Edutainment
5 Indian Podcasts For Teachers & Students on Wildlife, Feminism, History, Science & More
Here is a list of some Indian podcast channels to introduce your students to, talking about animal cruelty, history and science
The Podcast culture is not a famous one in our country but a budding one for sure. A podcast is an episodic series of spoken word digital audio files that a user can download to a personal device for easy listening.
While the schools are closed, take this opportunity to introduce your students to Podcasts as they learn some hard facts about the most pressing issues in our country and the world at large.
Wildlife SOS was established in 1995 by a small group of individuals inspired to start a movement and make lasting change to protect and conserve India’s natural heritage, forest and wildlife wealth. Today, the organisation has evolved to actively work towards protecting Indian wildlife, conserving habitat, studying biodiversity, conducting research and creating alternative and sustainable livelihoods for erstwhile poacher communities or those communities that depend on wildlife for sustenance.
https://wildlifesos.org/get-involved/podcast/
Mick Sullivan created The Past and The Curious in 2016 and it is a work of love. Since then people from the founder’s friends and family have joined in as well. A History Podcast for kids, parents, teachers alike.
https://thepastandthecurious.com/
The Life of Science is a travelling feminist science media project run by Aashima Dogra and Nandita Jayaraj which tells the story of women scientists around India. It is a good way to introduce children to our country’s most prominent women from science and their accomplishment, and parallelly tell girls what they can achieve.
https://ivmpodcasts.com/thelifeofscience
Kidnuz podcast, a new Podcast channel, that introduces children to current affairs of the world in a kid-friendly manner. No, they do not talk about crimes or any other hard-hitting topic, but positive and inspirational news that are age-appropriate.
https://www.kidnuz.org/podcast
But Why is a podcast for curious kids, the ones who are highly observant and curious about the most trivial things in their surroundings. In this podcast, kids lead the episodes by asking questions about anything that tickles their fascination. Answers to such questions are then followed up on the podcasts.
https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids#stream/0
Lights, Camera, Learn!
As we celebrate Teacher’s Day in the month of September, here are the list of films that featured some stories and teachers who left an indelible mark on the audience in cinema, showing the world how it only takes one teacher to inspire a million lives…
Dead Poet’s Society (1989): “Dead Poets Society” is an acclaimed drama film about an unconventional English teacher who inspires his students to embrace poetry, think independently, and seize the day. It explores the conflicts between personal aspirations and societal expectations, offering a thought-provoking exploration of individuality and the pursuit of dreams.
Where to watch- Disney + Hotstar
Directed by- Peter Weir
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969): “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” is a captivating tale of a passionate and unconventional teacher who leaves an indelible mark on her students at an all-girls school in 1930s Edinburgh, empowering them to embrace their individuality, challenge societal norms, and strive for greatness in a world that seeks to confine them.
Where to watch- YouTube
Directed By- Ronal Neame
Stanley Ka Dabba (2011): “Stanley Ka Dabba” is a heartwarming film that tells the touching story of Stanley, a young boy with a vivid imagination, who faces adversity when his schoolmates try to steal his lunchbox (dabba) every day. With the compassionate guidance of his teacher, Stanley finds solace, resilience, and the power to overcome obstacles, showcasing the transformative impact of friendship, mentorship, and the indomitable spirit of childhood.
Where to watch- Disney+Hotstar
directed by- Amole Gupte
“A Beautiful Mind” (2001): A biographical film that chronicles the life of mathematician John Nash. The story explores Nash’s struggles with mental illness and the challenges he faces in differentiating between reality and hallucinations. Supported by his dedicated wife, Alicia, Nash perseveres and makes significant contributions to the field of mathematics.
Where to watch- Amazon Prime Video
Directed by- Ron Howard
English Vinglish (2012): A heartfelt film that revolves around the transformative journey of Shashi, a middle-aged Indian housewife who embarks on a trip to New York and enrolls in an English language course. With the guidance and encouragement of her patient and understanding teacher, Shashi not only improves her English-speaking skills but also discovers her self-worth, gaining confidence, and finding her voice in a world that underestimated her.
