The power of short films in the ELA Classroom has become apparent when looking for ways to engage students. In the ever-evolving door of education, innovative approaches to enhance learning experiences are crucial. While traditional teaching methods are still beneficial, incorporating short films offers a dynamic and multisensory approach that captivates students’ attention, stimulates critical thinking, and fosters a deeper understanding of literary concepts.
Visual Literacy and Critical Thinking:
Short films often have no words. This encourages students to develop visual literacy skills. Analyzing the visual elements of a film, such as cinematography, symbolism, facial expressions, and body language challenges students to think critically about the choices made by the characters. This process not only enhances their comprehension of visual storytelling but also sharpens their analytical skills, a valuable asset in any ELA classroom.
The Power of Short Films and Diversity
Short films offer a diverse range of voices and perspectives, providing an opportunity to explore different cultures, experiences, and social issues. By exposing students to a variety of narratives, characters, and settings, short films contribute to a more inclusive and culturally rich ELA curriculum. This exposure helps students connect literature to real-world experiences, fostering empathy and a broader understanding of the human experience.
One example of this is a resource I created using the short films, “Majia” by several artists at the French school, ENSI, and “Lava” by James Ford Murphy. “Majia” is about a little girl in the Nordic Islands and the love she has for her father. “Lava” takes place presumably in Hawaii, and shows a relationship grow between the two volcanoes who eventually fall in love. The obvious diversity in the location, nationality, and culture play a role in students determining the shared theme of love, and they’re also able to compare and contrast the films by looking at these elements as well as plot, context clues, point of view, and more.
Differentiation
Every student learns differently, and short films offer an approach that caters to various learning styles. Visual and auditory learners benefit from the audio-visual elements of films (great for English Language Learners). While discussions and written analyses accommodate the needs of verbal and linguistic learners. The versatility of short films allows teachers to differentiate instruction. This ensures that all students can engage with the material in a way that resonates with their individual strengths.
If you would like to incorporate short films into your curriculum, here’s a great place to start. Check out the Short Films to Teach Reading Comprehension GROWING Bundle. This means as I add more short film resources, you will simply get to download them for FREE! You don’t have to pay extra.
Lights, camera, learn – short films are opening new avenues for exploration and understanding in the ELA classroom.
