Shrek
Motion Picture Study Guide
5th grade
Language Arts, Mathematics, and
Informational Skills
Blair Stone
Anna S.
Introduction
Shrek is an engaging and enjoyable film that
has appeal to 5th graders while also being
relevant to several areas of the North Carolina
Standard Course of Study.
Rating: PG
Some subject areas addressed in this guide
include English Language Arts, Informational
Skills, and Mathematics.
This guide is organized to clearly connect
scenes to state standards. For example,
Welcome to Duloc, the 5th scene in this film,
directly correlates to a state standard in the
Language Arts Standard Course of Study. It
focuses on the element of satire that runs
throughout this motion picture. Objective
3.02 states that students will have the ability
to “make connections within and between
texts by recognizing similarities and
differences based on a common lesson,
theme, or message.”
Summary
Shrek tells the tale of a lonely ogre
trying to find his way though life in the
forest. Along the way, he meets new
friends, falls in love with a princess, fights
a prince, and learns survival skills, all the
while learning even more about himself.
He realizes exactly what it means to be a
good person, someone people can trust,
as well as being comfortable in his own
skin.
English Language Arts
Lesson Plan #1: Satire
There are many lessons in English
Language Arts that can be taught
through Shrek. This lesson plan
specifically focuses on the use of satire.
The North Carolina Standard Course of
Study applies this subject in Objective
3.02.
Before viewing the movie: Introduce satire to
the class. Cover what satire is and give examples
of satire to students. Tell students to look for
what they believe are the “satirical parts” to the
scenes below and to take notes as to why they
think this.
Objective 3.02: Students will make
connections within and between texts
by recognizing similarities and
differences based on a common lesson,
theme, or message.
During viewing the movie: Show the class
“Welcome to Duloc” (Scene 5 - 00:20:15 to
00:25:00) Allow the students to complete their
notes on this scene before beginning the same
task on the next scene. “The Dragon’s Keep”
(Scenes 7-8 – 00: 31:38 – 00: 40: 30)
Two specific scenes in the motion
picture Shrek.
• “Welcome to Duloc” (Scene 5)
• “The Dragon’s Keep. ( Scenes 7-8)”
After viewing the movie: Hold a class discussion
and ask the students what, in their opinion, were
the satirical parts of Shrek. The class then can
compile a class list of these actions. Once the list
is made, share the true satirical parts of this
movie. (listed below) with students. go through
the class list and ask them to help you figure out
why some of the parts on the list did and did not
portray satire.
Satirical Events in Shrek
“Welcome To Duloc” pokes fun at the clean
nature of Disney World, most specifically the “It’s
a Small World,” amusement ride.
The main characters in Shrek: Donkey, Shrek, Princess Fiona,
and Lord Farquaad come together to result in the satirical
nature of this film.
Satire can be defined as: the use of irony,
sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing,
denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
“The Dragon’s Keep” is considered to be a
parody of the fairytale storyline. There is a
damsel in distress, and “prince charming,” comes
to the rescue in her time of need.
English Language Arts
Lesson Plan #2: Dialogue & Stereotypes
Shrek does a great job of teaching the
impact stereotypes can have in multiple
situations. They are something that most
children become very familiar with at a young
age, so it is important to show our children
not to judge a book by its’ cover.
North Carolina Standard Course of Study
Objectives:
•3.03: Students will justify evaluation
of characters and events form
different selections by citing
supporting evidence in the text(s).
•3.07: Students will make informed
judgments about: bias, propaganda,
stereotyping, media techniques.
Scene 11 (00:49:13 – 00:55:24) of Shrek
appropriately portrays this topic.
Before the viewing of the movie: Discuss
what stereotypes are with the class. Ask each
student to take out a scrap sheet of paper and
write down as many different stereotypes as
they can think of. From there, ask students if
they have ever been stereotyped along with
how it made them feel. Then ask the students
to watch for stereotypes throughout Scene
11.
During the viewing of the movie: Students
will be given a sheet of dialogue that they will
have to fill in as they follow along with this
scene.
After the viewing of the movie: The class will
go over the dialogue and its’ significance.
They then will be given a character chart,
based upon stereotypes, they are given. (see
Appendix page …….)
Shrek and Donkey learn to get along and look
past the stereotypes they once held for each
other.
