Film Clips for Character Education Episode 6

Film Clips Spirit of America, Inc.
presents
Film Clips for Character Education
Episode 6
Forgiveness
Vision
Empathy
Teacher Study Guide by
C. K. Robertson, Ph.D.
and
Charlie Abourjilie
Movies Featured in Episode Six
Teen Wolf
Antwone Fisher
Billy Madison
Kicking & Screaming
Coach Carter
The Great Outdoors
The Truman Show
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The Incredibles
Bringing Down The House
Bridge To Terabithia
All clips are under copyright and are used with permission
from copyright holders.
None of the movies represented in the Film Clips Series is
rated higher than PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of
America. No inappropriate material is included in any of the
individual film clips.
Educational Standards
The film clips in this series meet the performance standards
listed on pages 30-34.
Spanish/English Options
Options for Spanish or English audio and subtitles are
available in “Settings” on the man menu of the DVD. Spanish
audio is available for most, but not all film clips.
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Welcome to
Film Clips for Character Education.
The following pages contain an exciting new approach to
character education which reaches students through a medium
for which they have a natural affinity: Hollywood movies. In
this nine-part series, clips from the movies are used to assist
teachers and students engage in reflection and discussion
about character and moral action.
At its core are clips from popular Hollywood movies that exemplify
key character traits and issues surrounding moral development.
The clips provide students with situations that relate to ‘real life’
experiences and draw them into a natural engagement with the
subject. This approach not only stimulates students’ thinking
on moral action and character, but enhances their engagement
with the regular curriculum in the areas of Language Arts, Social
Studies, and Fine Arts.
In this guide you will find resources to help you create the
greatest impact with Film Clips. Four clips are listed under
each key character trait, for the purpose of illustrating some
positive or negative aspect of the given trait and stimulating
creative reflection and discussion. This study guide provides a
great deal of flexibility for the teacher to use Film Clips most
effectively. You will want to use your discretion regarding the
appropriateness of both the clips and the suggested activities
to the age as well as the intellectual and emotional skill levels
of your students.
With this in mind, this study guide can help you take a fresh
approach to character education, using the letters F-I-L-M to
summarize the appropriate steps:
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 Fitting clips to lesson plans and standards
A list of key education standards covered by the clips and
activities suggested in this guide is available on pages 30-34.
Creating a Lesson Plan:
The teacher can choose to create one 45–50 minute class
session, by showing all four clips under a key theme, pausing
after each for reaction and discussion (25–30 minutes), and
then doing one of the following exercises (15–20 minutes).
Alternatively, the teacher can create four 30 minute class
sessions by showing one clip, pausing for reaction and
discussion (10–15 minutes), and doing one of the following
exercises (15–20 minutes).
 Introducing clips to students.
As you prepare to show a film clip, you can introduce it with
a plot synopsis. This gives students who have not previously
seen the movie from which the clip is taken some context for
understanding the clip.
Pause the DVD after the on-screen teaser question following
the clip.
Character “Word Wall”
A “word wall” can help your students develop/build their
vocabulary in terms of meaning, context, and relevance. The
words below come directly from the video clips or the question
prompt at the end of each clip. Developing a word wall is a
great way to introduce key vocabulary terms at the beginning
of a unit or piece by piece as your class explores a unit of
study.
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Forgiveness
Empathy
Vision
Civility
Community
Dream
Risk
Obstacle
The Golden Rule
Reward
Sympathy
Compassion
 Listening to students discuss the clips.
The on-screen teaser question following a film clip is designed
to initiate thoughtful discussion. The follow-up “Going Deeper”
questions should encourage further personal exploration.
These questions can be addressed in the context of the
whole class, or by splitting the class into small groups and
then having the groups report back to the larger class after
they have explored their thoughts and opinions, or through
a written exercise to be handed in later. The quotations help
students build higher order thinking skills, foster analysis of
the quotation and relate the film clip to their own lives ant the
topics they are discovering in class.
Utilizing Quotes
Use as journal starters and essay prompts.
A tool to strengthen student writing, as in supporting a line of
thought expressed by the writer.
Develop analytical thinking. Quotes are character-based in
nature which is common among many state writing tests, the
SAT, and many analytical writing prompts.
Connect concepts across multiple curriculums.
Homework discussion starters with parents or guardians.
Encourage students to share their own favorite maxim (one
they have heard or read before, one passed down as a
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family favorite, or one used often in class) and reflect upon its
meaning and context.
