Contact information: (Phone) – 805-984-5907 (Fax) – 805-984-2397 Email: [email protected] 4903 Island View St Channel Islands Harbor, CA 93035 visit us online at: www.FilmClipsOnline.com and www.paulistproductions.org © Copyright 2011 Film Clips Spirit of America FILM CLIPS for CATHOLIC YOUTH FAITH FORMATION Study Guide INTRODUCTION: Film Clips for Youth Faith Formation is an exciting and creative approach to the faith formation of youth that uses a medium for which they have a natural affinity: Hollywood movies. In this eight-part series, fully licensed clips from Hollywood movies are used to help Catholic school religion teachers, parish catechists, and youth ministers involve their students in reflection and discussion about faith and its implications for prayer, belief, and behavior. NOTE: Adults can find this series helpful for their programs as well. At the core of the program are clips from popular movies that exemplify key traits and issues that are part of a person’s life-long journey of faith. The clips provide viewers with situations that relate to real-life experiences and draw them into a natural engagement with the subject. A person’s faith journey is a sacred and profound thing, but there is no reason why one cannot have fun along the way. Jesus enjoyed himself at a wedding and certainly must have chuckled at his conversation with Zachaeus, the little guy in the tree. It’s possible – necessary, even – to enjoy the process detailed in this program while still being true to the sacred task of faith formation. HOW TO USE THIS SERIES: The teacher/catechist/youth minister should download and consult the companion booklet for this program: How to Use This Series. Designed to help a leader make the best use of the lesson plans, this booklet contains significant supplementary material to support an understanding of issues such as “Catholic Social Teaching” or “Media Mindfulness.” In addition, it provides short descriptions of some pedagogical tools employed in the lessons. There is also a helpful bibliography of resources. IN SHORT: This series is divided into eight Episodes (one Episode per DVD). Each DVD features three traits/issues. Four short film clips address each of these traits/issues. Each DVD/Episode contains twelve clips and lessons. Each lesson provides information about the film and the clip itself. Also included are a variety of discussion questions, Scripture references, and reflection, prayer, and faith-in-action activities. Each lesson can stand alone or work in conjunction with others. It can also be used as a supplement to lessons contained in (arch)diocesan-approved textbook series. PLEASE NOTE: It is against the law to copy these DVD episodes, in whole or in part. None of the movies represented in this Episode is rated higher than PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America. No inappropriate material is included in any of the film clips. Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible with Revised New Testament and Revised Psalms © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Options for audio and subtitles in English or Spanish are available in “Settings” on the main menu of the DVD. Spanish subtitles are available for all film clips. Spanish audio is available for most, but not all film clips. Film Clips for Catholic Youth Faith Formation is available via DVD’s, Internet Streaming, and School Site Servers. Please call (805) 984 5907 Scroll Down to Begin Episode Seven. EPISODE SEVEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE TEAMWORK CARING FOR OTHERS TABLE OF CONTENTS (CLICK ANY LINE BELOW TO JUMP TO PAGE LISTED) (TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE CLICK ON THE THEME YOU JUMPED TO) MAKING A DIFFERENCE Lesson Plans -----5-25 PAY IT FORWARD: THE ASSIGNMENT ----------------------------5-8 SOMETHING BIG -------------------------------9-13 IT’S NOT FAIR ----------------------------------14-17 TEAMWORK Lesson Plans -----------------------26-55 REMEMBER THE TITANS: IF YOU SURVIVE -------------------------------26-30 ATTITUDE REFLECTS LEADERSHIP ---31-34 RULE IT LIKE TITANS ------------------------35-38 MAKE SURE THEY REMEMBER ----------39-43 HE’S BETTER -----------------------------------44-48 CARING FOR OTHERS Lesson Plans ---------56-85 INTO THE ARM’S OF STRANGERS URSULA’S BIRTHDAY PARTY -------------56-61 A PROMISE EVERY PARENT MADE -----62-66 KURT MEETS HIS FOSTER FAMILY ------67-72 I WAS MEANT TO SURVIVE -----------------73-77 Acknowledgments -----------------------------------86-87 Web Site Contact Information -------------------1, 87 MAKING A DIFFERENCE (See page 21 for other Film Clips regarding this topic. See page 4 