English Language Arts
Lesson Plan #3: Fairytales vs. Fractured Fairytales
A Fractured Fairytale can be defined as:
“ A traditional fairy tales, rearranged to create
new plots with fundamentally different
meanings or messages. Fractured fairy tales
are closely related to fairy-tale parodies, but
the two serve different purposes: parodies
mock individual tales and the genre as a
whole; fractured fairy tales, with a reforming
intent, seek to impart updated social and
moral messages.”
http://www.divinecaroline.com/22113/417
23-fractured-fairy-tales
Princess Fiona paints the perfect picture of a fairytale as
she finds her way through the forest all alone.
The fairytale is a concept that is taught in
school at a very young age. Once students age
a bit more, fractured fairytales are introduced.
Comparing and contrasting the fairytale against
the fractured fairytale is a skill that Shrek
conveys very well.
North Carolina Standard Course of Study
Objectives:
• 2.03 Read a variety of texts, such as: fiction
(tall tales, myths), nonfiction books of true
experience, newspaper and magazine articles,
schedules). poetry (narrative, lyric, and
cinquains, drama (plays and skits.)
A Fairytale can be defined as:
A folktale featuring fairies or similar fantasy
characters
Before viewing the movie: Discuss with
the class elements of a fairy tale. And
introduce the topic of the fractured
fairytale as well as what elements make it
different from the above stated. Pass out
the handout of the ten elements of a
Fairytale for the students to look over.
During viewing the movie: For the first 15
minutes of the movie, allow the students
to watch it without sound. The students
can make a list of familiar fairy tale
characters they see. Allow the students to
watch the rest of the movie with sound
and make note on the different spins
Shrek puts on these traditional tales.
After viewing the movie: Students will
complete a Venn Diagram comparing the
similarities and differences of fairytales
and fractured fairytales. Then students
will be placed in groups of 5 and each
group will be held responsible for making
a fractured fairytale based on the original
fairytale they have been given.
English Language Arts
Lesson Plan #4: Character Education
It is absolutely necessary to teach our
children the significance of good
character while they are still young. If
good qualities are instilled in them at
such a young age, hopefully these
characteristics will be utilized throughout
their life.
The North Carolina Standard Course of
Study focuses on Character Education a
great deal as well. There are multiple
objectives that can teach these lessons
in the motion picture Shrek.
North Carolina Standard Course of
Study Objectives
7.01 Develop a positive attitude toward
self as a unique and worthy person.
7.02 Communicate the goal setting
process.
7.03 Manage feelings.
7.04 Distinguish between appropriate
and inappropriate behaviors.
7.05 Differentiate personal boundaries,
rights, and privacy needs.
7.06 Establish self-control.
7.07 Demonstrate cooperative behavior
in groups.
Princess Fiona and Shrek show how much they care
for each other by keeping each others’ best
interests at heart.
After viewing the movie: Allow a couple students
to give examples of where they saw good and bad
character. Ask two students to come up to the
screen and once their scene is found, point out the
facial expression of the characters in the movie that
displayed good or bad character. (As seen in this
picture below) Following picking out these faces,
the class will hold a discussion on the importance of
good character.
There is no specific scene that can be singled
out to focus on character. Shrek as a whole is
filled with lesson after lesson on good
character.
Before viewing the movie: Put students in
groups of 4 or 5 and give them each a
different story with a different ethical
situation on it. Each group as a whole must
decide how to deal with their given situation
and present it to the class.
During viewing the movie: Ask students to
pay careful attention to the good and bad
qualities that are revealed in Shrek and to
make sure they remember where these
spots take place.
Prince Farquaad shows poor character traits as he tears apart
the Gingerbread Man.
Appendix
•Dialogue Worksheet & Answer Sheet………………….page 1
•Stereotype Worksheet…………………………………………page 2
•Common Elements of A Fairy Tale ………………………page 3
•Fairy Tales & Fractured Fairy tales Venn Diagram…page 4
•Booklist of Fractured Fairytales……………………………page 5
•Literature Circles Instructions Handout……………….page 6
Name: ____________________
Shrek
Scene 11
(00: 49:13-00:51:20)
Listen to this scene and fill in the missing parts to this dialogue.
SHREK: (Belches)
DONKEY: …………(Shrek!!!)…………………………………….!
SHREK: What? It’s a …(compliment)…Better…(out)……than
……(in)……I always say!
