Lesson Plan: Unveiling the Unbelievable: Exploring the Top 10 Best Magic Tricks Ever
Lesson Plan: Unveiling the Unbelievable: Exploring the Top 10 Best Magic Tricks Ever
Grade Level: 3-5
Objective: To analyze and appreciate the artistry and creativity behind the top 10 best magic tricks ever performed, exploring the principles of illusion and the impact of magic on entertainment.
Common Core Standards:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
Materials:
- Access to videos or clips of the top 10 best magic tricks ever performed
- Internet access for research
- Worksheets for note-taking and reflection
Procedure:
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
- Begin the lesson by discussing the concept of magic and its role in entertainment.
- Ask students if they have ever witnessed a magic trick or seen magic performances on television or in person.
- Introduce the topic of the top 10 best magic tricks ever performed, highlighting the skill and creativity involved in executing these tricks.
2. Research and Analysis (15 minutes)
- Divide students into pairs or small groups and assign each group one or two of the best magic tricks from the list.
- Instruct students to conduct research using the internet to gather information about the trick, the magician who performed it, the principles of illusion involved, and any historical context or interesting anecdotes.
- Encourage students to take notes, collect videos or articles, and analyze the techniques and creativity behind each trick.
3. Presentation (20 minutes)
- Allow each group to present their findings on the assigned magic tricks to the class.
- Each presentation should include an overview of the trick, the magician who performed it, the principles of illusion involved, and any interesting or remarkable aspects.
- Encourage students to discuss the impact of each trick on the audience, the skill required to execute it, and the creativity displayed by the magician.
4. Group Discussion (15 minutes)
- Facilitate a class discussion about the principles of illusion and the impact of magic on entertainment.
- Encourage students to share their perspectives on how magic tricks can captivate and engage an audience, and how they contribute to the overall experience of entertainment.
- Discuss the importance of practice, showmanship, and creativity in the field of magic.
5. Citing Textual Evidence (20 minutes)
- Distribute worksheets that require students to refer to details and examples in the texts/videos to support their analysis of the best magic tricks ever performed.
- Instruct students to provide explicit evidence from their research and presentations to support their claims about the effectiveness and creativity of each trick.
- Encourage students to also draw inferences from the text and make connections between the tricks and the principles of illusion.
6. Conducting Research (15 minutes)
- Instruct students to individually conduct further research on a specific magician or a principle of illusion related to the topic of magic tricks.
- Encourage students to explore the history of magic, famous magicians, or the science behind certain illusions.
- Provide support and guidance as needed during the research process.
7. Conclusion (5 minutes)
- Summarize the main points discussed in the lesson.
- Emphasize the artistry, skill, and creativity involved in magic tricks, and the impact they have on entertainment.
Common Core Labels Correlations:
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.1
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2
These are the top 10 best magic tricks as of 2016. Enjoy.Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/1L5DNroFollow Our Twitter: http://twitter.com/spaceboundG....amesDoneRight:https: Swallowing a jackhammer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzHRTdDPddo Here is magician Thomas Blackthorne as he is performing on the German television show "Clever! - Die show, Die Wissen Schafft." Usually someone would be impressed with a man capable of swallowing an entire sword unscathed, but Thomas would like to one up that by performing the same act with a working jackhammer, and he does so with ease.9. Metamorphosis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiW1N5GIEVc First performed by Houdini, we have the metamorphosis illusion, in this case performed by Ron Saylor, where the magician attempts to swap out with an assistant, while being locked in a box below where they are standing. Covered by a curtain, the magician and assistant are given only a small amount of time to perform this magic trick, so you have to be crafty and fast in order for it to be successful.8. Walking on Water https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEc_jeGBVxs Next is British illusionist Steven Frayne, also known as Dynamo. He was among the first of many to perform the trick of walking on water. Doing so right in front of the Houses of Parliament in England, Dynamo gathered quite the crowd. This act was actually performed through the use of thin frames of Plexiglas anchored through the riverbank. The act however, didn't end well as it did grow some unwanted attention by the authorities.7. Pulling someone’s Teeth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1ykPY7Y3LY Coming up is popular magician, David Blaine, as he performs his teeth missing trick. With the help of a random audience member, he pulls out her front teeth and after she checks between her gap to see that they're gone, Blaine sneezes them back to place. 6. Cup and Ball https://www.youtube.com/watch?....v=cSMppfXpDmgPerform by Paul Daniels, thought to be one of the best of his time, he uses a cup and a ball to perform the trick as the audience does their best to follow along. 5. Double Bullet Trick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK0-ImFaSG4 This is a conjuring illusion whereas two magicians will have fired a bullet into each other's mouths, catching the bullet with their teeth. A lot goes into this trick to prove its legitimacy from audience members marking the bullets and loading the guns themselves, to experts claiming the legitimacy of the performance.4. Sawed in half https://www.youtube.com/watch?....v=-SefD84fbEEConside to be the greatest magician of our time, we have David Copperfield at number 4 as he saws himself in half. The trick is first performed as an escape trick gone wrong, tricking the audience into thinking he failed. How gruesome. Still visible and living, David's assistance then pull him apart to show that he is indeed, two people. Following, he'll put a large clock in reverse, making it seem as if he's going back in time before getting sawed in half. Finally he'll emerge from the box he was placed in, unharmed.3. Frozen in Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?....v=W1y60rNkOzUPerform on November 27, 2000, in Times Square, New York City, Blaine is placed in a massive block of ice for 63 hours and 42 minutes, amazing. Blaine was supplied with a tube for air and for water, and another for when he needs to urine. Once the stunt was finished, he was removed from the ice with saws, and was immediately transported to a hospital as doctors feared he'd go into shock. In a documentary, David said it took about a month before he could walk. 2. Making the Statue of Liberty Disappear https://www.youtube.com/watch?....v=823GNH4RczgPerform live on television in 1983, Copperfield raises a giant curtain around Liberty Island and lowers it just a few seconds later to reveal that Lady Liberty has vanished and just the circle of lights remained. An aerial view was provided by a helicopter and to go even further, Copperfield passes two searchlights through where the statue would be to prove nothing was there.1. Portal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLfJQkIJy58Many would say this is the greatest trick ever performed, making its way at the top of our list. During the act, David goes through great lengths to prove to his audience that this is very real. Pulling in an audience member with him, David teleports to Hawaii with a signed photo from activities which happened during his performance and an audience member’s signed initials on his arm.Fun fact about this video: Harry Houdini was not his real name. His real name was Erik Weisz and he was born in Hungary in March 1874. More videos here: http://bit.ly/2e2hGaq
