Kick-Ass: Story Writing - Narratives

This film has some scenes which show violence, and I would never recommend them for the EFL/ESL classes. This scene, though, does not, and it is great for story telling/ narrative writing. In fact, it is a very attractive segment. Make sure your audience consists of adults.

I. Watch the movie segments with sounds off. Pay attention to the strips so you can come up with the story itself. If necessary, watch it twice with sounds off.

II. Work in pairs. Write down a story for the strips. Use your imagination and be creative.

III. Read your stories out loud.

IV. Watch the segments with sounds on now. Compare your stories. Which group wrote the closest ideas to what was shown in the segment.

V. Role play the story.

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - KICK ASS

THERE IS NOT A WORKSHEET FOR THIS ACTIVITY BECAUSE IT IS NOT NECESSARY

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: As x Like

This movie is wonderful. The idea is so original that it makes you wonder how life would be if it were true. I used this amazing scene to contrast the use of like and as, a very barren grammar point that becomes more interesting with the use of a movie segment to entice the students.








Talk to a partner. Decide if you agree with these statements about animal testing. Justify your answers:

"Animals are here for humans to use. If we have to sacrifice 1,000 or 100,000 animals in the hope of benefiting one child, it's worth it."

"Science has a responsibility to use animals to keep looking for cures for all the horrible diseases that people suffer from."


"If we didn't use animals, we'd have to test new drugs on people."


"If people will benefit from the experiments, it is not relevant whether the animals suffer or not."


I. Watch the segment and complete the blanks with LIKE or AS.







1. ___________ we know, animal testing is controversial.

2. The chimp is _________ a friend to the doctor.

3. She is as smart _____________ a human being.

4. __________ expected, she was unable to complete the puzzle at first, before taking the new drug.

5. She behaved _______________ if he were completely out of control.

6. She is agile, ___________ most monkeys.

7. The doctor works ___________ a genetic engineer, researching the cure of Alzheimer.

8. ___________ a doctor, he suggested that more money be invested in therapies to treat brain disorders.



Answer key:

1. as 2. like 3. as 4. as 5. as 6. like 7. as 8. as



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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Killers: Have You Ever... ? x Would You Ever...?

This movie did not meet my expectations, but this scene is perfect for contrasting the use of have you ever x would you ever.

I. Check the items with the activities that you have already done at least once in your life time.

1. swim in the ocean

2. buy a new dress (shirt) to go on a first date

3. go snorkling

4. sail on a yacht

5. fight with a stranger

6. give or receive flowers on a first date

7. lie on the first date

8. hide from your parents in a public place

II. Watch the segment and check who performs the activities above, the guy or the girl.

III. Ask a partner the following questions.

Follow the pattern:

Ex:

S1 - Have you ever … (swum in the ocean)?

S2 - Yes, I have.

OR

S1 - Have you ever swum in the ocean?

S2 - No, I haven't.

S3 - Would you ever swim in the ocean?

S2 - Yes, I would / Sure, I would / No, never.

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - KILLERS

Astro Boy: To be Supposed to x To be Able to

This animated movie is amusing. I had a lot of fun in the theater with my little niece. I used this scene to contrast the use of to be supposed to x to be able to.




A. This scene takes place in the future. Watch the scene and write down 5 things that robots will be supposed to do in the future, according to the segment:

1.......................................................
2......................................................
3......................................................
4......................................................
5.....................................................

B. Now watch the second segment from the same movie. Make a list of 5 things that robots will be able to do and that humans can't do nowadays.

1................................................
2................................................
3................................................
4................................................
5................................................

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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - ASTRO BOY - PART 1

MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - ASTRO BOY - PART 2

The Ghost Writer: Giving Directions - Imperative Forms

This movie is amazing. I love Roman Polanski's films and this one is no exception. This scene is great because of the clear instructions given by the car's GPS.

I. Read the instruction the driver received from his GPS while driving to his destination. Choose the right verbs from the given ones below before watching the video.

You may repeat them.

TURN - PROCEED - JOIN - MAKE - TAKE

1. __________ road when possible.

2. In 200 yards, ____________ left.

3. __________ around when possible.

4. _____________ to the indicated route.

5. In 200 yards, ____________ the next exit.

6. In half a mile, _________ a short right turn.

You have reached your destination!

II. Now watch the segment and check your answers.

Answers: 1. join, 2. turn, 3. turn, 4. proceed, 5. take, 6. make


II. Work with a partner. Choose 2 easy-to-reach destinations in your city and give each other instructions to get there driving.

Ex: From Park Shopping to Carrefour.



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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE GHOST WRITER

The Green Zone: Scanning - Teaching Reading

Of course Scanning is not a grammar point, but it is a technique we teach students to read better. Since many readings are sources for grammar points, I used this segment to have students practice scanning for information in a written text.



Scanning is a technique to search for key words or ideas. In most cases, you know what you're looking for, so you're concentrating on finding a particular answer. Scanning involves moving your eyes quickly down the page seeking specific words and phrases. When scanning, look for the author's use of organizers such as numbers, letters, steps, or the words, first, second, or next. Look for words that are bold faced, italics, or in a different font size, style, or color.

I. You will watch a scene of an invetigator scanning for information. He googles Lawn Dayne / Wall Street Journal / WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction). Scan the information along with the main character in the movie and write down all key words and data you can see.

II. Watch the segment again and complete your data collection.

II. Work with a partner and come up with an article summarizing the information you put together. You may use your imagination to come up with an interesting article. Don't forget to add a title to your article.







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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE GREEN ZONE

Radio Days: While x During

Woody Allen is one of my favorite directors. I don't usually find scenes for my purposes, but this movie is full of them. I think this scene is fantastic because burglars end up helping the family they are robbing. I used it to practice the difference between the use of while and during.

A. Watch the movie segment and decide if the best alternative is while or during.

1. The phone rang while / during they were robbing the Needleman's house.

2. The burglars answered he phone while / during the robbery.

3. The TV host called the Needlemans while / during the radio show.

4. They were supposed to guess that tune while / during the band was playing it.

5. The Needlemans received the winning prize while / during they were standing on the porch.

6. The Needlemans were so surprised that they didn't do anything while / during the delivery.

Answer key:

1. while 2. during 3. during 4. while 5. while 6. during

B. Now write down 3 things that you do:





While you are talking on the phone.



1 ........................................................

2 .......................................................

3 ......................................................





During a party:



1 ......................................................

2 .....................................................

3 .....................................................



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MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - RADIO DAYS