Teachable Moment: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

Charles Dickens is remembered as the greatest creator of literary characters after Shakespeare. He is also a hero of the Victorian Era, being the conscience of the British Empire and exposing the neglect and abuse of the poor in the burgeoning Industrial Age.

He himself suffered as a child when his father was put into a debtor's prison. But from a young man he wrote numerous popular stories marketed in the United States and the UK, and these have continued to evolve into film, theatre, mini-series and are still enthusiastically enjoyed by generation after generation. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens

Dickens' novel make characters dynamically real. It is hard to deny knowing Pip or David Copperfield or Oliver Twist personally after reading the novels.

"A Christmas Carol" film, 1984

Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit

He also wrote short stories, and "A Christmas Carol" is one now celebrated in every possible creative venue. My personal favorite is the film (1984) of the same title with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. David Warner, as Bob Cratchit, brings tears to my eyes every year. The script is very compelling. You can show it at a public school because it is not openly a Christian film (Jesus is never mentioned by name), plus there are enough spirits, time travel, etc., that makes it a fantasy.

I've shown it to students of all demographics and they really appreciated it. They felt for Tiny Tim, and were shocked by Ignorance and Want. The kids are relieved Scrooge changes his way and avoids the lonely tragedy of a selfish life. The older students have compared and contrasted two different film versions.

Please consider reading the short story aloud. Dickens can pull the reader into a setting almost miraculously. As Ebenezer Scrooge walks through the streets of London to his home, just to see Marley's face on his door knocker--that is one of the best descriptive passages for mood and tone I have ever read.

How long it would take to list all the various renditions of "A Christmas Carol"? Wow, a couple of days. I do also like "The Muppets' Christmas Carol" with Michael Caine, "Scrooged" with Bill Murray, and Patrick Stewart as Scrooge in the TNT presentation of "A Christmas Carol."

So many Christmas Carols, so little holiday season.

A Dickens of a Time-Riverside Dickens Festival

Cousin Eddie

The game is afoot!

The Riverside Dickens Festival is just down the road about 50 miles from me, about the same for my high school friend, Janet. So we met up for a very fun day. Especially since we are both English majors and teachers!

Irene Adler

Victoria and Albert

We got to be in the parade!
Parade at Dickens Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et_DjlP074M

Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig

Edgar Allen Poe and AnnaMelle Lee

Jane Austen

Oscar Wilde

Mark Twain

Sherlock and the new Watson

Melanie and Janet

BFFs in any century

Merry Christmas from MzTeachuh

Our English classes had the best time preparing for Finals by enjoying 

Kids wrote and acted scenes.

"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens.






So, in the spirit of our dearest holiday fantasy, may we all have a renewal of

COURAGE, 

OPTIMISM, 

AND DEPTH OF FEELING.

A million heartfelt thanks to the readers of MzTeachuh, as well as the PLN writers that contribute such enrichment in research, analysis, and strategies for all of us in the teaching trenches. 

Together we are mighty, 

together we are blessed.

God bless us every one!

Charles Dickens-Documentary

Charles Dickens (Part 1 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEYdX5_U0Yg

Charles Dickens (Part 2 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R5APXDJ6fE

Charles Dickens (Part 3 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXm2QtBxts

Illustrations from 'A Christmas Carol.'

Teachable Moment: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

Charles Dickens is remembered as the greatest creator of literary characters after Shakespeare. He is also a hero of the Victorian Era, being the conscience of the British Empire and exposing the neglect and abuse of the poor in the burgeoning Industrial Age.

He himself suffered as a child when his father was put into a debtor's prison. But from a young man he wrote numerous popular stories marketed in the United States and the UK, and these have continued to evolve into film, theatre, mini-series and are still enthusiastically enjoyed by generation after generation. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens

Dickens' novel make characters dynamically real. It is hard to deny knowing Pip or David Copperfield or Oliver Twist personally after reading the novels.

"A Christmas Carol" film, 1984

Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit

He also wrote short stories, and "A Christmas Carol" is one now celebrated in every possible creative venue. My personal favorite is the film (1984) of the same title with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. David Warner, as Bob Cratchit, brings tears to my eyes every year. The script is very compelling. You can show it at a public school because it is not openly a Christian film (Jesus is never mentioned by name), plus there are enough spirits, time travel, etc., that makes it a fantasy.

I've shown it to students of all demographics and they really appreciated it. They felt for Tiny Tim, and were shocked by Ignorance and Want. The kids are relieved Scrooge changes his way and avoids the lonely tragedy of a selfish life. The older students have compared and contrasted two different film versions.

Please consider reading the short story aloud. Dickens can pull the reader into a setting almost miraculously. As Ebenezer Scrooge walks through the streets of London to his home, just to see Marley's face on his door knocker--that is one of the best descriptive passages for mood and tone I have ever read.

