Product Description
How to Choose a Film for your Classroom
Are you interested in adding more film and multimodal teaching, but are unsure how to go about it? We want to make it easier to choose the right film for your learning community. Journeys in Film has created a brief list of tips and questions to support you in this process. It can work with any educator’s teaching style, philosophy, and learning community.
As you work through our tips, if you other suggestions or ideas for successfully adding film to your learning community come to mind, share them with us! We love hearing from educators.
Remember to check the MPAA rating of the film and to select films that are only appropriate to the students you are teaching. If you are teaching high school and a film that has been rated R by the MPAA would be a good fit, you will need to send a permission slip home unless a blanket permission slip was sent at the beginning of the school year. It is recommended that you also have an alternative film and activity on hand for students that might not be allowed to view the R rated film.
Preview Choose Film Tips SheetWindows and Mirrors: Media Literacy Classroom Activity
This worksheet can be used with students as part of a media analysis exercise that works with books as well as films. First, students track readings and media consumption. Next, students consider if a text or piece of media is a window into another’s experience or a mirror reflecting an experience that resonates with them. Students can make notes directly on this one-page printable handout, which can also be a springboard for class discussions. This activity encourages students to engage with a balanced variety of text and media perspectives. The activity can also build class community and provide a prism that you can use with any text and/or piece of media.
Learn more about using this resource in the classroom: Windows and Mirrors: Building Belonging Through Literary Perspective.
Teaching With Film: Getting Started Guide
Ready to jump into using films in the classroom but not sure where to start? These handy, practical tips can help you bridge the gap from dreaming to doing.
This one-page printable handout is also useful for teaching with any kind of media.
Glossary of Film Terms
The Glossary of Film Terms can be a strong complementary resource for teaching with all our films. Plus, it makes a great addition to classes on filmmaking, film history and film literacy.
This printable handout pairs well with our guides that feature film literacy and media literacy lessons, such Crip Camp, Summer of Soul, and Wadjda.
Preview GlossaryFacilitation Guidelines for Group Discussions
These guidelines are great for the classroom or in other settings to help you lead conversations on difficult or sensitive subjects in a safe, productive way.
This one-page printable handout is designed to help you set the stage for learning with film and can also be useful for facilitating group discussions in other contexts. It is also a fillable form that can be used with a smartboard.
Learn more about using this resource in the classroom: Tips to Create Safe Spaces for Student Engagement with Difficult Topics.
How to download the Teacher Toolbox Resources
Related Resources
Learn more about options for community- and school screenings for films:
- Copyright & Fair Use: Showing Movies in Class and on Campus;
- Educational Film Distribution: What Librarians and Teachers Need to Know;
- Educational Screenings of Netflix Documentaries and Netflix Educational Access – Finding Online Streaming Videos;
- Teachers’ Essential Guide to Showing Movies and Videos in the Classroom.
