Lesson Plan: Analysis of "Parasite" - Focusing on Characters and Conflict

General Information:

• Subject: English
• Year Level: Year 13
• Duration: Two lessons, 55 minutes each
• Date: [Insert Date Here]
• Teacher Name: [Insert Teacher Name Here]
• Class Size: 24 students

Curriculum Area:

• NZ Curriculum Standard: NCEA Level 3, Standard AS91477 (3.2) - Respond critically to specified aspect(s) of studied written text(s), supported by evidence
• Achievement Objective: Students will analyse how characters and conflict drive the narrative in the film "Parasite". Students will present a detailed written analysis that connects these elements to broader themes and filmmaker techniques.

Lesson Overview:

This two-part lesson sequence is designed to help Year 13 students critically engage with the film "Parasite," focusing particularly on its character development and the central conflicts. The goal is for students to understand how these elements contribute to the text’s meaning and audience’s experience, supporting their findings with specific evidence from the film.

Resources Needed:

• A classroom with a projector and sound system to watch clips from the film.
• Access to the full movie "Parasite" for reference.
• Writing materials for note-taking and essay writing.
• NCEA Level 3 English resources

Lesson 1: Introduction to Characters and their Conflicts

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify key characters in "Parasite" and describe their roles.
2. Analyse how the director, Bong Joon-ho, uses these characters to develop conflicts.
3. Begin drafting an essay focusing on one major conflict or character interaction in the film.

Activities:

Introduction (10 minutes):

• Brief recap of "Parasite," its plot and its significance.
• Introduction to the NCEA Level 3 standards and assessment criteria.

Film Analysis (20 minutes):

• Watch selected scenes from "Parasite" that highlight major conflicts and character interactions (e.g., the flooding scene, and the discovery of the secret basement).
• Class discussion on initial observations about characters and conflicts.

Group Work (20 minutes):

• Students break into groups of 4.
• Each group is assigned a specific character or conflict to analyse.
• Prepare a short presentation to the class detailing the character’s role or the nature of the conflict, using specific scenes as evidence.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• Recap of what was discussed and a short Q&A session.
• Homework: Students choose one character or conflict to focus on for their essay and begin gathering specific examples from the film.

Lesson 2: Constructing Critical Essays

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how to structure a critical response essay.
2. Develop a thesis statement based on character analysis or conflict.
3. Write a draft of the essay, integrating textual evidence.

Activities:

Essay Writing Workshop (10 minutes):

• Review essay structure: Introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion.
• Discuss how to integrate direct quotes and examples from the film into an analytical essay.

Individual Work (30 minutes):

• Students begin drafting their essays, focusing on their previously chosen character or conflict.
• Teacher circulates to provide feedback and guidance.

Peer Review (10 minutes):

• Students pair up to exchange drafts and provide feedback on clarity, use of evidence, and argument strength.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

• Overview of progress made and discussion of next steps for essays.
• Reminder of submission deadlines and the importance of proofreading.

Assessment:

• Students will be assessed on their written essays, which should critically analyse either a key character or a conflict in "Parasite".
• Essays should meet the criteria outlined in the NCEA Level 3 assessment specifications.

This lesson plan ensures that students engage with core filmic and narrative elements of "Parasite" to foster deep critical thinking and analytical writing skills in alignment with New Zealand's educational standards for Year 13 English.