As Good As It Gets!

                                               i.     How did Melvin’s (Jack Nicholson) character impact you?  What did you think of him?  Why?

                                             ii.     How did Carol’s character change throughout the film?  Why?  

                                            iii.     Simon played an interesting role.   The film was shot in 1997.   Think about the way he was portrayed.  Was it accurate?  What does the films representation of him say about our culture?  Do you agree with it?

                                            iv.     You were all engaged in this film.  Probably more than any other film.  Please write down why?   What drew you in to the film?  Why did you NOT want Carol to kiss Melvin?  Why did you care?

                                              v.     Finally,  what was the main lesson that you took away from this film.  Please explain your thoughts fully.  I want to know IN DEPTH what you thought about this film.  (Minimum half of a page.  Use examples). 

Dangerous minds questions (brief overview)

1.    Does Dangerous Minds promote or challenge stereotypes of urban youth? Give two reasons for your answer.



2.    Why do you think this movie is called Dangerous Minds?
If you had to give the movie a different name, what would you give it?




3.    How believable is this movie? Explain your answer with three good reasons why it is or isn’t believable.




4.    Dangerous Minds was shot 29 years ago. Things have changed over the past decades. How do you think LouAnne would be accepted today given her rather unconventional style? How would students, parents, colleagues, administration, and community members respond to her?




5.    What is the most significant thing you have learned from watching the movie?



6.    Do you think that a film like this should be used as a model for beginning teachers? If so, explain why? If not, explain why?



7.    What does the film tell you about constructions of race and schooling in American culture? 


8.  How is Summit like the school in the movie?  Are there any similarities?  What are they?


9.  What is Summit High's biggest cultural challenge?  


10.  Is culture at Summit good or bad?  How can we change?  Should we?  

Contagion Critical Thought Questions

Analysis of the Movie “Contagion”

1. What country did the disease originate in? What two types of animals did this virus develop in before it made the jump to infecting humans? Who was the first person infected?
2. What type of infectious agent was this, and what was its specific name?
3. What are fomites, and which character in the movie explained how fomites can be involved in the transmission of infectious disease?
4. What is the difference between a sign and a symptom of disease? What are the signs and symptoms of the disease featured in this movie?
5. How long did it take a person infected with this disease to develop symptoms? About how long from time of exposure to death? What was the average number of people that an infected person would directly transmit the infection to?
6. Why was the blogger Alan Krumwiede (played by Jude Law) considered such a threat? At best he believed he was helping the public, at worst, he was just trying to make money by exploiting the situation. Regardless, his actions were making things worse. Explain how.
7. Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard), a World Health Organization epidemiologist, was kidnapped. Why? Did the kidnappers get what they wanted? Explain.
8. Dr. Ellis Cheever (played by Lawrence Fishburne) was a medical official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What did he get in trouble for doing, and why?
9. Before a vaccine can be developed, researchers need to find a way to grow the infectious agent in a laboratory. The problem with this microbe was that it quickly killed any in vitro cells the researchers infected. What type of cell do researchers eventually find that allows them to successfully grow the microbe in the lab?
10. Dr. Ally Hextall (played by Jennifer Ehle) was the main character working on development of a vaccine. She eventually injected herself with one of the experimental vaccines she developed. She then went to visit her father who was sick. In doing so, she purposely exposed herself to the illness. While visiting her father, they discussed the parallels between what she had just done and the work of Dr. Barry Marshall. Who was Barry Marshall, and in what way was his scientific work similar to that of the fictional Dr. Hextall?
11. Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) ingested Forsythia when he began feeling ill, and he ultimately did not get the disease. Why can one not conclude that the Forsythia prevented Alan from developing the disease? Please give a detailed response. There are several reasons why we cannot conclude that Forsythia cured him.

PART II:

Directions: Please answer the following questions.  Please answer in complete sentences.   

1.     Who is patient zero?  "Patient zero was discovered to be  __________".  

2.     Why did her husband not get infected? 

3. What was the role of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) in the film?

4. What part does private industry play in fighting this epidemic?

5. What is the name of the worldwide organization that deals with the outbreak?

6. What role did social media play in the outbreak?

7. What were the origins of this virus? (species origins)

8. What were the modes of transmission of this disease?

9. Would this virus be categorized as an emerging virus? Why?

10. How realistic do you think this film was? Explain in a well- developed paragraph.

In one paragraph, describe the ethical issues you felt were presented in the film. 

Health Through Film & Fiction Syllabus

Health Through Film & Fiction

Course Syllabus

Mr. Turnbull

541-355-4114 / david.turnbull@bend.k12.or.us

A.  Course Overview:  Students taking Health Through Film & Fiction will learn concepts related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, prevention and control of disease, environmental health, healthy eating, mental, social and emotional health, human trafficking, physical activity and wellness, sexual health and violence prevention.   Students will be utilizing film to reinforce learning.  Films are listed at:
http://www.teachwithmovies.org/best-health-hs.html  By signing below, you give your student permission to watch all movies.    We start the year with "Dangerous Minds" as it relates to social structure and personal differences relative to our own education.  

B.  Grading:  Students will be assessed after each unit and many assignments and/or exams will be online.  Homework will rarely be given.  If there is homework, it usually entails parental involvement or group/partner activities.  Mr. Turnbull will make his best effort to keep homework to a minimum.   

C.  Make up work: Will be allowed for sickness and other absences.  Work should be completed within 5 days.  If a student knows they will miss for athletic/activities, they should get work ahead of time if possible.

**Each assignment will have a deadline.  If a student misses that deadline, they may still turn in work for 1/2 credit. 

D.   Classroom Expectations:  The rules and procedures in Mr. Turnbull’s class are simple and should be adhered to at all times. 

Expectation 1:  Listen when the teacher is instructing.

Expectation 2:  No gaming/texting during class. 

Expectation 3:  Be respectful of all people in class. 

Consequences:

Any conduct that deviates from this will not be allowed.  Consequences for not following the rules will be:

1. Verbal reminders
2. Removal from area
3. Call home
4. Detention
5. Office Referral

I ___________________ have read and understand the course syllabus for Health Through Film & Fiction for the 2019/20 school year.

______________________________________        __________________________

Student Signature                                                        Date

_______________________________________      __________________________

Parent Signature                                                          Date

***I approve of my child viewing all movies (under Mr. Turnbull’s guidance) approved on the “Teach with Movies” website http://www.teachwithmovies.org/best-health-hs.html, as well as "Dangerous Minds" and will not need parent forms sent home before each movie.  

_______________________________________      __________________________

Parent Signature                                                          Date