CBC Archives

Provide students with a list, available at the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com), of Norman Jewison’s films, including but not limited to Moonstruck, The Hurricane, A Soldier’s Story, …And Justice for All, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Fiddler on the Roof. Have students share the list with older friends and family and ask what they recall about the movies, what they enjoyed or didn’t enjoy about the movies, and if the movies affected them in any way.

Direct students to the topic Master Storyteller Norman Jewison on the CBC Radio and Television Archives Web site. In groups of two or three, students will spend at least one hour exploring the topic, including the Did You Know? section, and record as much information as possible about Norman Jewison’s life and career. Distribute the download sheet Who Is Norman Jewison? to assist students in note taking.

As they explore the clips, students will take note of important facts, dates, and quotations. Using their findings, each group will create a poster about Jewison, which should include the following: biographical information, a selected list of films (with dates), and five quotations from Jewison that summarize his ideas about film and filmmaking. Students may include any graphics they wish.

Students will share their posters with the class and should be prepared to ask and answer questions. Ask: What have you learned about the life of a filmmaker? How is it a different life from the life of people you know?

Students can write a short biography, including a filmography, about Jewison.