I purchased some movie units from Michael Vetrie, an alternative high school teacher in Sun Valley, CA, and
I’m going to try one tomorrow. I will show The Matrix in half-hour segments, so the students can do the following:
- compose a double-entry journal,
- study the film using literary terms,
- analyze critical quotations in the novel
- plot how Neo follows the heroic cycle,
- list the ways Neo could be considered a Christ-like character, and
- look at how the directors use specific camera shots for effect.
I’m hoping the students will become more engaged because of the use of film even though I’m still teaching the same skills. All told, I’m figuring a week will be needed to complete this single film unit.
I did have to send permission forms to parents since the film is rated ‘R,’ but each student’s parent signed the form. I’m hopeful this could open a means of including more types of literature in our courses. If it grabs the students’ attention and can enhance, enrich, or supplement the current curriculum, I’m all for it.
I guess the question remains: would you choose the red pill or the blue pill?
P.S. My favorite line is when the Oracle says to Neo, “Ohh, what’s really going to bake your noodle later on is, would you still have broken it if I hadn’t said anything?”
