Re: When Can Our Children See LOTM?

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Posted by Goody Sandy on February 10, 2000 at 04:29:22:

In Reply to: When Can Our Children See LOTM? posted by Gally on February 09, 2000 at 18:25:34:

: I am a public school teacher in the Mohawk Valley and am showing LOTM for my US History students. It fits in so well with what they've learned already and the locale is identical to ours in so many ways. The history of this area comes alive and the students love it!
: Now, however, I'm being warned by colleagues that the film is "inappropriate" and I might expect trouble!!! I concede it is violent but it's very true to the violence of that period and we show 'Glory' as well. I now know it's rated 'R' (for violence; the "Love Scene" is suggested, not graphic, and can easily be dealt with.) I honestly hadn't looked at the rating when I pre-screened it for myself BEFORE I showed it to them.
: So I have a Big Question to you LOTM fans: What age is 'appropriate' for this film to be seen by young people?
: I must also tell you that I had "concerned parents" (read: Evangelical Christians) express dismay that I showed 'The Crucible' in class (with the bare "butt" shot carefully covered up) and was told by the administration, in no uncertain terms, not to show it again because "witchcraft" is offensive to some of our district's families. I know, I know: the irony of that situation was delicious and distressing at the same time. It must be Daniel Day Lewis movies! I'm so depressed about the whole thing, I'm seriously considering ditching a ten year career in teaching. Maybe work in a bar with "adults" after working in schools with "intellectuals"? Anyway, if I do quit (or get fired), maybe I'll show 'My Beautiful Launderette' on my last day (just kidding, in case THEY see this!)
: Anyway, please advise me: When did you show your kids this movie or at what age do you, especially you teachers out there, think students can "handle" this?

Hi Gally:

A friend of mine is a 10th-grade history and social studies teacher in Massachusetts. She shows LOTM to her students as an aid to teaching them about the French and Indian wars, life in colonial America and the relationships between the white settlers and the Indians. She has found the movie to be an invaluable tool because as you said, it brings history alive and the students learn so much more from seeing the movie than from just reading about these events in a text book. She doesn�t consider the violence in the movie to be inappropriate because it was a fact of life during that time period in our nation�s history. Following the airing of the movie, the students have a very enthusiastic discussion about it with emphasis on the matters that are relevant to their history lesson, and they also write a paper. The students love the movie and appreciate the teacher�s effort to make the study of history fun and interesting.

Best wishes,
Goody Sandy

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: : I am a public school teacher in the Mohawk Valley and am showing LOTM for my US History students. It fits in so well with what they've learned already and the locale is identical to ours in so many ways. The history of this area comes alive and the students love it!
: : Now, however, I'm being warned by colleagues that the film is "inappropriate" and I might expect trouble!!! I concede it is violent but it's very true to the violence of that period and we show 'Glory' as well. I now know it's rated 'R' (for violence; the "Love Scene" is suggested, not graphic, and can easily be dealt with.) I honestly hadn't looked at the rating when I pre-screened it for myself BEFORE I showed it to them.
: : So I have a Big Question to you LOTM fans: What age is 'appropriate' for this film to be seen by young people?
: : I must also tell you that I had "concerned parents" (read: Evangelical Christians) express dismay that I showed 'The Crucible' in class (with the bare "butt" shot carefully covered up) and was told by the administration, in no uncertain terms, not to show it again because "witchcraft" is offensive to some of our district's families. I know, I know: the irony of that situation was delicious and distressing at the same time. It must be Daniel Day Lewis movies! I'm so depressed about the whole thing, I'm seriously considering ditching a ten year career in teaching. Maybe work in a bar with "adults" after working in schools with "intellectuals"? Anyway, if I do quit (or get fired), maybe I'll show 'My Beautiful Launderette' on my last day (just kidding, in case THEY see this!)
: : Anyway, please advise me: When did you show your kids this movie or at what age do you, especially you teachers out there, think students can "handle" this?

: Hi Gally:

: A friend of mine is a 10th-grade history and social studies teacher in Massachusetts. She shows LOTM to her students as an aid to teaching them about the French and Indian wars, life in colonial America and the relationships between the white settlers and the Indians. She has found the movie to be an invaluable tool because as you said, it brings history alive and the students learn so much more from seeing the movie than from just reading about these events in a text book. She doesn�t consider the violence in the movie to be inappropriate because it was a fact of life during that time period in our nation�s history. Following the airing of the movie, the students have a very enthusiastic discussion about it with emphasis on the matters that are relevant to their history lesson, and they also write a paper. The students love the movie and appreciate the teacher�s effort to make the study of history fun and interesting.

: Best wishes,
: Goody Sandy

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