A Comedian and a Cardinal Open Up on Spirituality, By Laurie Goodstein, The New York Times

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post with Answer Key

Great drawing by a Fordham University student-Photo: Patheos

“Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life” is a book written by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who moderated the wildly popular meeting between Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, and the famous Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report”.  The meeting took place at Fordham University, and the topic was how joy and humor inspired their spiritual lives.

Excerpt:

“The comedian Stephen Colbert and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York bantered onstage Friday night before 3,000 cheering, stomping, chanting students at Fordham University, in what might have been the most successful Roman Catholic youth evangelization event since Pope John Paul IIlast appeared at World Youth Day.

The evening was billed as an opportunity to hear two Catholic celebrities discuss how joy and humor infuse their spiritual lives. They both delivered, with surprises and zingers that began the moment the two walked onstage. Mr. Colbert went to shake Cardinal Dolan’s hand, but the cardinal took Mr. Colbert’s hand and kissed it — a disarming role reversal for a big prelate with a big job and a big ring.

The event would not have happened without its moderator, the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and prolific author who has made it his mission to remind Catholics that there is no contradiction between faithful and funny. His latest book is “Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life.”

L-R: Stephen Colbert, Father Martin, Cardinal Dolan. Photo by Bruce Gilbert.

Father Martin said in an interview earlier this week that the idea came from two young theology professors at Fordham. The university’s president, the Rev. Joseph M. McShane, invited Cardinal Dolan to participate, and he readily accepted. Father Martin, who has made enough appearances on “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central to earn the title “official chaplain,” invited Mr. Colbert. The event was announced with much fanfare by Fordham, and CNN was considering broadcasting it, Father Martin said. But then the university announced that it was closed to the media, without any explanation. Three thousand students and faculty members filled the Rose Hill Gymnasium, stomping on the bleachers, doing the wave and chanting “Ste-PHEN” like the revved-up audiences for Mr. Colbert’s studio show…Mr. Colbert shed his character for the evening and offered several sincere insights into how he manages to remain a faithful Catholic while making fun of his own religion and most others.

Colbert and Dolan. Photo by Kevin Mazur via Getty Images.

He said he did not make jokes about the sacraments, or put a picture of the crucifixion on screen. But he said he liked to poke fun at the use and misuse of religion, especially in politics. “Then I’m not talking about Christ,” he said, “I’m talking about Christ as cudgel.”

Book by Father James Martin.

He is raising his children as Catholics, and he teaches Sunday school at his parish in New Jersey. “The real reason I remain a Catholic is what the church gives me, which is love,” he said…The audience sent in questions by Twitter and e-mail, which Father Martin pitched to the two men. Among them: “I am considering the priesthood. Would it be prudent to avoid dating?”

Cardinal Dolan responded that, on the contrary, “it’s good” to date, partly to discern whether the celibate life of a priest is what you want. Then he added, “By the way, let me give you the phone numbers of my nieces.”…Another question was even more pointed: “So many Christian leaders spread hatred, especially of homosexuals. How can you maintain your joy?”Cardinal Dolan responded with two meandering anecdotes — one about having met this week with Muslim leaders, and another about encountering demonstrators outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

But Mr. Colbert’s response was quick and unequivocal. “If someone spreads hate,” he said, “then they’re not your religious leader.”

An excellent  article about  three wonderful men!

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this post

Level: Intermediate -Advanced

Language Skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening. Vocabulary and grammar activities are included.

Time: Approximately 2 hours.

Materials: Student handouts (from this lesson) access to news article, and video.

Objective:  Students will read the article with a focus on reading comprehension and new vocabulary. At the end of the lesson students will express their personal views on the topic through discussions, and writing.

I. Pre-Reading Tasks

•  Prediction: Analyzing headings and photos

Directions:  Ask students to read the title of the post, and of the actual article they are about to read. Then, have them  examine the photos. Based on these sources,  ask students to create a list of  words and  ideas  that they think might be related to this article. Have students use this great pre-reading organizer by Scholastic to assist them in finding the main ideas from the reading.

