The Man Who Planted Trees

Language level: Upper Intermediate (B2.1) – Advanced (C1) Learner type: Teens and adults Time: 2 90 minute classes Activity: Reading a short story, watching short video about writing a short story, writing a short story, watching a short film, and speaking Topic: Short stories and the meaning of life Language: Language related to elements of a short story Materials: Short story, video and short

film

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The Man Who Planted Trees

Overview

The lesson is designed around an Oscar-winning short film called The Man Who Planted Trees and the subjects of short stories and the meaning of life. Students read a short story, watch short video about writing a short story, write a short story, watch a short film, and speak about the meaning of life. The lesson should be done over 2 90 minute classes.

Lesson 1

Step 1

Ask your students the following question:

Have you ever read any short stories?

Can you remember the plot of any short stories?

What makes a good short story?

Step 2

Write the following words on the board:

Character

Setting

Plot

Conflict

Theme

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The Man Who Planted Trees

Tell your students that these are generally considered the 5 essential elements of a short story. Put your students in pairs and ask them to discuss what each of the 5 elements means. Give them 5 minutes to discuss the 5 elements and then get feedback.

Step 3

Give students the 5 Elements of a Short Story handout and ask them to read it and then compare their answers with the information in the article.

Step 4

Ask your students the following question:

How can you write a great short story?

Put them into small groups and give them 5 minutes to come up with advice for writing a great short story.

Step 5

Tell your students they are going to watch a short video in which the writer Kurt Vonnegut gives 8 tips on how to write a short story. Ask students to watch the film and then try to discuss the advice he gives.

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The Man Who Planted Trees

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmVcIhnvSx8

Step 6

Give students the transcript of the video and ask them to read it and then discuss it.

Homework

Tell your students that you would like them to do 2 things:

1. Read the short story The Man Who Planted Trees. Tell them they will need to use a dictionary as there is a lot of difficult vocabulary.

2. Write their own short story following the advice they in the lesson. They should choose their own title.

Lesson 2

Step 1

Give your students the discussion questions about The Man Who Planted Trees. Put them into small groups and ask them to discuss the questions for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Get feedback from the whole class on what they thought about the short story.

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The Man Who Planted Trees

Step 3

Tell your students they are going to watch a short film adaptation of The Man Who Planted Trees. Show the film until 13.35 and then ask them the following questions.

Why is Elzéard Bouffier a shepherd in the mountains?

Why does he plant trees?

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLDEL-ZPqaQ

Step 4

Show the rest of the film and then ask the following questions:

How did the film make you feel?

Do you prefer the short story or the short film?

Step 5

Tell students that “planting trees” is used metaphorically in the short story. Ask them for examples of how people can “plant trees” in their lives and what outcomes this can have on other people.

I hope you enjoy the story, film and the lessons.