In my tossing and turning last night while fretting that some of my students still can’t write a thesis, I had a really great idea pop into my head for a test-prep strategy …
… Using Oscar nominated short films to teach students how to write the introductory paragraph for both FRQ1 & FRQ2.
In effect, especially with my templates for the thesis, students need to answer two questions when ascertaining a poem or short story:
1. What is the authorial intent?
2. How does the author construct meaning?
If students can crush the answer to these two questions, they’ve got themselves a really good thesis.
What we did was watch Michael Evan’s short film entitled “Post-It.” (It’s free on YouTube)
I told my kids to tear it apart as if they would a text on the exam.
With no discussion or collective analysis … I told them to bust out an intro. while adhering to the strictures of my template.
I made a video of this and posted it in my channel.
Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjeU1VY-oX8&t=35s
Per usual, I “Bob Ross-ed” a couple of intros myself so that my students could see how to do it.
There are a ton of models and exemplars in the video.
I don’t know … but “IT” clicked today for some kids!!!
Hallelujah!!
If you want the PowerPoint featured in the YouTube video, just reach out.
Let me know what you think.
I’ll make some more of these tomorrow if the group sees value.
Happy teaching and happy writing!!
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