Middle School Movie

[nafmeadmin]

Hi all

I have this batch of “chorus” kids for Monday next week and then they rotate out and I get a new batch. I know there’s no way we’re going to get anything done on the “last day” so I was looking to show a movie while the kids that need to make up assignments do so. Would Stomp! be too immature for 8th graders? I am fairly sure my 6th and 7th grades will be fine with it but 8th grade worries me (I have one of “those” classes).

[nafmeadmin]

Oh they’d love Stomp! Just be ready for requests to repeat such a performance in person!! Also consider Mr. Holland’s Opus, August Rush and School of Rock. You might give them an assignment to do while watching, just reaction or observations. Give them questions; they won’t take notes with such entertaining movies.

[nafmeadmin]

I think they’ll like Stomp, but I also second Mr. Holland’s Opus! Be careful with August Rush- the beginning is a little bit racy for young students (I felt a little squeamish with high schoolers watching it). A young woman becomes pregnant after a one-night-stand with a stranger. And School of Rock is PG-13, so I’d be cautious with that, too. I don’t remember why it is 13- probably language and sexual innuendos.

[nafmeadmin]

This is why School of Rock is PG-13: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332379/parentalguide I didn’t have a problem with showing it to my 9-year-old at home, as he is smart enough to know that he shouldn’t use inappropriate language that he might hear in movies and some of the more grown-up jokes were over his head anyway… but what I would show to my own kid and what I’d feel comfortable showing to other people’s kids w/o their permission are two different things. You don’t want to get yourself in trouble if a parent doesn’t want their kid seeing a PG-13 movie. Our school has a policy of only showing G rated movies at school, but then I teach elementary. I would check with your principal either way to see if the school has a policy on movie ratings.

[nafmeadmin]

Are you looking for “music” related videos? seems like a waste at this point if they’re done with their trimester. I don’t have an issue with showing non musical movie to my kids. Give em a break. CAUTION: Be really careful with language. Words and innuendo that kids wouldn’t even blink at when they’re home suddenly become vulgar and offensive when they watch it at school, especially if they’re problem kids in class–and they will tell their parents. Generally, I try to stay away from musically themed films with middle school kids. I think its a bit patronizing, especially when it comes to a free day. Free day to me means just that. Let’s take a break from music and just kick back and have some fun. (although I will show one from time to time.) Try these:

High School Musical
How many girls do you have? Majority of 8th grade girls? You will score with Flika 2
Try West side story. (this will take 2 periods).
Rattatoui.
About Winn Dixie

If you need music, Stomp and Blast are great. Be careful though, Blast has some, er um….. costuming that show off the male performers assets, especially the guard. AND THE KIDS WILL NOTICE THIS!

At the end of each semester, I have a movie day. The kids bring in treats and hang out together.
Perhaps adjust your thinking regarding films to show kids. Assess what your goals are and the choose a film based on those goals. If its the last day you'[ll have with this group. Choose a fun movie and leave them with good memories.
jg

Regarding Mr. Holland: I think the content is way above a middle schooler’s head. I know many teachers that show this movie because its “about music”, but it’s really about Mr. Holland. Remember, although there’s a musical message, much of the movie is about Mr. Holland’s personal struggles with his view of his personal success; feeling like he’s a failure and coming to grips with a having deaf child. The musical message is almost incidental and the message of the power of teaching music is only reveled at the end of the movie. The content is NOT middle school material.

[nafmeadmin]

There is also quite a bit of language in Mr. Holland’s Opus and lots of sexual tension between him and a student. I was previewing a few clips to show to a 5th grade class because they were singing, “I Got Rhythm” for a performance. I watched the whole movie and decided it wasn’t appropriate for school.

[nafmeadmin]

Hi all

As a follow-up, I ended up showing Stomp! for the sixth graders and Hairspray for the 7th and 8th graders.

I prefer to keep things musical for the sake of my administration, and also, I was working with what I happened to have on hand.

[nafmeadmin]

Oh, I forgot about Hairspray! I showed that towards the end of the year last year and my kids loved it. They were fascinated by John Travolta’s character.

[nafmeadmin]

My kids love Stomp, but it is the Stomp DVD “Pulse” that they enjoy most. It features music from arou d the world, and shows how no matter how different we seem, music still has the power to connect!

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