Inspire students, teams, or collaborative pairs to develop their
own personal “Code of Character” or “team motto” based on
one of the quotes.
Language Arts:
Scribe students’ favorite maxims or motto on the board and
have the class interpret it’s meaning.
This can then lead to a grammatical analysis of the quote
where the students can edit the student’s rendition of the quote
for spelling, punctuation, tense and part of speech.
History and Social Studies:
Have students research or discover who the author of the
quote is, where the author came from and when and where the
quote may have been said. Look for any special context or
history behind the quote.
Select a classroom “Quote of the Week” that provides a
theme for daily assignments, possibly taken from one of the
suggestions above.
As students learn and analyze more quotes, they provide great
material to use for extra credit questions and assignments.
This is an excellent way to keep the quotes fresh and in the
mind of the students.
 Moving students to action.
Suggested activities to engage the students more deeply with
the issues raised by the film clips.
Lights, Camera, ACTION!
Concepts from the Film Clips may catapult your class to further
action and activities designed to build upon a particular virtue
or put them into practice through a hands-on activity.
Episode 6 deals with Forgiveness, Vision, and Empathy. Here
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are few ideas to help your students start to nurture these
qualities in their own character, or add to the great ones you
already have planned.
Idea Starters!
1. Have students identify or brainstorm situations in your
classroom or school where there are everyday opportunities to
exhibit compassion.
2. Have each student list things they have been forgiven for
and things that they could forgive others for.
3. As a homework assignment or week long project, have
your students practice active forgiveness and report on the
response of the person they forgave and how this made them
as the forgiver feel.
4. Call your local National Conference on Community and
Justice (NCCJ) and ask them for activities that deal with
empathy and understanding.
5. Practice the art of saying “Thank you” and “I’m sorry”; have
students practice this for two weeks, noting the reactions and
feelings they receive. As the teacher, role model this daily for
your students in your class.
5. Have your students adopt a lunch or reading buddy and
have them talk about the virtues of empathy and forgiveness.
Select stories to read that focus on these things.
6. Role play different scenarios from each movie, where
applicable. Students can demonstrate the right way and
wrong way to show forgiveness.
7. As a class, analyze Elvis Presley’s quote (under Bringing
Down the House) by brainstorming the ways their daily lives
can take a wrong turn and how they choose to handle it.
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8. Ask students what their Vision is for their own lives! Be
specific and ask them to plot their map for getting there.
9. Challenge each student to show kindness towards someone
that has been picked on or teased by the crowd.
10. Sponsor a “Laws of Life” or “Foundations for Life” Essay
contest in your school or just for your class, based on the
themes in Episode 6. (See, www.LawsofLife.com or www.
FoundationsForLife.com )
11. Have your class (or when working with an individual
student) write down 10 short term goals and 10 long term
goals. Prioritize if needed. Then ask the students to analyze
their goals and assess what it will take to reach them. Keep
their recorded goals for them until the end of the year, then
assess how well they have made progress towards reaching
their goals. Give each student the copy of their goals to take
and keep with them.
Keeping a Diary
The students can be asked to keep a diary with 27 entries in
which they will record their favorite examples of the character
trait they saw demonstrated in the clips and examples of how
they have or have not shown this character trait in their own
lives. Also included are guides to other resources to help you
to use these film clips most effectively in your classroom. We
hope that this study guide will stimulate your own creativity to
help your students grow in their abilities for moral reflection
and action.
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Other Film Clips Episodes That Address
Forgiveness, Vision and Empathy
Episode 1:
Honesty-Cooperation-Respect
Liar Liar
Forgiveness, Empathy, White Lies, Respect
A fast track lawyer can’t lie for 24 hours due to his son’s
birthday wish and now he is desperate to get his son to
change his wish.
Cool Runnings
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Respect
An Olympic bobsled coach attempts to explain why he cheated
in the past.
Big Fat Liar
Empathy, Credibility, Integrity
Jason Shepherd has a history of telling tall tails. Now he says
he is telling the truth. Will anyone believe him?
Ice Age
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Teamwork, Trust, Betrayal
A team of animals work together to save a human baby, but
are betrayed by one of their own.
Antz
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Teamwork, Focus, Trust,
Because Z loses interest in cooperating with the other ants on
his team, a disaster strikes.
Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Rings
Empathy, Vision, Honor, Citizenship
Because a small hobbit (Frodo) volunteers to take the ring to
Mordor so it can be destroyed, others are inspired to join him.