Where to watch- Jio Cinema
Directed by- Gauri Shinde
Black (2005): A film that explores the life of Michelle McNally, a visually and hearing-impaired girl, and her relationship with her teacher, Debraj Sahai. Through their unconventional bond, Debraj strives to break through the barriers of Michelle’s disabilities, guiding her towards education, communication, and self-discovery, ultimately illuminating the triumph of the human spirit and the power of perseverance.
Directed by- Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Super 30 (2019): “Super 30” is a film based on the true story of mathematician Anand Kumar. The movie depicts Anand’s journey as he establishes the “Super 30” program, where he selects talented but underprivileged students and trains them for the highly competitive Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance exams. With his unconventional teaching methods and unwavering belief in his students’ potential, Anand empowers them to overcome social and economic barriers, offering them a chance at a brighter future. The film highlights the transformative impact of education, determination, and the power of dreams.
Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar
Directed By: Vikas Bahl
Taare Zameen Par (2007): ” A film that revolves around the story of Ishaan, a young boy with dyslexia, and his journey of self-discovery. When Ishaan’s struggles with academics and unconventional ways of learning go unnoticed by his family and teachers, a new art teacher enters his life. With his understanding and compassionate approach, the teacher helps Ishaan unlock his hidden potential, allowing him to thrive and shine in his own unique way. The film beautifully explores the importance of recognizing and nurturing the individual talents and strengths of every child.
Where to watch- Netflix
Directed by- Aamir Khan, Amole Gupte
Hichki (2018): “Hichki” is an uplifting film that tells the inspiring story of Naina Mathur, a woman with Tourette syndrome who dreams of becoming a teacher. Despite facing rejection and discrimination due to her condition, Naina secures a teaching job at an elite school. She takes on the challenge of teaching a class of unruly and privileged students, using her determination and unique teaching methods to break through their barriers and make a positive impact on their lives. “Hichki” portrays the power of perseverance, inclusivity, and the ability to overcome adversity.
Where to watch- Amazon Prime Videos
Directed by- Siddharth P. Malhotra
Parichay (1972): Ravi, a struggling job seeker, reluctantly accepts the daunting task of tutoring five unruly and privileged children who have managed to intimidate their previous teachers. As he navigates the challenges of teaching this challenging group, Ravi’s unwavering determination and unconventional teaching methods begin to transform not only the students but also his own life.
Where to watch- Zee5, YouTube
Directed by- Gulzar
Edutainment
Screen Time that’s Worthwhile: 8 Best Educational Shows for Kids
Here are 8 shows—a cross-section of educational TV in terms of STEM, history/culture, the arts, and more—for toddlers to early teens
In today’s digital age, children have access to an abundance of entertainment options, including TV shows and movies. However, not all of these options are created equal when it comes to providing educational value. As parents and educators, we want to ensure that our children are spending their time on shows that are not only entertaining but also offer educational benefits.
Luckily, there are plenty of excellent educational shows for kids of all ages available today. These shows are designed to engage and inspire children while providing them with valuable knowledge and skills that can help them in their academic and personal lives.
Here are 8 shows—a cross-section of educational TV in terms of STEM, history/culture, the arts, and more—for toddlers to early teens.
- Ask the Storybots
The show follows the story of how some friendly, funny bots discover the answer to a “big question.” The magazine format of this show allows for music videos, letter rhyming, songs, and field trips to different places within the episodes. Find it on Netflix, suitable for ages 3+
- Julie’s Greenroom
Julie Andrews plays a performing studio owner and stars alongside original puppets from the Jim Henson Company (as well as some high-power actors) as she teaches kids all about putting on a stage show. Find it on Netflix, suitable for ages 4+
- Rosie’s Rules
In addition to learning Spanish language skills and being exposed to Mexican traditions, Rosie’s Rules teaches children about cultural diversity with easy-to-understand lessons. The show is wholesome, educational, and entertaining. Find it on PBS Kids, suitable for ages 5+
- Baymax!
