II. FILM SELECTION
There are several criteria to consider when selecting films for classroom use:
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1. The films should have educational value. Educational value is not the same as entertainment value. A film which is entertaining but has minimal educational value is not appropriate for classroom use.
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2. The film’s educational value fits in with the overall objectives of your curriculum unit. Many of the films in my ethnicity and race unit deal with cultural and familial themes. “ Far and Away” (Irish-Americans), “Avalon” (Jewish-Americans), “A Bronx Tale”(Italian-Americans), “The Long Walk Home”(African-Americans), and “Mi Familia” (Mexican-Americans) are examples of this approach to ethnicity. They complement Ethnic America, which is basically a social, political, and economic history of ethnicity. Yet all five films are set in an historical context, which means they also reinforce the themes of Dr. Sowell’s book.
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3. Students will become involved and engaged with your films. The five films previously mentioned all meet this criteria. Students do not put their heads on their desks when these films are shown. In other words, these films have entertainment value as well as educational value.
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4. The great majority of your students have not seen the films before. I prefer “small films” instead of Hollywood blockbusters for this reason. I also lean toward films which were released several years prior to their use in my classroom. That way even students who have seen the films before will remain interested. Interesting plots and thought-provoking themes - as opposed to expensive special effects - are another criteria you may wish to use when selecting your films.
The film is age-appropriate and acceptable in your school community. I would never use an R rated film with middle school students, but I have used R rated films such as “Schindler’s List” with high school students. There are three main reasons for R ratings: nudity, violence, and profanity. My belief is that parents, administrators, and other teachers are much more likely to become upset about nudity. Films with even brief nude scenes should be chosen very carefully. Violence and profanity are less problematic as far as negative reactions are concerned, but I would advise avoiding films where violence or profanity do not help develop the film’s theme.
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