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Apollo 13
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Cooperation under stress
The crew of the Apollo 13 must overcome their differences and
work together in order to manually put the ship on the right
course for its return to earth.
Shrek
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Trust, Caring for Others
Princess Fiona reveals her secret to Donkey, and begs him not
to tell Shrek.
X-Men
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Diversity, Equality, Tolerance
Xavier introduces the school for mutants where students soon
discover that everyone is unique.
Boundin’
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Positive Thinking, Self-Esteem
A jackrabbit helps a recently shorn sheep to look on the bright
side.
Remember the Titans
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Honor, Respect
Coach Boon informs the members of his team that unless they
get to know each other, he will assign extra practices.
Babe
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Civility, Leadership
Fly, the female sheepdog tells Babe to do whatever it takes
to make the sheepdog listen to him, but Babe learns how to
accomplish the task by being polite.
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Episode 2:
Good Sportsmanship - Kindness- Self-Control
Chariots of Fire
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Humility
Harold Abrams is devastated by his loss to Eric Liddell. He
tells his best friend, “If I can’t win, I won’t run.
The Legend of Bagger Vance
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Honor, Honesty, Fair Play
During a championship golf match Bagger Vance causes his
ball to move when he brushes a twig out of the way. Only
Bagger and his youngest fan are witnesses.
The Mighty Ducks
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Honor, Fair Play
The coach of the hockey team tells one of his players to cheat
in order to win. The player refuses.
Sandlot
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Civility, Good Sportsmanship
The captain of the team invites a “new kid” to join, even though
the “new kid” is a mediocre player.
Seabiscuit
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Caring for others
Tom Smith tells Charles Howard that the seriously injured
horse Tom is caring for is still worth something. “You don’t
throw away a whole life just ‘cause he’s banged up a little.”
Charlotte’s Web
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Kindness, Self-Sacrifice
Wilbur the pig tries to enlist the help of Templeton the rat in
saving Charlotte’s egg sack. The problem is that Templeton
doesn’t help anyone unless there is so0mething in it for him..
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Parenthood,
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Good Sportsmanship, Civility
A little league baseball coach sends his son into the game
even though his son isn’t very good. Some of the players
complain.
Forrest Gump
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Civility, Peer Pressure
Young Jenny offers young Forrest a place to sit on the bus
after everyone else refuses to let Forrest sit next to them.
Bend it Like Beckham
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Honor, Citizenship, Civlity
During a game, Jess reacts angrily when the opposition
player uses a racial slur against her.
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Vision, Pride, Citizenship, Peer Pressure, Self-Control
When aliens abduct all the parents in Jimmy Neutron’s
neighborhood, the young people go wild.
Seabiscuit
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Honor, Citizenship
Red is fouled in a race. He strikes back and both riders lose
the race. Afterward, the owner and trainer talk to Red about
what happened.
Finding Nemo
Empathy, Vision, Self-Control, Knowing Yourself
The sharks try to refrain from eating anymore fish, but one is
tempted after smelling blood.
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Episode 3:
Courage - Loyalty - Perseverance
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Risking, Coping with Fear
Indiana Jones must cross an invisible bridge to get to the holy
grail and it’s life-restoring water in order to save his father. The
problem for Indy is taking the first step.
The Wizard of Oz
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Knowing Yourself, Courage
The Lion tries to appear brave even though he later admits
that he is a coward.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Citizenship, Coping with Fear
The Council tests Anakin and finds that his fear is blocking his
Force.
Monsters, Inc.
Empathy, Vision, Citizenship, Using Your Power for Good
Sully, the monster, comforts Boo by sitting in front of her
bedroom closet which she fears is where monsters come from.
Shrek
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Peacemaking
Shrek and Donkey get into a fight over the Princess’s secret,
but Donkey sticks around because he says “that’s what friends
are for.”
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Self-Sacrifice, Leadership
Sam carries his friend, the exhausted Frodo, up Mount Doom
so that Frodo can destroy the ring.
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The Secret Life of Zoey
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Loyalty, Disloyalty
Zoey’s best friend tells Zoey’s mother that Zoey is mixed up
with bad crowd and needs help.
School of Rock
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Loyalty, Disloyalty,
Dewey’s band mates kick him out of the band Dewey started
because Dewey is an embarrassment to them and his
membership in the band keeps them from winning the battle of
the bands.