Loveable and huggable, Baymax is more than a cute, cuddly robot. He helps people stay well. Each episode teaches children about living a healthy life. Find it on Disney+, suitable for ages 5+
- Wild Kratts
Saturday morning never had it so good. In this animated series, kids are introduced to a variety of wild animal species and learn about science concepts such as animal behavior, habitats, and adaptation in this show which is brimming with real-life zoologist brothers Chris and Martin Kratt’s trademark humor and sense of adventure. Find it on PBS Kids, suitable for ages 6+
- Brainchild
This science-inspired educational series uses experiments and creative presentations to teach about concepts like the senses, neurology, marine biology, and gravity, all at a level relatable for kids—especially tweens. Find it on Netflix, suitable for ages 7+
- El Deafo
According to Common Sense Media, “this beautiful three-part miniseries feels like an animated diary as the show uses audio effects to help viewers understand what the world sounds like with hearing loss. The combination of these effects and the narration helps kid viewers really feel Cece’s joys and struggles.” Find it on Apple TV+, suitable for ages 8+
- The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Relatable stories, good role models, and zany comedy made The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder a great show for tweens, teens, and young adults. Find it on Disney+, suitable for ages 10+
Edutainment
Paytm Founder Remembers The Struggles Faced In School & College Days
I went from being a school topper to failing in subjects because I couldn’t understand the language.
In a recent interview with India Today, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, now one of India’s youngest billionaires and Founder of Paytm, remembered his days as a student and the struggle that he went through during everyday classes.
He recollected his years as a college student in Delhi, sitting in the front row of class and staring blankly at his teacher, who was teaching in a language. Despite being the only student from his school to qualify in the competitive exam and getting admission in DCE, he faced a language barrier in the new city. Since he had a Hindi-medium education background until high school, it became a struggle for him to understand the lessons which were majorly delivered in English.
He grew up in Harduaganj, a small town near Aligarh, with his father (a school teacher) and mother (a housewife). As he met with a language barrier in his engineering classes at the Delhi College of Engineering (DCE, now Delhi Technological University), his life in the premises became intimidating for him. He suffered from anxiety, the feeling of being an outcast, suffered a lack of friends and worried about getting a decent job.
He said, “I was the second engineer to graduate from my school. The first was in 1964. I see myself as an underdog, I was not supposed to be here. In school, I read a lot of books in the library; I read a lot about the glory of India but also realised that the glory was in the past.”
“I believe that whatever comes my way, whatever I do, is part of god’s plan. If there is a challenge [before me], I am meant to solve it. Whatever comes my way is a tool or a resource for me to fulfil my purpose. It is surreal to believe that I am here,” added the tech-entrepreneur.
Shy and overwhelmed, he spent most of his time in the library or the computer lab. “I didn’t understand what the teacher was saying in the classroom. I never felt one with my peers. I couldn’t speak or understand their language. I was a failure in my class but a hero in the lab. I started to worry about whether I would get a job. I went from being a school topper to failing in subjects because I couldn’t understand the language.”
But what inspired him amidst this chaos were the stories of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, who had made it big without a college degree. He got encouraged to start something of his own and even started a company out of his hostel with his few friends, named XS Corps. Their business card carried the address of their hostel and a phone number for the DCE’s computer centre.
Later, he went on to grab an on-campus job. “I took the job with the clarity that I had to learn how to run a company, like understanding what departments exist, etc. I did three stints in different companies, learning different aspects of running a business," he stated.
Rest is history when, in 2001, he took an Rs 8 lakh loan and started One97, the parent company of Paytm. In 2010, he launched Paytm. In 2014, the company launched Paytm digital wallet. In 2016, demonetisation happened that helped Paytm grow tremendously. In 2017, Paytm became India’s first payment app to cross over 100 million app downloads.
What does his story teach us? That no matter how big a failure you may think you're in school, your determination to polish yourself afterwards and perseverance towards that mission is all that matters.
Edutainment
Top Entertainers That Educators Should Follow On Social Media
Meet the most entertaining and humble comedians, talk show hosts and musicians like Ellen Degeneres, Ru Paul, Joe Dombrowski, Eddie B, BTS Band and One Voice Children’s Choir.
