CURRENT EVENT | MAY 3, 2014

‘Star Wars’ Movies and Beyond

George Lucas’s Star Wars films are an empire unto themselves. With two movie trilogies and another on the way, the films are prolific, as are the universe they build. This is matched and raised by hundreds of Star Wars books that mirror and expand the narrative of the movies. Some hardcore fans even prefer the books, which cover 25,000 years and include 17,000 characters. Listen to learn more about the unprecedented success of this movie based book franchise.

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Story Length: 4:49

Listen to the Story:

Listening Comprehension Questions

What was one of Malala Yousafzai’s first experiences with the dangers of religious extremism?
After miraculously surviving her attack, what has Malala focused her work on?
What is the message that Malala is trying to send to those in power?
What does Malala want to do in the future?
What are the goals of Malala’s mission to support girls?

Discussion Themes

What is your opinion on Malala’s message about the power of education?
Why do you think that ISIS might want to silence people like Malala?

Socrative users can import these questions using the following code: SOC-1234

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June 3, 2014

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Bringing ‘Gone With The Wind’ to the Screen

The movie Gone With The Wind was released in 1939. This story of love and survival in the Civil War resonated with audiences and critics alike. It won 10 Academy Awards and when adjusted for inflation it remains the highest grossing movie ever. The story’s path from print to screen was not a quick or easy one. Listen to learn more about the film’s production and how a movie about the Civil War won the hearts and minds of people in 1939 and to this today.

May 2, 2014

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Inspiration and Legacy of ‘Gone With The Wind’

Margaret Mitchell’s novel Gone With The Wind was an instant success when it was published in 1936. It won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and was a national bestseller. Mitchell was inspired by her family’s history as Southern planters and their stories of the past. The novel’s themes of love and survival resonated with some, but her portrayal of slavery and the Civil War, through the eyes of a slaveholding woman, remains controversial. Listen to learn how the Georgia county that served as inspiration for the book is dealing with this legacy today.

May 1, 2014

3:53

The Power and Morality of ‘The Godfather’

The 1972 film The Godfather introduced the world to the Italian Mafia. This story of family, honor and betrayal was based on a best-selling novel by the same name. The movie, which won three Oscars and had two sequels, has withstood the test of time and ranks as one of the greatest American films ever made. Listen to hear why the movie resonates with the viewer well beyond the first time watching it.