Thematic Unit on Monsters and Fear
Lesson 1 - Intro to Fear / Monsters
1. We will watch the video clip above to understand how our bodies react when we are afraid. Watch the video full screen and then discuss our physiological response.
Most TV shows have stereotypical views of Monsters, but on a deeper level, anyone can be a monster, a killer, etc... After the Nuremberg trials where top Nazi's were placed on trial, the term "Banality of Evil" was coined. It means that Evil looks very plain and normal, like some of the Top Nazi's who looked like any other Human.
So let's try an exercise - can you identify the Killer below and Justify.
Most TV shows have stereotypical views of Monsters, but on a deeper level, anyone can be a monster, a killer, etc... After the Nuremberg trials where top Nazi's were placed on trial, the term "Banality of Evil" was coined. It means that Evil looks very plain and normal, like some of the Top Nazi's who looked like any other Human.
So let's try an exercise - can you identify the Killer below and Justify.
Conceptual Undestanding: Character and Genre impact Perspective and Social Construction of Reality.
What does this mean? In a horror story/text/film, characters (Frankenstein, Dracula, Slenderman) developed and the Genre (horror) impact Perspective (point of view / lens through which the world is seen) on what reality really is.
Guiding Questions:
What qualities make an effective horror story?
What social fears do monsters represent?
Why do people like Horror stories?
What is the definition of a Monster?
Why are people interested in Monsters?
What makes a Monster?
How can we deal with monsters (both metaphorical and literal)
What is the purpose of fear?
1. Hook - Horror manifests itself across mediums, from Art, to Film, to Literature, to Oral Story Telling -- Examine one of these art piece and we will use the concepts of artful thinking. Discuss with a partner, : I see, I think, I wonder.
What does this mean? In a horror story/text/film, characters (Frankenstein, Dracula, Slenderman) developed and the Genre (horror) impact Perspective (point of view / lens through which the world is seen) on what reality really is.
Guiding Questions:
What qualities make an effective horror story?
What social fears do monsters represent?
Why do people like Horror stories?
What is the definition of a Monster?
Why are people interested in Monsters?
What makes a Monster?
How can we deal with monsters (both metaphorical and literal)
What is the purpose of fear?
1. Hook - Horror manifests itself across mediums, from Art, to Film, to Literature, to Oral Story Telling -- Examine one of these art piece and we will use the concepts of artful thinking. Discuss with a partner, : I see, I think, I wonder.
Activity: Start with a horror movie picture or video and ask, is this plausible or possible.... explain/debate why.... Partner A/B and then discuss as a class. Discuss - why do people like/watch horror?
Lesson 2 - Naming our Fears
1. Define fear – place definition on the board. Or the start of a powerpoint.
Definition : Fear is a distressing negative sensation induced by a perceived threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger.
-Get students to write down fears on board in a big web
-Go over PPT
Definition : Fear is a distressing negative sensation induced by a perceived threat. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger.
-Get students to write down fears on board in a big web
-Go over PPT
why_we_fear_and_phobia_words.ppt | |
File Size: | 1097 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
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2. What do students think are the top ten fears people have.
Seinfeld Death Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrCQnRFBuGc (total time: 40s) Guiding Questions: What is fear? Flight or fight? What are you afraid of? Think for a moment, then get with a shoulder partner and talk about what you are afraid of. Where does it come from? 3. Class Discussion -- Open this up for discussion – what are some people afraid of? |
4. Activity – Read how do we approach an infographic.
ho2.1info-graphicprotocol.pdf | |
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5. Activity – Predict and Read Info graphics
Prediction Activity
-Ask students what the greatest fears of people are.
- Put answers on board
-have students guess what is the top 10 teen fears?
Have them take out a piece of paper and a pen? Rank them
Show the info graphics and discuss if they confirm our thoughts
Prediction Activity
-Ask students what the greatest fears of people are.
- Put answers on board
-have students guess what is the top 10 teen fears?