for table of contents) PAY IT FORWARD (PG-13) Changing the World (“The Assignment”) 1:37 Grade Level: Upper Elementary - Secondary Audio: English Subtitles: English/Spanish Teaser Question: Is it possible for a single person to change the world? SYNOPSIS: Social Studies teacher, Eugene Simonet, gives his class an assignment: “Think of an idea to change our world – and put it into action.” His student, Trevor McKinney, comes up with a concept for changing the world: repaying good deeds, not with payback, but with good deeds done to three new people, i.e., “paying it forward.” In this clip, Mr. Simonet reveals the assignment. FILM STATS: This is a film from Warner Brothers; Directed by Mimi Leder; Produced by Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy, and Steven Reuther; Written by Leslie Dixon (from the book by Catherine Ryan Hyde); Starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, and Haley Joel Osment. VIEW THE CLIP: The film clip can be viewed once at the beginning of the lesson and several more times after the initial viewing, depending on need. Journaling or just taking random notes before starting the discussion may help some students to collect their thoughts. The teacher/catechist can determine the best way to use the clip so that it will serve both the needs of the students and the point of the lesson. GETTING STARTED: (Can use some or all questions) What’s going on in this scene? OR What do you see/hear happening in this scene? OR With which character (if any) do you identify? Why? NEXT: Is it possible for a single person to change the world? GOING DEEPER: Name something (or a few things) that an individual person has done that made a real difference [at school, the local community, church, the world]. What are some things you would like to see changed in your school, local community, church, or, even, in the world? Has anyone ever done anything for you that made a real difference in your life – something you couldn’t have done on your own? Describe. MAKING CHOICES! (All Students) Come up with your own response to the same assignment the fictional teacher in the film gave to his class -- “Think of an idea to change our world – and put it into action.” Note the use of the word “change” here; the assignment doesn’t ask for permanent healing or for everyone in the world to come on board with your idea. Change can be something very small. What would be your idea? This could be the basis for a class discussion where everyone shares his/her idea. (See “Making Choices” for the following lesson – for Film Clip #2.) HOW CAN THESE SCRIPTURE PASSAGES HELP US? “It is better to give alms than to store up gold." (Tobit 12:8b) “Better a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is crooked in his ways and rich.” (Proverbs 19:1) ”…there is nothing better for a man than to rejoice in his work; for this is his lot. Who will let him see what is to come after him." (Ecclesiastes 3:22) HOW CAN JESUS HELP US? (Younger students might like to act out this selection before the discussion.) Read this selection (John 13:4-15) and decide what advice Jesus is giving us about “paying it forward.” It is the scene at the Last Supper in which Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. Pay special attention to Jesus’ words in verses 12-14. THINGS TO DO AT HOME!!! (Some or all of these can be adapted or converted into in-class activities.) 1. NOTABLE QUOTABLES ACTIVITY Write a journal entry or have a discussion with family or friends, reflecting on one or more of the following quotations and be ready to report back next time. Mr. Simonet: “The realm of possibility exists – where? – in each of you. You can surprise us. It’s up to you.” Pay It Forward “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world!” Anne Frank, 20th Century German-born, Netherlands-resident; Jewish victim of the Holocaust at age 15; author of the famous Diary of Anne Frank, discovered and published posthumously “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James, 19th-20th Century American; pioneering psychologist and philosopher “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr. Seuss aka Theodor Seuss Geisel; 20th Century American author and cartoonist “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You should be able to throw something back.” Maya Angelou, contemporary American; African-American autobiographer and poet “Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful.” Author Unknown 2. PRAYER ACTIVITY (All Students) Compose a prayer asking God for the inspiration and the courage to (1) be a better person, and (2) find ways to make the world around you just a bit better by what you say or do.