Teaching Sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

5 minutes – Introduction
20 minutes – Part A: Taika Waititi’s Success
25 minutes – Part B: John Butler’s Success
35 minutes – Part C: Your Version Of Success
5 minutes – Reflection

Note: Depending on which subject you teach, you may wish to select either Part A or Part B, rather than doing them both.

Introduction

Step 1.

Write the word ‘Success’ on the board. Invite students to share ideas they have about success and any ideas they have heard about what it means to be successful.

Step 2.

Explain that in this lesson they will have the opportunity to consider some different perspectives on success and decide what they want their own version of success to look like.

Part A: Taika Waititi’s Success

Step 1.

Explain to students that they will be watching an IMAGI-NATION{TV} interview with Taiki Waititi. Explain that Taika Waititi is a successful New Zealand film-maker who writes, directs, produces and acts in films and television shows.

He’s well known for his Kiwi sense of humour, which is demonstrated in the popular Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Some of his other well-known films and television shows are:

Jojo Rabbit
Thor: Ragnarok
Boy
Eagle vs Shark
Flight of the Conchords

Invite students to share whether they know his work. They might like to look up other productions he has been involved in.

If you would like to share a clip of Taika Waititi’s work, you can use one of the Enhance TV links provided above, or the following clip of Taika Waititi performing in his own film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople:

Hunt for the wilderpeople scene (Funeral) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86wRV_fcEk)

Optional: You may wish to analyse one of Taika Waititi’s works using selected media conventions.

Step 2.

Play this interview between Jack Manning Bancroft (AIME) and Taika Waititi:

AIME TV Interview - Taika Waititi (https://vimeo.com/228902809)

Invite students to complete a Turn & Talk on the following question:

What were your initial impressions of Taika Waititi and what he had to say about success?

Step 3.

Distribute the Student Worksheets and invite students to individually respond to the following questions. They may like to view the interview again on a personal device, stopping and starting as needed.

What is Taika Waititi’s view on success?
Is this different from other perspectives you have encountered? If so, explain how.

Possible answers:

Finishing a project
Being an artist and pretending 'stuff' for a living
Success is not about money
There’s no hurry deciding what you want to do.

Step 4.

Invite students to write a list in response to the following question:

What are the things I one-hundred per cent (100%) don’t want to do when I grow up?

Step 5.

Invite students to discuss with a partner why they think it’s important to know what they don’t want when choosing a path for their lives. What patterns did they notice in the things they didn’t want?

Part B: John Butler’s Success

Step 1.

Explain to students that they will be watching an IMAGI-NATION{TV} interview with John Butler. Explain that John Butler is a successful Australian musician who advocates for environmental issues through his music and events. He fronts the John Butler Trio, a roots and jam band from Western Australia.

He’s well known for his unique guitar-playing style which is best highlighted in his original solo work, Ocean. Some of the most famous pieces by John Butler Trio are:

The John Butler Trio won APRA’s Most Performed Blues & Roots Work of the Year in 2020 for Just Calli.

Invite students to share whether they know John Butler’s work. They might like to look up some of his performances.

If you would like to share a video of John Butler performing solo, we recommend one of the following:

John Butler Trio "Young & Wild" Acoustic In Studio (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ukGTIYcJ4w)
OCEAN - John Butler - 2012 Studio Version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdYJf_ybyVo)
Note: This piece is 12 minutes long - but well worth sitting it out! John Butler describes it as an expression of his ‘soul’. It is known to differ between performances to suit his present emotions.

Optional: You may wish to analyse one of John Butler’s pieces using selected elements of music.

Step 2.

Play this interview between Jack Manning Bancroft (AIME) and John Butler:

AIME TV Interview: John Butler (https://vimeo.com/267492506)

Invite students to complete a Turn & Talk on the following question:

What were your initial impressions of John Butler and what he had to say about success?

Step 3.

Invite students to individually respond to the following questions. They may like to view the interview again on a personal device, stopping and starting as needed.

What is John Butler’s view on success?
Is this different from other perspectives you have encountered? If so, explain how.

Possible answers:

Making a living doing what I love
Bringing positive change to the planet and communities
A purpose that’s outside your own world.
What you put in you get out - if you want something be prepared to work for it. Really work.

Step 4.

Invite students to write a list in response to the following questions:

Are you prepared to work hard to get what you want? Why or why not?
How might this open or close doors in your future?
What positive changes would you like to contribute to through your work?

Step 5.

Invite students to consider the paradox of talent shows like Australia’s Got Talent vs stories of successful artists like John Butler (built by hard work). Lead a class discussion using the following prompts:

What work do you think goes on behind the scenes before contestants appear on talent shows?
Do you think it’s fair for some people to be catapulted to the top through talent shows when so many other artists work so hard to get where they are? Why or why not?
What opportunities exist for artists who don’t get famous from talent shows?
What do you think about the idea of working hard for what you want? Do you think our society (through things like talent shows) underplays the role of hard work in success?

Part C: Your Version Of Success

Step 1.

Invite students to reflect on what success would look like to them. Give them some time to write, draw or record themselves talking about what their successful future includes. Encourage them to think about all the things they enjoy doing and what makes them unique. Their version of success should also include something ‘outside themselves’ (something for the planet or community).

You might like to show them this for inspiration, stopping at 2:33:

Listen To This and Change Yourself | Oprah Winfrey (Eye Opening Speech) (youtube.com/watch?v=0_Z1MuqjOrw) (0:00 - 2:33)

Step 2.

Inform students they will now write a persuasive essay exploring their thoughts on success. Students should demonstrate an understanding of multiple perspectives of success, whilst also presenting their own version of what a successful life is.

Note: You can set a word limit if you wish. English teachers can set a higher word limit with structural requirements.

Out of the comfort zone: Some students might wish to share their version of success with IMAGI-NATION{TV}. Invite them to send a video or essay to general@imagi-nation.tv. Who knows, they might be invited to be interviewed!

Reflection

Invite students to reflect on the following questions:

Have your ideas around success changed as a result of this lesson? Explain how.
Do you think service (or focusing on something outside of yourself) is an essential component of success? Why or why not?
What do you think you still need to learn about yourself in order to work out what you want?

Differentiated Learning

Extension - Some students could interview each other about their successful life as if they are 10 or 20 years older. Using a ‘kylego’ technique, students can envision the story of how they achieved their success and define what success means to them.
Provisions for Learning Support - Students with lower literacy might prefer to create a vlog or blog post, rather than an essay for Part C, Step 2.

Teacher Reflection

Take this opportunity to reflect on your own teaching:

What did you learn about your teaching practice today?
What worked well?
What didn't work so well?
What would you share?
Where to next?
How are you going to get there?

IMAGI-NATION{TV} - Your Successful Life

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Summary

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