Young Adult Literature and Multimedia--Resources
Using Movies in the Classroom
Terri Wheeler
How many times have you started to pass out a new novel for your class to read and before you make it to the last row of students, they’re already asking, “Is there a movie for this book?” “We do want to show them the film, but as English teachers we want them to love the book first.” (Golden, 2007)
Some teachers choose to show the movie as a sort of reward for good behavior. Yet, it can be so much more than that. Most times, the movie version of a novel is drastically different than the original story. And, the kids are quick to point it out. You can use movies to compare and contrast elements of the book and ask such questions as: “How does the audience feel differently about character, theme, plot and so on because of certain changes that were made?” (Golden, 2007) Movies can be a useful teaching tool as long as students realize they “can watch the movie, but they must also read the book to understand the “big picture.” (Davis, 2006)
So, let’s face it. There’s a reason students always beg for the movie. They’re extremely entertaining. One look at a theater parking lot on a Friday night proves just how much we all enjoy them. So why should we stop with simply using the film adaptations of novels? Why can’t we use other movies, popular teen movies, to add to concepts we are already discussing in class?
Many students get the chance to read Of Mice and Men during their high school career. And I’m willing to bet, most teachers show the film version (which is actually quite good!) once the novel has been completed. However, why not take it one step further? Assign your students to watch Forrest Gump, Radio or What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. All of these films include a character that is mentally challenged, much like the character Lennie who is mentally challenged in Steinbeck’s novel. Use one of these movies to discuss the portrayal of a mentally challenged individual compared to the character of Lennie.
The Outsiders is also a popular young adult novel. Depending on your demographic, most students are usually very unfamiliar with gangs. However, as students in America’s high schools, they are quite familiar with cliques and how one group may gang up on another. Assign the students to choose one of the following movies: The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Clueless, Mean Girls, or Heathers; and ask them to explore the power of cliques or groups of young people. They can compare their findings with the actions of the characters in the novel.
The possibilities are limitless. If you have a flair for bringing themes from classical novels into the present day, popular movies are a relevant and interesting way to make that connection.
References
Davis, Hugh. (2006). “I Was a Teenage Classic: Literary Adaptation in Turn-of-the-
Millennium Teen Films” Journal of American Culture, Vol. 29 Issue 1,
p 52-60.
Golden, John. (2007). “Literature into Film (and Back Again): Another Look at an Old
Dog.” English Journal, v. 97 issue 1, p. 24-30.
Hallstram, L. (Director). (1993). What's Eating Gilbert Grape [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount.
Heckerling, A. (Director). (1995). Clueless [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount.
Hinton, S. (2006). The Outsiders. New York City: Puffin.
Hughes, J. (Director). (1984). Sixteen Candles [Motion Picture]. USA: Universal Studios.
Hughes, J. (Director). (1985). The Breakfast Club [Motion Picture]. USA: Universal Pictures.
Lehmann, M. (Director). (1989). Heathers [Motion Picture]. USA: Starz / Anchor Bay.
Steinbeck, J. (2006). Of Mice and Men (Penguin Red Classics). London: Penguin Classics.
Tollin, M. (Director). (2003). Radio [Motion Picture]. USA: Sony Pictures.
Waters, M. (Director). (2004). Mean [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount.
Zemeckis, R. (Director). (1994). Forrest Gump [Motion Picture]. United States: Paramount.
These lesson plans, guides, and other resource materials for young adult literature topics were created by participants in a professional development course in young adult Literature. Each resource is copyrighted by the individual educator who developed the material. The present course being taught is titled: Teaching Young Adult Literature in the Classroom from the University of Wisconsin-Stout (Sharron L. McElmeel, instructor)