Have them take out a piece of paper and a pen? Rank them
Show the info graphics and discuss if they confirm our thoughts
6. Name of our fears Review: Place a fear on each student's back. They must walk around asking "yes" or "No" only questions to eventually determine which fear they are. Once done, come get a new one. Vocab building and strategic question asking game.
phobias_to_put_on_cards.doc | |
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7. Fear Movie: Nightmare at 20,000ft
We will watch a Short Horror Film (The Twilight Zone Fear at 20,000 Feet - both the original version with William Shatner and a Modern Version with John Lithgow.)
We will compare and contrast.
Some questions for discussion:
A. What is the Monster?
B. Why is it different in each film?
C. What Social Fears does the film / monster / character represent?
D. What are the elements that make this a good horror video? Or what elements do not make it effective?
E. Three way debate - have students choose one of the following statements and sit with peers who agree. Debate.
This is a terrible film
This is a decent film
This is a great film
Or:
The Horror Genre is the best Genre of Film
Horror is a necessary Genre in Film
Horror is less necessary than Comedy as a Genre
Horror is totally unnecessary as a Genre
F. Does the monster really exist?
Alternative Films that we could watch if the class does not wish to see Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.
One Night at Mercy --- (season 1, episode 2)
Options for Good Twilight Zone
1. A matter of Minutes - season 1, disc 4
2. Profile in Silver – Season 1, disk 5
3. Paladin of Lost Hour -- Season 1, disk 2
4. A little peace and quiet
5. Aqua Vita
6. Wordplay -- Season1, Disk 1
7. Need to know
8. Cold Equations
9. Something in the walls ***
10. Monsters *** Season 1, Disk 4
11. Nighcrawlers -- Season 1, Disk 1 --- CREEPIEST ONE
We will watch a Short Horror Film (The Twilight Zone Fear at 20,000 Feet - both the original version with William Shatner and a Modern Version with John Lithgow.)
We will compare and contrast.
Some questions for discussion:
A. What is the Monster?
B. Why is it different in each film?
C. What Social Fears does the film / monster / character represent?
D. What are the elements that make this a good horror video? Or what elements do not make it effective?
E. Three way debate - have students choose one of the following statements and sit with peers who agree. Debate.
This is a terrible film
This is a decent film
This is a great film
Or:
The Horror Genre is the best Genre of Film
Horror is a necessary Genre in Film
Horror is less necessary than Comedy as a Genre
Horror is totally unnecessary as a Genre
F. Does the monster really exist?
Alternative Films that we could watch if the class does not wish to see Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.
One Night at Mercy --- (season 1, episode 2)
Options for Good Twilight Zone
1. A matter of Minutes - season 1, disc 4
2. Profile in Silver – Season 1, disk 5
3. Paladin of Lost Hour -- Season 1, disk 2
4. A little peace and quiet
5. Aqua Vita
6. Wordplay -- Season1, Disk 1
7. Need to know
8. Cold Equations
9. Something in the walls ***
10. Monsters *** Season 1, Disk 4
11. Nighcrawlers -- Season 1, Disk 1 --- CREEPIEST ONE
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Lesson 3 - Lit Circle on Psychology of Monsters
1. Students choose a non-fiction article that deals with Monsters. They will conduct an "Information Circle." Choose one of the roles from the information circle roles handout to conduct with an article of your choice. I will have multiple copies of each article. The only rule is that at least one other person needs to read the article for you to choose it so that students have someone to discuss with.
Mr. Fitton will provide a brief overview of each article, show the number of pages and size of the font, and number of pictures. If students don't like the article, choose another one!