Meet the most entertaining and humble comedians, talk show hosts and musicians like Ellen Degeneres, Ru Paul, Joe Dombrowski, Eddie B, BTS Band and One Voice Children's Choir.
Who: Ellen DeGeneres
Bio says: Comedian, talk show host and ice road trucker. My tweets are real, and they’re spectacular.
X-Factor: Quirky observational humour
Viral post: There are hundreds of episodes that go viral from The Ellen Show but we remember the one when she met pre-K/Kindergarten teacher, Azel Prather from DC, who, after learning that many of his students couldn’t afford haircut because they belonged to low-income families, teamed up with local barbers, hairdressers, and nail technicians to pamper his students. On the show, Ellen surprised him with a brand new Hyundai Sonata and $20,000 for his NGO The Prather Foundation!
Favourite hashtag: #BurningQuestions
Top 5 accounts followed: Justin Willman, Earth Wind & Fire, The Real Talk Show, Hillary Clinton, Brielle
ScooNews loves: The episode with Memphis high school teacher, Michael Scruggs, who is known to start his class every day with a special mantra – “I am number 1, we all are number 1. Scholars get scholarships, we all get scholarships.” He’s been motivating his students every morning like this for almost a decade now. Go, watch it on YouTube now!
Follow at: @theellenshow (IG & Twitter), @ellentv (FB)
Who: RuPaul Charles
Bio says: You're born naked & the rest is drag
X-Factor: One of the wittiest and most compassionate LGBTQIA+ artists to bring Drag-art to the international platform
Viral post: When RuPaul scared Jimmy Fallon on ‘The Tonight Show’ that mom Jimmy Fallon genuinely thought he’d been cancelled for calling RuPaul a ‘drag queen’. But RuPaul was just joking and the video got millions of views overnight.
Currently talking about: Entering the Guinness World Records list for winning the most number of Emmy awards for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Competition show
Favourite hashtag: #DragRace
Top 5 accounts followed: J.K Rowling, Moira Forbes, Salon, Ts Madison, The Cut
ScooNews loves: RuPaul educates not just adults about the LGBTQIA+ community in an interactive and colourful way but also children. He/She recently inspired author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara to write a book called ‘Little People Big Dreams,’ which explains children about the LGBTQIA+ community in a friendly manner.
Follow at: @rupaulofficial (IG), @RuPaul (Twitter & FB)
Who: Joe Dombrowski
Bio says: Comedian from the 313 currently residing in the 206 which unfortunately doesn’t sound nearly as hard
X-Factor: This educator and comedian is famous for his funny education-related social media content and most notably for his Spelling Bee prank video
Viral post: When he gave his students a fake spelling test
Current talking about: His Social Studies Podcast
Favourite hashtag: #TeacherHumor
Top 5 accounts followed: Andy Kindler, Gerry Dee, ClassCast Podcast, NatGeo Education, Meghan Mangrum
ScooNews loves: His teacher-memes like this one – “I’m not poor because I’m a teacher. I’m poor because of Amazon’s ‘Buy Now’ button…and I’m a teacher.”
Follow at: mrdtimes3 (IG, FB & Twitter)
Who: Eddie B
Bio says: Eddie B is comedy on steroids. He started comedy in his senior year in college and never looked back. He has entertained crowds all over the U.S…funny and real!
X-Factor: He’s a school teacher turned stand-up comic. He developed himself as the voice of teachers with his brutally honest comedy.
Viral post: “What teachers really say”
Currently talking about: His virtual comedy show “Unmuted & Virtually Confused”
Favourite hashtag: #BoredTeacher
Top 5 accounts followed: Hilariously Infertile, MEL Science, Teach.org, Teachers Pay Teachers, Teachers Tips and Fun
ScooNews loves: His current take on homeschooling, Google classrooms and virtual learning while schools all over the world are shut down due to the COVID-outbreak
Follow at: @eddiebcomedy (IG & FB)
Who: BTS
Bio says: This is the Official Instagram for #BTS, 'Life Goes On' Out Now
X-Factor: 7 member band has immense love for each other, world-famous but humble. Lovely voices and mad dance skill.