School of Rock
Empathy, Vision, Citizenship, Positive Thinking
In a speech to his class, Dewey claims that the “Man” will
never let them succeed, so they might as well not try. His
students don’t know what to make of Dewey.
The Addams Family
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Knowing Yourself
Having lost their home to crooks, Morticia gives her family a
pep talk, insisting “We will survive.”
Chariots of Fire
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Perseverance
Eric Liddell stumbles and falls during a race, but gets back up
and wins.
Episode 4:
Knowing Yourself, Facing Peer Pressure,
Understanding Bullies
Dead Poets Society
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Knowing Yourself
An unorthodox English teacher challenges his students to
discover their uniqueness.
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Teen Wolf
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Knowing Yourself
A father tells his son that his son that his family is part
werewolf and urges him to use his power responsibly.
Back to the Future
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Standing up to Power
Marty witnesses his father tortured by a bully and wonders
why his father let it happen.
A Walk to Remember
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Integrity, Knowing Yourself
On the school bus a girl is challenged by one of the most
popular boys. She tells him that he has no idea who she is
and has no intention of changing to suit him.
Drumline
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Honor, Citizenship
At an early morning practice the band professor insists that
each member is responsible for the welfare and behavior of
the others.
Sky High
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Citizenship, Civility
At a party, a girl is told that her boyfriend has rejected her for a
member of the popular crowd.
A Christmas Story
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Integrity, Clear Thinking
A grade school boy is dared to touch his tongue to a freezing
cold flagpole.
Mean Girls
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Peer Pressure
A new student is told the “rules” for being a member of the
popular crowd.
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Cheaper by the Dozen
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Understanding Bullies
When bullies challenge her brother, his sister intervenes and
tells her brother to let the insult pass.
Hoot
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Communication
A new student confronts the person who has bullied him and
insists they talk things out.
The Ant Bully
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Scapegoating
A boy who has been bullied takes out his anger on ants.
The War
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Honor, Peacemaking
The father of a boy who has been humiliated by bullies gives
the bullies a gift.
Episode 5:
Pride, Honor, Citizenship
Akeelah and the Bee
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Integrity
In the finals of a spelling bee, a contender intentionally misses
a word and is confronted by her opponent.
Star Trek: First Contact
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Humility
The inventor of warp drive is told he is destined to be a great
hero…even if he says he wants nothing to do with that destiny.
Star Trek: The Voyage Home
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision
As the Enterprise heads home, Kirk records in the ship’s log
that their mission is to “Go where no one has gone before.”
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The Spirit of America
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision
An inspiring and challenging montage of short clips from
the history of American movies explores American style and
values.
The Rookie
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Courage, Hard Work
The coach of an uninspired baseball team explains doing their
best now will influence their success in life down the road.
Eight Men Out
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Integrity
A player for the White Sox shares his suspicion that his
teammates are cheating.
War Games
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Honesty, Integrity
A student hacks into school records and changes grades.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Integrity, Courage
A man and wife risk everything to protect the savings of
members of the Savings and Loan.
Napoleon Dynamite
Empathy, Vision, Self-Esteem, Clear Thinking
Rex, the martial arts instructor, attempts to sell his program for
self-esteem to Napoleon and Kip.
Batman Begins
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Honor, Integrity
After a long absence Bruce Wayne meets Rachel at a posh
hotel, She challenges Bruce to act upon the positive values he
insists exist within himself.
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The Ant Bully
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Conflict Resolution
Lucas and Zoc, an ant warrior, discuss how their respective
societies deal with diversity and violence
World Trade Center
Empathy, Vision, Integrity, Caring for Others
At the end of the film, at a “welcome home” party, John
McLoughlin reflects: “It’s all about… people taking care of
other people, for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do.”
The Pilot:
Generosity, Race Relations, Human Rights
Pay it Forward
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Altruism, Philanthropy
Trevor presents his concept of “Pay it Forward” as a means of
changing the world for the better.
Remember the Titans
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Honor, Race Relations
Coaches Boon and Yost and their integrated football team
struggle for success and justice.
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Honor, Citizenship
Four points of view are explored in this documentary featuring
the true story of the transport of thousands of imperiled Jewish
children (whose parents were not allowed by Hitler to accompany them) to the safety of British homes in 1939.
The Spirit of America
Knowing Yourself, Justice, Self-Sacrifice
Glory
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Honor, Equality, Justice
During the Civil War white officers join their black troops in
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protesting unequal pay based on race.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Honor, Citizenship,
Peer Pressure, Integrity
George and Mary Bailey commit their own funds to guarantee
deposits in the Savings and Loan and prevent it from going
bankrupt.