Mr. Fitton will provide a brief overview of each article, show the number of pages and size of the font, and number of pictures. If students don't like the article, choose another one!
information_circles_revised_2018.doc | |
File Size: | 104 kb |
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the_science_of_monsters_›_analysis_and_opinion__abc_science_.pdf | |
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top_5_popular_monsters_and_their_origins__the_psychology_behind_monsters_—_whiteclouds_3d_printing.pdf | |
File Size: | 607 kb |
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http://ss.whiteclouds.com/blog/top-5-popular-monsters-and-their-origins-psychology-behind-monsters
monsters_|_psychology_today.pdf | |
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monsters_of_the_mind_|_psychology_today.pdf | |
File Size: | 161 kb |
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what_is_a_monster__|_university_of_cambridge.pdf | |
File Size: | 798 kb |
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do_horror_films_filter_the_horrors_of_history__-_the_new_york_times.pdf | |
File Size: | 85 kb |
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horror_movies_reflect_cultural_fears._in_2016_americans_feared_invasion._-_vox.pdf | |
File Size: | 79 kb |
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social_lessons_from_our_favorite_horror_movies_-_scientific_american_blog_network.pdf | |
File Size: | 900 kb |
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why-the-slenderma.pdf | |
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We will conduct a self and teacher evaluation of the Information Circle based on the criteria sheet below
lit_circle_discussion_sheet_criteria_and_grading.docx | |
File Size: | 154 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 4 - History of Film Monsters by Era and How they Represent Societal Fears
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1. See the assignment and history lesson below that we will examine in conjunction with "Shaun of the Dead" as a comedy-horror Genre example of the societal fears that zombies represent. We will highlight specific scenes while examining history and its parallels on the large and small screen. If we cannot find a "clean" version or the TV edit version we will not be able to watch it since it contains a lot of offensive language.
2. Conduct a Lit Circle on the film. See handout below.
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Other potential film options: Monsters Inc, When Mars Attacks, Zombieland (whichever is school appropriate)
We will fill out a Formative "Psychology Report" on Fears (as a scaffold for our upcoming Summative Assessment)
We will fill out a Formative "Psychology Report" on Fears (as a scaffold for our upcoming Summative Assessment)
zombieland_mini_assignment.docx | |
File Size: | 230 kb |
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Lesson 5 - Poetry, Song and Conceptualizations of Monsters - Form/Genre Connection
First, we will read the Poem "All There is to know about Adolf Eichman" by Leonard Cohen.
After WW2 - people asked the question, how could Germany, a nation known for its fine art and intellectual philosophies be responsible for the Holocaust. The term "The Banality of Evil" was developed. Leonard Cohen participates in this dialogue in his poem where he describes Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust who once said "regret is something for little children."
Let's look at Eichmann - tell me what he looks like. Describe as a class.
Then we will read the poem "All There is to Know about Adolf Eichamann" using the handout
After WW2 - people asked the question, how could Germany, a nation known for its fine art and intellectual philosophies be responsible for the Holocaust. The term "The Banality of Evil" was developed. Leonard Cohen participates in this dialogue in his poem where he describes Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust who once said "regret is something for little children."
Let's look at Eichmann - tell me what he looks like. Describe as a class.
Then we will read the poem "All There is to Know about Adolf Eichamann" using the handout
poetry_analysis-1.doc | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | doc |
2. We will view some slam Poetry "Why Does This Man's Grandfather Fight Monsters?" - We will discuss the video (students must make a comment or as a question - we will circle up.) Also, this is the type of thing students can do as their final creative project for this unit - A Spoken Word Poem.
3. Let's examine and annotate a song.
A. Go to the following website: https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-about-fear/ranker-music (For songs featuring Fear)
https://www.ranker.com/list/best-songs-about-monsters/ranker-music
B. Choose a song about "fear" or "Monsters" from the site
C. Go online and find the lyrics and print them
D. You may choose your own song if you have one. You can also think metaphorically or symbolically (Ie: Hotel California is about Drug Addiction - arguably a Monster; Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil is about a monster)
Assignment:
A. Highlight poetic devices (annotate) and explain how they are effective/why the poet/songwriter used them
B. Make a theme statement and provide evidence
C. ATL SKILL - Share out by posting the song on a whiteboard, by using window writers, or create a youtube clip, where you explain:
1. Three poetic devices being used (Define and state impact)
2. Share your theme statement
3. Explain how the song relates to the concept of fear/horror
4. What social fear is the song highlighting ?
If you are struggling, I have the lyrics to two songs available.
