Using film in the classroom
Target Audience: upper level and AP
Wasteland - Recycling and you
Identify content standard
Plans are based on AP Themes as defined by the College Board and the 5 Cs of ACTFL
- http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-spanish-language-and-culture-courseand-exam-description.pdf
- 5 C’s: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparison, & Communities.
- http://www.actfl.org/publications/all/world-readiness-standards-learning-languages
Student centered Ideas:
1. Students go through their kitchen garbage and make list of all the items found.
Students decide if they could recycle some of the items and why they did not.
What kind of trash they have and what does it say about them – consumer habits.
2. Students lead discusssions on cultural comparisons on how waste is handled in Latin American
countries
Critical thinking:
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What impact do human activities have on the environment?
How does trash affect humans and the environment?
How do you promote caring for the environment?
Where does our trash go? – read USA articles vs Latin American country
Where are our landfills? – who works in this landfills? – same as above
Why is recycling emphasized in some cities more than others? – compare with Latin American
country
Technology /other resources
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Pecha Kucha (attached)
Watch the film Wasteland – excerpts at the landfills
Ask student to make a recycling PSA – video (individual or with a partner)
Project of trash investigation (attached)
Wasteland - Recycling and you
Lesson Plans
1. Pecha Kucha – a series of slides of related pictures. Students have 20 seconds to discuss (not
describe) the pics on each slide
2. Preview questions / discussion
Ex. Have you ever thought where does your trash go?
Break up students into pairs – Think / Pair / Share
3. Brainstorm vocabulary words that you may need to talk about waste removal.
4. Teacher will also provide a list of vocabulary from the film and related topics
5. Students will watch the film – Wasteland. Viewing of the film will be up to the teacher and
depending on the time available at each school. Teacher can assign the film outside of the class or
excerpts in class.
6. Student led discussions on comparisons between the U.S. and Latin American countries of
recycling, trash collection, and landfills
a. How are they similar? How are they different? What conclusions can be drawn about each
culture based on how they handle their garbage.
Activity: going through your trash – Follow activity instructions
Assessment:
1. Ask student to make a recycling PSA – video (individual or with a partner)
2. With a classmate, do a 2 minute oral presentation about what steps will you take to help the
environment with respect to waste removal. Present the problem that you want to resolve and
the possible solutions. Both students have to speak the same amount of time. Use the vocabulary
from this unit.
3. Write a persuasive essay to a Latin American government (assigned country) giving reasons why
it is necessary to improve the recycling program in that country.
Adaptations / Options:
This unit is used to be used with the current AP Spanish Language & Culture themes – Global Challenges
with emphasis in environmental issues. Specifically recycling.
Other context in which this film can be used
Population and Demographics –overpopulation, Favelas. Living conditions, and slums,
Las Favelas en Brasil Parte 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0waRDDFLbXo
Las Favelas en Brasil Parte 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkITrqtPd3w
Economic issues – poverty, and the need to work in the landfill
Social welfare – lack basic necessities (running water, sanitation, eduaction), societal value
Health Care and Medicine – lack of health care
Visual Arts – drawings made out of trash