Born on the Fourth of July
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision, Pride, Honor, Citizenship,
Peer Pressure, Protest
Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, Ron Kovic becomes an anti-war
and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by
the country he fought for.
Saving Private Ryan
Empathy, Vision, Pride, Honor, Citizenship, Self-Sacrifice,
Courage
Years later, James Ryan reflects on the supreme sacrifices
other soldiers made on his behalf.
Forgiveness
(see www.FilmClipsOnline.com for other Film Clips related to this topic)
Theme: Asking for Forgiveness
Film: Billy Madison
(PG-13) 1:00
He may be too big to fit in the desk,
but that is the least of Billy Madison’s
problems as he is forced to go back
to high school years later to earn
his rich father’s respect. After being laughed at by his fellow
students, Billy is reminded that he used to do the same thing to
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others. Going back and seeking forgiveness may be the most
important lesson he has to learn.
This 2004 film from Universal Studios is directed by Tamara
Davis, written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler, and stars Adam
Sandler, Bradley Whitford, Josh Mostel, Bridgette Wilson, Norm
MacDonald, and Darren McGavin.
Teaser Question:
apology?
What are the essential parts of a good
Going Deeper: When should you apologize to someone?
What if it has been a long time? What good does an apolog do
much later?
Reversing your treatment of the man you have wronged is
better than asking his forgiveness.
—Elbert Hubbard
True forgiveness is not an action after the fact; it is an attitude
with which you enter each moment.
—David Ridge
Theme: Healing
Film: Antwone Fisher
(PG-13) 1:58
A young sailor is full of rage and
resentment until a military counselor
comes into his life and challenges
Fisher to deal with his anger and
hurt, and to search for his roots.
This 2002 film from 20th Century Fox is directed by Denzel
Washington, written by Antwone Fisher and stars Derek Luke,
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Denzel Washington, Joy Bryant, Sali Richardson, and Novella
Nelson.
Teaser Question: How can forgiveness heal the forgiver?
Going Deeper: “Regard without ill will despite an offense”—
that is the dictionary definition of forgiveness. Talk about what
those words mean to you.
Without forgiveness there is no future.
—Desmond Tutu
You don’t have to accept the invitation to get angry.
Instead, practice forgiveness, empathy, encouragement.
—Dan Fallon
Theme: When Anger Holds You
Back
Film: Star Trek VI: The
Undiscovered Country
(PG) 0:42
The crews of the Enterprise and the
Excelsior must stop a plot to prevent
a peace treaty between the Klingon Empire and the Federation.
Among other obstacles to the success of this mission is that
Captain Kirk, the person in charge of getting the Chancellor of
the Klingon High Council to the peace summit, holds a deadly
grudge against all Klingons.
This 1991 film from Paramount Pictures is directed by Nicholas
Meyer, with the screenplay by Nicholas Meyer and Denny Martin
Flinn. It stars William Shatner, Leonard Nemoy, DeForest Kelley,
James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei,
Kim Cattrall and Christopher Plummer.
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Teaser Question: Could you forgive someone who hasn’t
apologized to you?
Going Deeper: How do you calm down when your anger
starts to rise?
I’ve never trusted Klingons, and I never will. I could never
forgive them for the death of my boy. It seems to me our
mission to escort the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council to
a peace summit is problematic at best. Spock says this could
be an historic occasion, and I’d like to believe him, but how on
earth can history get past people like me?
—Captain James T. Kirk
Being unable to forgive is like drinking poison and expecting the
other person to die.
—James Arthur Ray
Theme: Humility
Film: Kicking & Screaming
(PG) 0:50
A normally mild-mannered dad
agrees to coach his son’s soccer
team, only to end up in a bitter
competition against another team coached by his own toughas-nails father. In his quest to win at all costs, he ends up taking
his own young son off the field and putting him on the bench.
This 2005 film from Universal Studios is directed by Jesse
Dylan, written by Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick, and stars
Will Ferrell, Robert Duvall, Mike Ditka, Kate Walsh, and Dylan
McLaughlin.
Teaser Question: Why is hard to admit a mistake?
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Going Deeper: Have you ever had your parent ask for your
forgiveness? What would you like to tell your parents or other
adults about mistakes and forgiveness?
It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and
mistakes and make amends for them. To make a mistake
is only an error in judgment, but to adhere to it when it is
discovered shows infirmity of character.
