Tuesday, April 23, 2013

FrankenStudent Page

Background Knowledge Builder

To understand the context of Frankenstein,
check out these links:

Frankenstein the novel
Natural Philosophy                                                                           
Galvanism                                                                                               
Alchemy                                                                                                          
                                                                                                 
"Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow."
-Dr. Victor Frankenstein

PreReading Activities

Video Clips:
(motivational/generating interest)
(motivational/generating interest)
(previewing text)
(building background knowledge)
(building background knowledge)

During Reading Activities

by NewPoliticalVoices Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4...
by Tom O'Bedlam Chapter 5

video clips at 60SecondRecap.com


Frankenstein full text online

Supplementary Texts

Short Stories:

Poems:
"Darkness" by Lord Byron - excerpt video clip

Articles:

Novels:
Monster by Walter Dean Meyers (juxtapose this text to develop critical thinking/questioning)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson movie clip
The Golem by Isaac Bashevis Singer
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

Anthologies:
The Mammoth Book of Frankenstein Editor: Stephen Jones


Frankenstein In the Movies

Reviews and Trailers: FrankensteinFilms.com

Also check out: Frankenstein in Popular Culture on Wikipedia.org

1910 Frankenstein (Short) full movie available at YouTube

Popular Culture Research Starter

Frankenstein was published almost 200 years ago, but the themes, motifs, and characters in Mary Shelley's novel, continue to surface in popular culture today.
For your research project, Influences of Frankenstein in Popular Culture, here are some great places to start exploring:
Ideas for Narrowed Research Topics:
  • Frankenstein in Comics
  • Frankenstein and Halloween
  • Frankenstein’s Derivative Works
  • Evolution of the Horror fiction
  • Frankenstein’s Children (monster's inspired by Frankenstein)

Teaching Tools

Links to some great resources for teaching Frankenstein in high school:


FrankensteinFilms.com Trailers and Video Clips!
Great Links Page and Powerpoints

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Monday, April 22, 2013

Creating A Monster

Research Project Instructions: In your group, you will explore how Frankenstein has influenced popular culture for nearly 200 years, through guided research. You will be doing some individual research, but you will also be accountable to your group, and you will combine your research and collaborate on blog postings. The product of this research will be a blog post on this class blog. –Due at the end of this unit.

Check off these steps as you go:
  1. Accept invitation in your email to join this blog as a contributor.
  2. Meet in your group, and start your research by exploring the background info and research starters on FrankenStudent
    Brainstorm ideas and decide on a narrow topic to research.
    “Influences of Frankenstein on popular culture” is our broad topic. You will choose a narrower focus within that topic. Examples: Frankenstein in Comics, Frankenstein and Halloween, Frankenstein’s Derivative Works, Evolution of Horror fiction, etc.
  • Plan your research and divide the work among your group members.
  • As you research, take notes, keep a file of saved images (don’t forget to credit the source of these images), and copy and paste URLs you want to use as links and to credit the sources of your information. You may want to keep track of this information in a Google doc or similar format.
  • Meet with your group again to discuss findings and pool your resources.
  • Decide how you will present the information on the blog. You will need to include:
    ___an interesting title.
    ___an overview/summary that states a thesis involving your narrowed topic. Example thesis statement: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein marked the beginning of an entire new genre in fiction that we now call Horror. Or: Frankenstein’s monster has been the most popular Halloween motif since the beginning of American celebrations of the holiday.
    ___examples, evidence and support for your claim, (give credit to your sources!)
    ___relevant images and links
    ___concluding remarks
    NOTE: Although this will not be a formal essay, it should include the same elements, just presented in a more entertaining format    .
  • Post blog by due date (check with teacher for date).
    • Grades are based on sufficient evidence of the above requirements, as well as equal participation of all group members, and timely submission. 100 points possible—all group member receive the same grade.

    When all submissions are in, the class will review the blog and vote on the most original/interesting/well-presented/entertaining blog post, and that group will receive 10 extra credit points!!
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    Film Fright Night

    Film Assignment Instructions: You are responsible for meeting with your group to view one of the many film adaptions of Frankenstein. After viewing the film, you will discuss it, write a review of the film and post it on this–Due at the end of this unit.

    Check off these steps as you go:
    1. Meet in your group, and choose a date, time, and place that will work for everyone. The classroom will be available after school from 3-5pm by appointment for groups in need of a place for viewing (please indicate viewing device needed).
    2. Visit FrankensteinFilms.com and check out all the different films that were produced. Narrow down a list of a few your group is interested in.
    3. Check the availability of films. You can order it at the public library, rent it at a store, look up cable TV schedules, use Netflix, or find some other legal way of accessing a film.
      NOTE: There are no excuses for not being able to obtain a copy of Frankenstein, as there are many versions, as well as many routes to entertainment today.
    4. Choose a film and make arrangements for accessing it.
    5. View the film with your group.
    6. Discuss the film:
    7. Write a review for the blog. Include:
      a. Film information: Date, director, producer, cast, etc.
      b. Brief synopsis of the film (in your own words)
      c. How it was adapted from the book or compares with the book
      d. Most compelling part of the film
      e. Disappointing part (if there was one)
      f. Rate it (you can make up your own scale—thumbs up, stars, etc)
      g. Include an image or link
    8. Post it.
    Grades are based on sufficient evidence of the above requirements, as well as equal participation of all group members, and timely submission. 40 points possible—all group member receive the same grade.
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