How To Use Movies To Help Your Students Learn: Movie Schooling Series (Part 2)
In Part 1 of this series, we introduced you to the non-traditional homeschool method of Movie Schooling. We listed some benefits of using movies as an educational medium. Today, in Part 2, we share ways Movie Schooling can enhance learning for ALL students.
Enhance Learning
Through good storytelling in movies and television shows learning is enhanced. Education comes alive! Movie schooling further supports learning in the following ways:
Differentiated Learning and Individualized Instruction – The shared goal of instruction is student learning, yet the teaching method may vary. Whether in a traditional classroom or homeschool setting, students are individuals with varied learning needs, interests, preferences, strengths, and challenges. Just as God made us all unique, our learning styles are equally unique.
Of the many advantages of homeschooling my only child, individualized instruction is in the top three (just behind faith and family). Being able to personalize lessons for my son’s individual learning needs lowers frustration, engages attention, and promotes retention of information. As a homeschool family, we have the ability to accommodate as needed as we foster a genuine love of learning.
Visual media, such as movies and videos, support our goal of individualized learning (or sometimes differentiated learning in the case of our co-op days or curriculum mash-up classes).
Bridge the Gap Between the Past and the Present – Travel back in time to lost civilizations of long ago as you dive deeper into your ancient history curriculum. Transport yourself to bygone eras to examine culture and customs as you watch the pages of your history book come alive with The Prince of Egypt or the animated series Kid’s Animated History with Pipo.
Deepen your family’s understanding of the early stewards of faith with the Torchlighter Series, The Ten Commandments, The Story Keepers, or Superbook.
Feel the exhilaration of the birth of our nation with Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride: History’s Heroes, The Who Was Show, or our personal favorite, the Liberty’s Kids series.
Explore the Modern Era with The Sound of Music, Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Fiddler on the Roof, or Newsies.
Be humbled by the sacrifices of scientific pioneers who paved the way for modern medicine and engineering with the Once Upon A Time… animated show. Selections include Explorers (Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan) and Discoverers (Ancient Greeks, Lavoisier, Edison, and Marie Curie).
Dare to Dream-Celebrate the doers and dreamers that influenced our nation with American Legends. Cultivate curiosity and inspire innovation with engineering trailblazers such as Hidden Figures,
Foster Empathy – Foster empathy, determination, and the courage to overcome obstacles in the face of adversity with Ruby Bridges, The Miracle Worker, Temple Grandin, or The Color of Friendship. Engender compassion, kindness, altruism, and acceptance of diversity with Wonder, BFG, Up, Zootopia, Because of Winn-Dixie, or Frozen.
Promote Gratitude – Gain a newfound appreciation for the ease with which we can complete the tasks of daily living thanks to modern-day conveniences such as microwaves, dishwashers, and washing machines with an episode of or two of The Little House on the Prairie.
Enhancing learning for all learners, bridging the gap between past and present, promoting gratitude, fostering empathy, cultivating curiosity, and inspiring innovation, are all valid reasons to incorporate Movie Schooling as part of your homeschooling experience. Yet, there is one area in particular where I find the use of movies s a teaching tool to be highly beneficial.
Coming Up
In Part 3 of our series, we address concerns about screen time, how to handle exposure to questionable content, and share ways you and your family can learn to live “in” this world without becoming “of” this world.
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Are you a homeschool parent looking for encouragement from other homeschool parents in the trenches? Then check out our latest podcast series, Shelf-Indulgence Book Chats. In this series, we chat with some amazing authors who also happen to be homeschool moms of faith. New episodes will premier the first Wednesday of every month on the It’s Only Homeschooling YouTube Channel.
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Blessings,
Kimberly
IOH Mom
This website is not a professional counseling website and nothing here should be construed as professional counseling advice. Although Kimberly Bennett, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is not your counselor, and no counselor-client relationship is established unless she has signed an agreement with you. All information provided through this website is for informational and educational purposes only. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement. Thanks for visiting!
