between Blackfish and a more fictionalized movie. We will analyze how the filmmakers for both movies used visual techniques, effects, and storytelling to make them feel realistic or fantastic.

Lesson Goals

Reading and Knowledge

Evaluate Effects. How well do I trace how film storytelling techniques elicit certain responses in audiences and critics?
Analyze Perspective: How well do I analyze how a filmmaker’s perspective shapes each movie’s narrative and interpretation of events?
Determine Meaning and Purpose: How well do I understand and interpret filmmakers’ intentions in terms of the movie’s level of realism?
Compare and Connect: How well do I recognize points of connection between two different films in order to make logical, objective comparisons?

Writing

Develop Ideas: How well do I use devices, techniques, descriptions, reasoning, and evidence to support and elaborate on coherent and logical narratives, explanations, and arguments about the films I have analyzed?
Form Claims: How well do I develop and clearly communicate meaningful and defensible claims that represent valid, evidence-based analysis?

Texts

Core

- Blackfish, Gabriella Cowperthwaite, Magnolia Pictures, 2013

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will each write a comparative essay that analyzes a film we chose independently and compare it to Blackfish.

Draft an essay that responds to the Section 2 Diagnostic prompt found on the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist.

Use the comparative organizational plan you developed in the previous lesson as a guide for drafting your essay, and draw evidence about the two movies from the Understanding a Movie Tools you have completed.

Activity 2: Write

We will review and edit our comparative essays.

Using the bulleted list on the Section 2 Diagnostic Checklist, review the draft of your essay, noting where and how well you have met the expectations.

Make any additions, revisions, or edits needed to improve your essay before submitting it.

With your essay, submit the two Understanding a Movie Tools you completed for Blackfish and the movie you watched independently.

Activity 3: Write – Discuss

We will reflect on our work on the Section Diagnostic and assess how prepared we are for the Culminating Task.

Step 1

Choose at least three of the questions below regarding the Section Diagnostic and respond to them in your Learning Log:

How well did you take necessary action to prepare for the task?
What went well for you during the completion of this task?
What did you struggle with during the completion of this task? How did you push through these struggles?
How well did you actively focus your attention during this independent task?
How well did you develop and use an effective and efficient process to maintain workflow during this task?
What would you do differently during the next Section Diagnostic?

Step 2

Now find your Culminating Task Progress Tracker. Think about the knowledge you have gained and the skills you have practiced thus far in the unit. Use the Culminating Task Progress Tracker to do the following:

Add or refine any skills and content knowledge required for the Culminating Task.
Evaluate how well you are mastering the skills and knowledge required for the Culminating Task.

Step 3

Review the Central Question of the unit:

How do we tell stories with films?

Use the following questions to guide a discussion with a partner or small group:

What new knowledge do you have that relates to the Central Question?
What are you still curious about that relates to the Central Question?
What is the relationship between the Central Question and the texts you have read so far? How do the texts shed light on the question? How does the question help you understand the texts?
How has your response to the question evolved, deepened, or changed?

In your Learning Log, write your response to Question 3.