My ten-year-old daughter was asked, along with the rest of her classmates, to bring in a DVD of her choice, as a treat before Christmas. We took a significant amount of time to slowly go through, disc by disc, our selection of films (probably too significant amount of time). Should she choose a movie that the class would know, like a Despicable Me, or should she go for a film that they might not have seen before, like Kiki’s Delivery Service?
The debate was considered. The options were painstakingly reviewed, criteria decided, amended, discarded. In the end she went for Wolf Children. The thinking being that it would suit boys and girls equally, it was funny and sad, it had love and action, and it was different.
The teacher went for Polar Express.
There is nothing wrong with the teacher’s choice, as a treat before Christmas it fits the criteria perfectly. And my daughter wasn’t too disappointed, she could see the logic behind the decision, but it did make me think.
What films should students study at Primary School level?
Primary School texts are different to Secondary School texts, which are different to those studied at Third Level. Primary Schools look closely at themes and characters, at the ‘message’ behind texts, at how texts help students deal with everyday social interactions, at everyday problems like bullying and deaths in the family.
With this in mind I have a few suggestions that Primary School teachers might want to consider when deciding on what films to use in their classrooms.
Words: Conor Murphy
EDUCATION COLUMN
16 CinÉireann / April 2018