Films+that+Teach


 * Let's face it: movies in the classroom get a bad reputation.** But good teachers know that film can also be powerful tools to broaden students' perspectives, teach important content, and introduce students to far away places -- if implemented correctly. Below are some tried and tested films and viewer's guides that can be used throughout the year as a unique learning experience for your kids.

Teaching this in conjunction with gun control; it's going really well and can either be stretched or truncated as a skill building unit. More coming soon. []
 * "Bowling for Columbine"--more coming soon from Meg**

//Rationale:// This film illustrates the shift from a traditional to command economy during Mao's Communist Party Takeover and Great Leap Forward. Although the film is subtitled, I have found that students really enjoy watching it and can follow along quite easily as long as you pause the film to discuss each question. //Trailer:// media type="youtube" key="GAZUbjttUPc" height="390" width="640" //Viewer's Guide: //
 * "To Live" (1994)**

//Rationale:// Erin Brockovich is a film that demonstrates the impact that one citizen can have on issues of environmental and public policy, as well as avenues through our civil law system by which citizens can enact social change. It further illustrates the tension between the growth of private industry and the use and neglect of natural resources. Finally, many of my students were introduced to careers that they did not know about before watching the film. I had one student realize that he was interested in toxicology, and another ask me about opportunities to be a legal assistant. This can be a very empowering movie for students after completing the public policy unit. //Trailer:// media type="youtube" key="l0ftkL6qhT8" height="390" width="480" //Viewer's Guide://
 * "Erin Brockovich" (2000)**

//Rationale:// Street Fight shows the campaign of Sharpe James and Corey Booker to become Newark's mayor. It explores the role of the media as well as how public opinion is shaped over the course of an election. Students benefit from watching this film during the "Participation" unit of American Government. //Trailer:// media type="youtube" key="R8jtAASYdLw" height="390" width="480" //Viewer's Guide: //
 * "Street Fight" (2005)**

//Rationale:// The idea of "beyond a reasonable doubt" can often be a difficult one to convey, and no film does this better than Sidney Lumet's //12// //Angry Men//. A powerful supplement to the criminal and civil law unit, the sole dissenting juror in a murder trial convinces the other jurors (and your students) of one man's innocence. //Trailer:// media type="youtube" key="A7CBKT0PWFA" height="390" width="480" //Viewer's Guide: //
 * //"12// Angry Men" (1957)**

//Rationale:// This film follows teenagers as they immigrate illegally from Central America, through Mexico, and into the United States. It examines the goals, obstacles, role of law enforcement and role of parents as they influence the journey. This is a great film to show international perspectives of the United States and some of the implications of a global economy. While it does not align very clearly with any indicator in particular, it enriches student understanding of illegal immigration and could be used as a follow-up film to a Foreign Policy unit (government). media type="youtube" key="o6XLDqsc9Ug" height="349" width="560" //Viewer's Guide: //
 * "Which Way Home" (2010)**