Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I just knew too much

Late last night I created the world's best lesson plan. I managed to include Hitler, Osama bin Laden, The Matrix, Waking Life, "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. If the students aren't engaged with all that going on...I give up.

The essential questions were "what is reality?" and "How do we determine what is true?"

As the students walk into class I hand them each a cinnamon Mike & Ike and instruct them not to eat it. We watch the clip of Neo being offered the red or blue pill and then I give them the choice: to know the possibly painful truths or remain blissfully ignorant. Actually, they don't have a choice because I didn't give them a blue pill and they have to stay in class.

We would discuss how history is written by the victors, what the difference is between sane and insane, whether there are things we would rather not know/be aware of and why, the impact of perspective on reality, reasons to seek truth, and how to tell if someone or something is credible.

The students would analyze the lyrics to "Crazy" like a poem. It turns out it's actually pretty deep!

CRAZY
By: Gnarls Barkley
I remember when, I remember
I remember when I lost my mind
There was something so pleasant about that place
Even your emotions have an echo in so much space

And when you're out there without care
Yeah, I was out of touch
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly

And I hope that you are
Having the time of your life
But think twice
That's my only advice

Come on now, who do you
Who do you, who do you, who do you think you are?
Ha ha ha, bless your soul
You really think you're in control?

Well, I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
I think you're crazy
Just like me

My heroes had the heart
To lose their lives out on a limb
And all I remember
Is thinking, I want to be like them

Ever since I was little
Ever since I was little
It looked like fun
And it's no coincidence I've come
And I can die when I'm done

But maybe I'm crazy
Maybe you're crazy
Maybe we're crazy
Probably

Isn't this the perfect tie-in for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?!

Will my students learn to think critically about the information they are given and seek the truth or will they leave in an existential crisis that their parents have to deal with? Stay tuned!

3 comments:

Susie Q said...

wow great lesson plan! lollies, rap songs and jack nicholson as a madman- you can bet their attention didn't waver!

Nicole said...

Awesome Miss Allyson!

Catherine said...

Fantastic lesson, but I think the subject calls for (a lot) more than one class period... What's true & what's real are lifetime questions-- but maybe if you allowed a week...?