S5/S6 Resource for the German film 'Kein Platz für Gerold'
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Introduction
Film title: 'Kein Platz für Gerold'
Genre: Comic drama, animated
Synopsis: After ten long years in the flat, Gerold the crocodile is being thrown out. Is there a conspiracy against him? Does newcomer Ellen the wildebeast have something to do with it? One thing is for sure - the wild days are now just a distant memory.
Suggested age group for this film activity: S5/S6
Place of this activity sheet within Modern Languages Curriculum:
Personal relationships, conflict resolution, advantages and disadvantages of living at home.
Cross curricular and inter disciplinary areas (subjects):
German, PSE, Modern Studies, (discrimination, the Right of the Individual, preparing for adult life, Relationships with parents, flat sharing)
Curriculum for Excellence Outcomes
Note:- If the suggested age group for this resource is considered to be S5/6, then there are currently no explicit Modern Language Outcomes that specifically target this age group. Modern Language Outcomes currently stop at the 4th Level which broadly equates to Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Level 4. This situation may in the future change - Modern Language Outcomes above the 4th Level may come on stream. In saying this, teachers wishing to use the resource for S3 or S4 may wish to do so according to these identified Modern Languages Outcomes:
MLAN 4-01a, MLAN 4-02a, MLAN4-03a, MLAN 4-04a, MLAN 4-05a, MLAN4-06a, MLAN 4-07a
Resources required (technical, paper, books, etc.):
Computer and projector, internet access, flip camera, mp3 player to record conversation, paper
Pre-viewing or Warm-up Activities
Group Discussion: ‘Living with parents vs. living away from home’ (Advantages – Disadvantages).
Provide a Vocabulary sheet with relevant vocabulary, for example:
- to move out = ausziehen;
- shared flat = Wohngemeinschaft (WG);
- at home = zuhause;
- to live on one’s own = alleine wohnen;
- to live with parents = mit den Eltern wohnen;
- etc…
Study student life in Germany: Conduct research into student life. Research how many university students live at home in Scotland and how many live in shared houses – compare to situation in Germany.
Lesson
Watching
Watch the first 45 seconds of the film without the visuals (audio only). Ask the students questions like:
- Where do you think they are?
- How many people are there?
- What age are the characters?
- What might the setting be?
- Describe the tone of the conversation – happy or sad?
- What is the conversation about?
Watch the entire film with English subtitles (the language in the film is fairly complex and quickly spoken).
Develop an MIE grid analysis with the students (this is only a sample of the type of answers students might give):
Note
For more information about conducting a Grid Analysis look under the 'Activities' section of the left-hand navigation.
Discuss what animation brings to the film. How does it change the tone? Why is it different from a live action film? How would you feel about the characters if they were real?
Discuss what the film is really about. What do the patterns reveal about the theme of the narrative?
Extension Activities
Write character descriptions of the five different characters (Holger, Armin, Ellen, Gerold AND Roger) that include their back stories and explain their inter-personal relationships.
Write a small script for a possible argument that could arise in a flat (e.g. food missing from fridge, kitchen is too messy, etc). Perform script with a partner and film it using a flip camera. The students could also try to imitate the film’s camera style and involve the camera operator in the discussion.
Produce vocabulary, phrases and grammar lists appropriate to the film
Provide a sheet with key phrases from the film and go over meaning, e.g. Ellen: ”Das ist kein Problem für mich.”; Holger: “Ich habe keine Lust mehr…” etc.
Match the phrases to the characters in the film (Holger, Armin, Ellen, Gerold) whilst watching the film again.
Work with two partners: Interviewing for a new flat mate! One member of the team films the conversion in the same style as the invisible camera operator in the film did (“fly on the wall”). Alternatively, the interview could be recorded as sound only with the help of an MP3 player.
Create a list of interview questions on paper.
Write an advert for your ideal flat mate. Which qualities would he/she need to have? What would they need to do? What should they not do?
Compiled by Anke Hilt and Jacqueline Mackenzie (2010)