English Lesson Plan

Overview:More than 60 years ago, Walt Disney Co. had a big hit with “Song of the South,” the first full-length film the studio made since World War II and containing famous songs, like “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.” But the story was criticized as racist as it tells about a Southern plantation and deals in black stereotypes.

Suggested time allotment: Short writing prompt with in-class assignment of 20 minutes or less or a longer lesson including readings and discussion about racial stereotypes in early American literature.

Objectives

Students will:
1. Read the information about the movie and watch some of the clips.
2. Write your reaction to the proposal to re-release the movie. Consider whether it would matter if the studio adds an introduction and ending that put the movie in historical context.

Standards: National Council of Teachers of English and International Reading Association Standards for English Language Arts:
7. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate and synthesize data from a variety of sources (e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts, people) to communicate their discoveries in ways that suit their purpose and audience.
8. Students use a variety of technological and informational resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
12. Students use spoken, written and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion and the exchange of information).

Resources and materials:
Web sites with information:
• “Disney Could Unlock ‘Song of the South’, ” by Travis Reed, was an Associated Press article that ran several places, including the online Yahoo! finance.
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• If you have RealOne Player, you can watch some clips from the movie, thanks to The Walk Disney Family Museum. (Note that site indicates the movie is NOT racist.
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