permission slip for 7th grade ela comedy unit - 1.cdn.edl.io€¦ · web view“hoodie”...

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Permission Slip for 7th Grade ELA Comedy Unit

Students will be doing research on comedy and how humor works, analyzing both visual and written comedy on why it is funny, and doing a comedic performance themselves in order to “audition” for a new show on Comedy Central. They will then write an argumentative essay on why they should be hired to have a new show on Comedy Central. As a part of the unit students will be watching the following film clips:

Abed and Troy from the sitcom Community (TV-PG)-In this film clip one of the characters pranks another character about a painting on a wall being a real, new universe that he should explore.

Key and Peele “Continental Breakfast” (TV-14)-In this film clip, the character thinks that the continental breakfast items served come from different continents.

Key and Peele “East/West College Bowl” (TV-14)-In this film clip, football players with ridiculous names introduce themselves.

Key and Peele “Dueling Hats” (TV-14)- Two men compete over having the best hat.

Key and Peele “Hoodie” (TV-14)- It is a satire on race relations between African American males and suburban Caucasians. We will be playing this to teach the concept of satire.

Jerry Seinfeld’s I’m Telling You For the Last Time (not rated)- I will be showing the portion of this show where Jerry recalls Halloween when he was a kid.

Due to the fact that the above mentioned clips are rated higher than G, parent/guardian permission is needed for students to watch these clips.

Please return the permission slip below by Monday, April 20, 2015.

Student’s Name:

Yes, I give my student permission to view the above mentioned film clips for the 7th grade ELA Comedy Unit.

No, I do not give my student permission to view the above mentioned film clips for the 7th grade ELA Comedy Unit. I understand alternate learning experiences will be provided for my student while the film clip is being watched.

Signature of Parent/Guardian: Date:

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Comedy Unit: Part 1

Comedic Persuasive Task You are a comedian. Comedy Central is auditioning comedians for a new show. To prepare for your audition you will need to-Do research on comedy and how humor works-Analyze both visual and written comedy on why it is funny (TV shows, comedy improv, comedic stories, stand up comedy, funny film clips)- Come up with a comedic performance ( either stand up comedy for 30 seconds to 2 minutes or with a group do a comedy sketch like on SNL- 1-2 minutes) for your audition. It will be filmed-Write a persuasive letter to Comedy Central persuading them on why you would be great to cast because you know about how humor works based on your research or because you are just as funny as other comedians on Comedy Central

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Before Unit Essential Questions:

1. What makes something or a situation funny or humorous?

2. How can being humorous improve your life and the lives of others?

Anticipatory Set for ReadingWatch one of the film clips below.

Abed and Troy from Community Permission slip needed to view (TV-PG).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlCN7sLh6Gk

“Continental Breakfast” by Key and Peele (TV-14) permission slip needed to view

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st21dIMaGMs&list=RDst21dIMaGMs#t=0

Is this clip funny? Why or why not?

Claim: This film clip is funny. Claim: This film clip is not funny.Why do you think this film clip is funny? (W 7.2) Why do you think this film clip is not funny?

(W 7.2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st21dIMaGMs&list=RDst21dIMaGMs#t=0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlCN7sLh6Gk

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In Class Reading: “Made You Laugh” by Marc Tyler Nobleman (explains humor) – ONLY read the section titled Theories of Funniness (W 7.7)

After Reading the Section Titled Theories of Funniness from “Made You Laugh” Activity

Sort the following memes/cartoons into the appropriate category of humor and explain why you put it in that category. (W 7.2- writing to explain ideas)

1.

2. 3.

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Theory of Humor

1. 2. 3. 4.

Release Theory

I think 1 is this theory because…




Superiority Theory





Incongruity Theory





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Anticipatory Set for Purpose (RI 7.6) (differentiation for Honors/only do if you have time)

DirectionsGet into groups of no more than 4. Choose 1 funny animal from above. For each thing do the following:1. Tell us about what the animal does. (to inform)2. Do a funny skit as the animal. (to entertain)3. Convince us to buy this animal. (to persuade)

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Stand-Up Comedy-The Anecdote (only do the anecdote portion if you have time/ differentiation for honors)

Watch: Jerry Seinfeld I’m Telling You For the Last Time (Chapter 5: 0:16:26-0:22:40) Rating: (not rated)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsAl0OxDxOA

An anecdote is a brief, entertaining account of an incident or event.

Anecdote comes from the Greek word anekdotos, meaning “unpublished.” The root –dot- combined with the prefix ek- means “to give out.” The root –dot- is found in antidote and, spelled –dos-, in dose.

