"I think. Therefore, I am. I am dangerous. I am challenged. I investigate. I think. I re-think. IB!
Recoup Assignment
How this works: When you have recoup hours with me, you will come in and work on the assignments below until your hours are complete. If you have more hours than work to do below, no worries! I have more. Just see me when all this is complete. (Oh, and do Mixed Ink!)
Overview: The purpose of an English class is to expose students to a plethora of perspectives in literature, music, television, and film. These forms, or genres, of storytelling allow us to step into the shoes of others, experience their stories, and understand how different cultures, time periods, and individual experiences shape the human condition.
Storytelling: Whether through a novel, a song, a film, or a TV show, we are presented with ideas that challenge us to think critically about the world and our place in it. As you go through these lessons, I want you to think about how this work—and the stories you consume in other media—broadens your perspective and what it reveals about the world around us.
When you finish each of these Modules, you will have explored and experimented with the dynamics, nuances, and other concepts across all four genres.
You will upload all assignments here.
Storytelling: Whether through a novel, a song, a film, or a TV show, we are presented with ideas that challenge us to think critically about the world and our place in it. As you go through these lessons, I want you to think about how this work—and the stories you consume in other media—broadens your perspective and what it reveals about the world around us.
When you finish each of these Modules, you will have explored and experimented with the dynamics, nuances, and other concepts across all four genres.
You will upload all assignments here.
Module 1. Music, Television, and Film
When looking at music’s function in television or film, we are really talking about how it works in the context of telling a story. Themes can relate to and make a musical statement about a character, an idea or a concept, or other aspect of the film.
Viewing Instructions: Watch the movie, Hair Love (2019). This Oscar-winning animated short tells a heartfelt story about a father learning to do his daughter’s hair. As you are watching the movie, annotate and take notes on how music is used.
Then, complete the following on your assignment in Google Drive:
Part A: Fill in the blank, providing a clear and concise explanation for each question. (10 pts.)
Part B: Rewrite the songs for the film. (10 pts.)
Part C: Analyze these album covers in detail. Then, choose three and write an analysis about them. Include the following (10 pts.):
Viewing Instructions: Watch the movie, Hair Love (2019). This Oscar-winning animated short tells a heartfelt story about a father learning to do his daughter’s hair. As you are watching the movie, annotate and take notes on how music is used.
Then, complete the following on your assignment in Google Drive:
Part A: Fill in the blank, providing a clear and concise explanation for each question. (10 pts.)
- What themes does the movie explore?
- How are those themes conveyed through the story and music and how do you know?
- In what ways do the characters’ actions and the musical choices work together to tell the story?
- Who wrote the songs in the film? Does it matter who writes songs for film? Why or Why not?
- Why do you think these songs were chosen?
- What mood does the music exude?
- Does the music add to or detract from the film? Explain?
- How does music in the film communicate ideas and feelings?
- What is a central, over-arching motif in the music that unifies the film?
- What is the function of the songs in this film? How do they support the themes or characters?
Part B: Rewrite the songs for the film. (10 pts.)
- If you had to rewrite the song list for this film, what songs would you choose? Why? Rewrite the song cycle with a new song list based on the themes you isolated from the film.
Part C: Analyze these album covers in detail. Then, choose three and write an analysis about them. Include the following (10 pts.):
- Meaning
- Interpretation
- S.P.E.E.C.H. systems that connect to their meaning
Module 2. Literature
Great stories rely on key literary devices like setting, character, conflict, and theme to create meaning, connection, and emotional impact. A film tells its story through a unique combination of visual, auditory, and narrative techniques.
As a writer, it is important to include literary devices—setting, plot, characterization, conflict, point of view, theme, tone, diction, language, figurative language, and even historical or cultural context to show how these elements work together to create meaning and evoke emotion. Writers must think about tone, diction, and figurative language that will bring their stories to life.
Complete the following on your assignment in Google Drive.
Part A: Write Your Own Micro-film (25 pts.)
Part B: Music. Once your story is complete, choose music that enhances its emotions and ideas, just like in film, to create a memorable experience for your audience. Write the playlist on your assignment in Google Drive. (10 pts.)
Part C: Design. In Canva or other design presentation tool, design an album cover for the soundtrack of your film, then copy and paste the link on your assignment in Google Drive. (15 pts.)
As a writer, it is important to include literary devices—setting, plot, characterization, conflict, point of view, theme, tone, diction, language, figurative language, and even historical or cultural context to show how these elements work together to create meaning and evoke emotion. Writers must think about tone, diction, and figurative language that will bring their stories to life.
Complete the following on your assignment in Google Drive.
Part A: Write Your Own Micro-film (25 pts.)
- Brainstorm Your Story
- Think about a moment, idea, or experience you want to turn into a story. It could be personal, fictional, or inspired by something you've seen or heard.
- Consider the theme or message of your story. What do you want your audience to feel or understand?
- Write a Short Narrative
- Write a 2–3 paragraph story that includes a beginning, middle, and end.
- Focus on the emotions or mood you want to create at key moments in your story.
- Choose Your Songs
- Think about how music can enhance your story. Select songs that match the tone, mood, or themes of your narrative.
- For each song, explain:
- Why you chose it: How does the song reflect the emotions or message of that part of your story?
- Where it fits: At what point in your story would the song play, and why?
- Write a Reflection
- In a short paragraph, reflect on how the songs add depth to your story. Consider statements like:
- How the music helps the audience connect with the characters or themes.
- How different would your story feel without the songs?
- In a short paragraph, reflect on how the songs add depth to your story. Consider statements like:
Part B: Music. Once your story is complete, choose music that enhances its emotions and ideas, just like in film, to create a memorable experience for your audience. Write the playlist on your assignment in Google Drive. (10 pts.)
Part C: Design. In Canva or other design presentation tool, design an album cover for the soundtrack of your film, then copy and paste the link on your assignment in Google Drive. (15 pts.)
- Make sure that the songs you chose from Part A are aligned with the themes you wrote in your film.
- On side one, create an album cover that expresses those theme(s) through the artwork. Be as creative and eccentric as you’d like as long as it’s school-appropriate. Use color. Do not turn in a pencil or pen-drawn project.
- Side two needs to be just as creative, but it needs to include your creative, new song list for the film.
Module 3. Reflection
The following letter must be typed, printed and turned in on your assignment in Google Drive. It must be typed in 12 pt. font, double-spaced and no less than five paragraphs with four to six sentences in each paragraph. (15 pts.)
Write a letter to yourself and your parents explaining the following:
The letter must also explain:
All the previous must be addressed in the letter). In addition to the correct formatting, your letter must include the following:
Write a letter to yourself and your parents explaining the following:
- How you found yourself in a position to need recoup hours.
- What could have done differently?
- What you will do differently moving forward?
The letter must also explain:
- Your personal and academic expectations of yourself
- Whether you have lived up to those expectations
- Why or why not
- What plans you have for your future toward setting and meeting some personal and academic expectations.
All the previous must be addressed in the letter). In addition to the correct formatting, your letter must include the following:
- Date
- Salutation
- Body
- Closing
- Signature
Due Date: At the end of your recoup hours for English.