A UNIT PLAN FOR THE USE OF THE MOVIE--- SUPERSIZE ME

By Chi Guohua, Joshua

16th January, 2012

A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE MOVIE "Super Size Me" is actually a documentary that sheds a

new light on what has become one of American biggest health problems: obesity.

In 2003, director Morgan Spurlock subjected himself to a diet based only in McDonald's fast food three times a day for a month and without working out. While doing this, Spurlock also provides a look at the food culture in America through its schools, corporations, and politics as seen through the eyes of regular people and health advocates. His objective was to prove why most of the Americans are so fat, with many cases of obesity. He began the shootings submitting himself to a complete check-up with three doctors, and along the weeks, he compared his weight and results of exams, coming through a scary conclusion.

PRE-VIEWING

Activity 1: Picture Discussion

DISCUSSING QUESTIONS: 1. Which picture do you like better?

Why or why not? 2. What makes them so fat and sick

and what makes them so slim and healthy?

3. What can you conclude from these people?

Meals Mon. Tue. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat. Sun.

Breakfast

Lunch

Supper

Snacks

ACTIVITY 2: A SURVEY --- WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR THREE MEALS OF A DAY IN A WEEK?

FOOD PYRAMID

DISCUSSING QUESTIONS:

1. According to the food pyramid, do you think the foods you eat every day are healthy?

2. What kinds of foods should we eat to keep healthy?

3. How do you understand the saying that goes “You are what you eat.”?

ACTIVITY 3: GROUP DISCUSSION

DISCUSSING QUESTIONS:

What signs are they? How often do you go to

McDonald's? What kinds of foods does it offer? Do you like McDonald's foods? Do you think McDonald's foods are

healthy? Why or why not?

ACTIVITY 4: PREDICTION OF THE

MOVIE

WHILE-VIEWING 1. Give a brief introduction of the movie to

students before watching the movie. 2. Try to answer the questions below while they

are watching: 1) What does Spurlock look like before doing

the experiment? Then what has happened to him after doing the experiment?

2) Do you still think the McDonald's foods are healthy after watching the movie?

POST-VIEWING Activity 1: Have a debate between those who are for

McDonald's foods and those who are against McDonald's foods?

Activity 2: After watching the movie, try to write a letter to the

manager of McDonald's company in Hong Kong. In you letter, you try to express your opinions or concerns about the foods and give your suggestions of how to promote their foods to be more healthy to their customers in the future.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !

See you soon!