TEXAS CTE LESSON PLAN

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Lesson Identification and TEKS Addressed

Career Cluster Information Technology

Course Name Digital Media

Lesson/Unit Title Writing a Movie Script

TEKS Student 130.307.(c) Knowledge and Skills
Expectations
(1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability
skills as required by business and industry.

(C) The student is expected to employ effective reading and

writing skills

(E) The student is expected to demonstrate leadership skills

and function effectively as a team member

(G) The student is expected to demonstrate planning and

time-management skills such as storyboarding and project
management, including initiating, planning, executing,
monitoring and controlling, and closing a project

(8) The student demonstrates appropriate use of video equipment

and techniques.

(B) The student is expected to demonstrate proper use of

terminology in relation to video technology

(11) The student demonstrates appropriate project management in

the creation of digital media projects.

(B) The student is expected to develop a plan for a media

project such as a storyboard and stage development and
identify equipment and resources
Basic Direct Teach Lesson
(Includes Special Education Modifications/Accommodations and
* Special Education Modifications or Accommodations, if applicable
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 one English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) Strategy)

Performance Objective:
Instructional Objectives
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to
write a script for a movie according to the requirements
presented.
Specific Objectives:
1. Define terms associated with script writing.
2. Identify the characteristics associated with each script element.
3. Correctly write each element of a script so that it includes the
required characteristics.
4. Apply script writing terms and characteristics while working as a
member of a team.
5. Compose an original script while working as a member of a team.
Rationale This lesson introduces students to the components involved in writing
movie scripts. Students will have the opportunity in groups to create their
own movie scripts. 

Duration of Lesson 3 hours

Word Wall/Key  Character direction – Information that tells characters how to move or
Vocabulary speak.
(ELPS c1a, c, f; c2b; c3a, b,  Descriptions – Describes where the characters are, what they are
d; c4c; c5b) PDAS II (5) doing, and any other important information.
 Dialog – Words the characters will speak.
 Effect – Describes how the video and audio will begin or end. May also
indicate visual and auditory changes during a scene.
 Location – Describes where the scene will take place.
 Script – Written text of a movie that includes dialog, character
direction, descriptions, effects, and location.
Instructional Aids:
Materials/Specialized
Equipment Needed
 Script Writing Organizer
 Vocabulary Organizer
 Practice script
 Practice script Key
 “Write a Script” Activity
 Script Rubric
Equipment Needed:
 Student and teacher computers
 LCD computer projector
Anticipatory Set Tell the students to imagine themselves as a famous movie star. They

* Special Education Modifications or Accommodations, if applicable

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 (May include pre- have been recruited to star in a movie and have just been handed a script.
assessment for prior
knowledge) Ask, “What would you expect to see in the script? What kind of information
could you get from looking over the script?”

Brainstorm answers.

Review the objectives.

Review vocabulary using the vocabulary organizer.
Direct Instruction * Outline Instructor Notes
Instructors can use the Script Present the outline withsupport
Writing handouts, and note pages from the ScriptWriting Handout.
in conjunction with the following Students take notes on theScript
outline. Writing Organizer.

I. All text is in Courier 12 pt.

II. Name, address, and
phone
a. Goes in the upper-
right hand corner
b. Looks like a mailing
address
c. Includes phone
number below the
address
III. Effect
a. Left justified
b. Entered first
i. ALL CAPS
ii. Describe how
the scene
opens – fade
in, black and
white to color,
still to motion,
etc.
IV. Location
a. Directly below the
effect

* Special Education Modifications or Accommodations, if applicable

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 b. Brief
c. (INT) interior
d. (EXT) exterior
e. Includes blank line
between location and
description
V. Descriptions
a. Character names are
in ALL CAPS
b. Regular sentence
format
c. Left justified
d. Describe where the
characters are, what
they are doing, and
any other important
information

VI. Character direction

a. Relates only to the
speaking character
b. Centered under or
next to the
character’s name and
in parenthesis
c. If four lines or longer,
treated as a
description
VII. Dialog
a. Character name is
entered first
i. Centered
ii. ALL CAPS
b. Dialog is tabbed three
times (½” tabs)
Summary:
Review the information with the
class by asking the following
questions:
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 1. Where is the writer’s name and
address located on the script?
Answer: In the upper-right hand
corner

2. What are two characteristics of

the Effect? Answer: Left justified
and written in ALL CAPS

3. INT is an abbreviation
for what word in a
location?
Answer: Interior

4. What type of letters is

used to write the
character’s names?
Answer: ALL CAPS

5. What font and size is used to

write all text in a script?
Answer: Courier 12 pt.

6. Where is character
direction found?
Answer: Next to or
centered under the
character’s name in
parentheses

7. The dialog is tabbed how

many times from the left
margin?
Answer: Three

8. What does the Effect describe?

Answer: How the scene opens
or closes. Also, video or
audio changes.
Guided Practice *
Students practice writing a script as the teacher walks them through the
PracticeScript and checks the results using the key provided on the

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 teacher’s copy of thePractice Script.
Independent
Students work in groups of two or three to complete the “Write a Script”
Practice/Laboratory
Activity. The instructor will grade the activity using the Script Rubric.
Experience/Differentiate
d Activities *
Lesson Closure Review the main points of the lesson by using the summary questions
provided atthe end of the outline. Elaborate on the questions and include
all students by addingquestions or asking for examples.

Summative/End of Informal Assessment

Lesson Assessment *
The teacher will check students’ progress and final product as they
complete thepractice script. The teacher will move through the class
during the activity, checkingon students and providing feedback one-on-
one.
Formal Assessment
The teacher will grade the “Write a Script” Activity using the Script Rubric.

References/Resources/
Teacher Preparation

Additional Required Components

English Language
Proficiency Standards
(ELPS) Strategies

College and Career

Readiness Connection1

Recommended Strategies

Reading Strategies

Quotes

Multimedia/Visual
Strategy
Presentation Slides +
One Additional
1
Visit the Texas College and Career Readiness Standards at
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/collegereadiness/CRS.pdf, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
(THECB), 2009.
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Technology Connection
Graphic
Organizers/Handout

Writing Strategies
Journal Entries + 1
Additional Writing
Strategy

Communication
90 Second Speech Topics

Other Essential Lesson Components

Enrichment Activity
Have students use scripts to create an actual movie.
(e.g., homework
assignment)
Family/Community
Connection

CTSO connection(s) SkillsUSA, TSA

Service Learning
Projects

Lesson Notes

* Special Education Modifications or Accommodations, if applicable

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