We're doing a unit re. the 50's and AA Civil Rights Movement.

[Smarmie Doofus]

How 'bout come ideas for a DVD.... to kind of bring it all together?

We're special ed.... so nothing too complex or nuanced.

We've been reading about the bus boycott...and some continuity w. that would be a +.

MLK biographical stuff is good... I am and will always be huge fan... but I'd like to avoid the cliched figure that is celebrated once a year on Jan 15, ...... i.e the "I HAVE A DREAM" MLK.

And I want to keep it in the 50s or pre-VN 60s.

Maybe something like Driving Ms. Daisey... but a liittle less subtle.


Also.... I have to be able to find the DVD thru netflix or the library.

I don't want much... do I?

Can anyone help?

Documentary/non-doc : either way.

[virgogal]

1. Movie "Mississippi Burning".

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Good movie. Thanks, Virgo. A lttle "plot-twistie" for some of my kids.

But that's my numero uno, so far.

Thanks.

[Tikki]

3. I believe your students are mid and/or high school age?...How about..

something like a couple episodes from a television series?

There are racially responsible episodes of the television shows like 'Quantum Leap' and 'Cold Case'
and others...

I know for sure you can watch these two episodes of 'Quantum Leap' instantly on Netflix
(subscribers only, though) and I've seen the whole Season 4 on sale DVD for around $15.00
or maybe the DVD can be rented.

"Quantum Leap" Season 4 Episode #9; "So Help Me God"...set in 1957's South and another Season 4 Leap
Episode # 4; "Justice" based in 1965.

Most children today already recognize Scott Bakula as one of the good guys..

Anyway, this is important what you are doing and I salute you for your work.

Tikki

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. I know NOTHING about this but it sounds intriguing.

I'll have a look at one of the QL episodes, and take it from there.

Thanks mucho.

[Starry Messenger]

5. Is Malcolm X too heavy for high school?

It's been a few years since I watched that film, but it's one of my favorites. Denzel should have gotten the Oscar that year.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. For my kids... yes.

Not sure the split between "integration" vs. nationalism would be something that even my brightest kids would get.

At this level, one contemplates Thoreau's advice quite literally: "Simplify, simplify , simplify."

But you won't find many better bioepics, that's for sure.

[Reader Rabbit]

6. The Long Walk Home is an excellent video.

I showed it to my 8th graders when I used to be able to do units like this (before Social Studies and Language Arts were compressed into a 50 minute "Humanities" class). It's kid friendly, and it really demonstrates the power of non-violent protest. There is one incredible scene where the protagonist's son is getting thumped by white kids for standing up for his sister. Every time he gets hit, his fists clench, but then he lets it go. After three or four blows, there is a close-up of his attacker's face, looking puzzled. I always point that out to my students. Even though the AA kid is getting beaten up, he has won, because he made the racist kid think.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. YES ! Sissy Spacek, Whoopie Goldberg.

About the boycott. I saw it a million years ago. I think it was originally a made for tv movie. Wiki says 1991. ( Well... that's almost a million, isn't it?)

Thanks. I'm on the case.