Created byMichelle Erskine
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Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How does 'Coco' utilise storytelling and cinematic elements to explore, represent, and challenge perceptions of Mexican culture, values, and identity?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How does 'Coco' use cinematic techniques to portray Mexican culture?
- In what ways does 'Coco' challenge or reinforce stereotypes about Mexican culture?
- How do the characters in 'Coco' embody Mexican cultural values and traditions?
- How does the film's narrative structure contribute to our understanding of Mexican culture?
- What is the significance of music and art in the representation of Mexican culture in 'Coco'?
- How does 'Coco' explore themes of family, memory, and identity within the context of Mexican culture?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to analyse film techniques used in 'Coco' to portray Mexican culture.
- Students will be able to identify and evaluate cultural stereotypes presented in 'Coco'.
- Students will be able to explain how characters in 'Coco' embody Mexican cultural values and traditions.
- Students will be able to assess the narrative structure of 'Coco' and its impact on understanding Mexican culture.
- Students will be able to interpret the significance of music and art in 'Coco's' representation of Mexican culture.
- Students will be able to explore themes of family, memory, and identity in 'Coco' within the context of Mexican culture.
Teacher-Provided Standards
EN4-URA-01
Primary
analyses how meaning is created through the use of and response to language forms, features and structuresReason: This standard directly aligns with analysing the film techniques and their impact on meaning.
EN4-URB-01
Primary
examines and explains how texts represent ideas, experiences and valuesReason: This standard aligns with examining how 'Coco' represents Mexican culture, values, and identity.
EN4-URC-01
Secondary
identifies and explains ways of valuing texts and the connections between themReason: This standard supports the project by encouraging students to evaluate the film's cultural representation and its connections to other cultural texts.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsExpert's Perspective: Culture in 'Coco'
Invite a guest speaker with expertise in Mexican culture. They share insights and answer student questions about the film's portrayal, adding an authentic voice to the project.'Coco' First Impressions: A Critical Watch Party
Host a 'Coco' watch party, but pause at key scenes. Students discuss initial reactions to cultural representations before any instruction, sparking debate and questions.📚
Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Activity 1
Deconstructing 'Coco': Film Techniques and Culture
Students identify and categorise various film techniques used in 'Coco' (e.g., cinematography, music, character design) and explain how each technique contributes to the film's portrayal of Mexican culture.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Watch 'Coco', taking notes on scenes that stand out in terms of cultural representation.
2. Identify specific film techniques used in those scenes (e.g., close-ups, colour palettes, musical scores).
3. Research how these techniques are used to convey meaning and cultural context.
4. Create a chart or infographic organising the techniques and their cultural significance.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed chart or infographic listing film techniques with explanations of their cultural significance in 'Coco'.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with EN4-URA-01 by focusing on how film techniques create meaning. It addresses learning goal 1: analysing film techniques used in 'Coco' to portray Mexican culture.Activity 2
Stereotype Smasher: Deconstructing Cultural Tropes in 'Coco'
Students critically examine 'Coco' for instances of cultural stereotypes, analysing whether the film reinforces, subverts, or challenges these stereotypes. They will research the historical context of these stereotypes.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Identify potential stereotypes about Mexican culture present in 'Coco'.
2. Research the historical context and origins of these stereotypes.
3. Analyse specific scenes from 'Coco' to determine if and how these stereotypes are portrayed.
4. Write an essay evaluating the film's approach to cultural stereotypes.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn analytical essay that identifies stereotypes in 'Coco', discusses their potential impact, and evaluates the film's success in addressing or overcoming them.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with EN4-URB-01 by examining how the film represents ideas and values. It addresses learning goal 2: identifying and evaluating cultural stereotypes presented in 'Coco'.Activity 3
Cultural Ambassadors: Character Profiles in 'Coco'
Students select key characters from 'Coco' and analyse how they represent Mexican cultural values and traditions (e.g., family, Día de los Muertos).Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Choose 2-3 key characters from 'Coco'.
