For my project this block, Staci and I are working on a media literacy project focused on teaching satire through an episode of The Simpsons.
In place of class today, Staci and I worked in the library on our lesson plan. For those interested in using The Simpsons material in the classroom, first consult my del.icio.us page which includes parodies from literary novels and plays, but also consult this webpage on Simpsons material.
Our project will show the episode entitled "Bart Gets an Elephant." The synopsis is as follows:
In a KBBL Radio Contest, Bart is given a choice of $10,000 or an Elephant, stupidly, Bart choses the elephant. They fail to give Bart the elephant because they expected him to pick the money. Bart complains, and with the two workers jobs at stake, Bart is given an elephant. Bart names it Stampy. Homer gets the idea to charge people for elephant rides, and to see the elephant, but he realizes he doesn't make enough money to support his family, and the elephant. Bart refuses to give the elephant to the Ivory Dealer, but that was Homer's suggestion. Homer got stuck in a tar pit, and Stampy pulled him to safety, and Homer gave Stampy to the Zoo out of respect.
As you can see from the material here, students will form an understanding of satire from this episode. They will use multiple interpretations of this text to see what the writers of The Simpsons are saying about societial issues and ideas. I liked this particular episode because it focuses on economic exploitation and exploitation of natural resoruces/animals. This is a prevalent issue in the world right now, especially with global warming, of which I am extremely opiniated and concerned over.
The episode also emulates the "American Dream" and greed, which are also interesting and necessary issues to tackle in the classroom. The homework assignment to follow would be to have students find examples of satire in the world around them, from movies, TV shows, the internet, books, comic strips, plays, etc.
Satire exists everywhere, but showing students in the form of a play from the 1900s will not appeal to them. The Simpsons are very popular among adolescents, so this activity will defintely grab student attention and show how relevant satire is to their everyday lives.
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9 comments:
Your project sounds very interesting, especially because there are SO many teenagers that watch The Simpons. Great choice to incorporate into the classroom! I never realized how great of an idea it was to use a movie to show characterization, time setting, etc in the classroom until Chris presented it to us on the field trip. What a great way to gain the students attention and conduct a lesson. Sounds like your group is on a great path to accomplishing just those goals!
Who and/what is being satirized here? What definition(s) of satire are you working with Jami?
How do the principles of media literacy work here? I'd use the PLS principles: http://www.ithaca.edu/looksharp/resources_12principles.php
The PLS website also asks 5 or 6 key concepts and questions I would also use in developing this project. They are:
Five Key Concepts of Media Literacy
All media messages are "constructed."
Each medium has different characteristics, strengths, and a unique "language" of construction.
Different people interpret the same media message in different ways.
Media messages are produced for particular purposes, including profit, persuasion, education, and artistic expression.
Media have embedded values and points of view.
Six Questions to Ask about Any Media Message
Who made - and who sponsored - this message, and for what purpose?
Who is the target audience, and how is the message specifically tailored to them?
What are the different techniques used to inform, persuade, entertain, and attract attention?
What messages are communicated (and/or implied) about certain people, places, events, behaviors, lifestyles, etc.?
How current, accurate, and credible is the information in this message?
What is left out of this message that might be important to know?
Some of the principles and the PLS questions/concepts will apply better to an episode of The Simpsons than others?
Another suggestion about your assignment--do you want students to be content consumers or content creators? Hopefully, the latter for 307.
Think about your asking kids to find other examples...great beginning...but what might follow it?
And how will you present this "lesson?" What media will you use?
The Simpsons is an interesting show.The show is very Funny and the Animation of the show is also good. To Download Simpsons episodes Click here as i have been downloaded the show from here.
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