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Objectives: 

 

1. Students will observe the character of the teenage girl in different coming of age films over the decades.

2. Students will be able to compare and contrast the different portrayals of the teenage girl in film throughout time.

3. Students will be able to identify how the teenage girl’s portrayal in film has evolved.

 

Lesson:

 

1. Observing the ‘teenage girl’ in film (Hook/activity)-5-6 min

   1. Provide students with a sheet to record observations

   2. Show three contrasting scenes

   3. Have students pay attention to important elements of the scenes

• Body language

• Tone

• Adolescent female’s appearance (clothing, hairstyle, etc.)

• Time period

• Conflict 

1. Ask students to consider questions while watching

• What do you notice?

• What do you find interesting?

• What is the mood of the scene?

• What message is being conveyed?

1. Discuss/ask students to compare scenes

• Which is your favorite/more appealing? 

• What is different? 

• What is similar?

 

1. Lecture; Source: (Amy Heckerling and Beyond: The Evolution of Teen Girls On Screen)-5-6 min

   1. Go through prominent decades and present the traits of the teenage girl in coming of age movies in each decade; Source: (Pictures of Girlhood)

• 50s-60s

• 80s

• 90s

• 2000s

• now

 

1. Epilogue; Source: (The Evolution of Coming of Age Films) -2-3 min

   1. Compare trends and stereotypes

   2. Identify how the teenage girl’s portrayal in film has evolved

   3. End with quote; Source: (Gender Stereotyped Portrayal of Women in the Media)

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Materials:

 

• Google Slides presentation

• Notes handout

• Various clips from movies

• Various images from movies

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Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ORlWzafj-KXu1XvURUGIdO94Q-NX-xtetB5_ns8d_Jk/edit#slide=id.p

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