A Christmas Carol For Children to Read Aloud 
http://www.nonprofitprnow.com/AChristmasCarolforChildrentoReadOutloudRevisedasPDF.pdf 

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Adapted for Readers Theater by Richard Swallow

http://www.timelessteacherstuff.com/readerstheater/ChristmasCarol.html 

 How long it would take to list all the various renditions of "How long it would take to list all the various renditions of "A Christmas Carol"? Wow, a couple of days. I do also like "The Muppets' Christmas Carol" with Michael Caine, "Scrooged" with Bill Murray, and Patrick Stewart as Scrooge in the TNT presentation of "A Christmas Carol."

So many Christmas Carols, so little holiday season.

MzTeachuh's Top Posts of the Week 12/20/13

George C, Scott's 'A Christmas Carol' 1984

Teachable Moment: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/teachable-moment-charles-dickens.html

ePLNs for Teachers –Getting Connected

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/10/eplns-for-teachers-getting-connected.html 

What Child Is This? 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/what-child-is-this.html?spref=bl 

Excellent Christmas Short Story by Pearl S. Buck

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/excellent-christmas-short-story-by.html 

Best Articles for Educators Week of 12/15/2013 

 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/best-articles-for-educators-week-of.html

Ed Tech and STEM Tweets of the Day 12/19/13

 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/ed-tech-and-stem-tweets-of-day-121913.html

Special Needs Tweets of the Day 12/19/13 

 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/special-needs-tweets-of-day-121913.html

...To Face Unafraid The Plans That We Made... 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/to-face-unafraid-plans-that-we-made.html 

Ed Tech and STEM Monday Review Week of 12/16/13 

http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/ed-tech-and-stem-monday-review-week-of.html 

Have You Talked To Your Kid Today? 

 http://mzteachuh.blogspot.com/2013/12/have-you-talked-to-your-kid-today.html

 

 Thanks to our international audience. It is a privilege to serve you. USA, UK, Russia, France, Germany, Canada, Bulgaria, China, Thailand, Japan.

Teachable Moment: Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

Charles Dickens is remembered as the greatest creator of literary characters after Shakespeare. He is also a hero of the Victorian Era, being the conscience of the British Empire and exposing the neglect and abuse of the poor in the burgeoning Industrial Age.

He himself suffered as a child when his father was put into a debtor's prison. But from a young man he wrote numerous popular stories marketed in the United States and the UK, and these have continued to evolve into film, theatre, mini-series and are still enthusiastically enjoyed by generation after generation. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens

Dickens' novel make characters dynamically real. It is hard to deny knowing Pip or David Copperfield or Oliver Twist personally after reading the novels.

"A Christmas Carol" film, 1984

Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit

He also wrote short stories, and "A Christmas Carol" is one now celebrated in every possible creative venue. My personal favorite is the film (1984) of the same title with George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. David Warner, as Bob Cratchit, brings tears to my eyes every year. The script is very compelling. You can show it at a public school because it is not openly a Christian film (Jesus is never mentioned by name), plus there are enough spirits, time travel, etc., that makes it a fantasy.

I've shown it to students of all demographics and they really appreciated it. They felt for Tiny Tim, and were shocked by Ignorance and Want. The kids are relieved Scrooge changes his way and avoids the lonely tragedy of a selfish life. The older students have compared and contrasted two different film versions.

Please consider reading the short story aloud. Dickens can pull the reader into a setting almost miraculously. As Ebenezer Scrooge walks through the streets of London to his home, just to see Marley's face on his door knocker--that is one of the best descriptive passages for mood and tone I have ever read.

How long it would take to list all the various renditions of "A Christmas Carol"? Wow, a couple of days. I do also like "The Muppets' Christmas Carol" with Michael Caine, "Scrooged" with Bill Murray, and Patrick Stewart as Scrooge in the TNT presentation of "A Christmas Carol."

So many Christmas Carols, so little holiday season.

Tweets of the Week

Lots of activity in the world of education.

It is the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth! Let's check out his life, which was very Dickensian.

http://www.online-literature.com/dickens/

PBS has two productions of his currently available online to view, one enormously famous book, one almost unknown story. If you can't tell the difference between the two titles, read my previous blog.

This looks good and creepy. Its a mystery.

http://video.pbs.org/video/2216784370/

You can already buy this one.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Its rather gothic.



 Here is the other PBS Masterpiece presentation by Dickens:

Great Expectations.  Don't forget you can also read the stories.

Here is a lovely, long link about librarians and literacy. And such alliteration! You can get to know your librarian while you're checking out Great Expectations.

 http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/893928-312/all_aboard_implementing_common_core.html.csp?utm_source=ReadingRockets.org&utm_medium=Twitter#.T4yNCq4cm94.facebook

Developing the 'green corners' of the playground.