DONKEY: Well its no way to behave …(in front of)…… a princess.
PRINCESS FIONA: (Belches) Thanks.
DONKEY: She’s ……(as nasty as)………………….. you are.
SHREK: You know, you’re not exactly what I expected.
PRINCESS FIONA: Maybe you shouldn’t judge people before you
know them.
1
Name: __________________
Shrek
Activity #2
Stereotypes
Fill in the chart after watching Scene 11. Describe ways in
which each of the following characters act as we expect them
to and how we don’t expect them to. Attempt to include at
least 2 situations in each block.
Characters
Acts as Expected
Doesn’t Act as
Expected
Princess Fiona
Ex) the damsel in
distress
Burps out loud
Robinhood
Shrek
2
Common Elements of Fairy Tales
1. A fairy tale begins with "Once upon a time...”
2. Fairy tales happen in the long ago.
3. Fairy Tales have fantasy and make believe in them.
4. Fairy Tales have clearly defined Good characters vs. Evil
characters.
5. Royalty is usually present in a fairy tale, a beautiful
princess/handsome prince.
6. There may be magic with giants, elves, talking animals,
witches or fairies.
7. Fairy tales have a problem that needs to be solved.
8. It often takes three tries to solve the problem.
9. Fairy tales have happy endings – “they all lived happily ever
after.”
10. Fairy tales usually teach a lesson or have a theme.
3
Shrek
Activity #3
Fairy Tales and Fractured Fairy Tales
Venn Diagram
Place the characteristics of each genre in their respective
circles. Also include elements that these two topics share in
the middle of this diagram.
* HINT: Keep in mind everything that you learned from
Shrek. There are many examples right in front of you!!
Fairy Tales
Both
Fractured Fairy Tales
4
Fractured Fairytales
Here is a list of some of the best Fractured Fairytales to date!
If you’ve gotten into this genre, put these books on your ToRead List!
•Dear Peter Rabbit – Ada, Alma Flor
•The Princess and the Pizza – Auch, Mary Jane
•Jim and the Beanstalk – Briggs, Raymond
•A Frog Prince – Berenzy, Alix
•The Fourth Little Pig – Celsi, Teresa
•Dinorella: A Prehistoric Fairytale – Edwards, Pamela
•Three Cool Kids – Emberely, Rebecca
•Mr. Wolf’s Pancakes – Fearnley, Jan
•Dinosaur’s New Clothes – Goode, Diane
•The Wolf Who Cried Boy – Hartman, Bob
•Cinderdog and the Wicked Stepcat – Holub, Joan
•Chicken Little – Kellogg, Steven
•Ella Enchanted – Levine, Gail Carson
•Once Upon A Golden Apple – Little, Jean
•Sleepless Beauty – Minters, Francis
•The Prince of the Pond – Napoli, Donna Jo
•Sleeping Ugly – Yolen, Jane
•The Toll-Bridge Troll – Wolff, Patricia Rae
•Petronella – Williams, Jay
•Deep in the Forest – Turkle, Brinton
5
Fractured Fairytales Literature Circles
Each group of 5 will pick a fairy tale. Then find a fractured fairy tale
based off of your original choice. Each group member will be
responsible for completing the task for each role given.
Literature Circle Roles
•Discussion Director: Your job is to write a list of questions that your group might
want to discuss about the book.
•Summarizer: Your job is to prepare a summary of the reading. Don’t tell the whole
story, just focus on the important parts
Vocabulary Enricher: Your job is to look for a few important words in your reading. If
you find words that are puzzling or unfamiliar, mark them down on this page while
you are
reading.
Connector: Your job is to find connections between the book you are reading and
the outside world. This means connecting what you read with your own life, to what
happens at school or in the community, to similar events at other times and places,
or to other people or problems
Illustrator: Your job is to draw some kind of a picture related to what you read. It can
be a sketch, cartoon, diagram, or stick figure scene.
6
Websites used
http://www.readwritethink.org/lesson_images/lesson810/vide
o_clips.pdf
http://www.ci.elpaso.tx.us/kidszone/kidszone_library/booksandreading/boo
klists/booklistfracturedfairy.htm
www.scribd.com/.../Lesson-Plan-Scene-11-from-Shrek-1-MovieGuide
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/reading
/literature_circles/