History
Many movies dramatize important events or illustrate a way of life in years gone by.
Others show a broad sweep of historical events over a long period of time. The past
can be something that happened last week or many centuries ago.
· Choose a period of time relevant to your current topic of study. Consider the events
of the time and write your script based upon describing the situation leading up to an
important event. Alternatively, write a script that shows the life or lives of the people
of that time. When you create your own script and watch other people's movies,
consider the dialogue. Most of the time, we really don't know what people said
to each other. We have to infer it from various documents that describe events and
personalities. So, history is very subject to interpretation. This is your opportunity to
interpret history.
Social Studies
· Research your family background. From where did your ancestors come? Who is the
oldest person in your family? Interview that person by phone, mail, e-mail or face-to-
face. From that information, what do you think is the most interesting aspect of your
family's history? Choose one aspect of your family history to dramatize. Also include
some photographs and take stop-motion shots so you can include them in your film.
· What is the story of your life? Make a timeline of your life. Create stop-motion images
(from photographs or using models) of yourself at different ages. Add images of your
drawings, writings, play activities at different stages. Write a voice-over narration of
your life.
· Create a play and a set for your LEGO mini-figures to describe how important aspects
of society work. For example, have one of the mini-figures run for office, e.g. for
mayor or president. What do candidates do to reach people (give speeches, debate
opponents, develop commercials)? What happens on election day? Where do people
go to vote? How do the candidates and others react when someone wins or loses?
· Create a television commercial for a product. Ask certain people to view the
commercial. Interview them to find out how the commercial influenced their opinion.
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