DVD Learning Guide
To Kill A Mockingbird
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DVD Learning Guide
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To Kill a Mockingbird
(1962)
®
A Homeschool Learning Network Learning Guide
Format:
Age Levels:
Genre:
Category:
Rating:
Length:
Producer:
Warnings:
DVD
Middle School, High School
Classic, Drama
Literature
NR
60 minutes
Universal
None
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Summary
Based on the novel by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the most spectacular and richly
created movies of its time. Starring Gregory Peck as Atticus, the story that unfolds leads the viewer
into a winding path of prejudice, oppressions, assumptions and strong character. Scout, a young
child who is just beginning to see the injustice and inequality of the world, narrates the film. Her
father, Atticus, accepts a controversial case involving a black man and a white woman. Racial
tension is high and the strength of everyone’s ethics is tested to the breaking point. In stark contrast
is the carefree attitude and actions of Scout and her friend Jem as they grow up. Their fascination
with a neighbor Boo Radley offers interesting parallels to the adult world around them, and
ultimately leads Scout to draw very adult conclusions about the world around her.
Vocabulary (Grades 6-12)
Try the following activities with the vocabulary words to the right. Depending
on the age and ability of your students, they may be able to complete
assignments from multiple grade levels.
6-8:
Write a description or review about this DVD using the vocabulary
words. Above each vocabulary word, write N if it is a noun, V if it is a
verb; ADJ if it is an adjective; ADV if it is an adverb.
6-12: Copy the vocabulary words onto a sheet of paper. What do you think
each word means? Write down what you think the words mean from
your own knowledge. Now, look up each word in a dictionary, and
compare definitions. How close were you? Write each word in a
sentence, or write a paragraph or DVD summary using the words.
9-12: Write down words you hear in the video you don’t understand. Break
the words into parts and see if you can determine the meanings. Look
up the meanings.
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Vocabulary
Great Depression
Methodists
Compassionate
Compromise
Prejudice
Discrimination
Resisting
Council
Segregation
Assumption
Curiosity
Speculation
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DVD Learning Guide
Page 2 of 6
Discussion Questions
Ask students to read through their questions carefully before watching the film, and take notes
during the film. After watching it, ask students to write their answers to the following questions on
a separate piece of paper.
Intermediate
1. What is Atticus’ job?
2. What do the children believe about Boo Radley?
3. Who was the “prowler” that Mr. Radley shot at?
4. What did Atticus’ father tell him about killing a mockingbird?
5. What do the children learn from the mad dog experience?
6. What do the children find in the tree? Why do you think Mr. Radley closes it up?
7. Who eventually decides to break up the mob at the courthouse? Why does he leave?
8. Why do you think the whole town attends the trial of Tom Robinson?
9. During the trial does the guilt of Tom Robinson seem substantiated? Why or why not?
10. What sign of respect do the black men and women show Atticus when the trial has ended?
11. What happens to Tom Robinson?
12. Who saves Jem and Scout when Bob Ewell attacks them in the woods?
Advanced
1. Why is the farmer embarrassed about paying Atticus with hazelnuts?
2. What does Atticus say to Bob Ewell about taking the case of Tom Robinson? Why is this a
surprise to Bob?
3. Where did the title “To Kill a Mockingbird” comes from?
4. Explain how the community sees Atticus.
5. What does Atticus tell Scout about why he is defending Tom Robinson.
6. Whom are the dolls a representation of? What does this tell Scout and Jem about Boo Radley?
7. At the courthouse, why do Scout’s questions break up the mob?
8. What is the significance of Bob Ewell being left handed?
9. In his closing statement, Atticus addresses issues that arise from prejudice. What does he tell
the jury their responsibility is and why?
10. What is Jem’s reaction to the verdict of the trial, and why?
11. How do Jem and Scout escape Bob Ewell?
12. What has Scout learned about making assumptions about people?
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DVD Learning Guide
Page 3 of 6
Lessons & Activities
The Prejudice of Men
Subjects:
Grades:
Style:
Arts, Language Arts, Social Science
6-12
Visual/Experiential/Kinesthetic
Concepts:
Students will learn about prejudices.
