Media Literacy: Teaching (better) With Moving Images

This page is a companion to this column I wrote in the Fall of 2016 for MiddleWeb.com. In it, I addressed the importance of critical thinking, critical inquiry and visual literacy when educators use video and film in the classroom.  What follows are some recommended films and related resources for various disciplines. By no means is this an exhaustive list.  Send comments to me: fbaker1346@gmail.com

NOTE: As with any film you plan to use in the classroom, please take time to read reviews and/or watch the entire film– making note of content which may not be appropriate for your students. The website Teach With Movies  is one which markets lesson plans that accompany many film titles. NOTE: many of the titles recommended here are not documentaries; but rather they are a blend of documentary and drama and so, as such, may not represent the true story of events that happened. This is an opportunity for you to engage your students in a compare-and-contrast of fact vs fiction and how filmmakers use artistic license to change elements and/or characters.

	Resources & Recommended Titles For Teaching The Arts   Teach With Movies: Lesson Plans In The Visual Arts For Using Movies & Film Teaching For Visual literacy: 50 Great Young Adult Films Using Film Music In The Classroom Article: 24 Films to Show in Your High School Art Room Movies: Lust for Life; Bird; Mr. Turner; Pollock; Ray;  Dreamgirls;  Walk The Line
	Resources for Teaching Character Education Film Clips Online This is a series of DVDs with rights-cleared film clips and accompanying lesson plans.
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching ELA/Literacy/Literature Articles: Books vs Movies-Teaching Visual Literacy & Literature Through Film Using Film in your Literature Classroom Best Films to Use in A Literature Course Film in the Language Arts Class
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching Global Education Journeys in Film  films and resources for teaching global issues Contemporary Voices: Films for Global Ed Global Film Initiative
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching Health Hollywood’s Best Health Movies 10 Favorite Medical Movies Turn Box Office Movies Into Mental Health Opportunities Article: Lights, Camera, Action: Integrating Popular Films In The Health Classroom (Journal of School Health)
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching Math Mathematics In Movies  (comprehensive website listing) Book: Teaching Mathematics Using Popular Culture
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching Media (also Journalism)   See also my MiddleWeb column Article: 12 Films About News/Journalism Article: The Journalism Movies Post Movies: Network; Broadcast News; Good Night & Good Luck;  All the President’s Men; Nightcrawler; Spotlight
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching Science Using Moves In Science (NSTA)    Movie Worksheet Database  Movies that Help Teach Science     50 Great Movies Top Movies for Teaching Chemistry Guide to Using Short Science Films In The Classroom Article: Connecting The Media Center and the Science Classroom Using Film (LMC, March 2005) Article: Using Science Fiction Movies in Introductory Physics (Physics Teacher, 2005) Movies: Contact (praised for its positive portrayal of female scientist/researcher); Apollo 13;  The Martian  (praised for its accuracy in portraying environment on Mars); The Andromeda Strain
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching Social Studies/History Films by Ken Burns (be sure to see the online teacher guides which accompany each of his films) Website: Historian at the Movies Website: World History in Film (comprehensive listing with resources) Movies: Midway;  Tora,Tora, Tora;  Gandhi;  Schindler’s List;  Flags of Our Fathers; Lincoln;  Malcolm X;  Selma Articles: The Art of Teaching Social Studies With Film (Clearinghouse, 2012) Reel American History Bibliography Social Studies In The Dark, Using Docudramas To Teach History (Soc.Studies, 2005) Book: Columbia Companion to American History: How the Movies Have Portrayed The American Past Book: Teaching History With Film Book: Past Imperfect:  History According to The Movies Book:  History by Hollywood; Reel History  (both by Robert Toplin)
	Resource Recommendations for Teaching Technology   Articles: 13 Movies That Explore The Future of Technology 40+ Movies Based on Hacking and Technology 5 Great Films That Explore Our Relationship With Technology