Went viral: A mash-up video of members Jin, Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook dancing to a Bollywood song ‘Des Rangila’ surfaced on 15th August 2020 on IG @filmforfare. The video was dedicated to Indian Independence Day and read – ‘Here’s BTS and Team Filmforfare wishing everyone a very Happy Independence Day in India’.
Currently talking about: The band regularly talks about mental health, they believe those who have an international platform and millions of listeners should talk about these pressing matters.
Favourite hashtag: #BTS
ScooNews loves: Their lyrics usually focus on the themes of mental health, troubles of school-age youth, loss, the journey towards loving oneself, and individualism. Also, listen to the speech BTS delivered at the United Nations Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security.
Follow at: @bts.bighitofficial (IG), @bts_bighit (Twitter), @bangtan.official (FB)
Who: One Voice Children's Choir
Bio says: We hope to spread a positive message and inspire the world with our music. Singing to make the world a better place!
X-Factor: Synchronisation, melody and a whole lot of adorable children all dressed in the colour theme performing a vast selection of music
Went viral: In 2014, the choir received national attention after releasing their performance of the Disney song "Let It Go"
Currently talking about: Christmas holiday music ‘Mary, did you know’ and ‘The More You Give The More You’ll Have!’
Favourite hashtag: #OneVoice
Top 5 accounts followed: Good Morning America, The Ellen Show, The New York Times, The Tonight Show, Disney
ScooNews loves: This non-profit organisation brings together children and teaches them good music. The members meet up every week once to practice and perform over 50 times a year. The songs always mean more than the lyrics, the children bring a sense of unity for the world to see.
Follow at: @onevoicechildrenschoir (IG), @1VoiceChildrens (Twitter), @OneVoiceChildrensChoir (FB), One Voice Children's Choir (YouTube)
Edutainment
6 Times Kindergarten Teachers Turned Halloween Into Class Lessons
Let’s learn some cool DIY lessons!
We love how innovative and interesting teachers are. They always know how to manifest their best at every occasion, don’t they?
Recently it was Halloween and boy, did they surprise us again! Internet is flooding with unique pictures and videos of creative activities that some pre-primary/primary school teachers pulled for their beloved students making the celebration scary-fun for everyone.
While some of their innovated kids’ activities involved easy mathematical problem-solving and science lessons, others taught life skills like observing shapes and colors of this huge, orangish-yellow fruit.
From DIYs to science experiments to even motor skills, here are some super fun classroom glimpses commemorating the end of October.
1. This one is using art to teach math. To set this up:
- Lay some butcher paper on the table.
- Draw some Halloween shapes all over it.
- Write down a number on each picture.
- Put out some festive counters.
This activity teaches kids number recognition, sequencing, colour recognition, and motor skills.
2. Pumpkin carving is fun but have you tried teaching them pumpkin’s anatomy? This educator has taken the opportunity to tell her little learners about the inside parts of a pumpkin. See how words like skin, pulp, seeds, stem, fibre strands, etc. are taught here.
3. With the help of a simple Halloween-themed paper cut-out, this activity involves finding the same letter that’s spread all over the design, amidst the various other letters. Looks easy? We think not.
4. How to better your students’ observation skills? Simple – place pumpkins of all shapes and sizes in front of them and let them draw the way they see this fruit! Here are some adorable results:
5. This teacher has integrated math, science, and social studies together into the thematic activities. One such game includes measuring the circumference of the pumpkin using chain-links and comparing the result with the figure they estimated before doing so.
6. And here comes our favourite teacher. This one may not be teaching any new skill to her students this Halloween but is making sure they become confident and content individuals and keen learners. She believes that like other subjects, art, too, requires step-by-step guidance. She calls this ‘Directed Drawing.’ According to her, drawing may not come naturally to many kids but with right guidance, they definitely can learn! We second her.
Edutainment
ScooReview: ‘I Am Kalam’ is a Riveting Story of a Child’s School Dream
The film is about an impoverished village child who calls himself Kalam after the former Indian President because he wants to become like him.
I Am Kalam is a beautiful film produced by the non-governmental charity called Smile Foundation. The reason behind making this movie was to bring awareness to people about the educational inequality prevailing in India.
