This is a short list of movies that I have considered using for teaching tools. I have written a summary of the movie as well as commented on its value for teaching generally and specifically what it is useful for teaching.
Videos that Teach
Aircraft Carrier!
Teach-worthiness: ••/4
Aircraft Carrier! is about life on an aircraft carrier.
The movie explain the role of several positions on the aircraft carrier, and is
very informative for someone interested or considering that lifestyle or career
decision. This movie would be good for exposing students to career options in
the military. [Can be checked out from Timberland Regional Library.]
Alone in the Wilderness
Teach-worthiness: ••/4
Alone in the
Wilderness is the story of
Richard Proenneke as told in the book, "One Man's Wilderness" by Sam
Keith. The movie uses movie footage shot by Proenneke to make the 60
minute movie. The movie shows how Proenneke built his cabin , how he
fished and hunted for food and how he survived the long winters in
isolation. The movie is good to watch for those interested in wood craft
and living in the bush; Richard is a consummate craftsman. There is not a
story line other than the chronological sequence of events.
Boldest Hoax, The
Teach-worthiness: ••••/4
The Boldest Hoax is about the faked "piltdown" man whose remains were fabricated in England in the early twentieth century. The movie discusses what was faked and attempts to sketch the likliest culprit for faking it. The story is a good example of scientists failing to be dispassionate and using their science to promote themselves or their agenda rather than acting as ideal "dispassionate" investigators. This movie would be good to see in an evolution unit to discuss whether or not scientists are able to separate themselves and their activity from their
[Can be checked out from
Timberland Regional Library.]
Codebreakers
Teach-worthiness: ••/4
Codebreakers is about intelligence efforts in the twentieth
century, especially in world war II, when the Allies tried to break codes on
Germany's "enigma" and Japan's "Purple" and
"JN25." The story is largely historical and does not explain
the mechanics of how the codes were broken except for some general description
that, "in the English language the letters used most frequently are E and
T followed by ..." The absence of technical information is missed,
but the historicity is fascinating on its own.
Death of a Star (WGBH/Nova)
Teach-worthiness: ••••/4
Death of a Star is a 50 minute NOVA science movie (VHS & DVD formats available) about the discovery of a supernova in 1987 by a Chilean and a Canadian astronomer in Chile. The movie overviews their discovery then does a great job of highlighting the science of supernova's. The story line follows several questions that arose about unexpected observations regarding the supernova and what that meant for supernova theory as well as the science of detecting and finding supernovas. It also shows the passion of astronomers and in that was contains a neat affective element. Interestingly, the last chapter is about an experiment in Australia using the Parks Radio Telescope--the same one featured in the full length movie, "The Dish."
Checked out at Timberland Library, Tumwater branch (Timberland Library)
Eclipse of the Century (WGBH/Nova)
Teach-worthiness:
Eclipse of the Century is a 60 minute NOVA science movie (VHS format) about ...
Checked out at Timberland Library, Montesano branch (Timberland Library)
Lost at Sea
Teach-worthiness: ••••/4
Lost at Sea is a movie version of Dava Sobel's "Longitude." This story is a neat example of how one man's persistance and excellence was finally rewarded. It is a neat example of creativity, careful craftsmanship, scientific innovation, and excellence.
"Lost at Sea" NOVA (Timberland Library)
The Story of 1 (PBS)
Teach-worthiness:
The Story of 1 is a 50 minute NOVA science movie (VHS & DVD formats available) about the discovery of a supernova in 1987 by a Chilean and a Canadian astronomer in Chile. The movie overviews their discovery then does a great job of highlighting the science of supernova's. The story line follows several questions that arose about unexpected observations regarding the supernova and what that meant for supernova theory as well as the science of detecting and finding supernovas. It also shows the passion of astronomers and in that was contains a neat affective element. Interestingly, the last chapter is about an experiment in Australia using the Parks Radio Telescope--the same one featured in the full length movie, "The Dish."
Checked out at Timberland Library, Tumwater branch (Timberland Library)