Degrassi Activities: Beyond Entertainment

I believe that in order to successfully utilize a movie or television show in the classroom one needs to follow some steps to ensure that the viewing doesn't just become a chance to "tune-out" what is going on in class. These are some of the ways I thought of, and devised by reading the teachers guide for Episode 303.

I think these activities would be great in an Advisory or guidance class. The videos are only 22mins long, leaving time for discussion before and after the viewing.

PART ONE: Before you Watch

1. Setting the Context
2. Sharing Your Knowledge
3. Preview Questions
4. Building Vocabulary (Slang/Expressions)
5. Making Predictions

This first section sets the context for the major social issue in the episode and allows students to activate their "background knowledge" on the issue. This puts students in the frame of mind for learning, and not just entertainment.

PART TWO: After You Watch

1. Understanding Detail/Breakdown Session
Exercise 1: Putting Names to Faces
Exercise 2: When Did it Happen?
Exercise 3: Who Is It?
Exercise 4: Who Said It?
Exercise 5: True or False?

2. Discussing Characters and Stories
3. Writing About the Episode
4. Debate Ideas From the Episode Exercise

PART THREE: Going Beyond the Video

1. Discussing Issues
2. Connecting to Community
3. Journal Writing

The activities in this section are aimed at extending and expanding students' understanding and experience of the specific episode, requiring them to reflect on the issues raised and relate them to their own experience, values, and culture. I want students to see television in a different light, and by guiding them through the process of intellectualizing the episode, they might begin to make better viewing choices.