—Dale E. Turner
The best thing you can do when you’ve made a mistake is:
Admit it, admit it soon and put yourself at the mercy of the
people.
—Cathy Allen
Vision
(see www.FilmClipsOnline.com for other Film Clips related to this topic)
Theme: Looking Ahead
Film: Coach Carter
(PG-13) 0:53
A former basketball star is asked
to coach a team where the players
do not believe they need to be
disciplined students. As the story focuses on the backgrounds
and struggles of each of the players, we see the powerful
influence one person can have on the lives of others if that
person can help them face their fears and move forward.
This 2005 film from Paramount Pictures and MTV Films is
directed by Thomas Carter, written by Mark Schwahn and
John Gatins, and stars Samuel L. Jackson, Rob Brown, Robert
Richard, Rick Gonzalez, Nana Gbewonyo, Antwon Tanner, and
Channing Tatum.
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Teaser Question: How do you see yourself now? 10 years
from now?
Going Deeper: Name the people who have been most
influential in your life? Why did you choose these people?
My chief want in life is someone who shall make me do what I
can.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people:
those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those
who wonder what happened.
—John M. Richardson, Jr.
Theme: Perspective
Film: The Great Outdoors
(PG) 0:58
Everything seems to go wrong for
two brothers-in-law as they take
their families on a joint vacation,
only to end up constantly battling each other. Even in a quiet
moment on the porch, we see two very different views of the
same beautiful lake and forest before them.
This 1988 film from Universal Studios is directed by Howard
Duetch, written by John Hughes, and stars Dan Aykroyd, John
Candy, and Stephanie Faracy.
Teaser Question: Why do people see things differently?
Going Deeper: The two men have different views of the land on
around them. What is your vision for the environment?
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The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has
sight, but has no vision.
—Helen Keller
Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.
—Jonathan Swift
Theme: Epiphany
Film: The Truman Show
(PG) 0:58
A man who has considered his life
to be entirely normal has no idea he
is actually the unknowing star of the
ultimate reality television show, where every moment of every
day of his life is broadcast live to the world. After beginning
to suspect that things are not quite what they have always
appeared to be, Truman finally comes face-to-face with a larger
reality that he could not even have imagined before.
This 1998 film from Paramount Pictures is directed by Peter
Weir, written by Andrew Niccol, and stars Jim Carrey, Laura
Linney and Ed Harris.
Teaser Question: Describe a moment when your perspective
of the world suddenly changed. How did you change?
Going Deeper: What do you think you will need to grow into
the person that you want to become?
An artist’s duty is rather to stay open-minded and in a state
where he can receive information and inspiration. You always
have to be ready for that little artistic Epiphany.
—Nick Cave
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“A teacher’s day is half bureaucracy, half crisis, half monotony
and one-eighth epiphany. Never mind the arithmetic.
—Susan Ohanian
Theme: Where No One Has Gone
Before
Film: Star Trek VI: The
Undiscovered Country
(PG) 0:44
Captain Kirk reflects on his final
voyage as the Enterprise sails off into
the unknown future.
This 1991 film from Paramount Films is directed by Nicholas
Meyer, written by Nicholas Meyer and Denny Martin Flinn, and
stars William Shatner, Leonard Nemoy, and DeForest Kelley.
Teaser Question: Can you be uncertain about the future and
still have a strong vision?
Going Deeper: What skills do you need to be a person who
can successfully explore and discover in the world today and in
the future. How can you acquire these skills?
What is the difference between exploring and being lost?
—Don Eldon
Sail Forth- Steer for the deep waters only. Reckless O soul,
exploring. I with thee and thou with me. For we are bound
where mariner has not yet dared go. And we will risk the ship,
ourselves, and all.
—Walt Whitman
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Empathy
(see www.FilmClipsOnline.com for other Film Clips related to this topic)
Theme: Caring for Others
Film: Teen Wolf
(PG-13) 0:46
An ordinary teenager suddenly
becomes an excellent basketball
player and a popular student at
school. The problem is that his new
bilities are the result of becoming a werewolf! It may mean that
he has the girl of his dreams and all the friends he could want,
but is it worth the price of being so different? Who will listen?
Whose advice can he trust?
This 1985 film from MGM/UA is directed by Rod Daniel,
written by Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman and stars Michael
J. Fox, James Hampton, Susan Ursitti, Jerry Levine and Jay
Tarses.
