The Wanderer The Movie

Students read the novel, The Wanderer by Sharon Creech. Students then discussed the important parts of the plot. We discussed how a novel becomes a movie and how the screenwriter must modify the plot of the book to work within the time restrictions of a film. We discussed in what way we could turn the novel into a movie. We came up with a format that the class developed. The class separated into groups of two. Each group was given 4 to 7 chapters. The groups job will be to turn their chapters into scenes for the overall screenplay. First students will pick out the most important parts of the plot line in their given chapters. Next they will create story boards for their scenes. We will come together as a class again to share story boards and to make sure our screenplay is cohesive. Once we have gone over the story boards, students will begin to write the dialog for their scenes. We will meet again as a whole group to share our written scenes and begin the film creating process. Students will divide up into different production groups. This lesson lends itself to accommodating all the learning modalities.

The physical learner will be able to build and design sets or perform as an actor. The visual learner will take on the directing, organizing and producing, the auditory learner will work on script adjustment and editing and finally the tactile learners will design the sets, scenery and costuming. The lesson will allow each student to use their strengths as well as requiring students to pull together their individual talents as a group to create a short film.

We will use all the resources we have available for production at our school. We will will plan out where each scene will be filmed. The setting is modern times so their are no special costume needs. We will need to gather props and scenery. Students will create of a list of needed items and we will actively seek donated items from the community.

Students will be able to recognize the important aspects of the plot. Students will be able to retell and summarize the story. Students will understand the work required to write and produce a screenplay. Students will have a general knowledge of the different jobs available in the film industry.