Living, teaching, and growing in the real world of nature. Kids needs to be outside! Using nature as a lesson plan.

http://www.edutopia.org/sustainable-schoolyard-design?fb_ref=.T4rzNMnV1JQ.like&fb_source=timeline

It is obvious that not all teachers have the resources (natural or otherwise) to have an outdoor playground. But we can interact with nature on some level.

 Here is a quote from the University of Michigan (and it has nothing to do with football, well, not exactly.)

http://www.davidwilliamsassociates.com/news/university-michigan-study-playgrounds-schools

"According to approximately 26 percent of the parents recently surveyed by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, there is not enough playground space at schools for kids. Polling parents across the country, the study shows that more playgrounds in schools would make parents happy as well as help fight against childhood obesity.  One in every sixth child is affected by childhood obesity and taking a child to a outside to a park or recreation area to for them to spend time on a playground, that helps fight against childhood obesity."

Here is a link from Edutopia concerning the outdoor exposure kids are missing. Excellent CG on a video game is not enough.

http://www.edutopia.org/outdoor-education-nature-deficit-disorder?fb_ref=.T4rzX_UpQlQ.like&fb_source=timeline

"It's not just that the outdoors is uncool" to kids who prize gaming devices over games of catch, says Martin LeBlanc, national youth director of the Sierra Club. "It's that it doesn't exist for them."

That looks so inviting.

That is a very profound thought. Kids who never experience any natural setting. That's practically abuse.

In many areas when kids want to go outside, there is the question of air pollution and also street violence. Let's do something about these, too.

Here's a nice instructible about urban gardens for kids.

Sprouts for the sprouts.

http://forloveofchildren.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/urban-gardening-maximizing-use-of-small-spaces/

One more link. We learn through all modalities. The fine arts are important whether you play like Mozart or will be a da Vinci. If nothing else, its fun and a good emotional release.

Love those curls.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cafe-mcmullen/arts-education_b_1400142.html?ir=Arts&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008&ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

Such a happy guy.

 Mona Lisa and those young gentlemen in all those portraits, you can just eat your hearts out!

Mini-Series Review: Charles Dickens' Great Expectations

Gillian Anderson, as Miss Havisham, the best crazy eyes ever.

This is Charles Dickens' at his creepy best; Great Expectations is even more disturbing than "A Christmas Carol," because this isn't a supernatural story, just people being enormously terrifying and bizarre in the real world. The BBC really outdid itself in setting the tone and mood of this serving of Dickens.

This link should be good for awhile so you can see this magnificent story online.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/greatexpectations/

Ray Winstone, as Abel Magwitch

For those who were not involved in reading Dickens in school, let me say that although these stories translate well to film, Dickens really is worth reading for his personable style; his characters are alive. The setting is so compelling, you practically choke on the smoke, fog, and yuck in the London air. You can just about smell Abel Magwitch's B.O.

Dickens can really scare you, and make you worry for his innocent-victim-of-circumstance  characters. I still worry about David Copperfield (David Copperfield). Somehow that story didn't seem finished. And it was so sad about Nancy (Oliver Twist.). Dickens' own personal story is very Dickensian, so he wrote with a heart of experience as to the abandonment, terror, and anticipation of youth.

http://www.dickens-literature.com/l_biography.html

Oscar Kennedy as Pip the younger.

Douglas Booth as Pip the Elder.

Dickens, as always, is concerned about the economic class struggle of Victorian England and compares and contrasts the souls of the characters to evaluate who is noble and who is despicable. In this story, a little boy named Philip Pirrup (Pip) is lead through a series of manipulations that test the value of all his relationships and motives. He must grow into a gentleman.
Pip turned out to be a pip.

Pip's acquaintance with Miss Havisham is astonishingly awful, almost a horror flick. Gillian Anderson perfects the role. I never once expected her to say, "Mulder, is that you?" which is not a simple task when you are well known for another role. (X Files.) But she was also excellent in Bleak House by our author Dickens.

Please don't be satisfied with only the film or mini-series versions of Dickens. The books are great to teach a class, or read aloud. Dickens himself would travel giving lectures, reading his stories and doing all the voices of his characters. He came to America, too. And there are many documentaries on Dickens, at least five on Netflix.

You can also download some stories from this site, to read or listen to.

http://www.online-literature.com/dickens/

Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham

A movie version of this story is in production due the end of the year, as this is the two hundredth anniversary of Dickens' birth.  When it comes out, we can compare and contrast Gillian Anderson and Helena Bonham Carter, the two Miss Havishams. (Though the pic at the right looks a bit like Tim Burton should have produced it.)

This youtube link from PBS Masterpiece almost gives away everything, but maybe it will tempt you enough to read or watch this classic. It is just a really good story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_J4DFlyvd8