Teaser Question: When someone asks you for advice, what
is the best way to be of assistance?
Going Deeper: Why do some people sometimes do nothing to
help someone who is in need? How important is listening? Is
fear a factor?
Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other’s
good, and melt at other’s woe.
—Homer
When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they’ll
remember and be kind to someone else. And it’ll become like
wildfire.
—Whoopie Goldberg
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Theme: Reaching Out to Others
Film: Bridge to Terabithia
(PG) 1:25
A new girl at school teaches a boy
who is usually alone what it means
to tap into his imagination and
experience adventures beyond the
ordinary.
This 2007 film from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media is
directed by Gabor Csupo, written by Jeff Stockwell and David
Paterson, and stars Josh Hutcherson, Anna Sophia Robb,
Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick, and Bailee Madison.
Teaser Question: Have you ever reached out to an outcast?
Why? Why not?
Going Deeper: A definition of grace is “Courteous
Goodwill.” How was Jess an agent of courteous goodwill to
the wounded bully? Who has been an agent of grace to you?
How have you been an agent of grace to others?
By “guts” I mean grace under pressure.
—Ernest Hemingway
“If a man be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows he
is a citizen of the world, and that his heart is no island cut off
from other lands, but a continent that joins to them.
—Francis Bacon, Sr.
Theme: The Price of Empathy
Film: The Incredibles
(PG) 1:18
When superheroes are tossed aside
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by the people they help, they retire and go into hiding. Years
later, the greatest hero is simply an out-of-shape husband and
father with a boring job. But even without using superpowers,
he still finds ways to help others… even when it could get him
in big trouble.
This 2004 animated film from Walt Disney and Pixar is directed
by Brad Bird, written by Brad Bird, and stars the voice talents of
Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee,
and Wallace Shawn.
Teaser Question: What are the risks and rewards of
empathy?
Going Deeper: Has anyone ever taken a risk for you and, if
so, how did you feel about that? Have you ever done this for
someone else?
Men are only great as they are kind.
—Elbert Hubbard
Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but
according to our powers.
—Henri F. Amiel
Theme: When It’s Hard to Listen
Film: Bringing Down the House
(PG-13) 1:53
When an uptight lawyer gets stuck
with a fun-loving woman charged
with a crime she didn’t commit, the
results are hilarious. But things turn
serious when the lawyer’s daughter has been out late at night
doing who knows what. The father is ready to give her the third
degree, until he is urged to consider that it may be better to
29
show care and concern than to do the predictable thing and
simply get upset.
This 2003 film from Touchstone Pictures is directed by Adam
Shankman, written by Jason Filardi, and stars Steve Martin,
Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy, Joan Plowright, and Jean Smart.
Teaser Question: Why is empathy important ?
Going Deeper: What difference would it have made if he had
indeed been angry with his daughter? Are there times when it
is better not to simply listen and understand?
Compassion is the basis of all morality.
—Arthur Schopenhauer
When things go wrong don’t go with them.
—Elvis Presley
 Fitting clips to standards:
In recent years, assessment of the academic progress of
students has been standardized through the creation of a set
of measurable and obtainable goals or standards. Listed here
are sample standards that we believe are fulfilled by utilizing
the film clips, teaser questions, and various exercises listed in
this guide.
Language Arts Standards (Elementary)
Topic: Listening/Speaking
Standard: Recalls, interprets, and summarizes information
presented orally.
Standard: Uses oral language for different purposes: to
30
inform, to persuade, and to entertain.
Standard: Responds to literal, inferential, and evaluative
questions on orally presented material.
Standard: Acquires new vocabulary in each content area
and uses it correctly.
Standard: Participates in discussions related to curricular
learning in all subject areas.
Standard: Determines the meaning of a word based on how
it is used in an orally presented sentence.
Topic: Writing
Standard: Uses a writing process that involves prewriting, drafting, revising, editing (can involve peer editing),
proofreading, and publishing.
Topic: Literature
Standard: Experiences traditional and
literature through a variety of media.
Social Studies Standards (Elementary)
contemporary
Topic: Information Processing
Standard: Gathers information through reading, listening,
observing and surveying.
Standard: Locates and utilizes information from a variety
of sources, e.g., books, newspapers, atlases, glossaries,
photographs, laser- disks, computer software, others.
Standard: Selects and discusses the main idea from a
reading passage or listening activity.
Standard: Distinguishes between fiction and non-fiction
stories.
Standard: Analyzes information from two or more sources
for agreements, contradictions, facts, and opinions.
