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Writing from Experience: Movies and Memories. Language Arts and Social Studies Lessons for Your Class

Lesson Overviews for Teachers

Lesson 1: Comparative Writing

Goals: Identify examples of culture in history; write poetry describing a specific cultural icon

Time Required: 40 minutes

Materials: Comparative Writing student reproducible 1, Classroom Poster

Directions:

1. As a class, review the quotes on the poster. (You may want to refer to the Background Information for Teachers section to learn more about the four people on the classroom poster.)

2. Discuss how the movies and the experience of going to a movie theater inspire learning, artistic expression, and writing. Ask students: Which movie has inspired you the most and why?

3. Distribute Comparative Writing student reproducible 1 and read it aloud as a class. Have students respond to the prompt by writing a simile poem about how movie theaters are like time machines. Review how similes are comparisons often using the words "like" or "as." (See example of a simile poem below.) Encourage students to think about the architecture, lighting, sound, seating styles, and types of snacks featured at the concession stand.

Old Books Are Like Old Friends
"I've read that one before," cries a little girl,
With a laugh as bright as light.
"With pages that crease like grandmother's face
And whisper like the wind at night."
"I've read that one before," cries a little boy,
With a grin as wide as the Nile.
"With pictures that dance like morning's advance
And colors like a rainbow's smile."

4. After 15 minutes, invite students to share their poems with the class.

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Photos, top to bottom: © Arthur Tilley/Creatas/PictureQuest, © Ryan McVay/Photodisc/PictureQuest.