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Unit Intro: The documentary film “Ballou” follows a struggling inner city school band as it overcomes obstacles and uplifts its community on the way to a national competition

Subjects:

Language Arts, Music, Social Studies

Grades:

9, 10, 11, 12

Title – Ballou High School Movie Unit
Film Produced by – Casey Callister
Lesson Plan written by – Bobby Koeth III
Primary Subject – Social Studies
Secondary Subjects – Music, Language Arts
Grade Level – 9-12, College

Introduction:

Ballou Senior High is a struggling inner city public school located in Washington, D.C. News reports about this school usually focus on its frequent episodes of violence. In contrast to these reports, Casey Callister produced and Michael Patrei directed a 86-minute documentary focusing on a positive influence at this school. They followed the Ballou Senior High School Marching Band on its way to a national band competition.

This film shows how the band members overcame the obstacles of their negative surroundings and uplifted themselves and their community.

The following three lesson plans were sent to us by the film’s producer. They challenge students to consider education as a civil right and to create proposals for improving their own school and for decreasing high school drop out rates.

You can learn more about the film

Ballou

www.balloumovie.com

Lesson Plan Table of Contents:

Colin Powell, America’s Promise, and its Five Points
Age: High School, College
Goal: Students will analyze Ballou High School through the lens of America’s Promise and create a proposal for decreasing high school drop out rates.
Time: Three hours or four 45-minute class periods
Civil Rights
Age: High School, Middle School
Goal: Students will learn about significant Civil Rights Movement leaders featured in the film Ballou .
Time: Three hours or four 45-minute class periods
Proposing to Improve your School
Age: High School, Middle School
Goal: Students will assess their school in comparison to Washington DC’s Ballou High School featured in the film Ballou
Time: Three hours or four 45-minute class periods

Note:

To access these lesson plans, click on their titles above.

E-Mail Casey Callister !