Tool Tuesday: “What is this Feeling?”

Wicked has become an almost-too-inescapable cultural juggernaut thanks to tie-ins with everything from Xfinity to the OPI nail polish (Ozitively Elphaba) that my ugly toenails will soon be sporting. However, I’ve been a huge fan of the musical since its arrival in 2003 and have been happy to capitalize on my knowledge of it with some of my students. In any case, students’ interests, including current movies, can provide great context for story analysis (macro), as well as many micro targets from vocabulary to social cognition.

It so happens that one of the catchy set pieces, “What is this Feeling?” is available from the production in full on YouTube. As Elphaba says later, “think of what we could do, together…” There’s just so much that you can do with this clip.

• First learning Story Grammar Marker^® way back when, I recall Maryellen Moreau demonstrating how to analyze “The Wizard of Oz” as a whole story (pie) or an episode (slice) such as Dorothy’s crash-down in Munchkinland. Similarly, “What is this Feeling?” can be mapped pinning Elphaba and Galinda’s being paired as roommates as the Kick-Off, along with story elements such as Galinda’s jealousy of Elphaba’s private instruction with Madame Morrible (one possible resolution of this episode). The events of this clip also would lend themselves to a recap with a Perspective Taking Map or multiple Critical Thinking Triangles, for sure, to consider both sides of this story. Or add the student body for a 3rd perspective!
• Why be so on-the nose? You can look at the macro of the whole story in a same-but-different way via this hilarious animated recap with many story events implied, or with even more silliness through this Peppa Pig overlay of the trailer.
• Let’s rewind to a pre-video activity. My students benefitted from a discussion of the setting of college, scaffolded well with the Setting Map to discuss examples, setting parts and their uses/functions, and comparison to other settings such as High School.
• Think Sequence! What is this Feeling has become somewhat of a TikTok phenomenon with many people imitating its dance sequences. Maybe you and your students can become the next viral sensations, or at least learn a few of the moves in order.
• There’s so much micro here too, with the opportunity to explore vocabulary such as unadulterated loathing, related feelings words, or the physical sensations associated with different emotions—a great lesson(s) in self-regulation!

Hope your Holiday season Defies Gravity!