Movies can be a fun way to learn about social and emotional skills. Here are ten great films that can help you understand yourself and others better:
This animated movie takes you on a journey inside the mind of a young girl. It shows how different emotions like joy, sadness, and anger work together. It’s a great way to learn about the importance of expressing your feelings.
This documentary follows students from around the world as they compete in a science fair. It highlights the importance of hard work, teamwork, and communication to achieve success.
This touching documentary is about parents raising children who are different from them. It teaches empathy and understanding, showing how important it is to accept and celebrate differences.
This film tells the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Supreme Court Justice. It shows her dedication to justice and how she stayed true to her values, even when faced with challenges.
This movie is about a boy with a facial difference starting school. It encourages discussions about kindness, acceptance, and standing up for what is right.
This biopic about Fred Rogers, the beloved TV host, highlights his commitment to kindness and integrity. It encourages open conversations about difficult topics and their impact on social and emotional learning.
This sci-fi movie focuses on communication as the main character tries to understand alien visitors. It can lead to discussions about overcoming challenges and understanding others.
This emotional story follows African orphans who create a fictional tale based on their experiences. It offers new perspectives and encourages creativity and resilience.
This popular superhero movie is not only exciting but also offers lessons on leadership, integrity, and making tough decisions.
This film explores the life of a middle school student dealing with real-life issues. It can spark conversations about the challenges you might face and how to handle them.
For more movie suggestions and tips on using films in the classroom, visit commonsense.org/education.
Watch “Inside Out” and then play a game of charades where you act out different emotions from the movie. This will help you understand and express various feelings. Try to guess the emotions your classmates are acting out!
After watching “Science Fair,” work in groups to create your own mini science project. Focus on teamwork and communication, just like the students in the documentary. Present your project to the class and discuss what you learned about collaboration.
Inspired by “Far From the Tree,” participate in a role-playing activity where you take on different family roles. Discuss how empathy and understanding can help in accepting differences. Reflect on how this can apply to real-life situations.
Watch “Black Panther” and then engage in a debate about what makes a good leader. Discuss the qualities of leadership and integrity shown in the movie. Share your thoughts on how these qualities can be applied in your own life.
After viewing “Liyana,” create your own fictional story based on personal experiences. Use this activity to explore creativity and resilience. Share your story with the class and discuss the themes and emotions involved.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Here are 10 popular movies to help teach social and emotional learning in your classroom:
**Number 1: Inside Out**
This modern animated classic explores emotions and the importance of expressing them. It invites kids to understand what happens inside their heads and the power of feelings.
**Number 2: Science Fair**
This documentary follows groups of students competing in a science fair, highlighting the perseverance, teamwork, and communication needed to succeed on an international level.
**Number 3: Far From the Tree**
This moving documentary focuses on parents learning to raise children who are different from themselves. It teaches students about empathy and tolerance while navigating differences.
**Number 4: RBG**
This documentary about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg showcases her life and career. It illustrates how she maintained integrity through her personal and public challenges.
**Number 5: Wonder**
This story of a fifth grader born with a facial abnormality serves as a great conversation starter about understanding others and standing up for what is right.
**Number 6: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?**
This biopic highlights Fred Rogers’ passion for inspiring integrity and kindness. It encourages open discussions about tough topics and the impact of such discussions on children’s social and emotional learning.
**Number 7: Arrival**
In this sci-fi tale, communication is central as the main character navigates challenges to reach across differences. It sparks discussions about students’ own challenges at school and in life.
**Number 8: Liyana**
This emotional story about a group of African orphans and the fictional tale they create around their experiences opens students up to new perspectives.
**Number 9: Black Panther**
This film, loved by kids, provides an opportunity to discuss how popular superhero characters handle challenging situations with integrity and decisiveness.
**Number 10: Eighth Grade**
This film, while controversial, has been screened in many schools. It allows students to discuss whether the issues presented are reflective of real life and how they might deal with similar experiences.
For more movie picks and advice on showing films in your classroom, visit us at commonsense.org/education.
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This version removes any inappropriate language and clarifies the content for better understanding.
Movies – Films or motion pictures that tell stories, often reflecting cultural, social, or historical themes. – Watching movies about historical events can help students understand different perspectives and cultures.
Emotions – Feelings that are responses to experiences or situations, such as happiness, sadness, or anger. – Understanding emotions is important for developing empathy and building strong relationships.
Empathy – The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. – Practicing empathy helps students connect with others and appreciate diverse viewpoints.
Kindness – The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate towards others. – Acts of kindness can create a positive environment in the classroom and community.
Acceptance – The willingness to embrace differences and include others, regardless of their background or beliefs. – Promoting acceptance in schools encourages a more inclusive and respectful atmosphere.
Communication – The process of exchanging information, ideas, or feelings through speaking, writing, or other methods. – Effective communication is essential for resolving conflicts and building strong relationships.
Resilience – The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or setbacks. – Developing resilience helps students face challenges with confidence and perseverance.
Leadership – The act of guiding or directing a group towards achieving a common goal. – Good leadership involves listening to others and making fair decisions.
Integrity – The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. – Demonstrating integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Challenges – Difficult situations or obstacles that require effort and determination to overcome. – Facing challenges can help students grow and learn important life skills.