Anecdotes are shared because of their humorous nature, but anecdotes can also help illustrate larger ideas and concepts.

Seinfeld’s monologue is a humorous account of a somewhat ordinary event. Finding and describing the humor in the people, places, and events you encounter can enrich your conversations as well as your writing.

Families sometimes share anecdotes about the humorous things family members have done. Frequently, the stories become more and more outlandish as the details are exaggerated with each retelling.

What Jerry Seinfeld said that was funny. Why was it funny? (W 7.2)1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsAl0OxDxOA

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What was the purpose of this presentation?(RI 7.6)

Why do you think that? Use evidence from the Theories of Funniness reading to support your point. (RI 7.1/W 7.2)

To inform- it gives you information about the topic To persuade/to prove/to convince- it tries to get you to do or think something To entertain- it is created to make you amused or interested in it To compare and contrast- it is created to show how one thing is similar to and different from another thing To show a cause and effect relationship-it is created to explain how one event can lead to another event in time To explain- it is created to give reasons why something has occurred To describe- it is created to talk about the features, details, or characteristics of something To provide an opinion- it is created to express a personal belief or feeling

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HW Anecdote Reading: “Brothers” (differentiation for Honors/do this if you have time)

Reading: “Brothers” by Jon Scieszka

During Reading Mark: ! for funny parts and explain why that part is funny in the notes section*to mark parts you want to comment on? Ask a question of the text

What was the purpose of this reading? (RI 7.6)

Why do you think that? Use evidence from the Theories of Funniness reading to support your point.(W 7.2/RI 7.1)

To inform- it gives you information about the topic To persuade/to prove/to convince- it tries to get you to do or think something To entertain- it is created to make you amused or interested in it To compare and contrast- it is created to show how one thing is similar to and different from another thing To show a cause and effect relationship-it is created to explain how one event can lead to another event in time To explain- it is created to give reasons why something has occurred To describe- it is created to talk about the features, details, or characteristics of something To provide an opinion- it is created to express a personal belief or feeling

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Anecdote HW (W 7.3) (do only if you have time)

Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas for Writing an Anecdote

To brainstorm ideas for your own humorous anecdote, create lists of the people, places, and activities that you associate with laughter. Next, brainstorm a list of humorous memories or experiences associated with specific people, places, and events.

People Places Events

Person/Place/Event Humorous Memory

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Step 2

Anecdote Homework: Write a humorous anecdote (W 7.3). Refer to what you know about how to write a story to help you.

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Comedic Language (for your reference/ only teach if time allows) (L 7.6/L 7.3)

Definitions come from A Glossary of Literary Terms by M.H. Abrams

Comedic Language

Definition Examples Your Example

Pun A play on words that are either identical in sound (homonyms) or very similar in sound, but are sharply diverse in significance.

Don’t let Cinderella play baseball. She always runs away from the ball.

Hyperbole A bold overstatement, or the extravagant exaggeration of fact or of possibility

My dog is so big he beeps when he backs up.

I’m so hungry I could eat a…

My cat is so smart that…

She was so funny that…

Caricature A verbal description (as in graphic art) that exaggerates or distorts, for comic effect, a person’s distinctive physical features or personality traits

sarcasm remarks that mean the opposite You think that 9 + 10 My cat is…

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of what they seem to say and are intended to mock or deride

is 21. You should go to college right now!

satire It can be described as the literary art of diminishing or derogating a subject by making it ridiculous and evoking toward it attitudes of amusement, contempt, scorn or indignation. It differs from the comic in that comedy evokes laughter mainly as an end in itself, while satire deridesThe attempt to diminish a subject by ridiculeSatire has usually been justified by those who practice it as a corrective of human vice and folly

Student Friendly DefinitionA situation where we laugh, with hate, at humans for being fools. A satire is intended to get people to stop that foolish human behavior.

I thought air was free…until I bought a bag of chips.

Key and Peele Hoodie film clip

Parody Imitates the serious manner and characteristic features of a particular literary work, or the distinctive style of a particular author, or the typical stylistic and other features of a serious literary genre, and deflates the original by applying the imitation to a lowly or comically inappropriate subject

Student Friendly DefinitionWhen you imitate something that is serious in some way, but you make it ridiculous at the same time

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith is a perfect example of a parody. The author took Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and introduced zombies into the storyline. Throughout the reworked novel, the author maintained Austen’s writing style, voice, and even much of the original storyline, creating a new work that is recognizable as being Jane Austen’s but definitely isn’t.

