Rule of Thirds Film Lesson

Film Lesson

1.  Descriptive Data

Teacher ___Dustin Dearman____  Subject Area _ELA________  Date _4-12-13____ 

Grade Level _7___  Unit Title __Film__________   Lesson Number _1

2.     Plan the Lesson:

      Learning Purpose:  To introduce students to a “Book Report Trailer” and study the “Rule of Thirds” in Film composition & story telling.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2d Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.7.7 Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film).

Goal(s): Students will study proper composition and its role in art, photography & film.

Lesson Objective(s): TSWBAT define “The Rule of Thirds.” TSWBAT identify the use of the rule and will be able to explain, through end-of-class assessment, the rule’s use un art, photography & Film.

Essential Questions:

How does an artist, photographer & filmmaker compose images to best tell a story? How are these techniques similar and different from how a storyteller or a musician compose their work?

      Related Subject Connections:

            Writing/Reading/Art/Multimedia

Modifications for special needs and gifted (Students of all visual abilities will be able to undertake this lesson)

Assessment of Student Learning:  Ticket out the door formative assessment.

Materials and Equipment needed: Photo of “Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh; YouTube video on rule of thirds “www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSSOZxLnNyc) 10-20 Magazines, Hugo (2011) by Martin Scorsese.

3.    Implement the Lesson:

      Grouping for lesson: _x_ whole group __ small group _x_ individual

(__10_ minutes) Preface: “The Graveyard Book”

-       2 minute book talk, introducing “The Graveyard Book” by Neil Gaiman

-       3 minute self-produced “movie trailer” highlighting the book

-       5 minutes answering questions on the production of the video

(__10_ minutes) Set

-       Have students define Composition and those who compose (artists, musical composers, photographers, writers)

-       Show students “Starry Night” and ask students to reveal what aspects of the painting they noticed first or what stands out the most. Notice students will typically say, “The Tree or the moon.” Let them know that those main visuals are not at the center of the picture, but on the edges. This is the rule of thirds. Draw the 3x3 grid over the projected painting so students can see the rule of thirds at work

-       Show YouTube video for further explanation

       (_15__ minutes) Guided/Class Activity

-       Students will be given a magazine to investigate and identify “Rule of Thirds” use in photographs. Rotate magazines around the table. Find at least three examples.

(_20__ minutes) Class Activity

-       Students will watch Hugo (2011)  and identify the use of the rule of the thirds. After about 10 minutes, lift the projector screen and show the move on the dry erase board where the Rule of Thirds lines are written so students can see the rule in action.

4.              Conclude and Extend the Lesson: (_5_ minutes) Closure:  Red light, Green light Ticket out the door. Red = What I’ms still confused about, Questions I have; Green Light = What I learned today.