Short Films and Life Lessons

For our Context studies we need to explore beyond the focus text, in this case Sometimes Gladness, so that we are inspired to develop ideas and beliefs on subject matter and topics that are uniquely our own but supported by deep thinking and interaction with the thinking of others.

Short films are an excellent starting point for us to begin exploring our Context 'the lessons life teaches us'. View the selection of short films below and decide for yourself what messages/wisdom their creators are trying to impart to their viewer.

An initial expository writing activity:

In response to our viewing of The Desk we are going to participate in a mini communications project. We are going to write to a person unknown to us, just as the protagonist in The Desk does. We are going to adopt pseudonyms and reach out to another person by writing to them about a lesson life can teach us. In the main this writing will be expository, but we will incorporate an imaginative element to it as it allows us to have fun with the task and explore ideas of lessons that people can face in life to a depth that goes beyond our own experiences. Complete the activity in the steps outlined below:

• Type a min 200 word letter about a lesson that a life can teach a person
• Ask a question/s of the person who will receive your letter. Make the question/s connect to the Context
• Select your pseudonym and sign off on your letter using this name
• Print your letter and hand it in to the teacher with your real name presented on a separate piece of paper

You will receive your letter about the lessons life can teach us next session. You will develop the discussion of the ideas that have been touched on further, approaching the discussion of the Context from an expository angle. Remember to be inspired by the world around us, the things you are interested in, the news you see and read and more. Aim to achive depth in the exploration of the Context.