A 1920’s Silent Movie Assignment

Over the past few classes we have studied some interesting information about life in the 1920’s. We have discussed the rights of women, popular culture, the many social changes and of course the new technologies of the time. One of the most significant inventions of the 1920’s were films, and eventually in the late 20’s film with sound.

The Task: In groups of 4-5you are to create a silent movie to be presented to the class

Your movie should include the following:

  • a plot which includes information about the time period
  • a minimum of 10 written English words ( i.e., during a scene change a flash card with writing can be used. NO ONE IN THE FILM SHOULD SPEAK)
  • participation from ALL group members
  • props
  • costumes
  • background music

Choose ONE theme from the list below as the focus of your movie plot

a)the automobile

b)the airplane

c)the radio

d)jazz music (the Charleston)

e)the discovery of insulin

f)women’s rights

Your movie should not be longer than 10 minutes in length

Silent Movie Group Planning Sheet

Complete the group planning sheet and submit it via moodle

Jazz Music / Women’s Rights / Radio / Automobile
Mavis / Cynthia / Lampard / Sidney
Sharlene / Eunice / Anna / Hao Tian G
Tian / Emily / Judy / Ming
Yushan / Joy / Kasey / Haotian C
April / Agnes / Yichen / Boran

1. Describe the plot of your silent movie

2. Who are the characters in your movie?

3. How will your movie teach us about the 1920’s?

4. Outline the responsibilities of each group member

5. Outline the dates when parts of your project will be completed

Silent Movie Rubric for Assessment and Evaluation

Criteria / Level 4
(80%-100%) / Level 3
(70%-79%) / Level 2
(60%-69%) / Level 1
(50%-59%)
Knowledge and Understanding / -the movie plot demonstrates an excellent understanding of the time period / -the movie plot demonstrates a very good understanding of the time period / -the movie plot demonstrates fair understanding of the time period / - the movie plot demonstrates little to no understanding of the time period
Application / -all instructions of the assignment are followed in the film
-the character role(s) are well developed / - 1 or 2 of the criteria of this assignment are missing from the film
-the character role(s) are well developed / -at least 3-4 of the criteria of this assignment are missing from the film
-the character role(s ) need to be developed / -more than 4 criteria of this assignment are not included in the film
-there is little to no development in the character role(s )
Communication / -the film demonstrates an exceptional use of body language and facial expressions / - the film demonstrates a good use of body language and facial expressions / - the film demonstrates a fair use of body language and or facial expressions / - the film demonstrates little to no use of body language and or facial expressions
Thinking and Inquiry / - the plot is well developed and presented in an exciting and interesting manner / - the plot is developed and presented in an interesting manner / - the plot needs to be developed and or the presentation lacks excitement / - there is little to no plot development
-the presentation is not interesting and or lacks excitement