Lesson Plan: Exploring Culture and Identity through "Whale Rider"

Subject: English

Year Level: Year 9

Duration: 60 Minutes

Class Size: 24 Students

Location: New Zealand

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Curriculum Area and Level:

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum for English-medium schools. Specifically, it addresses the objectives found in the English Learning Area at Level 5 where students interact with and create texts to show their understanding of ideas within and across texts.

Refer to "New Zealand Curriculum - English" for detailed curriculum standards.

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Lesson Overview:

This lesson focuses on the film "Whale Rider" to explore themes of culture, identity, and gender roles within a contemporary and traditional context. Through discussion, analysis, and creative response, students will deepen their understanding of how narrative forms convey cultural themes.

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Learning Objectives:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Analyse how specific techniques (camera angles, soundtrack, dialogue) in the film "Whale Rider" enhance the storytelling and convey thematic messages.
2. Discuss the representation of Māori culture and how it relates to themes of identity and leadership in the film.
3. Reflect on how the themes of the movie connect with their own experiences of culture and identity.

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Resources Needed:

• TV/Digital Projector setup to play a DVD or stream the movie "Whale Rider."
• Copies of select scenes from "Whale Rider" for detailed analysis.
• Whiteboard and markers.
• Worksheet for students to record their thoughts and responses (to be provided by the teacher).

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Lesson Plan Details:

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Brief Overview: Introduce the film "Whale Rider," discussing its significance in New Zealand cinema and its portrayal of Māori culture.
• Engagement Question: Ask students what they know about Māori traditions and the importance of storytelling in preserving culture.

Viewing and Analysis (20 minutes)

• Film Clips: Show selected clips from "Whale Rider" that focus on key moments displaying cultural practices, conflicts, or significant interactions between characters.
• Guided Discussion: Lead a discussion on the techniques used in these clips:
  • How does the camera work enhance the emotional impact?
  • What does the dialogue reveal about the characters and their relationships?
  • How does the soundtrack contribute to the atmosphere?

Group Activity (15 minutes)

• Group Breakout: Divide students into groups to analyse different aspects of the film (e.g., character development, cultural representation, theme exploration).
• Task: Each group will create a brief presentation on their findings, focusing on how these aspects contribute to the overall impact of the film.

Presentation and Sharing (10 minutes)

• Group Presentations: Groups present their findings to the class.
• Class Discussion: Facilitate a discussion based on the presentations, guiding students to connect the film's themes with broader cultural and social issues.

Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Reflective Writing Prompt: Ask students to write a short paragraph on how the themes of "Whale Rider" relate to their own experiences or societal roles.
• Wrap-up: Recap the lesson’s goals and how the activities have contributed to understanding the set objectives.

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Assessment:

• Participation in class discussions.
• Group presentation content and delivery.
• Quality and depth of the reflective writing piece.

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Extensions:

• Encourage students to research other films or texts that portray indigenous cultures and compare them to "Whale Rider."
• Set up a debate on the role of tradition in modern society using themes explored in the movie.

This lesson plan ensures that students not only understand the artistic elements of film but also appreciate deeper cultural values and their applications in understanding diverse identities.