LAI350: Intro to Education

Shannon Evans: Page 1 of 3

Lesson Plan 4/17/2012

Unit/topic: Dystopian/ Utopian Literature Lesson Objectives:
o Introduce and give students an overview of the Utopian/Dystopian genre present in literature and the movies. o Students will be able to begin constructing their own knowledge after the broad definitions are given. o Students will actively engage in their learning to identify with/ better grasp concepts through different examples, and mini-projects will help them construct knowledge.

Grade: 11th

Class will share/build off of information on the topic as a community through presentations of the mini-projects.

o Have students realize some of the significances of this genre (how it relates to our history; both in the present and future, and what is appealing and ironic about alternate universes/ ideals of perfection).

Teaching Approaches:
Incorporating choice so students with different learning styles can adapt (making a list, paragraph, or a doodle). Integrating technology through use of video clips, facebook handout, and students using their laptops for mini-projects. Using popular culture to generate students interest and identities in the topic (In Time, The Hunger Games, etc).

LAI 350: Intro to Education

Evans: Page 2 of 3

Lesson Structure: Time Activity

Teacher will write the Webster definitions for Utopia and Dystopia on the white board to introduce the topic then give class the choice to journal some things or draw a picture of what they think of when they hear these terms and their definitions. Then we will discuss their thoughts for a few minutes to construct a platform to build off of. Showing trailers for 1984, the Hunger Games, and In Time. Show political vids for 1984 and the Hunger Games. Between each one give a minute or two to see if anyone has anything they want to say so far.

4 minutes

8 minutes

10 minutes

Mini-projects: Split class up into three groups (at least one laptop in each). Give each group one of the three dystopias. Each group has to: 1. Prepare to verbally discuss the plot of their text/movie (with a little more depth than the trailers gave) and then 2. Choose one out of these three options: *Make a pros/cons list of the society/lives of the characters in the books, why could it have once been considered a utopia? Then read list to the class * Find three important quotes from the book/script and read them aloud and expand on them to the class *Make a graphic or a picture showing one of the themes in the novel or movie. **In Time is the only movie source, when looking up 1984 and The Hunger Games look for the novels not the movies.**

8 minutes

Each group takes turn presenting their summary and then their choice of the three options. Discuss through presentations/after everything: What the class now thinks utopias and dystopias represent Why are they made? What are their impacts?

Also just for fun pass around makeshift Hunger Games Facebook news feed handout as a resource to show how we can incorporate technology as future teachers.

LAI 350: Intro to Education

Evans: Page 3 of 3

Webster Definitions:
Utopia --1.often capitalized: a place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions 2.an impractical scheme for social improvement

Dystopia 1.an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives
Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 15 Apr. 2012. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/>.

Video Clip links:

In Time (2 minute trailer) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efNzhEKm3w4 1984 (2 minute trailer) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4rBDUJTnNU 1984 video sparknotes (0-50 sec mark) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9JIKngJnCU Hunger Games (2 minute trailer) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNxb28j5C1w Hunger Games Government (f.f to 30 sec mark) - http://video.foxnews.com/v/1527269439001