Writing: Pay It Forward

A Writing Assignment based on an adaptation of a lesson found on Film English:  The lesson will be used in connection with the teaching of the dramatization of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  Connections will be made concerning the transformation of the protagonist, Scrooge, from  the miserly man he was prior to his visitation by the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to, the man he became after the visits.

Describe the boy in the picture?

Based on his appearance, what do you think he’s like as a person?

How do you think he is feeling in this moment?

Predict what’s happening in the picture?

Now, after looking at the picture and answering the questions, what do you think the film you are about to see is about?

[Discuss answers in groups and as a class]

Watch the film entitled "Giving"

Giving - Thai Commercial Truemove H - [English Subtitles]

Were any of your predictions about the film correct?

How did the film make you feel?

What is the theme or message of the film?

What does "Pay It Forward" mean?

According to the Film English it means the following:

It means that if somebody does something kind to you, you should do something kind to another person without expecting anything in return. This has become a global movement. In 2000, Catherine Ryan Hyde's novel Pay It Forward was published and adapted into a film, Pay It Forward. In Ryan Hyde's book and movie it is described as an obligation to do three good deeds for others in response to a good deed that one receives. Such good deeds should accomplish things that the other person cannot accomplish on their own. In this way, the practice of helping one another can spread geometrically through society, at a ratio of three to one, creating a social movement with the impact of making the world a better place.

Message or Theme of the Film:

The message of "Giving" is that we should pay it forward. The restaurant owner is kind to the child and expects nothing in return. However, his kindness has a profound influence on the young boy who subsequently dedicates his life to helping others and becomes an eminent surgeon. The restaurant owner’s life is saved by the surgeon who waves his fee because of the restaurant owner’s previous kindness to him.

Examples of Pay It Forward from Film English:

Collect cans of non perishable foods and give them to charities or organizations who would benefit 

Collect books and distribute to needy groups 

Buy the train or bus ticket for the person behind you 

Donate some of your professional services to someone in need on the day, for example - free hour consultation 

Buy a stranger a cup of coffee 

On a rainy day, buy a few umbrella's and give them to those who don't have one and are getting wet.

 Watch the second Film:

What do you think of each deed and would you do them them yourself?

Write five (5) "Pay it Forward" actions you would be prepared to carry out.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Share responses in groups and as a class.



What does the quote “Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns,” mean to you?

Share responses in groups and as a class.


Share quotes from slides:  Click Here
 Real Life Example:  Click Here

Writing Time:

Using one of the quotes from the slides develop an opening sentence(s) to introduce a paper entitled "Giving" or "Pay it Forward".

Share sentence(s) as a group

Now, the real writing begins, use the sentence(s) you developed to start your paper. The paper must include/explain the five (5) acts of kindness you listed earlier.

Use a different quote from the one used in the opening sentence(s) from the slides to develop a closing sentence(s) for your paper.

FOR PRE-WRITING DOCUMENT/WORKSHEET: CLICK HERE 

Interesting Article:  HAPPINESS = GRATITUDE + GENEROSITY + SINCERITY

Sample Lesson plans for a Lesson using Pay it Forward: 

Click Here


aDDING ON TO THIS IDEA OF gRATTITUDE:


Film English 365 Grateful:  CLick Here


ADDITIONAL LINKS ON THE WRITING WHISPERER FOR THIS LESSON:


Link 1 More Examples of Pay It Forward and the Giving Tree

Now, Start Scribbling!

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of the Written Word!