1. Letter Writers doing “Write” for the Illiterate Lesson to go with Video Clip from the Brazilian Film “Central Station”

2. Content Standard NCSS Standard 1. Culture and cultural diversity Explore and Describe similarities and differences in the ways groups, societies and cultures address similar human needs and concerns. Explore and Describe similarities and differences in the ways groups, societies and cultures address similar human needs and concerns.

3. Targets 1. Explore the tradition of letter writing 2. Explore the problem of illiteracy 3. Explore the letter writer and groups that use this service.

4. Resources Women of Letters Doing Write for the Illiterate www.smh.comau/articles/2003/06/11/1055 220661012.html www.smh.comau/articles/2003/06/11/1055 220661012.html Business Booms for Ancient Afghan Letter Writing Art http://www.dawn.com/news/824352/busine ss-booms-for-ancient-afghan-letter-writing- art http://www.dawn.com/news/824352/busine ss-booms-for-ancient-afghan-letter-writing- art http://www.dawn.com/news/824352/busine ss-booms-for-ancient-afghan-letter-writing- art

5. Resources New Technology poses challenge to Mexico City’s traditional scribes http://www.dallasnews.com/news/nationwo rld/mexico/20121007-new-technology- poses-challenge-to-capitals-traditional- scribes.ece

6. Movie “Central Station” Directed by Walter Salles (1998) Two 1998 Academy Award Nominations Two 1998 Academy Award Nominations Central Station on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Station _%28film%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Station _%28film%29http://www.imbd.com/title/tt0140888/ www.tc.umn.edu

7. The Idea of Letter Writers 1. Letter writers play an important social role in a country where the illiteracy rate is high. 2. Brazil’s social life is characterized by a vast internal migration so letter writers connect to individuals and families. 3. Letter writers provide the people with a sense of individuality and identity.

8. Preview Activities Ask the students to brainstorm ways that they think an illiterate person could get a letter written to a friend or family member. Discuss Why do you think that people get paid to write letters in some countries? Discuss

9. Procedure Begin the film clip. Start at 00.00- stop at 2:10 Start 2:31- stop at 2:47 Start 8:39- stop at 11:14

10. Discussion after the film Discussion after the film Discussion questions What do you think the tools of the trade of letter writing include? How would new technologies possibly change the traditional letter writers? What do you think this quote means? Letters as Prayers “We should treat with respect the beautiful custom of letter writing” Edward Hays from Secular Sanctity

11. Letter Writing Activity Students will compare and contrast letter writing and letter dictation. Students will pair up. One student will write the letter and the other student will dictate the letter. Stationary or ruled paper may be used. Themes for the letter will be taken from clips of the film. Themes to choose from: Point of view as an observer taken from scenes in the movie. Tell a friend or family member what you saw, heard, ate, or how you traveled. Students will write their letters using the correct format of a friendly letter. Students will use correct format, sentence structure, capitalization, punctuation. Students will change roles. Using sticky notes Students will list three adjectives describing the role of letter writing, Students will list three adjectives describing the role of dictation.

12. Clips to view and write about 3:30-5:15 people climbing through the windows of the train and the train ride home 11:20-12:30 Orphaned 12:45-15:00 No Money No Letter 16:20- 18:22 Offer of a Sandwich 16:20- 18:22 Penalty for Stealing 37:35-38:35 Bus Ride

13. More Clips to Write About 46:57-47:35 Hungry 49:22-52:00 Stealing 1:10:50-1:15:45 Religious Ceremony

14. Letter writing Rubric Rubric: Friendly Letter Writing Rubric Rubric: Friendly Letter Writing Rubric

15. Extension 1. Students are to make a video of their partner reading their letter.