I Am Kalam is a 2011 film, which was way ahead of its time. This is the story of a boy from a poor family who works as a child labourer at a highway-side cafe (aka dhaba). Irrespective of the problems in his life, he is a happy child with a simple dream to become someone like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
The plot has the protagonist Chotu being sent to a dhaba to work and earn for the family. Here, he befriends the royal heir, Rannvijay, of a neighbouring resort's owner, who’s his age. Every day, Chotu dreams of wearing a tie and uniform to go to school, just like Rannvijay, as he has an unusual thirst for education and knowledge. He then chances upon the Republic Day Parade and Dr. Kalam’s salutation march. Curious, he finds out about the President and instantly decides to become like him. From here, he begins to call himself Kalam.
As the story progresses, he meets a foreigner woman who tries to convince his mother to let him study as he is a bright kid, but since the family's circumstances aren’t in favour, he is denied an education. As a consequence, Chotu aka Kalam decides to run away to Delhi to meet the President and give him a letter. In this, he writes about how he wants to become like the President of India and thanks Dr. Kalam for making him realise his dreams. Meanwhile, every one from his family comes running after Chotu to find him in the new city. They finally track him down and a relieved Rannvijay and zealous Chotu hug each other with joy.
In the end, Rannvijay’s father offers Chotu’s mother work at his resort and agrees to pay for Chotu’s education and send him to the same school as Rannvijay’s. That is when Chotu says he wants to pay for his education on his own and the movie ends with both Chotu aka Kalam and Rannvijay boarding the school bus in their school uniforms.
Conclusion:
The plot shows that equality in education is still a mere thought and that ideas are still being built around the education for underprivileged. The movie is, without a doubt, an eye-opener for the education sector in India.
The child named Chotu, with the sole dream of education, depicts the scenario of the underprivileged communities in our country and the inequity of education a majority of kids his age face. With this film, Smile Foundation wanted to press on the matter a decade ago. Clearly, the great scientist, an exemplary leader and a visionary teacher, Dr. Kalam, is a huge inspiration behind the script. The film ends on a promising note that where there’s a will, there’s a way. But most importantly, it teaches us that nothing can stop a child from grabbing his right to education if his determination is strong.
Edutainment
Wisconsin Teacher Sings FRIENDS Parody Version For His Students
Paul Miller, a teacher in the United States, welcomes his new class for a new (remote) session in a very delightful and interesting way
Who doesn’t remember the iconic 90's American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S about six friends living in New York, that was premiered for almost a decade? Recently, a teacher in the USA went viral after he used its famous title song to cheer his students up while the schools are closed.
Paul Miller, a teacher of Appleton East High School in Wisconsin, created a parody of the FRIENDS theme song ‘I’ll be there for you’ to virtually welcome his students in the new session. His parody implied that he shall always be around to support his students and that they can count on him even if they cannot meet him in person.
His song's lyrics say – “So no one told me that life was gonna be this way. I got my lessons ready, but the students are MIA… I’ll be here for you when you’re learning at home. I’ll be here for you, and you’ll watch me on Chrome.”
Since his school decided to reopen remotely for the new session, this English teacher’s efforts felt right in every way to bring hope and joy among the excited young students.
Miller said that his ‘welcome ritual’ has been consistent over the years, though this year he did have to be a little extra creative. How amazing that he chooses to sing to his students every year, right?
He said, "Obviously, I am not an expert musician. My intent is to show them that I am not afraid to take a risk and I want them to push themselves as well. This year, I have no live students because our district is fully virtual. So, I decided to put the ukelele down and make a music video to send home to my students.”
Well, we must say his artistic imagination was surely loved by his pupil as well as the people on the internet. See for yourself!
Edutainment
ScooReview: Coach Carter, A Film Based on The Beautiful Mentor-Mentee Relationship in Sports
Its time to watch a sports movie, Coach Carter, starring none other than Samuel L. Jackson
Coach Carter, directed by Thomas Carter and starring Samuel L. Jackson as Coach Carter, is an Americal film in the genre of sports teen drama.