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Superiority Theory of Humor In Action (RL 7.5)

Access Prior Knowledge: Have you ever heard of a riddle before? If, you have heard of a riddle before, do you remember it? If you do remember it, write it down here.

Riddles Gathered from Unriddling the Exeter Riddles by Patrick MurphyHookFrom Symphosian There is a home in the earth that resounds with a clear voice. The house itself makes sound, but the silent guest does not. Nevertheless, together the two run, the guest and house at once.

Guess the answer to the riddle.The answer to the riddle is on pg 15

Riddle structure The thing that we have to guess at is expressed as a metaphor. The river here is a home. The river is being described as a home so it is a metaphor. In the riddle we are also given clues to help us guess what the thing is. The house itself makes a sound- This should clue us in to the sound a river makes. Riddles can have prosopopoeia or personification. Personification is when you give human characteristics to something that is not human. Some of the Exeter riddles demand: Say what I am called at the end

Breaking down the structure further with a simple riddle A white house full of meatBut no door to go in and eat

Answer-egg

An egg is not a white house. The egg is being described as a white house, so this is a metaphor.

You wouldn’t normally associate an egg with a house so abstract thinking is involved when developing a riddle.

The next line then contrasts a house with an egg. An egg doesn’t have a door.

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Symphosian Riddle Answer- the fish is the guest and the river is the house

Directions: Get into groups of no more than 4 and choose 1 of the riddles to solve below. This should take no more than 5 minutes.

Challenge! Solve one riddle correctly.

Game Rules!If you guess the riddle’s answer correctly, the troll will let you cross the bridge to get the magical shoe.If you guess the riddle’s answer wrong, you become the bridge troll forever!!!

The Exeter Book is a medieval collection of poems written in Old English. The book has been dated to be circa AD 965-975.

Riddle 85 from the Exeter Book My hall is not silent, nor am I myself loud; about…the Lord shaped a journey for us two together. I am swifter than he, at times stronger; he is more relentless. At times I rest; he must run on. I dwell in him always while I live; if we two are parted, death is appointed to me. The answer to this riddle is

I think this is the answer because

Riddle 86 from the Exeter Book

A creature came walking to where men sat, a great many wise ones at assembly. The creature had one eye and two ears and two feet, twelve hundred heads, a back and a belly and two hands, arms and shoulders, one neck and two sides. Say what it is called.

The answer to this riddle is


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I am a solitary one, wounded by iron, gashed by the sword, worn out from martial strife, exhausted by the blade. Often I see war, a terrible battle. I do not expect comfort, that aid in the strife should come, before I should perish among men, but the leavings of hammers strike me, the terribly sharp edges, the handiwork of smiths bite in the dwellings; I must await a nastier meeting. I can never find a physician in the dwelling place, of those who with herbs might heal wounds, but rather the wounds of edges become increased through death blows in the days and in the nights.




I am known to nobles and warriors, and reside often with both the high-born and low, well known to the people. The plunder’s joy travels widely and stands as a friend to me, who was a stranger’s before, if I am to have success in the cities or possess the bright Lord. Now wise men feel greatest affection for my company: I must disclose wisdom to many, though I speak no words on this earth. Although the children of men, dwellers on earth, now eagerly seek out my tracks, I at times conceal my path from each of men.



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Further Game Directions: Next, have each group come to the front one at a time. Have a student act as the troll or act as the troll yourself. Each group will try to cross the bridge based on their written answer. They are not allowed to change their answer once they get to the bridge. To enhance the auditory experience, play the sound of a river. If they pass, they get the magical shoe. If they fail, they become trolls!

Riddle AnswersThe solution to Riddle 85 is…a fish in a riverRiddle 86… A monsterRiddle 5… A shieldRiddle 95… A book or a quill

Superiority Theory Riddle (W 7.4/ RL 7.5)

Your task: Using what you know about the structure of a riddle and how one determines the answer to a riddle by unraveling its parts (or metaphors), create your own riddle in the fashion of medieval riddles. Create a riddle that uses the Superiority Theory of Humor where the reader has to come to a conclusion about what is being hinted at. You will make the riddle funny by using The Superiority Theory. Yo Mamma as the answer to the riddle works here, but you can do something else as the topic. Note: If you are actually making fun of someone’s mother during this activity and you are clearly doing this to the student to hurt him/her, there will be a consequence.

Example1A monsterI lurk in night, searching for the last donut in the back of the fridge. I get my hair cut at Yum Yum Donuts. I smell like a tomato that has been left out in 90 degree weather. I have sharp teethI have a son.Say what I am called.

