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Dead Poets Society Socratic Circle Lesson - March 21, 2009

Topic: Carpe Diem (Seize the day!), Conformity, Free Thinking, Perspective, Poetry

Subject: Survey of Literature

Duration of Lesson: 40 minutes

Grade Level: 10th grade (sophomores)

Essential Questions

What are the main lessons of the movie?

How does poetry add to the enrichment and quality of your life?

Why is poetry important to practice and study?

Focus Question:

What can I take from this movie to make it apply in the world  that I live in.

Objective

    The students will

    • Describing the specific academic task
    •  
    • a) Sit in a Socratic circle with their journals and Dead Poets Society Handout
    • b) Analyze the movie elements (plot, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, denoument
    • c) Analyze the characters - which do they identify with the most? in what way?
    •  
    • Emphasizing and addressing creativity
    •  
    • a) Write responses and express them in discussion
    •  
    • Higher order thinking skills
    •  
    • a) Analyze major themes of the movie
    • b) Analyze major themes in poems used in the movie.
    •  
    • Culturally responsive activity
    •  
    • a) Apply lesson in their own lives.
    • b) Provide 5 ways they as a teenager of our high school can "seize the day"
    • in measurable terms
    • a) Write 5 ways to "seize the day"
    • b) Fill out Socratic Seminar rubric
    • Assessment

      Assessment will be made based on student comprehension through discussions and journal entries.

      Method

      - Define method of scoring (points, rubric) and explain (Example:  4 points - description of what a student must do to earn 4 points; 3 points - description; 2 poiints - description, etc.)

      - If assignment requires a rubric, create your rubric using the rubric section below ...

       

      Students will be given the following points for their journal entries:

      4 = Original Thoughts, evidence of critical thinking, answers questions completely

      3 = Original and critical thinking.

      2= Answers question but does not provide them with adequate details

       1 = Poor analysis; lack of effort.



      Materials

      - What materials will be needed?

      Students will need their journal and Dead Poet's Society Handout Guide.


      - Will students need to learn how to use them?

      Students will be guided by a powerpoint presentation on how to use their guide.


      - Be explicit in listing materials (text pages, etc…)

      We will be analyzing pp. 1 and 3.

      Vocabulary

      Vocabulary

      - Are there difficult words or concepts that need extra explanation?

      Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

      Perspectives

      Scapegoat.


      - What words are being reviewed?

      peruse

      invincible

      iota

      legacy

      swoon

      causalities

      savour

      pursuits

      sustain

    • Instructional Plan

    • 1.   How will you make transitions between activities?

      I will make transitions through journal writing activities. I will start with an agenda for the class and let them know what to expect for the lesson. At the end of each activity, I will ask, "Please close your journals and watch the following . . ."





      2.   How much time will you allot for different parts of the lesson?

      The presentations will last a few min. (3-5 min), journal writing reflections will be 8 - 10 minutes, discussions will be 10-15 minutes depending on the participation of the class.



      3.   What procedures will students need to know to complete lesson activities?

      They need to have their journals and they need to come up with an image of their alter egos



      4.  What questioning strategies will you use?

      Open Ended, discussion style questions 

      What do you think about the Duality of Man based on the activity that we have been doing in class together?



      5.  How will you make sure that all students participate in the lesson? 

      By going around the classroom to make sure they are included in the conversations and also performing the task at hand.

      For more outspoken  students, this will not be a problem. For quieter students they will write in their journals.