using pop culture to address literary themes

Using Pop Culture to Address Literary

ThemesJohnna Paraiso Torok

Rutherford County SchoolsMurfreesboro, Tennessee

October 2005

Definition of Pop Culture? Popular Culture is defined as the

vernacular culture that prevails in a given society. This may include art, music, folklore, crafts,literature,religion,and other influences.

Rationale for Using Pop Culture in an ESL/EFL Classroom? Lowers affective filter? Relevant to the learner? High interest? Social commerce? Addresses critical thinking skills? Addresses the development of

metacognitive skills

Examples of Popular Culture? Film? TV? Music/videos? Food? Fashion? Sports? Internet

? Entertainment? Electronic Media-video

games and electronic devices

? Advertising? Literature? Environmental Print? Current Events

Early Learners? Easiest category to

find relevant pop culture

? Toys? Arts and crafts? Music/karaoke? Films

? Character books-Clifford, Arthur, Maya and Miguel

? TV shows such as Proud Family, Arthur, Wishbone, reality shows

Middle Level Learners? Newpapers? Gossip Magazines? Sports? Teen Magazines? Music/ Videos/karaoke? Comic Strips? Slang

? Films? TV shows such as

Pimp My Ride,Degrassi,SpongeBob, Drake and Josh, reality shows, Sponge Bob, Cosby Show, Fresh Prince

Older Learners? Newspapers? Gossip Magazines? Cookbooks? How to manuals? Propaganda? Music/videos/karaoke

? Film? Fashion? Television? Environmental Print-

menus, signs, directions

Criteria for Choosing Material? Is the material academically relevant?? Does the lesson address state standards?? Is the material culturally relevant?? How are objectionable elements addressed?? Is the lesson followed by an authentic

assessment?? Can the lesson be extended into the content

areas?

Specific ExamplesHow do I do this?

Real Women Have Curves (Film)

? “Beautiful” – Christina Aguilera? Addresses female roles and self-

esteem? Addresses attitude towards women? Social Commerce- a woman’s worth

“What a Wonderful World”-(song)? Reinforces color words? Connects to literary theme of Man/Nature? Addresses other content areas? Connects to historic and social themes

March Madness-(sports)? NCAA Basketball Championships? Addresses geography, economics? Highlights colleges, scholarships

NFL Football-(sports)? Geography? Demographics of American Cities? Biographies of Athletes? Artwork/Graffiti

“100 Years”-(song)? Universal theme of stages of man? Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice –”All

the World’s a Stage”? Family Tree? Examine cultural attitudes on coming of

age and aging/elderly

“Where is the Love?”-(song)? Universal themes of compassion vs.

prejudice and man vs. man? Historical/situational prejudice? Connections to history, social issues

“Wake Me When September Ends”-(song/video)? Universal theme of war? Cultural connection- American Wars and

Veterans? Social Connections-Relationships

“American Pie”- (song)? The Day the Music Died? History of Rock and Roll? Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Big Bopper? Interracial relationships,prejudice

Miscellaneous Possibilities? “If I had $1,000,000”-economics,class

difference,consumer science1

? “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”-personal disappointment, loneliness, connect to Hamlet 2

? “Lose Yourself”-goal-setting, rise from struggle 3

? “We Carry On”-Overcoming difficulties, domestic violence, the Dust Bowl 4

1. Barenaked Ladies 2. Green Day 3. Eminem 4. Tim McGraw

Recommendations? Read what they are reading? Watch what they are watching? Listening to what they are listening to? Don’t lower academic standards or

expectations for student achievement? Be able to justify what you do- example of

Mr. Holland’s Opus

Johnna ParaisoTorok

torokj@rcs.k12.tn.usTSEliot615@yahoo.com