We watch and enjoy films, commercials, YouTube videos, TikTok videos, and a variety of visual mediums every day. But how do filmmakers create meaning? And how do we talk about a film’s meaning? The Junior Great Books Virtual Academy will use film as a basis to offer students an opportunity to expand their critical thinking and creative skills. Each week, we will learn a new concept of film language and then watch a short film together. After each film, we will have a short discussion about how the film created and established meaning. Expert Great Books discussion leaders will guide students to think deeply about big ideas while having fun.
In this six-week session, we will explore one of these film concepts each week: special effects, camera angles, color and sound, lighting, perspective, mise-en-scène.
Shared Inquiry activities in which students engage include:
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Activating and building background knowledge to support deeper exploration
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Close observations of visual mediums
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Sharing and comparing responses
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Making and explaining inferences about films
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Responding to other students’ ideas
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Considering how discussion changed or expanded their initial ideas about a film
Each session is 60 minutes in length. All materials are included in the program price. Students will need to be able to access the film, which will be available on YouTube. The program may require students to complete some work before each session; if advance work is needed, instructors will give full instructions through email. We recommend that each student log in on their own device with enabled video, a headset or earbuds, and a microphone for the best audio connection. There are a limited number of spaces available!