A. Go to the following website: https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-about-fear/ranker-music (For songs featuring Fear)
https://www.ranker.com/list/best-songs-about-monsters/ranker-music
B. Choose a song about "fear" or "Monsters" from the site
C. Go online and find the lyrics and print them
D. You may choose your own song if you have one. You can also think metaphorically or symbolically (Ie: Hotel California is about Drug Addiction - arguably a Monster; Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil is about a monster)
Assignment:
A. Highlight poetic devices (annotate) and explain how they are effective/why the poet/songwriter used them
B. Make a theme statement and provide evidence
C. ATL SKILL - Share out by posting the song on a whiteboard, by using window writers, or create a youtube clip, where you explain:
1. Three poetic devices being used (Define and state impact)
2. Share your theme statement
3. Explain how the song relates to the concept of fear/horror
4. What social fear is the song highlighting ?
If you are struggling, I have the lyrics to two songs available.
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Here are some examples of completed annotations if you are struggling and require an example.
poetry_annotation_samples_pdf_-2019.pdf | |
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Lesson 6 - Meeting our Monsters - The Unit Assignment
1. Go over the Unit Assignment - See handout below. Students have a great deal of autonomy and numerous options for the assessment piece of this unit.
monsters_assignment.docx | |
File Size: | 418 kb |
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Below are some student examples of the Monsters Assignment. Each one was also accompanied by an analytical paragraph explaining key details and the types of individual and social fears represented by the film.
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Lesson 7 - Fighting Personal Monsters
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This is a Self-Help component + non-ficton component where we will examine fears and how to overcome them.
1. Our counselling staff will come and help us with some techniques for dealing with the anxiety that will result from fear. 2. Mr. Fitton will show a powerpoint on fear. 3. Let's watch a youtube video on Fear.
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Ideas For The Unit For Future and Further Consideration
Real, Imagined, Historial, Mythological, Psychological
Film: Fear at 20,000 Feet, Monsters Inc, Mengele --, War of the Worlds, myth, Percy Jackson, others...; criminal minds, shaun of the dead
Non-Fiction: Articles, Zombie/garden gnome, ninja articles, monster articles --- Zombie Lesson; Defining fears.
First Nations monsters; Greek/Roman Monsters
Poetry - All there is to know about Adolf eichmann; Slam poetry; students find poems/songs
Songs - https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-about-fear/ranker-music
Oral: How to tell a story; students tell campfire stories; Art bell
History; Nazis, Stalin, Imin, Rwanda, Armenia, (Teach research and citations)
Research: Research a monsters, present, analyze
Cross curricular: Biology/ art - draw a monsters, what are some monster adaptations/
Fiction: Mary's Monster by Lita Judge (a novel done in verse -very edgy)
Self-Help - Think of a personal monster- what are your plans to deal with it?
GLOBAL CONTEXT: Discuss monsters across cultures....
Film: Fear at 20,000 Feet, Monsters Inc, Mengele --, War of the Worlds, myth, Percy Jackson, others...; criminal minds, shaun of the dead
Non-Fiction: Articles, Zombie/garden gnome, ninja articles, monster articles --- Zombie Lesson; Defining fears.
First Nations monsters; Greek/Roman Monsters
Poetry - All there is to know about Adolf eichmann; Slam poetry; students find poems/songs
Songs - https://www.ranker.com/list/songs-about-fear/ranker-music
Oral: How to tell a story; students tell campfire stories; Art bell
History; Nazis, Stalin, Imin, Rwanda, Armenia, (Teach research and citations)
Research: Research a monsters, present, analyze
Cross curricular: Biology/ art - draw a monsters, what are some monster adaptations/
Fiction: Mary's Monster by Lita Judge (a novel done in verse -very edgy)
Self-Help - Think of a personal monster- what are your plans to deal with it?
GLOBAL CONTEXT: Discuss monsters across cultures....