 

II. While Reading Tasks

•  Vocabulary-Word Inference

Directions: Students are to infer the meanings of the words in bold taken from the article. They may use a dictionary or thesaurus for assistance.

1. The comedian Stephen Colbert and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York bantered onstage…
2.  They both delivered, with surprises and zingers that began the moment the two walked onstage
3. a disarming role reversal for a big prelate with a big job and a big ring.
4. The event was announced with much fanfare by Fordham…
5. …the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and prolific author
6. “Are there flaws in the church?” Mr. Colbert said,
7. He said he did not make jokes about the sacraments…
8. “Consubstantial!” Mr. Colbert exclaimed, using a particularly cumbersome word that is now recited in the Nicene Creed.
9. I am considering the priesthood. Would it be prudent to avoid dating?
10. Cardinal Dolan responded that… “it’s good” to date, partly to discern whether the celibate life of a priest is what you want.

• Questions  for Reading Comprehension: True / False

Directions:  The following statements were taken from the article.  If  a statement is true, students write (T) if  a statement is false they  write (F)  and  provide the correct answer from the article.

1. The comedian Stephen Colbert and Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York  held their meeting  at Harvard University.
2. The third person who attended the meeting was the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and prolific author.
3.  Mr. Colbert went to shake Cardinal Dolan’s hand, but instead kissed Cardinal Dolan’s hand.
4. “Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life.” is a book written by Cardinal Dolan.
5. Father Martin has made appearances on the “The Colbert Report”  and on Comedy Central.
6. Three thousand students and faculty members filled the Rose Hill Gymnasium to see the event.
7. During the meeting an editor from the Catholic magazine Commonweal sent out live posts on Twitter narrating the most memorable one-liners.
8. Colbert stated that there were no  flaws in the church,  only great beauty.
9. Mr. Colbert is the youngest of 5 children, raised by Catholic parents who both attended Catholic colleges.
10. Colbert is raising his children as Catholics, and he teaches Sunday school at his parish in New Jersey.
11. Mr. Colbert used his time onstage with the cardinal to air his complaints about the new building at the university.

 Grammar Focus: Using Adjectives  to describe a photo.     

Directions: Have students choose a picture from this lesson and write a descriptive paragraph using adjectives.   For a review of Adjectives visit ESL Voices Grammar

III. Post Reading Tasks

Directions: Have students use the  WH-question format to discuss or to write the main points from the article.

WH-question format

WH-How Questions

Who or What is the article about?

Where does the action/event take place?

When does the action/event take place?

Why did the action/event occur?

How did the action/event occur?

•  Essay Writing

Directions:  Have students choose one of the prompts and write an essay.

Have students review ESL Voices Modes of Essay Writing.

1. Stephen Colbert made the following statement, “Are there flaws in the church?”… “Absolutely. But is there great beauty in the church? Absolutely.” How would you put this into your own words? Provide examples to demonstrate your point.
2. This meeting was between three men of the Catholic faith. together, they believe that there are some elements of humor to be found in  their religion. How do you think people from different faiths would view this idea of humor in religion?  What about other Catholics?
3. Mr. Colbert made the following comment,  “If someone spreads hate, then they’re not your religious leader.” Write an essay in which you provide examples illustrating his comment.
4. Can you see humor in religion? Write an essay in which you support or refute this idea. Provide examples to support your view.

IV. Listening Activity –  The Colbert Report: Stephen Colbert Interviews Father James Martin.

Colbert at the Rally to Restore Sanity…photo- Wikipedia

 

 Introduction:

“Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor. He is the host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, a satirical news show in which Colbert portrays a caricatured version of conservative political pundits…”read more

In this interview from his popular show The Colbert Report, Stephen interviews Father James Martin.

 

 

 

 

• While Listening Tasks

Directions: Students listen for the correct word or phrase to complete the sentences. They are to choose the words and phrases from the choices offered.

1. During his introduction Colbert stated that he checks the cover of___.

a- Time magazine
b-NewYorkTimes magazine
c-Forbes magazine

2. He checks the cover to see if___.

a-a new story is on it
b-someone he knows is on it
c- he’s on it.

