Lesson Plan #: CC-0075

Lesson 4: Films of the 1920s


Objectives: The student will be able to:

1. watch films from the 1920s.

2. discuss films from the 1990s.

3. compare the films from the two time periods.


Description of lesson/activity:

1. The teacher should introduce this lesson by describing the importance and popularity of motion pictures during this period of time.

2. The teacher should show part or all of a film from the early 1920s-1926 (a silent film). Students might especially enjoy a comedy starring Charlie Chaplin or a swash- buckling adventure featuring Douglas Fairbanks. Many such films are available throu gh school libraries or as rental films.

3. After reviewing the silent film, the students should identify differences between this film and a movie they might see today. Similarities should also be noted.

4. The teacher should then show part of a film from 1926-1933 (a "talkie"). The first "talkie" was Al Jolson's _Jazz Singer_, but students might also enjoy a Shirley Temple film or even King Kong (1933).

5. The students should again identify differences and similarities between this film and a movie they might see today.

6. As a culminating activity, students might write a scene for a silent film about a situation/topic assigned by the teacher. Students could then act out their "silent film" for the class, while the teacher videotapes the scene on black and white film, w ith no sound. When finished, students could watch their silent films.