Carrie

Writing Workshop

Workshop Title: Carrie

Step 1

Start by watching the following trailer and scene from the film Carrie. When the clip is over, briefly talk about the dynamic between Carrie and those around her (her family, friends, peers, etc.), as was expressed in the video.

Step 2

Read “Carrie” by Claire C. Holland. When you’re done, briefly discuss the piece. How does it reflect Carrie’s relationship with those around her? And what does the poem suggest on a larger scale? How does it provide social commentary?

Step 3

Say, “Choose a fictional character from a book, movie, show, etc. Think of the ways that this person’s relationship with the world, like Carrie’s, exposes a larger social issue or folly. Then jot down as many specific examples or correlations as you can.” Then give your students a few minutes to brainstorm.

Step 4

Ask your students to compose a poem similar in sentiment to “Carrie” in which they focus on how a fictional character’s relationships with their world exposes a larger social issue or problem.

Step 5

When the students are done, have them share their responses with one another.

The full presentation may be found HERE.

Analytical Lesson

Area of Focus: Various

Step 1

This lesson allows students to analyze various concepts and skills, so it is recommended that you have covered several of the “standalone” lessons before assigning this one.

Step 2

Start by showing your students the following clip from Zootopia.
When the clip is over ask them to briefly discuss how the clip touches and provides commentary upon two (or more) of the following subjects. Then discuss.

• Stereotyping and Prejudice
• Internalized Oppression
• Childhood Trauma
• Cycle of Discrimination
• Alienation and Social Exclusion

Step 3

Before you read the poem, show your students the following trailer and scene to give them some background/context to the piece.

Step 4

Read “Carrie” by Claire C. Holland to your students. As you are reading, ask them to pay particular attention to the various subjects, insights, or concepts present in the poem and how the piece provides commentary on them.

Step 5

Have your students open the following document and go through the directions with them. In this assignment, your students will explore the subjects, insights, or concepts present in the piece and determine how they function in tandem with each other to provide a larger social commentary. When you’ve gone over the instructions, give your students time to work.

Step 6

When your students are done, ask them to discuss the concepts they identified, the evidence they found to support them, and how that evidence serves to provide social commentary.

Step 7

After a few responses, have some volunteers discuss how all of the concepts in the piece work together to expose a larger social folly or issue.