Answer: Yo mama

Example 2I bark.I always complain.My words can burn. When I see your face, I have to hug you.Say what I am called.

Answer: Yo mamma

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Homework: Your Superiority Theory Riddle

Superiority Theory Riddle Rubric

Criteria 5 2.5 0Poem Structure The structure of your riddle is like the

structure of a medieval riddle: -It may use personification-The thing that we have to guess may be expressed as a metaphor or a simile-In the riddle we are also given clues to help us guess what the thing is- Abstract thinking is involved when developing the riddle-It demands, “Say what I am called,” at the end

The poem’s structure is in need of improvement.

The poem lacks structure.

Humor It uses the Superiority Theory of Humor to make the reader laugh

The Superiority theory of Humor is not understood but attempted at.

Criteria not present

Spelling Words are mostly spelled correct. Spelling errors are evident

Criteria not met.

Your Turn: Incongruity Theory in Action

Option 1: Create a skit that contains the ridiculous.

Example: How Animals Eat Their Foodhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_1243889715&feature=iv&list=SP11Zmf4Nmky-oG1TL1p44FGIv0THv1_P9&src_vid=Ip2qchPjk-I&v=qnydFmqHuVo

Examplehttps://vine.co/v/hJFXxZiOlAaJerome Jarr- I am a peacock

OR

https://vine.co/v/hJFXxZiOlAa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_1243889715&feature=iv&list=SP11Zmf4Nmky-oG1TL1p44FGIv0THv1_P9&src_vid=Ip2qchPjk-I&v=qnydFmqHuVo



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Option 2: Create at least 10 memes that use the theory of incongruity.

Examples

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Comedic Performance (SL 7.4/ SL 7.6)

Challenge!

Choose something you have created in this unit and perform it in front of the Comedy Central producers for your audition to get a job working for Comedy Central. Everything you perform must be original or created by you and not copied from the Internet. You must be funny and entertain your audience. If you want to do something that you have not done during the unit for the audition, it needs to be created for homework. Things you can choose to perform:

-Your funny anecdote

-Your funny riddle that shows the theory of superiority

-One of the following things that shows the theory of incongruity- present your memes or your ridiculous group skit

You will be given 20 minutes in class to practice. That is it. If you need more time to practice, it needs to be done for homework.

Comedic Performance Plan

Directions: Complete the Comedic Performance Plan to help you plan for your comedic performance for Comedy Central producers.

Elements of Performance

Ideas for the Character Explanations

Lines to Emphasize

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Blocking

Elements of Performance

Ideas for Character Explanation

Movements

Gestures

Facial Expressions

Emotion

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Comedic Emphasis

Comedic Performance Rubric

Criteria Exemplary10 points

Proficient 9 points

Emerging5 points

Not Met0 Points

Performance -The comedic focus is clear and effective, skillfully usingelements of humor to elicit laughter from the audience.

For the skit/anecdote only:-The actors perform apolished scene with clever use of facial expressions,gestures, movements,costumes and props toprovided a natural fit forthe dialogue and to expand upon comedic elements.

-The scene/presentation incorporatescomedic elements.

For the skit/anecdote only:-The actors’ facialexpressions, gestures,movements, costumes and props adequately represent the characters and allow fora quality performance.

The comedic focus is unclear and demonstrates a limitedunderstanding of theelements of humor.

For the skit/anecdote only:The actors’ minimal use of facial expressions, gestures, movements, costumes and/or props greatly detractsfrom the performance.

Criteria not met

Evidence of Rehearsal

-The performance is well planned,successfullypresented, and effectivelycoordinated to enhance the comedic effect.

For the skit/anecdote only:

The performance iscohesive, and adequatecollaboration is evident.

For the skit/anecdote only:The actors moveappropriately on stage

The performance isdisorganized. Performance lackscollaboration.

For the skit/anecdote only:-The actorsare unfamiliar with the text and /or the lines are not

Criteria not met

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-The actors clearly havecommand of the language and deliver their lines smoothly, creating an effective portrayal of thecharacters.

and deliver lines smoothlyand knowledgeably,demonstrating a clearunderstanding of thecharacters.

delivered smoothly.-The movement on the stage is not well coordinated.

Standards of Perfor-mance

You use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation when appropriate for the context or task.

NA The criteria for the standards of performance need to be improved significantly.

Criteria not met.

Score: /30

permission slip for 7th grade ela comedy unit - 1.cdn.edl.io€¦ · web view“hoodie”...

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