9.28.2013

Mockingjay Movie Casting News

Mockingjay Movie Casting www.hungergameslessons.com


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I've been enjoying the numerous casting announcements for "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2" movies. So many characters from books never seem to make it to the big screen in their movie adaptations, but it seems like many of the new characters in Mockingjay will. *SPOILER ALERT* The following has spoilers if you have yet to read Mockingjay.

Those who have been cast are:
From District 13
President Coin (Julianne Moore), Boggs (Mahershala Ali), Leeg 1 & 2 (Kim & Misty Ormiston), Homes (Omid Abtahi), Mitchell (Joe Chrest), and Lt. Jackson (Michelle Forbes). Update: Commander Lyme is listed as a District 13 leader rather than District 2 leader, according to Entertainment Weekly.

From Various Districts
Commander Paylor from District 8 (Patina Miller), Commander Lyme - a former victor from District 2 (Lily Rabe Gwendoline Christie) see update above, Annie Cresta from District 4 (Stef Dawson)

Capitol Citizens
The film crew: Cressida (Natalie Dormer), Messalla (Evan Ross), Castor (Wes Chatham), and Pollux (Elden Henson) UPDATE: Tigris will be played by Eugenie Bondurant

Mockingjay's Star Squad 451  - Graphic from www.hungergameslessons.com

The Star Squad 451 is just missing two members for casting: Mitchell (the oldest member of the squadron) and Jackson (the second-in-command to Boggs). Who do you think would best fit those roles? Or do you think they will be left out? UPDATE: All members of the Star Squad have been cast. Joe Chrest will be playing Mitchell and Michelle Forbes will be playing Lt. Jackson. 

However, according to Entertainment Weekly, Commander Lyme is listed as a "District 13 Leader" rather than a District 2 leader. So...will she be part of the Star Squad? Or will she train Katniss and Johanna (in place of York)? What do you think?

Other characters from Mockingjay that have not been cast include Fulvia Cardew (Plutarch's assistant who comes up with the "We Remember" propos), York (she trained Katniss and Johanna in D13 to prepare them for war), Tigris (the former Capitol stylist who helps the remaining Star Squad members penetrate Snow's mansion) update--Tigris is played by Eugenie Bondurant, Eddy (the adorable boy from District 8 that tugs at Katniss's heart), Dr. Aurelius (Katniss's doctor who testifies on her behalf during her trial).

Other minor characters from both Catching Fire and Mockingjay include Hazelle Hawthorne and children Rory, Vick, and Posy (Gale's mom and siblings); Delly Cartwright (D12 survivor and truly nice person Peeta was friends with); Lavinia and Darius (red-headed Avoxes, Darius being a former D12 Peacekeeper); Leevy and Thom (D12 citizens who helped Gale after his whipping and appear in Mockingjay); Dalton (the cattle rancher from D10 and refugee to D13); and of course Greasy Sae and her granddaughter, though perhaps the older lady in "The Hunger Games" movie is Greasy Sae and she'll make a reappearance in "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay."

Are there any that would disappoint you if they weren't cast? Please leave a comment and share!

Classroom Connection: Casting the roles in Mockingjay from www.hungergameslessons.com

Classroom Connections: Ask your students who they would cast for each part and why.

Need to brush up on your Mockingjay characters? Check out my Mockingjay character cut-up activity; the hands-on activity is great for interactive notebooks & reading journals!






Photo credits: Images used in graphics from Lions Gate Entertainment®. Graphics by Tracee Orman of Hunger Games Lessons.

9.24.2013

#BannedBooksWeek Activities & Freebies

#BannedBooksWeek Activities and Resources on Hunger Games Lessons


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How are you celebrating your freedom to read this week? If you need ideas, there are several sites you can visit to incorporate Banned Books Week into your class discussions.

The official Banned Books Week website, in conjunction with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), offers resources for teachers, such as their anti-censorship website (with additional links/help), and their comprehensive list of challenged titles since 2004.

• Using the list, read the titles to your class. (Do not reveal that the books have been challenged.) While you do this, have students copy the titles of the books they have read. After you've gone through the list, reveal that all of those books have been banned or challenged in recent years. Begin a discussion about book banning and why parents (and others, though most of the challenges come from parents) object to the material.
Banned Books Week: Resources and Activities for Educators

• Have your students host a Virtual Read-Out. Record them reading a challenged/banned book and post to the site.

• Show this video of books that have been banned or challenged in the past year, then have a discussion with your students, asking them:
    - Which books surprised you the most?
    - Which books have you read?
    - Would a book banning increase your desire to read said book?
    (Video courtesy of Plainfield Public Library)

• Download these FREE bookmarks and distribute to your students:
    - "I Read Banned Books" Bookmarks
    - President Snow's Panem Bookmarks
    - I Love Harry Potter Bookmarks (The Harry Potter series is on the frequently banned or challenged lists each year)

For more information and ideas, check out my previous posts for Banned Books Week here and on my other blog:
Defending Your Choice to Teach The Hunger Games
Twilight? The Hunger Games? The Top 10 Challenged Books... (with Activities)
The Best Banned Book Pinterest Boards to Follow
The Best Book Boards to Follow on Pinterest
The Best Young Adult Book Boards to Follow on Pinterest
Banned Books Week 2012 (with Activities)
Celebrate Your Freedom to Read


9.09.2013

Catching Fire Soundtrack Release: Atlas by Coldplay



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When Taylor Swift released an early gift to Hunger Games fans in the form of her "Safe and Sound" single for the soundtrack, I was ecstatic. I absolutely loved the song instantly and felt it embodied the mood and many events from the novel. 
Atlas - Is it fitting for Catching Fire? www.hungergameslessons.com
Atlas Image SOURCE.

When Coldplay's "Atlas" was released for the Catching Fire movie soundtrack, I have to admit I wasn't thrilled with the song. It just doesn't feel right. I'm not opposed to a depressing, slow song, but this one is a snoozer. There's nothing special about it or anything that gives me goosebumps. 

Needless to say, there's always a lesson to be learned, right? So, have your students listen to it as they follow the lyrics. Then ask them:

1. Which event(s) from the novel do the lyrics seem to embody? Why?
2. What kind of mood is created? Do you think the mood created is influenced more by the tone of the music or the tone of the lyrics? Explain.
3. Think about the title of the song. How does that fit with the rest of the lyrics? How does it relate to Catching Fire? Does it seem fitting? Why/why not?
4. Do you think the song fits Catching Fire? Why/why not?

I'd love to hear your feedback on the song. Please comment below.

This post is part of Classroom Connections:
Hunger Games Lessons: Classroom Connections




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