2. Identify the cultural values and traditions that these characters represent.
3. Gather specific examples from the film that illustrate these values and traditions.
4. Create character profile presentations showcasing their cultural significance.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityCharacter profile presentations that detail how each character embodies specific Mexican cultural values, supported by textual evidence from the film.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with EN4-URB-01 by exploring how characters embody cultural values. It addresses learning goal 3: explaining how characters in 'Coco' embody Mexican cultural values and traditions.Activity 4
Narrative Weavers: Unpacking 'Coco's' Story Structure
Students analyse the narrative structure of 'Coco' (e.g., use of flashbacks, parallel storylines, symbolism) and discuss how it contributes to the audience's understanding of Mexican culture and values. They will compare it with narrative structures of other films.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Map out the narrative structure of 'Coco', identifying key plot points and narrative devices.
2. Analyse how these narrative elements contribute to the film's cultural message.
3. Compare 'Coco's' narrative structure with that of another film.
4. Create a presentation comparing the two films and their cultural impact.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparative analysis presentation that explores how 'Coco's' narrative structure enhances or shapes the viewer's understanding of Mexican culture, compared to other films.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with EN4-URA-01 and EN4-URC-01 by focusing on narrative structure and its impact. It addresses learning goal 4: assessing the narrative structure of 'Coco' and its impact on understanding Mexican culture.Activity 5
A Symphony of Culture: Music and Art in 'Coco'
Students investigate the role of music (e.g., traditional songs, original score) and art (e.g., alebrijes, ofrendas) in 'Coco', explaining how these elements enhance the film's cultural representation.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Identify key musical pieces and artistic elements in 'Coco'.
2. Research the cultural origins and significance of these elements.
3. Explain how these elements contribute to the film's overall message.
4. Create a multimedia presentation showcasing their significance.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn annotated multimedia presentation showcasing the significance of music and art in 'Coco', with explanations of their cultural origins and meanings.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with EN4-URA-01 and EN4-URB-01 by interpreting cultural significance. It addresses learning goal 5: interpreting the significance of music and art in 'Coco's' representation of Mexican culture.Activity 6
Echoes of the Heart: Themes of Family, Memory, and Identity
Students explore the themes of family, memory, and identity as they are portrayed in 'Coco', and discuss how these themes resonate within Mexican culture. They will connect these themes to their own experiences and other cultural texts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.1. Identify how the themes of family, memory, and identity are portrayed in 'Coco'.
2. Reflect on how these themes resonate within Mexican culture.
3. Connect these themes to your own personal experiences.
4. Write a reflective essay exploring the themes.
Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA reflective essay that explores the themes of family, memory, and identity in 'Coco', connecting them to personal experiences and broader cultural contexts.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with EN4-URB-01 and EN4-URC-01 by exploring themes within a cultural context. It addresses learning goal 6: exploring themes of family, memory, and identity in 'Coco' within the context of Mexican culture.🏆
Rubric & Reflection
Reflection Prompts
End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learningQuestion 1
How has your understanding of Mexican culture evolved or changed as a result of analysing 'Coco'?
Text
Required
Question 2
To what extent do you believe 'Coco' provides an accurate and respectful representation of Mexican culture? Use a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is 'Not at all' and 5 is 'Completely'.
Scale
Required
Question 3
Which activity from this project do you feel best helped you understand the cultural nuances within 'Coco'?
Multiple choice
Required
Options
Deconstructing 'Coco': Film Techniques and Culture
Stereotype Smasher: Deconstructing Cultural Tropes in 'Coco'
Cultural Ambassadors: Character Profiles in 'Coco'
Narrative Weavers: Unpacking 'Coco's' Story Structure
A Symphony of Culture: Music and Art in 'Coco'
Echoes of the Heart: Themes of Family, Memory, and Identity
Question 4
How can the insights you've gained from analysing 'Coco' be applied to understanding cultural representations in other films or media?
Text
Required