3. The topic story of the magazine was about___.

a-Mother Mary
b- Mother Teresa
c-Mother Magdelina

4. The article contained recently disclosed___written by the nun.

a-notes
b-letters
c-articles

5. They revealed that Mother Teresa spent 50 years without sensing the presence of___ in her life.

a-God
b-saints
c-people

6. Colbert responded with, if God doesn’t exist then who’s ___when it thunders?

a-fishing
b-bowling
c-golfing

7. “My Life With the Saints” is the name of the book written by___.

a-Stephen Colbert
b- Father Martin
c- Mother Teresa

8. Colbert told Father Martin was he shocked that Mother Teresa was in___.

a-Heaven
b-Purgatory
c-Hell

9. Father Martin ___with Colbert.

a-disagreed
b-agreed
c-remained neutral

10. Colbert asked why did Mother Teresa go to___?

a-Cambodia
b-Calcutta
c-Columbia

• Post-Listening Tasks

Directions: After the video place students in groups and have them create a list of questions that they  would like to ask the speakers.

ANSWER KEY:  Cardinal Dolan & Stephen Colbert: “Between Heaven and Mirth

 

Tags: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Father James Martin, religion and humor, Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert allowed to form his “Super PAC”… By Sean O’neal, A.V. Club Newswire June 30, 2011

ESL Voices Lesson Plan for this article With Answer Key.

Stephen Colbert

New  ESL Voices Colbert segment for Listening: Colbert Interviews Google’s Eric Schmidt

The famous comedian Stephen Colbert is at it again! This time involving the FEC in his semi-serious antics.

“The Federal Election Commission recognized that Stephen Colbert was just screwing with them when he proposed creating a “Super PAC,” one that would spend unlimited amounts of Viacom money on the 2012 presidential campaign without having to declare them as “in-kind” contributions. But today they gave him a serious response anyway, granting him permission to go ahead and do it in a 5-1 vote. Colbert had sought to form his committee as a way of spoofing last year’s Supreme Court decision removing limits on political spending from corporations and unions… And while many campaign finance reform groups grew worried as it looked like Colbert’s little joke might become a reality, thereby paving the way for other networks to follow his lead and funnel corporate cash into political committees…in this case, at least, Colbert’s media exemption restricts him to using those undisclosed Viacom-raised funds solely to create ads for airing on his show… Actually, even under those limitations, that may not be enough to reassure people who fear this could establish a Fox News loophole… The important thing is that, in addition to making a trenchant satirical point about the absurdity of campaign finance laws, it also made for a pretty funny press conference–and if not a push for total reform, then at the very least, some equally funny (and expensive!) mock-political ads to come.”

Be sure to read the entire article.

Stephen Colbert-photo: Google Image

Lesson Plan for this article:

Lesson: Is comedian  Stephen Colbert seriously considering running in the 2012  Presidential campaign?

Time: approximately 2 hours.

Level: Intermediate -Advanced

Materials: article excerpt.

Objectives: students will be able to identify word meanings, and improve reading comprehension. They will also learn about Stephen Colbert.

A. Prediction:

Have students  read the titles (of both this post and of the original article) survey the photos, to see if they can predict what the article will be about.

B.  Activating Background Knowledge

Who is Stephen Colbert? (Colbert bio here)

See if students can make associations to the words:  comedy PAC, mocking, campaign, laws.

Note: if students cannot make connections to the words, they’ll have a chance to infer the meanings, (or look the meanings up) in the Reading Comprehension activity.

II. While Reading Tasks

A. Vocabulary Activity-Synonyms

Directions: Choose the letter of the word or phrase that most closely matches the meanings (as they are used in the article) of the words or phrases in bold. Identify the part of speech (noun, adjective, verb).

