Holy Smokes! This is My Lesson Plan.

Holy Smokes! This is My Lesson Plan.

The sharing of information across the internet has led to many internet memes. One particularly interesting and funny meme is Captain Obvious. Captain Obvious is supposedly a hero but it is unknown if he has down anything heroic at all. His input in every situation is to state the obvious. Captain Obvious has a sidekick by the name of Readily Apparent Boy who only reiterates and makes more obvious statements. Captain Oblivious, also a so-called hero, always seems lost and asks questions about the obvious. Their arch nemesis, Professor subtle is coy about his statements. These four characters interactions lead to funny and ridiculous dialogue.

The students will be introduced to these four characters. It will be discussed how statements can be obvious or subtle. Students will be given handouts and split into groups of four. The students will either individually or as a group develop each character. When the students are done, as a group they will each choose a character and read their scene and dialogue for their peers. The activity will help students learn about simple and detailed writing. As a class it will be discussed how stating the obvious is unnecessary and sometimes leads to boring dialogue. In this case, by stating the obvious, the dialogue is funny. For Professor Subtle’s character, students will have to be a little more innovative in their writing to convey the character’s cunningness. It will be discussed that writing subtly is more interesting. The students will be asked to write more detailed and avoid the obvious when writing their scenes.

Assignment Introduction:

Writing fully developed interesting characters and scenes takes voice and tone. We are going to practice developing plot and dialogue with four characters: Captain Obvious, Readily Apparent Boy, Captain Oblivious, and Professor Subtle.

Captain Obvious thinks of himself as a superhero but he never seems to have done anything heroic. He always states the obvious, which never helps the victim, sometimes inadvertently helps the villain, and other time gets Captain Obvious and his companions into trouble. Captain Obvious, whose secret identity may be Mr. Obvious due to the fact they are never in the same place. Mr. Obvious would exit a situation by loudly stating, “I’m leaving now, but not to do anything interesting! I’m certainly not switching to my superhero identity, which of course, I do not have, as most people do not!” Moments later Captain Obvious would appear to state the obvious by declaring, “You are being robbed.” The victim would sarcastically say, “Thank you Captain Obvious.” In response Captain Obvious proclaims, “No, don’t thank me. It’s all in a day’s work for Captain Obvious.”

Captain Obvious has a sidekick known as Readily Apparent Boy. Both characters will get lost in conversations in unnecessary dialogue about the obvious. While Captain Obvious and Readily Apparent Boy drone on their villain gets away.

Captain Obvious and Readily Apparent Boy in the adventures will run into their fellow so-called superhero Captain Oblivious. Captain Oblivious is so confused most of the time he cannot even recall his own name. He usually asks questions in reply to every statement that is made to him. Captain Oblivious would ask, “You are being robbed?… They took your purse?… They are getting away?”

Captain Oblivious, Captain Obvious and Readily Apparent Boy have an arch nemesis, Professor Subtle. Professor Subtle’s is always trying to foil the other superheroes and he usually does not have to try very hard. He is sneaky and coy, his character is more perplexing and his comments take more decoding.

For this assignment, develop a scene and a plot for these four characters in groups of four. Make the scene interesting and the plot descriptive. Try to put the characters in strange and hilarious situations. Give each character dialogue to interact with each other. Try to make the dialogue interesting and funny. After the scene is completed, each group will be able to present their work for the class. Have Fun! Handout to help students develop each character: Captain Obvious, Readily Apparent Boy, Captain Oblivious, Professor Subtle.

Final Product:

Each group will perform their written scene and dialogue for the class.

Grading:

Students will have class discussion after the presentations are given. Students will be able to give input on what made scenes more interesting or funny. Students will be graded for participation.

Adapting the Assignment:

Some students will already understand these characters and their character development. For these students, the option to create a video, PowerPoint, or picture story will also be included for the presentation. Some students may have trouble developing character dialogue. As the teacher, I will have example dialogue for each student to follow. The students will also be able to receive help from their peers while they brainstorm in groups.

Timeline:

This activity should only take 2-3 days to introduce the activity and perform the scenes.

Primary Learning Outcome:

This assignment will help students learn about character, scene, and plot development. Students will practice tone, voice, and mood. Students will also learn, although in this case it is employed for humor, stating the obvious can be unnecessary in writing. Students will also learn techniques to writing more effectively. Students will have practice for a humorous effect.

Assessed GPSs:

· ELA7R3. The student reads aloud, accurately (in the range of 95%), familiar material in a variety of genres, in a way that makes meaning clear to listeners.

Each student will read aloud their character for their peers as part of their group presentation.

· ELA7RC4. The student establishes a context for information acquired by reading across subject areas.

Students learn about new concepts such as: obvious, oblivious, and subtle. The students demonstrate the knowledge of these terms through their writing.

· ELA7W1. The student produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and provides a satisfying closure.

Each student has practice in structuralized writing with plot, scene, and characters. The students are encouraged to be interesting, descriptive, and funny to engage their audience.

· ELA7W2.The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres. The students as a group develop plot, scene, and characters.

The students practice writing with tone, voice, and mood.

· ELA7W4. The student consistently uses the writing process to develop, revise, and evaluate writing.

As a group, the class will discuss each others work to note which elements made the writing more interesting or enjoyable.

· ELA7LSV1. The student participates in student-to-teacher, student-to-student, and group verbal interactions.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_obvious

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/12/captain_obvious_to_the_rescue.html

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Captain_Oblivious

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Captain_Obvious

~ by hwilhite on November 8, 2007.