Lesson:
To begin this lesson, it is important for students to understand what prejudice is. Begin by asking
students to write the answers to the following questions on a separate piece of paper. This work
will help children identify what they have prejudices about, and what prejudices exist around them:
Prejudice in Our World
1. In your own words, describe what you think the word prejudice means.
2. Complete this statement: I have seen prejudice when …
3. Girls like math more than boys. Is this statement prejudicial? Why or why not?
4. A property owner says he cannot rent an apartment to someone who has kids with blond
hair. Is this a prejudicial situation? Why or why not?
5. How do you think prejudice is spread?
After completing and discussing the answers to the questions, make a list of five major scenes in
which the students witnessed prejudice. With each instance, have your students explain how the
people could have changed the outcome of the movie by reacting without prejudice.
Assumptions: Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird make assumptions that are proven
false. Have your students write an essay on one of the characters that makes a false assumption
and how the truth is revealed. Discuss whether making an assumption about someone is the same
as prejudice.
Tolerance: Have your students make posters that promote tolerance for issues that face their
school. As a precursor to this activity, ask your students why tolerance is so important. Does help
to erase prejudice?
Slogan: Have a slogan contest to promote a tolerant attitude. Have your students identify
prejudices that face their school and community. Ask them to submit a slogan that offers an
alternative or calls attention to the issue. Publish the slogans in a classroom book. Encourage
students to provide original artwork for the book.
Character Study: Have your students create an in-depth character summary of Atticus Finch.
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DVD Learning Guide
Page 4 of 6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What were his strongest qualities?
What kind of parent was he?
How did he react to injustice?
How did he teach Scout and Jem to be tolerant?
What was he willing to sacrifice for his convictions?
How did his decisions ultimately affect his children?
Was he a good role model?
What about the other characters?
•
•
•
Make a list of the characters from the movie who display the most prejudice.
Make a list of the characters from the movie who display the least prejudice.
Make a list of the characters from the movie who are affected most by prejudice.
Learn More! Books and Online Resources
BOOKS
To Kill a Mockingbird
Lee, Harper, Little Brown & Company; ISBN: 0446310786
America's Great Depression
Rothbard, Murray N. Ludwig Von Mises Inst; ISBN: 0945466056
Understanding Prejudice, Racism and Social Conflict
Augoustinos, Martha; Reynolds, Katherine Jane. W B Saunders Co; ISBN: 0761962077
Readings on to Kill a Mockingbird (Greenhaven Press Literary Companion to American
Literature)
O’Neil, Terry, Greenhaven Press; ISBN: 1565105761
ONLINE RESOURCES
To Kill a Mockingbird: A Historical Perspective
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/lessons/98/mock/intro.html
An excellent lesson plan that teaches the historical perspective of this literary masterpiece.
Students learn about segregation and Jim Crow laws.
To Kill a Mockingbird: Study Guide
http://www.bellmore-merrick.k12.ny.us/mockingbird.html
This page is provides chapter-by-chapter summaries of the book To Kill a Mockingbird as well as
study questions and vocabulary guides.
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DVD Learning Guide
Page 5 of 6
Mockingbird –The Novel
http://web.archive.org/web/20060206160711/http://mockingbird.chebucto.org/book.html
This site is the perfect companion to the story To Kill a Mockingbird. It includes reference pages
about the book’s settings and characters as well as information about the author of the story,
Harper Lee.
To Kill a Mockingbird: Then and Now
http://library.thinkquest.org/12111/
This ThinkQuest Entry is packed with discussion material about the story To Kill a Mockingbird and
how it is still relevant today. Of special interest: A well-written article about the Gothic theme in To
Kill a Mockingbird (the movie) and how it was used to further the plot.
To Kill a Mockingbird: Growing up in the Great Depression
http://web.archive.org/web/20070103021926/http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/webweavers/jillc/mbird.html
This WebQuest is a truly excellent resource for all students learning about the time setting of To
Kill a Mockingbird. Issues that relate to poverty and hardship during this era are addressed in an
easy to understand format.
