Comic-based lesson: Gillian

Who is this lesson for? 

This lesson can be used with the same 2nd ESO to 3rd ESO students from the previous lesson as it's actually connected to the activities seen previously. Both lessons can be combined or taught independently, they work both ways. 

What is this lesson for? 

It requires the students to imagine the dialogues and recreate the story of Gillian. Only after they have envisioned the full story in their own terms, they learn that Gillian Lynne existed in real life. She was a famous ballerina who found it hard to thrive at school because the system was not built for her. This creates a space for reflection and critical thinking that also stems from the previous lesson: they are now introduced to a real person who was extremely talented, although her talent didn't quite fit within the constraints of general education. After they recreate the story of the anonymous Gillian through the comic, they can learn about the actual character and discover whether their interpretation was in line with the actual story. This requires them to read the story and complete the activities using agreement and disagreement expressions. 

COMIC-BASED LESSON: GILLIAN

1. Have a look at the comic below. What happened to Gillian? Try to reconstruct the story. 

2. Now, read the story below about Gillian Lynne. Was your interpretation aligned with the real story?

Growing up in England in the 1930's, Gillian Lynne was 7 years old when her mother took her to the doctor because her school teacher was concerned that she had a learning disorder. Unable to sit still, Gillian had earned the nickname Wriggle Bottom. Gillian felt hopeless, her teachers were exasperated, and her mother was at the end of her tether. 

What happened at that doctor's practice radically changed Gillian's life and provides a lesson for all parents who are seeking answers to how to raise their outside of the box kids. After listening to Gillian's mother explain the teacher's concerns about Gillian's disruptive behaviour, the doctor and Gillian's mother stepped outside the office to speak privately. Before leaving the office, the doctor put some music on his tiny office radio. From the hallway outside that office, Mrs. Lynne and the doctor peered in and observed Gillian jumping and twirling around the room, enraptured by the music. 

The doctor turned to Mrs. Lynne and famously said: "There is nothing wrong with your child. She is a dancer". After which he recommended Gillian be enrolled in a dance academy. Gillian's mom did enroll her in dance school about which Gillian remarked later: "Everyone was like me! They need to move to be able to think. It was wonderful!". Gillian went on to have a wonderful career at the Royal Ballet. She eventually graduated from the Royal Ballet School and met Andrew Lloyd Webber. She's been responsible for some of the most successful theater productions in history such as Cats and Phantom of the Opera.

Not only she's given pleasure to millions. She was also a multimillionaire!

3. How much do you agree with the following statements? Use the expressions provided.

• Creativity is as important as literacy and we should afford it the same status.
• Dancing is more creative than writing. 
• Creativity is about imagination, self-expression and divergent thinking.
• The application of scientific principles and existing knowledge can lead to creative solutions.
• Creativity is natural.
• Creativity is taught.

AGREEMENT EXPRESSIONS

There is no doubt about it

I completely/totally agree with this

I agree

DISAGREEMENT EXPRESSIONS

I have my own thoughts

I totally disagree

I don't agree

PARTIAL AGREEMENT EXPRESSIONS

That's true, but...

I agree in part

I partially agree

4. Do you think schools kill creativity? Write a small essay on this topic.