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!

Nonfiction: Why bring a child into this world? - A film by Unilever

Nonfiction:  Why bring a child into this world? - A film by Unilever

WE BELIEVE WE CAN CREATE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN. SEE THE POSSIBILITIES AND GET INVOLVED.

Before viewing the film answer the following question:

Why bring a child into this world?

After viewing the film answer the following question:

What is your initial reaction to the film?

If you were one of the parents shown the horrific images in the film would you still want to bring a child into this world?

What is Project Sunlight?

To find out more:  CLICK HERE

Now, Start Scribbling!

Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

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

Short Film: Margo Lily

After looking at the picture, what do you think this story will be about?  Now, watch the film.

Margo Lily from Dane Clark & Linsey Stewart on Vimeo.

1.     What are these two people doing?  Why do you think they are doing this   activity? (Initiating Event)

Stop the film at 45 seconds and answer the first question.  Continue the film after hearing student responses.

2.     After hearing the steps read by the woman, what do you think has happened?

Skip between 2:30-2:37 continue the film

3.     What has gone wrong with their plan?

4.     What is the climax of the story?

5.     How does the couple solve the problem?

6.     Why do you think they needed to carry through with their original plan?

7.     Write a one sentence summary of "Margo Lily".

8.     What is the universal conflict of the film?

9.     What is the mood of this piece?

10.    What is the theme of this short film?

11.    The tree is a METAPHOR for what?

Summary:

A couple goes ahead with a placenta burial ceremony in their backyard despite suffering a stillbirth. But with the earth frozen, their conflicting emotions surface when they can't dig a hole. Not willing to give up, they find an unlikely way to help heal their broken hearts.

Further commentary on the short film:

Margo Lily

A couple comes to terms with the loss of their child.

It's not terribly difficult to make a sad film. All you need is a forlorn character and their struggle against either themselves, or some external factor. What's more difficult is to develop a sense of hope in both audience and protagonist after a prolonged period of difficulty. Dave Clark and Linsey Stewart's 'Margo Lily' does that wonderfully.

The film follows the lives of a couple trying to come to terms with the loss of their unborn child. The event itself happened some time before we meet the pair, as they try to commemorate the passing by burying the foetus under a tree. But they have a problem, the ground is frozen. While the man thinks they abandon the project, his partner insists they continue. The fissure in the relationship creates this huge vacuum for tenderness and understanding, which is filled from a seriously unlikely source.

Where 'Margo Lily' succeeds is in its ability to highlight the smaller aspects of what keeps two people together in the face of tragic events. The cinematography maintains a tight focus on both characters at all times, relying purely on facial expression and darkness to give the story its emotional tone. At times 'Margo Lily' is a sombre film, but through a little comic relief, it becomes one of hope and optimism, and not some broken record of pain and suffering.

Written By: Matthew Hussey

Now, Start Scribbling!
Happy Writing!

The Writing Whisperer

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