For the film review, I definitely have to go with Mulan. I watched the movie because there is a lesson plan in the website and I used it in my class to teach characterization. It can also be used to teach plot. This is excellent piece of work that will definitely catch the attention of the students and hook them into the lesson. As they learn the English standards, the students are also learning about history, geography and so much about the Great Wall, which for them is only two words. The students will also learn about emotions, love, family love and duty, personal honor and group commitment, obedience and ingenuity.
(edited to add the film name to the post -- I assume this is the Disney Mulan)
edited by Clay Dube on 1/14/2013
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Mulan
05/24/2013 04:23 PM
#1
Mulan
First, please take a moment to go through the reviews to see if others have reviewed the same movie. If so, please post your review as a reply to the earlier review. This will help to foster discussion among the group.
I assume that the film reviewed above is the Disney version. Please consider adding additional detail to your reviews. When was the film released? How long is it?Who directed the film? Is there a website for the film. Does the website have additional resources (e.g., the lesson plan mentioned in the review above).
Here are a couple of useful links on Mulan:
Disney film: http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/mulan-special-edition.html
Disney Mulan on the Wikia site: http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Mulan
Here's a Time magazine article about the later live action film made in China:
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1944598,00.html
And here's a CCTV report about Mulan, the musical:
http://english.cntv.cn/program/centerstage/20120708/102741.shtml
Here's a Columbia DBQ based on the "Ballad of Mulan":
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/ps/china/mulan.pdf
I have allowed my APWH class to watch the film as a reward after the AP test. I created the attached handout of questions to answer as they watched the film. After viewing the film, they read the Ballad of Mulan - the same PDF that Prof Dube provided a link for above. They were then able to show how similar the film was to the poem. They referenced the film to show if there was bias and inaccurate information. They followed that up by describing how they could make this movie more historically accurate AND keep it entertaining.
edited by gsharpe on 1/16/2013
Mulan is a nice movie, but I think the teacher must be very engaged to teach the students all the information it has related to China and its History. Ive seen a lesson Using this movie without really teaching about China. Students love movies, but the teacher must be on the drive side, otherwise, it might just become a free day...You, the teacher know how rich the movie is, but the students do not, unless they have the correct guide.
I agree with you! I have also found that some students cannot watch a film straight through, so in the past I have showed them film clips to provide them examples, background knowledge, or to make a point. Also, with the limited amount of instructional time we have available, I find it difficult to show them an entire film.
This is a touching film, although I would probably lean towards having my students write a critique of the film's romanticization of the Chinese leadership and the blanket support from the people.
This sounds like a great movie to watch. I am not sure if this is the Disney adaptation or another movie that has been done. Either way I have not seem them, but would like to see how Asian culture are part of the movie.
Often students reference Mulan when we are studying ancient China. I think I used clips from it in my class many years ago. I recall is makes clear the distinction between insider and outsider--civilized and barbarian. I will rewatch it and see what is valuable for the History classroom. Thank you for the idea.
I do agree that students struggle to watch a whole movie. I usually break video resources into segments so that each makes a point or has a natural break for discussion and processing. I think this goes with the 10/2 rule based on brain research: only use a limited amount of direct lecture and then allow for processing.
edited by abrown on 4/9/2013
I found a lesson plan for Mulan in one of the threads. Initially I was hesitant of showing an entire film and losing out on all of those instructional minutes. I can see that some other teachers struggle with this as well. A film critique or just showing clips of the movie is what I will do with my students.