short story "Cora Unashamed"
To be taught in 12th grade English classes
Note: As Crash is rate R and contains some content that is not appropriate for
classroom use I will only be showing sections of the film in class throughout the
course of four classes.
Unit objective:
To have students view film as a piece of literature by analyzing both a written text and a film. To have students engage in activities which enable them to utilize critical thinking skills to become active viewers, performers and writers/film makers.
Procedure:
First hand out copies of "Cora Unashamed"
Read short story aloud as a class then break students up into groups of four. As a group students should answer the following questions:
1) What images are presented in the story?
2) How does Cora interact in the world as presented in the story?
3) How do other characters respond to Cora, specifically her parents, Jessie and her employers?
4) Does Cora try to defy or disturb the Universe (Universe could mean any social construct, family, society, authority) and what are the consequences?
5) What subplots do you find in the story? How do the different subplots crash together to become one?
Have one representative from each group discuss findings. Allow class to interact in discussion encouraging students to question other group's and or student's responses, be sure to bring students back to the text and the language of the text if they seem to stray.
Finally discuss with class what types of characters in literature traditionally try to disturb and or changes the Universe? (Remind students that the distruption or change can be positive or negative)
For homework st?udents should select one scene from the story in which either Cora, Jessie or Mrs. Studevant try to disturb the Universe and write a one page treatement detailing how they would dramatize the scene paying close attention to imagery, characterization, dialogue and staging (to be collected). Explain to the class that tomorrow we will begin viewing Crash and further exploring subplots as well as characters who dare to disturb the Universe.
Note: Students will be assessed on all assignments included in the Unit Plan. Assessment will be done based on creativity, organization, development and understanding of task, and understanding of the process.
