KING MATT THE FIRST
Wanda Jakubowska
Poland, 1957
TEACHER GUIDE
DISCUSSION TOPICS
• form period
DIDACTIC MATERIALS
DIDACTIC SUGGESTION
Topic of the lesson
About the art of friendship
Prepared by: Agnieszka Czachorowska
Educational level: primary school, students aged 7-12
Duration:
Learning objectives
- the ability to analyse a cinematographic work, taking into account the basic emotional and ethical issues (friendship, betrayal, confession of guilt, forgiveness), development of perceptiveness and critical thinking;
- learning key elements of friendship;
- developing empathy and tolerance;
- developing group work skills;
- the ability to express opinions;
- showing willingness to establish and maintain relationships with other people using various forms of communication.
Methods of work
moderated work with the film material, discussion, group work, brainstorming
Course of the Classes:
1. When watching the film, the young viewers are supposed to take particular notice of various aspects of the relationship between Matt and Felek.
Supporting questions for the analysis of the film:
- How did Matt meet Felek?
- How do the boys cultivate their friendship?
- What test did Matt and Felek’s friendship had to undertake put and did how the boys manage to maintain it?
2. In the next task the students work in groups. They are asked to make a list of ten characteristics of a true friend and prioritize them. The teacher writes suggestions on the blackboard or, in case of younger children, s/he hands out cards with suggestions: frank; has a nice physical appearance; inspires trust; receives good marks at school; provides support; loyal; wears fashionable clothes; discrete; can keep a secret; is able to understand; intelligent; selfless; talented (i.e. has an artistic, sports or other talent); honest; popular among his peers (attracting sympathy); is able to admit to having made a mistake; rich; is able to forgive mistakes; knows how to listen.
3. When the task is completed, the representatives of each group present their lists, along with reasons behind their choices. The students can also present a list of characteristics they consider insignificant for a true friendship.
4. Then the students think about which characteristics of a true friendship can be noticed in the relationship between Matt and Felek. They work in pairs and then present their opinions. They can use specific examples from the film as supporting material.
5. The teacher refers to the scene in the editorial office of Daily Truth newspaper, when Felek reveals the truth about his mistakes and confesses his guilt to Matt (THIRD SCENE [1:07:27 – 1:08:58]). The students try to answer the following questions individually:
- What could Matt feel when he realized that his friend had betrayed him?
(suggestions: anger, outrage, disappointment, resentment, sadness, desire for revenge) - How did Felek behave? (Suggestions: confession of guilt, revealing the truth, regret, sadness, readiness to accept punishment)
6. King Matt forgives his friend and gives him a second chance. The students answer the following question individually:
- Is it easy to forgive? (Students can refer to various situations from their own experience).
7. Then, using the brainstorming technique, the students try to answer the following question:
- Why should we forgive our friends?
- How can we make amends for our mistakes to our friends ?