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Film

Cocoon

Explore students’ experiences and reflections during the Covid-19 pandemic
Length: 12 min.
Age Level: 8+

In April 2020, a month into quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses, stores, restaurants, and schools were closing. Students abruptly left their classrooms and were forced into distance learning programs isolated from their teachers, friends, and classmates.

The film Cocoon captures reflections of students —ranging in age from 4 to 17— during the early months of the pandemic in Portland, Oregon.The film explores their perspectives and feelings about the pandemic on issues including school changes, isolation, job loss, and the health and well-being of themselves and their families. While students express their fears and insecurities, they also share what they have come to appreciate and what they miss the most—their friends, their teachers, and human connection.

Use Cocoon in Your Classroom

Overview

In March of 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many schools shut down and students participated in distance learning by virtually joining classes at home. According to UNESCO, more than 1.37 billion students worldwide navigated how to learn at home through daily online classes on Zoom or other digital platforms. The film Cocoon provides students an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and reflections during the pandemic.

Available for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, the following lessons explore the social and emotional impacts as well new perspectives caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Students will engage in learning activities that prompt them to examine their thoughts and feelings about the pandemic and the ways in which it has impacted their lives.

What Students Will Uncover

How life and learning has changed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic

Lessons Include the Following:

  • Overview of the ways Covid-19 has impacted society, education, and learning
  • Activities with discussion questions and writing prompts
  • Activities connecting to the UN SDGs
  • Companion texts and secondary resources 
  • Updates to current news and events 
  • Connections to National Curriculum Standards and Frameworks 
  • Translations en Español

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