Movies and Music: A Guide to Turning the Classic Movie Musical Into an Interactive Event

By Lori K. Yauch, M.A., CCC-SLP

This guidebook offers tools to stimulate memories and conversation through interactive viewing of classic movie musicals. Whether you’re a rehabilitation professional, classroom teacher, or family looking to reminisce, Movies and Music provides a fun and engaging activity for everyone.

“As a professional educator with thirty-five years of experience, I can say with confidence that this book is a must-have, not only for those working in Ms. Yauch’s capacity, but also for all educators! The attachments one makes will drive interest as well as critical neuronal connections of memory.”
—Christine Reif, M.Ed, Jensen Brain Institute

“Movies and Music combines traditional easy-to-use stimulus material with an entertaining flair that keeps patient and therapist engaged while progressing toward functional communication goals. I utilize this book as an integral part of my clinical practice with rave reviews from those who matter most—my patients.”
—Michael G. Shapiro, MA, CCC-SLP

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483434490

Book preview

Movies & Music

A Guide to Turning the Classic Movie Musical into an Interactive Event

Lori K. Yauch, M.A., CCC-SLP

Original Illustrations by Debra Nettles: Nettles Designs

Copyright © 2015 Lori K. Yauch

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3450-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3449-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015911072

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 09/08/2015

A GUIDE TO TURNING THE CLASSIC MOVIE MUSICAL INTO AN INTERACTIVE EVENT

Introduction

Welcome to Movies and Music ~ The New Edition!

Since its inception in 2008 as a language based reminiscence activity for the aging, cognitively impaired population and subsequent publication in 2010, Movies and Music, which began as a Clinician’s Guide to the Classic Movie Musical and Group Activity, has become a great and useful resource for anyone wishing to open the lines of communication in a group or individual conversation. To the recreation therapist and activity director, it is an avenue by which a sedentary, traditional movie watching activity can become an interactive event. To the speech–language pathologist, it is an open door to fostering increased communication, use of language, pragmatic skills, conversation and long term memory. To educators it can become a catalyst for discussion with students about relationships between men and women, and the essence of building valuable and strong friendships. To families it can be the key that unlocks Grandma’s memory and encourages her to share.

Whether you work in group or individual sessions with older adults it allows for great reminiscence and stories to share. Think of Movies and Music as your way in. If you work with the student population, these films carry great lessons of etiquette, social behavior, and appropriate conversation between men and women.

If you are a family member looking for a way to talk to Grandma, start with the Big Band sound of Glenn Miller and move straight through White Christmas, and I guarantee some great stories of her life and your life with her will emerge!

The Guide is divided into sections according to the calendar year. Each film centers on a holiday in a given month. These films were chosen specifically for their ability to promote interaction. They also provide the leader with an additional way to promote the holidays.

As the Guidebook begins in January with the Big Band Sound of Glenn Miller, take the opportunity to discuss the music and the social history of the time (depression, WWII etc). February and 1776 brings a great history lesson. My thirteen year-old nephew is a fan of this film. John Adams is his favorite president. (Think students here). March - July brings Brigadoon, Easter Parade, Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Music Man with great insights into social behavior, etiquette, dating, and flirting, which can help students understand proper relationships as well as open Grandma’s memory and encourage her to share.

Speaking of sharing, August-October brings Singin’ in the Rain, Fiddler on the Roof and Meet Me in St Louis, which allows for great sing-a-longs (think automatic speech here). Who doesn’t know the words to "Singin’ in the Rain" or Matchmaker? They also provide a great opportunity to talk about family relationships; Fiddler and Meet Me in St. Louis are great companions for these discussions.

Holiday Inn and White Christmas round out the guidebook and the year, and can provide the catalyst for some great holiday memories.

From the moment the Guide arrives at your doorstep, you can begin! Pick your month, pick your movie and enjoy…not once but again and again! The films contained in the guidebook are timeless. They never go out of style! If it’s October and Singin’ in the Rain piques your interest, go ahead and play it. The guidebook is just that ~a guide to assist you in maximizing communication interaction through thought provoking questions. Use them and the films when or how you like.

"All the films contained in the Guide are not only great pieces of film history, to which everyone should be exposed, but great pieces of our history which weave into the fabric of our lives and fill us with great memories to share. If you are looking for common ground with your students, looking for a way in with your older clientele, or just looking for a way to talk to Grandma, look no further than Movies and Music!" (Yauch, 2014)

Enjoy the interaction! Welcome to the Fun!

Lori K. Yauch, M.A., CCC-SLP

Instructions

As you browse through the book, you will notice each film contains: Cast List, Overview, Trivia, Discussion Topics for Educators, and Discussion Topics for Families. These pages are specifically designed to give the leader some basic information about the film as well as to provide thought provoking questions for all audience members. The Trivia can be provided at anytime.

The remaining pages contain the scenes to be shown. The questions and some answers are highlighted in various colors. Not all questions have answers. This allows for an open discussion of ideas.

The Overview, read aloud by the leader, provides an opportunity to direct attention to certain aspects of the film and to preview upcoming scenes.

The Synopsis, read aloud by the leader, provides an opportunity to fill in the gaps of the story and allows for a nice segue to the next scene.

Throughout each film you will find instructions for the Leader. These instructions may include, but are not limited to, where to begin, when to continue, and when to end the interactive event. They provide seamless transitions through the activity and address important concepts within the films.

Tips for a Successful Interaction:

The functioning level of your intended audience can include, but is not limited to: Mild-Moderate Cognitive Impairment, Left/Right Hemisphere CVA, TBI, Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, Students (Secondary with/without Special Needs), Grandma/Grandpa, Mom/Dad, any other diagnosis at the leader’s discretion.

The average running time of the activity, given the selected scenes and allowing for discussion, is approximately 1- 2 hours. This time frame can be divided in varied sessions or in one complete session. Time frame is up to the leader’s discretion.

Preview the film before showing it. Pay particular attention to the scenes written about in the Guide.

Whenever possible have a partner with you who can be your technical support. (This person would sit with the audience to ready the scenes selected.) Technical support gives the leader a better opportunity to focus on the scene, the questions, and the audience’s interaction.

Scene Selection: Return to the main menu on the DVD and press Scene Selection. Choose the scene by the same name noted in the Guide.

Other Important Information:

The new edition of Movies and Music is intended to be everyone’s guide to the classic movie musical. As such it is essential to include suggestions for new users.

Therefore, at the