Topic: Problem Solving
Standard: Identifies and states a problem related to topic
under study.
31
Standard: Chooses a solution to a problem after supplying
the evidence.
Standard: Shows respect toward others.
Fine Arts Standards (Elementary)
Topic: Artistic Skills and Knowledge: Creating, Performing,
Producing
Standard: Identifies and applies dramatic elements of plot,
setting, character, and dialogue.
Standard: Identifies implicit and explicit main ideas, details,
sequences of events, and cause-effect relationships in
dramatic presentations.
Standard: Describes and demonstrates the role and
responsibility of the audience.
Standard: Demonstrates an awareness that drama comes
from all cultures throughout time and compares and contrasts
cultures through drama activities.
Language Arts Standards (Middle & High )
Topic: Listening/Speaking
Standard: Follows oral directions and asks questions for
clarification.
Standard: Listens and responds to various language
patterns and literary forms including regional dialects.
Standard: Responds to literal, inferential, and critical
questions.
Standard: Evaluates messages and effects of mass media
(film).
Topic: Writing
Standard: Uses a writing process that involves prewriting, drafting, revising, editing (can involve peer editing),
proofreading, and publishing.
Standard: Writes paragraphs that include unifying ideas and
supporting details (may include topic sentence and clincher
32
sentence).
Standard: Produces paragraphs and compositions for a
variety of purposes (exposition, description, narration, and
persuasion).
Standard: Experiments with organization, style, purpose,
and audience.
Standard: Uses available electronic communication
technologies in writing.
Social Studies Standards (Middle & High)
Topic: Cultural Geography
Standard: Identifies various ethnic groups in the Americas,
Europe, and Oceania, and describes their impact on the
development of the regions (e.g., linguistic patterns and
cultural contributions).
Standard: Assesses cultural expression of art, music, and
literature.
Standard: Explains how social institutions (religion,
government, and economics) influence the attitudes and
behaviors of people.
Topic: Cultural Geography
Standard: Categorizes important social and cultural
developments of the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.
Topic: Problem Solving
Standard: Identifies and defines a problem.
Standard: Formulates possible alternatives/solutions to a
given problem.
Standard: Collects evidence using appropriate, reliable
data.
Standard: Chooses a reasonable solution from among the
various alternatives.
Standard: Identifies areas for further study.
Standard: Follows established rules.
Standard: Shows respect toward others.
33
Standard: Works with a group, following set rules of
procedure to complete an assigned task.
Standard: Formulates and defends position on issues.
Standard: Identifies and uses alternative methods of conflict
resolution.
Standard: Participates in planning for effective civic actions
and demonstrates effective civic actions.
Standard: Recognizes the rights of others to present different
viewpoints.
Fine Arts Standards (Middle & High)
Topic: Artistic Skills and Knowledge: Creating, Performing,
Producing
Standard: Demonstrates social discipline and appropriate
group contribution.
Standard: Uses imagination to form and express thought,
feeling, and character.
Character-related Standards
Standard: Retells stories that illustrate positive character
traits and will explain how the people in the stories show the
qualities of honesty, patriotism, loyalty, courtesy, respect,
truth, pride, self-control, moderation, and accomplishment.
Standard: Gives examples of how the historical figures
under study demonstrate the positive citizenship traits of
honesty, dependability, liberty, trustworthiness, honor, civility,
good sportsmanship, patience, and compassion.
Standard: Demonstrates an understanding of good
citizenship.
34
Special Thanks to:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Georgia Department of Education
Directors Guild of America
Screen Actors Guild of America
Writers Guild of America
American Federation of Musicians
Of the United States and Canada
Buena Vista Pictures
Dimension Films
Dreamworks
Lions Gate Films
Lucasfilm
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Films
Miramax Films
New Line Cinema
Paramount Pictures
Pixar Animation
Touchstone Studios
Twentieth Century Fox
United Artists
Universal Pictures
Walden Media
Walt Disney Pictures
Warner Bros.
The Weinstein Company
Visit us online at
www.FilmClipsOnline.com
35
Film Clips
SPIRIT OF AMERICA
Produced by Michael R. Rhodes
www.FilmClipsOnline.com
4903 Island View Street
Channel Islands Harbor
California 93035
Phone: (805) 984-5907
Fax: (805) 984-2397
E-mail: info@filmclipsonline.com
Study Guide design by Scott C. Gold • ScottCGold@gmail.com