Don't miss member Cat Blue's detailed lesson plan for an art/video/science discussion workshop that includes detailed notes for watching part of the feature-length video The Nativity Story.
Her workshop can easily be adapted to just focus on the video and discussion without the art project. Here is an excerpt of her video timing notes; see the lesson plan for introduction and other lesson elements:
Show The Movie Clips
The Nativity Story is a movie that was made in 2006. It's a pretty accurate depiction of the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus in the time period. There are several scenes of the Wise Men in this story. We are going to watch some of them.
Viewing Outline: The Nativity Story movie (Wise men sections) approx. 13 mins.:
- 15:10-16:16 Wise men receive the scriptural prophecy and discuss it
- 27:03- 28:14 Wise men look at the stars in the mirror of water. They discuss the convergence of Jupiter (the father planet), Venus (the mother planet) and a star called "Sharuh"--a Babylonian name meaning "King"
- 30:29- 32:31 planning the journey, going over the map
- 40:06-41:08 Journey across the desert
- 49:36-50:04 Across the desert with voice-over of prophecy
- 1:03:52-1:04:27 Taking measurements of the stars
- 1:14:27-1:16:00 Arriving in Jerusalem, meeting with Herod
- 1:18:10 -1:18:37 The stars converge
- 1:21:07-1:21:24 Watching the star
- 1:25:34-1:29:45 Arriving in Bethlehem and leaving
Movie Discussion:
Have the students tell you what they noticed about the Wise Men and their journey. Some points to mention:
- The instruments they used (the triangle and the pendulum)
- The way they looked at the stars by using a pool of water as a mirror.
- The numbers of camels and other people in their caravan--it was not just the 3 men
- They way the movie shows the planets aligning --going from 3 into one super bright constellation
- Their race and ethnicity
