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Molly Jong-Fast, Author and Journalist

Inheriting Boldness (Season Two)

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Molly Jong-Fast, Author and Journalist - Inheriting Boldness (Season Two) - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

"One of the great things that my mother taught me was just do it. So I wrote my first book at 19 - I never felt that I couldn't." - Molly Jong Fast, The Thread

Molly Jong Fast eflects on the political climate of his upbringing, its role in shaping his career as an actor for over fifty-years, and his committment to political activism. Cromwell walks the talk as a fighter for animal rights, for stronger action to protect the environment, and who is a passionate patriot committed to civil rights and social justice.

 

Watch "Rebel With A Cause"  

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Lesson Objectives

Social Studies

* Analyze the McCarthy era’s impact on individuals, families, and society

* Explore the effects of family history and legacy on personal beliefs and choices

* Analyze the interplay of privilege, social justice, and personal responsibility in shaping individual choices

* Explore the role of art and entertainment in promoting social awareness

English Language Arts 

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

* Analyze the structure and purpose of a narrative, identify key themes in the episode, and synthesize information from a spoken text

* Analyze, reflect on, and discuss the title “Inheriting Boldness” after watching the episode

* Explore the idea of purposeful work and a meaningful life

* Use Molly Jong-Fast’s episode as evidence to write a rhetorical argumenton an assigned topic

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.

Molly Jong-Fast, Author and Journalist - Inheriting Boldness (Season Two) - 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 choices.

Download Molly Jong Fast’s lesson to access the complete “First Take” activity.

Molly Jong-Fast, Author and Journalist - Inheriting Boldness (Season Two) - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

The Thread Up Close >

After watching the interview, students will debrief and discuss the life story and engage in a close read and analysis of her interview using the “Inheriting Boldness” episode and transcript.

In this lesson, the suggested close read relates to topics such as resilience, career development, life-long learning, 

Download the lesson to access “The Thread Up Close” activity.

Molly Jong-Fast, Author and Journalist - Inheriting Boldness (Season Two) - Lessons - Life Stories Interviews

"Inheriting Boldness" >

In this activity students will analyze the meaning of the lesson’s title and reflect in writing on any values or character traits they believe they inherited or learned from their parents or other significant adults in their lives. 

Download the lesson to access the entire “Inheriting Boldness” activity.

Resources

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