Also useful for thinking through civics and how societies are made and maintained. Useful for: This film is tailor-made for discussion on stereotypes. Synopsis: The film centers on Judy Hopps, a bunny who, by becoming a police officer, defies the stereotypical position of a small herbivore in the mammalian metropolis of Zootopia. A massive emotional success and nothing short of an instant classic. When a paranoid government agent, Kent Mansley, becomes determined to destroy the robot, Hogarth and beatnik Dean McCoppin must do what they can to save the misunderstood machine. A local 9-year-old boy, Hogarth, discovers the robot, and soon forms an unlikely friendship with him. Synopsis: A giant alien robot crash-lands near the small town of Rockwell, Maine, in 1957. #6 The Iron Giant (Warner Brothers Pictures) Useful for: Representations of black art, theme and expectation He escapes the afterlife and returns to earth with another wayward soul, 22, and the both must work through their own expectations and anxieties to reach the things in life that bring true fulfillment. Synopsis: Middle school band teacher Joe Gardner dies on the day he finally gets his big break as a jazz pianist. Useful for: STEM, Stereotypes, Civil Rights, Women in STEM Synopsis: Three brilliant African-American women at NASA–Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson–serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. Rating: PG-13 (language, emotional family moments) Useful for: Perseverance, Classism, Father-son, Business While juggling his son’s needs and struggling to conceal his lowly financial situation from his colleagues, Chris fights to prove himself in order to win a full-time position at the company. Through a stroke of good fortune, he lands a position in a highly competitive (and unpaid) internship program at a top-tier investment firm in San Francisco. Synopsis: This real-life dramatic adaptation follows the story of Chris Gardner, a struggling medical device salesman (Will Smith) who suddenly finds himself homeless in NYC with his young son. Useful for: Character Development, Cultural Difference in Storytelling A transcendent film with amazing music and a masterful handling of Columbian culture, magical realism, and the meaning of family. When the miracle that sustains their family is threatened, Mirabel attempts to recapture the bonds that built the family in the first place. Synopsis: A brilliant film about Mirabel, the singularly “un-special” member of the Madrigal family, a collection of big personalities with remarkable, magical talents. Useful for: English/ELA (theme), IB, International context, Stereotypes, Sports, Rags to Riches, Cultural Comparison Her mother is an especially amazing woman who fights powerfully for the future of her family. The story also follows Phiona’s family and their struggles and successes that coincide with Phiona’s rise through the youth chess ranks. Phiona is a chess prodigy whose immense skill thrusts her into the national spotlight. Synopsis: A poor Ugandan girl named Phiona defies all odds and stereotypes stacked against her after she is discovered by Robert Katende, a chess coach who immediately recognizes her massive potential at the game. (All image rights reserved by Sony Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, ESPN Films) I’ll start with my seven absolute can’t-miss picks: I’ll also attach (for free) any worksheets/resources I have for the films that might be of use to you (because I like you.) To make it easy to navigate, I’ll offer important notes about each film like run time, rating, and–the most important consideration–whether or not it’s on Netflix. Their subject matter and relevance to different disciplines varies greatly, but they all have redeeming qualities that can meaningfully push your class in the direction you wanted it to go. To this end, I’ve compiled a detailed list of films that I deem highly effective for use in the classroom. But why can’t we teachers enjoy it too? (You know, in the sense that we enjoy having really effective moments of teaching–not just the inherent ease that accompanies “putting on a movie.”) Movie day! Beloved by students everywhere.
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