Analyzing the Differences between a Novel and the Movie Version

I feel like this is a tough standard to teach. My students just finished reading Lord of the Flies and are now watching the old version of the movie and the new version. I gave them a triple column graphic organizer where they need to record differences between the novel, the old movie, and the new movie. From there, I want them consider why the director chose to make the changes he/she made in the movie and what the desired effect was with the changes. Then we ask ourselves which format was most effective in getting the central themes of the novel across?

I've done this type of activity before, and while my kids can identify the changes between the three versions, they have a tougher time concluding which is the most effective. But the way I see it is that my students are getting exposed to this kind of reflection and questioning. They are experimenting . . . wetting their feet.

Let's see how today goes. My 8th graders will finish watching the newer version of the film and then we'll spend the rest of the period discussing what we saw and what we think.

Recharging My Batteries . . .

Winter break is a couple of days away, and I can't wait to hear that final bell ring on Friday. I've been so distracted lately. Teaching is my passion, don't get me wrong, but I'm in a burn out zone right now. With so much stress happening in my personal life, I'm kind of fixating on seeing my family and creating some happy memories with them. It's important to me that  my girls spend time with their family.

As far as what we're doing in class, we're reading Lord of the Flies. The majority of my students seem to be having a difficult time reading and understanding what is going on. William Golding's writing, as far as the mechanics and structure of it, is a lot more complex than what they're used to.

But the few students who are reading and comprehending and analyzing keep motivated. It's nice to see students truly engaging with the themes and central ideas of literature.

Sticking With It

There are times, many times actually, when I start a  novel with my students, and they complain the whole way through. As tempting as it is to just give in to them and move on to something else, I feel it's important to stick with it. Push through the tough language, the confusing plot line (confusing due to low comprehension), and the urge to just quit and read something "more fun".

My students and have been reading Lord of the Flies. To be honest, this was my first time reading it. I vaguely remember being assigned the novel in high school, but I didn't read it. I guess I can see the issues my students have with it, but it's important that I push them and not let them quit. Now that we're in the last chapter, I'm hearing things like, "Now it's getting good!" and "So many things are happening now."

The Common Core has definitely changed the level of rigor I'm bringing to the students as far as reading materials. Today, after we finish the last chapter, we're going to finish both films (new and old version) before going into a further analysis of the novel. We'll be looking more closely at characterization, conflict, how the setting influences the plot, irony, and theme. In addition, we'll be comparing and contrasting the two versions of the film and the novel to see which we found most effective in relaying the themes/messages.

I'm glad I pushed through. I'm rewarding my kids with a more engaging novel that they'll easily relate to--Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. It's a great book to teach Voice, characterization, and themes as well.

After that, we'll do The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Night (an/or The Diary of Anne Frank: the Play)  and Romeo and Juliet. With my ESL, we'll be reading the graphic novel version of Treasure Island. If time allows in both classes, I'd like to do at least two literature circles.

Gotta head out. The bell is going to ring and my READ 180 kids will be piling in.

Teach Your Heart Out,

Jenn