The War of the Worlds

The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells, 1898
Read the book at the link above.

From the original novel published in 1898 to the famous radio broadcast in 1938 (listen to the full broadcast below), to several films, a curriculum based upon The War of the Worlds is rich with opportunities for integrating many content standards/disciplines, developing 21st century skills, developing the Multiple Literacies for the 21st Century and for creating a truly 21st century curricular experience.

Note:  For elementary students - on Halloween Day I gave my fourth-graders large sheets of drawing paper. They drew pictures of what they envisioned as they listened to the broadcast.  It was a special way to observe Halloween and to be introduced to the story.

Older students can study the novel, conduct comparisons among the various genres - print, radio, film and television.  There are so many connections to make in this excellent theme for a truly project-based, interdisciplinary, relevant, rigorous and real-world curriculum.
Yes, real world!  See the link below to the SETI Institute.  Consider the massive industry related to production of multimedia and entertainment.  Scroll down for more curricular connections and lesson plans . . .

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury


​Below left:  Here are the opening credits to the 1980 film, The Martian Chronicles.  You can find the full film online on YouTube (in three parts).

Below right:  Here is the audio book, The Martian Chronicles.

Curriculum Connections and Lesson Plan Ideas

Discovery Education has many excellent lesson plans related to The War of the Worlds.

Is Anybody Out There? from The New York Times

Lesson Plans - Understanding Mass Media News – The 1938 “War of the Worlds” 
Broadcast and the Power of Radio in the 1930s, from The Rockefeller Archive Center.

More to come . . . but you get the idea.  Just Google curriculum for The War of the Worlds and you will find numerous resources!