Harper Lee (a short biography)
http://web.archive.org/web/20050204072737/http://www.educeth.ch/english/readinglist/leeh/
The author who writes To Kill a Mockingbird is a celebrated author. This page offers information
about who she is and what she has done in her lifetime.
America Great Depression
http://www.amatecon.com/greatdepression.html
The hardships of the Great Depression can be difficult for students to understand. This website
proves historical context and well-articulated ideas about this tumultuous period of time.
Talking about prejudice can be a powerful teaching tool
http://www.apa.org/monitor/jan98/talk.html
From the American Psychological Association comes this interesting article about the value of
teaching about prejudice in the classroom. There are questions to inspire deeper understanding
about our own prejudices.
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DVD Learning Guide
Page 6 of 6
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ANSWER KEY:
Intermediate
1.
He is a lawyer.
2.
They believe that he is some kind of monster. Totally crazy and insane. Yet they are fascinated by him and want to see him.
3.
The prowler was Jem trying to get his pants back after losing them while crawling under a fence
4.
That it was a sin. A mockingbird is a thing of beauty that should never be harmed.
5.
That Atticus is an excellent shot. Even though he opposes the use of guns, if forced to he can shoot with deadly aim from a
long distance. Jem is amazed and awed at his father’s ability.
6.
They find “treasures” from Boo Radley. Mr. Radly closes up the hole to keep the kids away from his property.
7.
Mr. Cunningham. He thinks about Scout’s questions and her statements that she and his son go to school together and how
hard it is to pay off a debt owed to someone. He leaves out of respect for Atticus and his family.
8.
It is very small town and this is a very big event. The fact that it places the whites against the blacks plays a large role in the
attendance as well.
9.
No. Tom appears to be innocent. There is no real evidence that can be substantiated against him and there are inconsistencies
and obvious lies on the part of the accusers.
10. They do not leave the courtroom until after he has left and stand in a show of respect for what he has done for them.
11. Tom Robinson is shot. The deputy says that he tried to run away. The implication is that he was killed for reasons of racial hate
rather than for trying to escape.
12. Arthur Radley saves Jem and Scout
Advance
1.
He is proud even though he is poor. He wants to pay off his debt but cannot.
2.
He states that he will defend Tom, as he should under the law. Bob seems to believe that Atticus would side with him and not
offer anything by way of defense.
3.
Atticus’ father told him that: To kill a mockingbird is a sin. The mockingbird is a thing of beauty that does not harm anyone.
4.
Atticus is well respected and liked. He is pillar of strength in the community.
5.
Atticus tells Scout that he has to defend Tom because it is the right thing to do. His statement about not being able to tell Scout
and Jem what was right and wrong if he did not take the case indicates that Atticus is a man with high moral and ethical values.
6.
The dolls Scout and Jem find in the tree look like them. It tells Jem and Scout that Boo has seen them before, probably many
times.
7.
Scout’s questions force Mr. Cunningham to think about how much he owes Atticus and why they are all more alike than not.
8.
His daughter’s injuries were on the left side of her face.
9.
He tells the jury that they have a responsibility to act on the law and not on their own feelings of prejudice.
10. Jem is upset. Jem sees that the evidence clearly pointed to Tom Robinson’s innocence. He cannot understand how his father
lost.
11. The escape with the help of Arthur Radly. When Bob Ewell attacks them, Arthur Radley stabs Bob and saves Scout. He carries
Jem home to Atticus.
12. Scout has learned that sometimes assumptions are wrong, especially when based in something other than fact.
DISCLAIMER: Homeschool Learning Network, Inc. has provided this Learning Guide to enhance your learning experience. Reviews, questions and
resources within this Learning Guide are not endorsed by DVD producers. Links to outside Web pages do not constitute an endorsement of the sites
by Homeschool Learning Network, nor does Homeschool Learning Network maintain the sites. Links are included at the discretion of the editors and
are intended as a service to readers. We urge you to exercise care and parental guidance when visiting Web sites.
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