The film is based on the true story of Richmond High School in California and their basketball coach, Ken Carter. They made headlines in 1999 for suspension of the undefeated high-school basketball team due to poor academic results.
The story revolves around Coach Carter and his basketball team in high school. He gets hired as the coach because of being the alumni and ex-team player for the school. Though hired only to better the game of the team, he takes care of their academic scores, too, and makes them abide by a contract which obligates the players to maintain a minimum academic grade if they want to play for the team.
But Coach Carter, when learns of bad grades of the players, suspends the team from playing. He asks the performers to improve their grades as he wants them to have other options than basketball in life. Initially misunderstood and opposed by the board, Coach Carter’s intension and motives get clear to the players and they finally begin to strive hard to advance their academics to be able to play again.
Eventually, all the delinquents and rowdy students realise what their coach has been saying all along, and although they do not win the final game, they get praised by their opponents and coach for the brilliant show and team spirit.
Lesson
There can be times when students reject teachers and their philosophies and not understand what they are doing and why. The moral of the movie is that teachers always think ahead for the betterment of their pupil. With this film, we learn to invest trust in our educators and develop the patience to understand their motives. Because, at the end of the day, teachers only love to see their students succeed, don’t they?
Edutainment
Life Lessons & DIY ‘Watch & Make’ Session From Harry Potter Films For Kids
A way to teach important life lessons while letting the children enjoy some movie time!
Watching movies and entertainment series online more frequently has become a part of the ‘new normal.’ Keeping up with the trend, teachers can encourage their students to watch children-friendly movies that can also bring some kind of information or a lesson to them.
Family-fantasy is a genre of shows/movies that explores the imagination of the viewers as well as entertains them. Children’s films made by, for example, Disney have some deep-rooted meaning to their scripts. Also, consider the Harry Potter franchise. The third movie in the series, Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban, has many interesting lesson points if read between the lines.
Check them out here:
- Make your own future: A character in the movie called professor Trelawney teaches young witches and wizards the art of predicting the future. At one point, they realise that even after predicting the future, it isn’t always accurate. This shows one shouldn't listen to what others say about their future. As teachers, you can explain to the students about how it's up to them to choose their ultimate path.
- Focus on the good: When Harry (the protagonist) casts ‘The Patronus Charm’ to wad-off dementors (creatures of negative energy), he needs to think of his happiest/positive memory to conjure the charm. It shows how being positive or recalling good memories can change one’s mood because “happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."
- Keep an open mind: Don't believe everything you hear. During the film, we find out Sirius Black (the prisoner) isn't who Harry thought he was. Teachers can tell the children that there's always more than one side to a story and that they shouldn’t jump to conclusions or judgment until they've received all the facts.
Students could also be motivated to indulge in some DIY activities inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. Here's how:
- Make a magic wand: One of the first few cool things about Harry Potter is the wands all witches and wizards use, and so can your students and you! Take a chopstick (wooden), a thread to ⅓ of the top and paint it a wood-brown colour. They could take inspirations from the different pictures of wands of the Potter franchise.
- Talk about boggarts: A boggart is a shapeshifter that turns into your worst fear. Sit down and talk about fears with students, and to make it more fun, tell them to think about what their boggart would turn into after using a Riddikulus charm. Act it out or draw it if you want to have a good laugh.
- Platform 9 ¾: The King’s Cross Station in London is a magical portal to reach to platform 9 ¾ for the Hogwarts Express that takes you to the magic school Hogwarts. Take a large chart paper, dip a sponge (anything rectangular-shaped) in colour and print bricks on the chart. Cut the chart in the middle and write ‘Platform 9 ¾’ on it, for your own portal to Hogwarts Express!
- Pumpkin juice: The characters mention pumpkin juice and are seen drinking it many times. Making your own Potter-special drink should be fun and, in fact, there are more dishes that can be inspired by these films. Make a tall glass of cold-coffee/shake (yellow/cream coloured) and put some whipped cream on it to make your pumpkin juice/shake!
