Literacy Session Using Children's Popular Culture

We have decided to base our popular culture literacy activity upon the following year 4 Unit 1 PNS objective: -

Phase 1:

Read several short stories set in the past and a longer story with a historical setting as a serial to run throughout the unit. Identify the details in the text that describe characters and setting. Select a character. Children discuss their own response to the character and way that an author achieves this. Write a character sketch using evidence from the text. Watch a short extract of a TV drama set in the past. Discuss how differences in time and place are represented.

Overview:

Select a character. Discuss own response to the character and way that author achieves this. Write a character sketch using evidence from the text.

Our activity involves using the 'Sleeping Beauty' sequence in Shrek in the classroom compared to the original Disney version of the story. We chose this cartoon story because children will be familiar with it. The original version portrays a more stereotypical view of how a woman should be; eloquent, accepting, grateful, beautiful and obedient, whereas in Shrek the princess has a more modern, and some might say realistic character. She deviates from the typical stereotype by exhibiting personality traits of independence, determination and pride.

Initially the small people will be asked to record their ideas of how a princess should be, on a concept map, and why they believe this; perhaps by stating evidence for their point. Following this the 'age-challenged people' will watch the original version of 'Sleeping Beauty' identifying and expanding their concept maps. Next the kiddy-winks will watch the 'Shrek' version of the scene comparing and contrasting the characteristics each show, highlighting how they challenge and/ or support the stereotype disucssed. This could be achieved through the childers creating a character sketch of the princess from each version.

Sorted, Job Done!

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