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Movie Madness: Teaching Point of View Through Film Clips

Subject: Language Arts

Topic: Teaching Point of View through Film Clips

Grade: 8

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.8.6

"Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor."

Lesson Objective

Learning about different points of view can be confusing when introduced to learners for the first time. This lesson aims to expose your students to various points of view while giving them the tools to later identify them on their own. To accomplish this, we will use movie clips to teach points of view.

By the end of the lesson, students will learn to:

  1. Assess the narrative story of the movie clips.
  2. Assess the character viewpoints as part of the overall story. 
  3. Determine how character viewpoints move the story.

Materials Needed

Starter

Say: "Movies can teach several lessons that apply to real life; among them are learning about different world views. What movies come to mind when you think about various world views?" (All the students to respond.)

Say: "As a class, let's create a list of possible points of view we have witnessed as moviegoers." 

  • Your list may include the following: 
    • First-person storytelling - The story happened to me.
    • Third-person storytelling - The story happened to them.
    • Omniscient storytelling - Knowing all parts of the story

Main

Say: "Now we will watch a few clips from famous movies. Your job is to identify the point of view the main character is telling the story. 

  • Pass out the worksheet with specific assignment instructions. This assignment can be done individually or as a class.
  • Note: You may choose to add more movie clips or change movie clips as you see fit. While the lesson is to help your students gain confidence in identifying different view points, creating meaningful discussions is equally ideal. 

Worksheet Answers

  • Clip #1: Great Gatsby (2013), Nick Carraway - First-person storytelling, Nick tells his story of meeting Gatsby and his involvement in his friends' downfall.
  • Clip #2: Hercules (1997), The Muses - Omniscient storytelling, the muses tell Hercules's story from a birds-eye view.
  • Clip #3: Up (2009), Ellie and Carl Fredricksen - Third-person storytelling, the story happens in real-time to Carl and Ellie without a narrator.

Printable Student Worksheet

As you watch each movie clip, your job is to identify the point of view the main character is telling the story. Support your answer with specific evidence from the film clip. Evidence can include:

  • Speech or dialogue from the character
  • Action, character position, facial expression
  • Images, background lighting, set design, props
  • Background music, movie score, ambient sounds
  • Costumes, hair, and makeup

Clip #1: Great Gatsby (2013), Nick Carraway

What type of point of view is Nick using? _________________________________________________________

What evidence do you have to support the identified point of view? _____________________________________

Can you think of other movies or books where the character uses the identified point of view? ________________

Clip #2: Hercules (1997), The Muses

What type of point of view are the Muses using? ____________________________________________________

What evidence do you have to support the identified point of view? _____________________________________

Can you think of other movies or books where the character uses the identified point of view? ________________

Clip #3: Up (2009), Ellie and Carl Fredricksen

What type of point of view are Ellie and Carl using? _________________________________________________

What evidence do you have to support the identified point of view? _____________________________________

Can you think of other movies or books where the character uses the identified point of view? ________________

Feedback

  • Review the assigned worksheet as a class once it is completed if students did the assignment individually. 
  • Allow students to share evidence for their chosen point of view. Also, allow students to support evidence contrary to the presented point of view. 
  • Pose additional questions such as: "Does the individual audience member play a role in the perceived point of view? Or does the writer and director lead the audience to choose a point of view?"

Follow Up Assignments

As a follow-up assignment, you could have your students:

  • Identify more movies with the three identified points of view. 
  • Identify more points of view.
  • Identify points of view in books or songs. 
  • Complete a full movie review after watching an approved movie in its entirety, focusing on the main character's point of view.

Written by Roselyn Kati and Brooke Lektorich
Education World Contributors
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