GUEST EDITORIAL: Best Movies for Teachers to Watch with Their Students During Lessons

Best Movies for Teachers to Watch with Their Students During Lessons

Movies act as a great source of entertainment; however, what many of us don’t notice is the impact they have on the audiences. Every movie has a story to tell, a message to give. It is due to this and various reasons that academic instructors/teachers should watch movies with their students.

According to educational consultant at Writing Metier: “Students need encouragement. They need help in seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Teachers need to engage students in activities that motivate and inspire them. Aside from the assignments that they have to do, let’s bring a change in their activities to keep them motivated."

There are some movies that teachers/professors can watch with their students in making sure they leave a positive impact on them. The following movies are 21st century’s best teacher films. Teachers can watch these movies with their students while showing them the importance of leadership, mentorship, and other hidden meanings.

Freedom Writers

Played by Hilary Swank, Freedom Writers is about the life of teacher Erin Gruwell who has never faced failure in her life. However, when she goes to Los Angeles to learn more about literature, she finds herself against a corner when a group of low-achieving youngsters do not accept her as their teacher. How she breaks these students, by relating with them, by making them speak is something students need to be shown.

The Emperor’s Club

William Hundert is a classics professor who is passionate about his work. However, just like many teachers, the control and abilities of Hundert are challenged due to Sedgewick Bell, a new student. How a battle shapes the student-teacher relationship into a friendship is worth seeing.

School of Rock

Every student needs to have a teacher in his or her life who motivates them to do their best, to break the barriers and whatnot. However, this motivation comes when someone has faced battles of their own. When Dewey Finn gets thrown out of his music band, he finds himself in debt. He then uses the only available job to make his ends meet; to teach 4th-grade students of a private school.

Despite the strict protocol of the school, Finn uses his rock and roll ways to teach students and have a positive effect on them. He then motivates the 4th graders in making a band and participates in a battle of the bands. While students find their calling, Fenn gets his way back to the spotlight. This light movie is a must-watch for teachers as well as students.

Dead Poets Society

One of the most famous movies ever to be made on teachers, the Dead Poets Society definitely had to be a part of this list. With the dreams of an English teacher comes allusions, quotes and metaphors that leave students and teachers inspired. This is a movie which needs to be shown to students every now and then.

The Karate Kid

Mow, this is a movie which does not seem like your typical teacher movie. It does not have anything to do with academics but learning an art; the art of karate. This inspiring movie stars Jackie Chan who plays the role of Mr. Han. He is responsible for teaching Dre Parker, played by Jaden Smith what discipline is. Teaching him discipline leads to Dre learning karate. It is indeed an inspiring movie with a lot to learn from.

So, these are the top 5 movies that you can watch with your students. These not only encourage them, but also enlightens them to understand the meaning of having a good teacher in their lives.