I gave the assignment again this week. What book or story most connects you to Christmas and why? I never read Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" in school. My only memory of the book was "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" in cartoon form. I was always annoyed with Mr. Magoo and wished he would just put his glasses on. I do remember being a bit scared of the ghosts in the cartoon.
When I began teaching middle school "A Christmas Carol" was written in a play format in our literature book. I read it for the first time. Students needed some background on what life was like in London during the time the play was written, but this play was key to introducing or emphasizing character traits and how a character changes through a story or play. I decided when I first taught this play I would analyze the different versions of the movie just to see how Scrooge was depicted in the different versions. It was a fun exercise in class right before Christmas break.
I was pleased when I began teaching middle school again at Inchelium that the same play was in the literature book. I have taught this play/book now for about fifteen years. I have seen Goofy as Jacob Marley, Kermit and Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, George C. Scott, Michael Caine, Patrick Stewart, and Bill Murray as Scrooge ( I have not shown the last one in class). Each actor depicts each of the characters in a unique way.
I haven't seen the new version with Jim Carrey playing Scrooge and all the ghosts. We will watch it this week. I have to go out on a limb here though and say that my favorite version still is "Muppets Christmas Carol". There is nothing like Miss Piggy telling off Scrooge, Marley and Marley doing their song and dance routine, and Michael Caine pulling off Scrooge very effectively.
This story reminds me of what is important at Christmas. Students learn how a character can move from being a miser to feeling forgiveness and compassion for others. The quote that always stays with me is "It is required of every man," the ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death."- A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens. Now this story connects me to Christmas.
Enjoy a favorite part of " The Muppets Christmas Carol" with me.
When I began teaching middle school "A Christmas Carol" was written in a play format in our literature book. I read it for the first time. Students needed some background on what life was like in London during the time the play was written, but this play was key to introducing or emphasizing character traits and how a character changes through a story or play. I decided when I first taught this play I would analyze the different versions of the movie just to see how Scrooge was depicted in the different versions. It was a fun exercise in class right before Christmas break.
I was pleased when I began teaching middle school again at Inchelium that the same play was in the literature book. I have taught this play/book now for about fifteen years. I have seen Goofy as Jacob Marley, Kermit and Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, George C. Scott, Michael Caine, Patrick Stewart, and Bill Murray as Scrooge ( I have not shown the last one in class). Each actor depicts each of the characters in a unique way.
I haven't seen the new version with Jim Carrey playing Scrooge and all the ghosts. We will watch it this week. I have to go out on a limb here though and say that my favorite version still is "Muppets Christmas Carol". There is nothing like Miss Piggy telling off Scrooge, Marley and Marley doing their song and dance routine, and Michael Caine pulling off Scrooge very effectively.
This story reminds me of what is important at Christmas. Students learn how a character can move from being a miser to feeling forgiveness and compassion for others. The quote that always stays with me is "It is required of every man," the ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death."- A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens. Now this story connects me to Christmas.
Enjoy a favorite part of " The Muppets Christmas Carol" with me.
I loved this post! A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite traditions... I have only watched one version so far this year. I'm hoping to reread it too! That clip of the Muppets was so sweet!
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Nita Jo
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