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Martin Sheen, Actor

Lights, Camera, Activism (Season One)

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Martin Sheen, Actor - Lights, Camera, Activism (Season One) - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

"If what you believe is not costly, then you're left to question its value." 
- Martin Sheen, The Thread

Martin Sheen discusses the origin of his stage name and the influence of his immigrant parents on his political views and spiritual beliefs. He delves into his activism, arrests, and community service. Sheen reflects on his long acting career, including the impact of his role in The West Wing, which inspired young people to pursue careers in public service.

 

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Lesson Objectives

Social Studies

*Explore Martin Sheen's story as an entry point to discuss living a life as an activist

*Connect one life story to a seminal historical event in American History - The Civil Rights Movement and the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches

English Language Arts

*Use Martin Sheen's life story to explore identity

*Inpsire students to tell their own coming-of-age stories

*Examine perspective taking from the point of view of one actor

*Explore the idea of purposeful work and a meaningful life

*Use Martin Sheen's episode as evidence to write a rhetorical argument, commentary, or synthesis essay

Social Emotional Learning: By offering engaging personal narratives, students can discuss and strengthen the five SEL competencies - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Media Literacy: Students will practice media literacy skills by analyzing information, points of view, and claims made in The Thread and be able to translate these strategies with all forms of media to make more informed decisions.

Martin Sheen, Actor - Lights, Camera, Activism (Season One) - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

First Take >

 

The "First Take" activity is a warm-up writing or conversation exercise created uniquely for The Thread to strengthen media literacy skills. Like an opening song in a musical, the first stanza of a poem, or even the first impression one person makes on another, the "First Take" asks students to reflect and share their initial thoughts and feelings about the episode’s opening and why the filmmaker and editor made these choicess.

Download Martin Sheen's lesson to access the complete "First Take" activity.

Martin Sheen, Actor - Lights, Camera, Activism (Season One) - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

The Thread Up Close >

 

After watching the interview, students will debrief and discuss this life story and engage in a close read and analysis of his interview using the "Lights, Camera, Activism" episode and transcript.

In this lesson, students will explore what it means to be an activist throughout ones life.

Download the lesson to access "The Thread Up Close" activity.

Martin Sheen, Actor - Lights, Camera, Activism (Season One) - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

"Lights, Camera, Activism" >

 

In this lesson students will analyze the meaning of the lesson's title and reflect on its connection to faith, purpose, and activism.

Download the lesson to access the complete "Lights, Camera, Activism" activity.

 

Resources

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