“Oliver and Company” is a classic animated film released by Disney in 1988, inspired by the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist.” The movie follows the adventures of a lost kitten named Oliver and a band of street dogs led by the charismatic Dodger as they navigate the challenges of life on the streets of New York City. Teaching students about “Oliver and Company” offers numerous opportunities to engage them in topics such as literature adaptation, animation techniques, character development, storytelling, and the exploration of themes like friendship, loyalty, and survival.

Lesson 1: Exploring Literature Adaptation

Begin by introducing students to the original Charles Dickens novel, “Oliver Twist,” and discussing its story and main characters. Next, explore how “Oliver and Company” modernizes this classic tale while also maintaining some key plot points and themes. Discuss the creative choices that went into adapting a 19th-century novel into an animated family film with anthropomorphic animals.

Activities:

– Compare and contrast characters from both the novel and movie.

– Discuss how changes made to the story impact its overall message.

– Examine how visuals play a crucial role in crafting an entirely new world through animation.

Lesson 2: Animation Techniques

After familiarizing your students with the film’s story, introduce them to the rich history of animation. Discuss how “Oliver & Company” brought together traditional hand-drawn techniques with computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create its unique visual style that still holds up today. Engage students in activities that give them hands-on experience creating both traditional and digital animations.

Activities:

– Create flipbooks or stop-motion movies to teach students basic animation techniques.

– Utilize digital software or apps to generate simple animations relevant to the movie.

– Discuss progress in animation technology from traditional methods to current CGI platforms.

Lesson 3: Character Development and Storytelling

Guide students in an exploration of the process of developing engaging characters and telling compelling stories. Analyze “Oliver & Company” to identify the key elements of effective storytelling, such as plot, character arcs, conflict resolution, and theme. Encourage students to experiment with their storytelling techniques for characters from the film.

Activities:

– Create character profiles for prominent characters in the movie.

– Write short stories or scenes focused on characters from “Oliver and Company.”

– Role-play scenes from the film to foster understanding of character motivations and choices.

Lesson 4: Exploring Themes

The themes in “Oliver and Company” can be used as a springboard for meaningful classroom discussions. Encourage students to think critically about themes like friendship, loyalty, survival, self-worth, and redemption. Examine how these themes are represented in both the movie and the original novel.

Activities:

– Create personal essays detailing students’ experiences relating to themes found in the movie.

– Host a class debate on the significance of various themes explored in both the book and film.

– Analyze key scenes from the movie for their thematic content.