Turn a movie into input without sacrificing your curriculum

Ever just need a break from teaching but you don’t want it to feel like a free for all that isn’t connected to your curriculum? Play a movie!

Now, before you think “Hold up, finding a movie that connects to my curriculum right now is going to be impossible. Besides, my students don’t take a movie seriously.” I know, I know, but I have some ways you can make almost any movie connect to your curriculum and it does not require extra work for you.

Think about what topic you are discussing right now and topics you could review – people? Places? Preferences? – and how you could call attention to those details in the film.

TIP!

Keep blank graphic organizers copied on hand to use as a sub plan. Students can take notes using words and phrases in the language to describe the setting and characters. More advanced students would be able to describe a simple plot. I keep them blank and generic so they can be used with any movie that students pick.

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A movie is the best transition back from a break. We like to watch UP after Christmas break. At that point we have described places, preferences and usually physical attributes. So we focused on those aspects of the movie. Students took notes as they watched and at the beginning of class we spent a few minutes writing a summary in our journals from the day before. One day we might write about Russell and the next day about Paradise Falls. Spending time writing makes the movie feel more academic and extends the number of class days watching the movie. I loved the review in context.

What are some other topics you could use as review while watching a movie? What are some of your go-to movies to watch in class?

Much love,

Robyn