Seeking Justice: To Kill a Mockingbird (2020)

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 6

8th Grade

Lesson 14 of 35

Objective


Analyze the extent to which the filmmakers have stayed faithful to or departed from the original text of To Kill a Mockingbird by comparing and contrasting text and film.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee  — chapter 15

  • Movie: To Kill a Mockingbird  — 1:00:00–1:07:55

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Compare the scene from the text (pages 172–176) and film (1:03:55–1:07:55) where the children arrive in front of the jail and face the mob. Consider timeline, plot events, dialogue, characters, and character actions. Provide at least three specific details that demonstrate how the film stayed faithful to the original text.

Sample Response

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Key Questions


  • Compare the scene where Atticus talks to Heck Tate in the text (pages 164–166) to the film version of their conversation (1:00:00–1:01:15). Think about timeline, plot events, dialogue, and character actions. Provide at least two specific details that demonstrate how the film stayed faithful to or departed from the text.
  • Compare the scene from the text and film where the children decide to follow Atticus (page 169, minutes 1:01:15–1:01:38). Provide at least two specific details that demonstrate how the film stayed faithful to or departed from the text.
  • Discussion: Why do you think that the filmmakers stayed so faithful to the scene in front of the jail? Is the experience of watching and reading the scene different? Is one more effective in communicating mood and meaning?

Lesson Guidance


Notes

  • Because it will take significant time to play the film in today’s lesson, there are only two key questions. You may wish to have students read through the key questions and target task, then play the scene through from beginning to end and then replay specific sections, or pause at different sections during the first viewing.

Homework

  • Read To Kill a Mockingbird, chapters 16 and 17.

Common Core Standards


  • RL.8.7 — Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
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Lesson 13

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Lesson 15

Lesson Map

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