- Floating candles: The Hogwarts great hall ceiling is shown holding charmed candles that float in the air. Your students can have their own floating candles, too. Draw candles on a white chart paper, cut them out and paint the flames. Then thread a thin string from the flames and hang them.
There are many more ideas that can be checked on YouTube/Pinterest for your students to have a fun art lesson. This could be an interesting ‘Watch & Make’ session while learning a thing or two about the real world through a world of fiction which Author JK Rowling has so wonderfully penned down. In fact, her life story and achievements so far in this patriarchal world have their own lessons to inspire youngsters.
Source Credit: https://www.chicagoparent.com/play/indoor-fun/watch-this-do-that-harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban/
Edutainment
10 Educational Netflix Series: Must-Watch For Students & Teachers
Learning is not limited to the classroom. For a more vivid and enriching experience, these 10 Netflix Series are a must-watch for every curious being.
Netflix has been streaming movies, documentaries, and tv-series of multiple genres, attracting people from different walks of life. There are some series and documentaries which are quite fascinating for classrooms as well. They talk about multiple issues and concepts from wildlife protection to gender-based issues that can educate the young students. Here is a list of 10 such programs which are a must-watch to enhance our knowledge banks.
1. Our Planet: Our Planet, narrated by David Attenborough, is a ground-breaking and honest series on the flora and fauna. It reflects on the issues that have been intentionally or unintentionally skipped in other series under this genre. It has been filmed in more than 50 countries and covers the diversity of species from coastal areas to grasslands.
2. Chasing Coral: Directed by Jeff Orlowski, it is a compilation of hard work done over a span of three years, with 500+ hours of underwater shoots, across 30 countries with the support of more than 500 volunteers. The movie sheds light on the depleting number of coral reefs and tries to find the underlying causes of such activity. The team’s work did not end with just this movie, they went beyond and started an impactful campaign afterwards.
3. 13th: The movie 13th by Ava DuVernay is inspired by the 13th Amendment to the American Constitution. It is a depiction of racial inequality, unjust system and police brutality. The documentary has testimonies from different advocates and scholars on this topic and reasons for a large number of African-Americans in the prison. The message of the documentary is lucid and a must-watch.
4. Knock Down the House: Directed by Rachel Lears, it is the life-story of four women who aspire to change the face of American Politics and enter the field in 2018 for the Congress race. This emotional and touching documentary follows their life-struggles, their effort and campaign stories.
5. Period. End of the Sentence: This documentary film by Rayka Zehtabchi is focused upon menstruation, which ideally should be listed as one of the important issues but has been ignored for decades, especially in the Indian context. The plot of the film is set-up in rural India, where stigmas and taboos over period persist and people prefer not to discuss it. The film is about a group of women who revolt against the existing treatment to menstruation and create an impact by producing sanitary napkins at lower costs to ensure their feasibility for all.
6. The White Helmets: The White Helmets is a British short film on the work done by a relief and rescue crew in Syria and Turkey. The film has been directed by Orlando von Einsiedel and reflects on the daily operations and struggles of the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as The White Helmets.
7. Zion: Zion is a short film by Floyd Russ about a teenager Zion Clark who was born without legs and has lived in foster care for years. It is an inspiring story of a determined young man who wanted to make it in wrestling despite all the odds.
8. Explained: Explained is a series by Vog Digs, where a plethora of topics have been discussed from politics to music. It aims to explore cultures, trends and anything relevant happening across the globe, with interviews and explanations by experts in the areas. It touches upon when sound becomes music or why women are paid less or the growing water crisis in the world. It is a well-research series and highly recommended for the inquisitive young minds.
9. Abstract: Abstract by Mark Mothersbaugh is a series about the aspects of design and its existence in our daily lives. It dives into a different inspiration of designers, who changed the landscape and our perspective of seeing the world. It has talked about Tinker Hatfield’s experiences which shaped his ideas about the Air Jordan series to Es Devlin stage designs.
10. Babies: It explores the life of infants in the first year of their life. The series is based on ground-breaking science and reflects on the statement of ‘what it means to be a human can be found in the youngest creatures.’ The series observes the emotional bonding between the parent and the child and how it affects the baby’s crawling, first words and sleep patterns.
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