1)   The famous comedian Stephen Colbert is at it again!

a. buffoon   b.jester  c.clown  d. professional comic

2.)   The Federal Election Commission recognized that Stephen Colbert…

a. identify   b. diagnose  c.understand  d. admit

3)  …when he proposed creating a “Super PAC,”…

a. offer  b. recommend  c. advise  d. suggest

4)   …one that would spend unlimited amounts of Viacom money…

a. limitless    b. absolute     c.full  d. great

5)   …without having to declare them as “in-kind” contributions.

a. state   b. confess  c. admit truth of something  d. profess

6)  Colbert had sought to form his committee as a way of spoofing last year’s Supreme Court decision…

a. joking   b. cheating    c. fooling     d. misleading

7)  ...like Colbert’s little joke might become a reality, thereby paving the way…

a. authentic  b. actuality  c. truth  d. existence

8)  Colbert’s media exemption restricts him…

a. binds  b. contracts  c.confines   d. limits

9)  …to using those undisclosed Viacom-raised funds…

a. confidential  b. sealed  c. concealed  d. secret

10)   …mock-political ads to come.

a. fake   b. dummy   c. forged  d. substitute

B. Questions For Reading Comprehension

Have students answer the following Comprehension Questions.

1. What do the initials FEC stand for?
2. What is Viacom an acronym for?
3. In the following statement  “Stephen Colbert… when he proposed creating a “Super PAC,” What is PAC?
4. What response did the FEC give Colbert about his proposal?
5. How many members on the committee voted for Colbert’s proposal? How many members were against his proposal?
6. Why did Stephen Colbert want to form his committee?
7. Was he serious about forming this committee? How do you know?
8. Which groups “worried” that Colbert’s joke would become a reality?

III. Post-reading tasks

Review words that were unknown, and see if students guessed the meanings correctly. Review Comprehension questions.

A. Questions for Discussion and Reflection

1. Ronald Regan began his career as an actor, then switched to politics, and was later elected President of the United States (January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989) Arnold Schwarzenegger began his career in acting, the switched to politics. He was elected Governor in California (November 17, 2003 – January 3, 2011). Based on this information, do you think it is possible for Stephen Colbert to be elected to the office of President of the United States? Explain why or why not.

2. In your opinion, is it true that in the U.S. anyone can grow up to be President of the country? Is the same  true in your country?

3. Should everyone have the right to run for a political office, regardless of their backgrounds?

Additional Lesson Plans

Polling And Politics by K. Yamnitz

Propaganda Techniques -several lesson plans( for various levels) dealing with the issue of propaganda.

ANSWER KEY

II. While Reading Tasks

A. Vocabulary Activity-Synonyms

1. d. professional comic (noun)

2. c.understand (verb)

3. d. suggest (verb)

4. a. limitless (adjective)

5. c. admit truth of something (verb)

6. a. joking (verb)

7. b. actuality (noun)

8. d. limits (verb)

9. c. concealed(adjective)

10 a. fake (adjective)

B. Questions For Reading Comprehension

1. The Federal Election Commission.

2. (Video and Audio Communications. It is the world’s fourth largest media conglomerate, and has interests in cinema and cable television. (wikipedia)

3. PAC is the name given to a private group organized to elect political candidates, or to advance the outcome of a political issue. Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, an organization becomes a “political committee” by receiving contributions or making expenditures in excess of $1,000 for the purpose of influencing a federal election. (wikipedia)

4. They granted him permission for his proposal.

5. Five members voted for Colbert’s proposal, and 1 member voted against it.

6. Colbert had sought to form his committee as a way of spoofing last year’s Supreme Court decision removing limits on political spending from corporations and unions.

7. No, because the article uses the word “spoofing”

8.  Campaign finance reform groups.

III. Post-reading task:

Tags: campaign, Stephen Colbert

True to Mission, Comedy Central Still Strong at 20, By B. Stelter, New York Times
ESL Voices Activities for this article

Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert

This NYT article discusses the increase in popularity of comedy shows and of comedians. Currently, the leading channel for all things comic is Comedy Central, which turned 20 years-old April 1, 2011, and is still gaining momentum.

“The late-night tag team of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert makes news almost every week, the creators of “South Park” are cracking up Broadway and the channel’s newest star, Daniel Tosh, is drawing more than four million viewers some nights.”

We love to laugh, and it’s great when everyone understands the jokes, and can laugh together, but how do we explain “the jokes” to L2 learners? Translating comedy from one language to another isn’t the easiest task. As a matter of fact, it can be downright stressful for some teachers and learners. We are faced not only with  language barriers, but in many cases cultural barriers prevent learners from understanding as well.”

