Theme: Looking Ahead Film: Coach Carter (PG-13) 2:38
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 a better life in their future.
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 Gbywonyo, Antwon Tanner, and Channing Tatum.
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) 1:57
Theme: Perspective Film: The Great Outdoors (PG) 1:47
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?
"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." -Johnathan Swift
Theme: Epiphany Film: The Truman Show (PG) 5:15
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 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
"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) 3:53
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
Moving Students to Action:
Keeping a Journal: As a class activity, ask your students to write two entries in their journal under the heading of Kindness, answering the following questions: 1. Of all the examples of kindness demonstrated in the clips, which was your favorite? Why: 2. What is one personality trait that you wish you had? What steps can you take to embrace that characteristic? 3. Where would you like to retire? What does retirement look like for you? 4. What does “success” mean to you? How would you know that you’ve had a “successful life”?
Activity 1: How Long is a Lifetime Performance Objective: Recalls, interprets, and summarizes information presented orally.
Materials: -pencils/pens -markers, colored pens, or crayons -paper to use for timelines (no need for timeline handout mentioned in the Powerpoint
Teacher Instructions: 1. Use the button below to guide students through this activity.
Activity 2: Your Bucket List Performance Objective: Follows established rules.
Materials: -Construction paper -Scissors -Pens/Pencils -Markers
Teacher Instructions: 1. Talk with students about the idea of a bucket list. 2. Give students a piece of construction paper, scissors, and markers. 3. Have students draw a bucket and cut it out. 4. Ask students to create their own bucket lists.