3 Ways to Promote Classroom Discussion When Showing Movies

Facilitating strong student-to-student and student-to-instructor communication creates the foundation for a good classroom experience. Open lines of communication allow students to develop and hone their speaking and listening skills while reflecting on and respecting the ideas of others. When this teaching method is directed by specific learning objectives, such as the analysis of projected productions (films), students learn to think dynamically and analyze a given topic from a different point of view. Few activities spark a student’s interest in a topic like a quality movie.

The following three activities illustrate ways to promote lively and enlightening discussions when showing a movie in the classroom:

1) Introduction to the pre-movie

Before the movie begins, establish a foundation by framing the topic and relating it to the current lesson. Encourage students to share opinions and express their expectations before showing the movie. Provide students with the facts or background they will need to appreciate the movie. Also, it is highly recommended that you turn in a “movie worksheet” so that students have an additional reason to follow the movie closely. Each question on the worksheet should relate to the overall lesson plan rather than simply asking students questions about what happened in the story. Review the questions on the worksheet with the class. Tell students that they will be able to take notes on the worksheet at breaks when showing the movie and that they should not make annotations on the worksheet while the movie is playing.

2) Pauses in the middle of the movie

Choose key scenes in which to pause the movie. Allow students to take notes on their movie worksheet and, if appropriate, lead a discussion session about what is shown on screen.

3) Post-movie discussion

Immediately after completing the movie, lead the class in a discussion about the movie related to the objectives of the class curriculum. You can focus on the questions on the movie worksheet. Allow students to express their opinions on the topics covered in the film.

In conclusion, films have a strong visual appeal that can lead to a deeper understanding of a given topic. The vast majority of today’s students respond much more enthusiastically to projected productions than to written texts. Student enthusiasm translates into lively discussions that can help students focus on the curriculum, express their opinions, and respectfully examine the opinions of others. While analysis of written work remains the core of all ELA classes, these traditional activities can be supplemented by showing a few carefully selected films per semester. Engaging students in pre, intermediate, and post-movie discussions will enhance the benefits that can be derived from using a movie in class.