Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Story Tree

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create dialogue that relates to a Florida Archives silent film clip. They research the Florida Memory Project and view a film clip. They record their dialogue on index cards and review and revise the dialogue as needed. They...
Handout
Other

The British Film Institute: Charlie Chaplin

For Students 9th - 10th
A wonderful celebration of the life and work of film great Charlie Chaplin. Fantastic resources including a biography as well as current global projects to restore his films.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Origins of American Animation

For Students 9th - 10th
An amazing collection of 21 animated films which spans the years 1900 to 1921. The films include clay, puppet, cut-out animation, as well as pen drawings, and early silent films.
Website
University of California

Ucla Library: Film and Television Archive: Preserved Silent Animation

For Students 9th - 10th
View a selection of animated films from the early 1900s, each with corresponding notes and commentaries from the archive's historian and preservationist.
Website
Other

Silents Are Golden

For Students 9th - 10th
Photos of silent-movie stars, vintage reviews, articles and essays on films of the era, recommended reading, and more.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: Ballyhoo! Posters as Portraiture: Chaplin as Count

For Students 9th - 10th
Poster of Charlie Chaplin used for advertising his films. Read the text about Chaplin's influence on film and entertainment.
Graphic
Other

Silent Ladies and Gents: Rudolph Valentino

For Students 9th - 10th
A gallery of film covers and photos of Rudolph Valentino.
Article
Senses Of Cinema

Senses of Cinema: Buster Keaton

For Students 9th - 10th
Buster Keaton is a famous director and actor who insisted that his interest and intention in filmmaking was to get a laugh from his audiences. This is a wonderful article outlining his life career and some of his more famous films.
Graphic
Other

Silent Era: Actors

For Students 9th - 10th
A list of actors in the Silent Film era. Click on a name to find a brief biography and additional resources.
Website
American Movie Classics Company

The Greatest Films: Greatest Silent Films

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the early silent film industry. Also, includes links to related information.
Handout
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: Charlie Chaplin

For Students 2nd - 8th
Useful biographical information and interesting facts about Charlie Chaplin, a great comedian, scriptwriter, composer, and director.