ESL Voices Activities for this article.

There are different ways to teach using comedy as the topic. One way is by using visuals such as video clips. Here is a Focused Listening activity using a video clip from Stephen Colbert’s show. Click on the name (Placebo) to view video. Answers are below.

Stephen Colbert

Video: Placebo From the  Stephen Colbert Show (approximately 5-6 minutes)

Level: High Intermediate-Advanced

Time: 45 minutes

I. Pre-listening Tasks

1. Before watching the video ask the following questions and write the responses on the board.

• What are your favorite comedy shows? (they may be in this country or theirs)
• Who are your favorite comedians?
• What type of comedy do they perform? (for example, is it funny physical scenarios, or verbal jokes)

2. Provide students with background information about the video topic.

3. Find out if students recognize the following people mentioned in the video:

Stephen Colbert

Tommy Chong

John McCain

George W. Bush

4. Review vocabulary from the video.

Place students in groups, see if they can guess the meanings of the bolded words.

1. As Colbert talks, there are messages displayed in a side bar screen which juxtaposes Colbert’s commentary…
2. Which brings us to tonight’s word, Placebo.
3. …you have to take out a mortgage from the bank…
4. There’s a lot of debate about what’s causing this crisis…
5. …a lot of our problems today as you know are psychological…
6. You see Bush readily concedes that it’s not going to help out here…
7. Think of a pot dealer on a street corner…
8. …the hairiest, most chronic bug this side of the Himalayas!
9. …there are no unpleasant side-effects…

While-Listening Tasks (Focused Listening)

After students have listened to the video once, play it again, and this time have them fill in following questions:

1. Nation, oil’s at nearly ___a barrel.

2. Only two years ago oil was at____ a barrel.

3. Clearly ___needs psychological help.

4. Which brings us to tonight’s word___

5. Patients who’ve taken the sugar pill get___

6. Here’s what the president had to say about their plans to expand___.

7. ...my only problem would be that they’re telling us their plans___.

Post-Listening Task

Have groups write their own comedy skits, and perform them for the class.

Have members make a list of questions they would like to ask Mr. Colbert, or another comedian.

Have students translate jokes or funny stories from their countries, and share them with the class.

Answers:

Pre-listening Tasks

1. The topic is the problem of rising gas prices in the U.S., and the reasons for the crisis.

2. Stephen Colbert  is an American political satirist, writer, and comedienne. He is the host of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, a satirical news show on which Colbert portrays a political scholar. The show is extremely popular in the U.S. “The Word” is a segment in the show during which Colbert chooses a particular word or phrase from a current news topic to discuss. A specialty of this segment is that as Colbert talks, there are messages displayed on a side bar screen which juxtaposes Colbert’s commentary with satirical bullet points on-screen, that responds usually in a sarcastic manner to what Colbert is saying. It’s as though The Word has a life of its own.

Tommy Chong is a Canadian-American comedian, actor and musician who is most widely known for his acting in the marijuana-themed comedy movies with his partner Cheech.

John McCain is the senior United States senator representing Arizona.

George W. Bush served as the 43rd President of the United States.

3. Vocabulary

• juxtaposes verb. place or deal with close together for contrasting effect : black-and-white photos of slums were starkly juxtaposed with color images.
• Placebo noun. an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug
• mortgage noun. a conditional conveyance of property as security for the repayment of a loan.
• debate verb. discuss the pros and cons of an issue
• psychological adjective. affecting, or arising in the mind; related to the mental and emotional state of a person.
• concedes verb. to admit to something.
• pot dealer noun. person who sells marijuana to other people.
• chronic adjective. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering.
• side-effects noun. a secondary, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical.

While-Listening Task

140 dollars

78 dollars

America

Placebo.

better

offshore drilling

won’t actually do anything.

Sources:

Stephen Colbert

Tommy Chong

John McCain

Georg W. Bush

Tags: Comedy, education, ESL Voices, L2 Learners, Stephen Colbert