Using The Founder as a Lesson in Ethics and Leadership

Are you a teacher or a parent seeking a film that can educate your children or students about ethics and leadership? Look no further than The Founder. This blog post will explore the educational merits of this movie, highlighting its key concepts and how it can be used as a teaching tool. So, is using The Founder as a lesson in ethics and leadership possible? Let’s find out!

The K12 Deets

The Founder is a 2016 biographical drama film that provides a fascinating look into the creation of one of the world’s most famous fast-food chains, McDonald’s.

• Running Time: 115 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• IMDb The Founder
• IMDb Parents Guide

What is The Founder about?

The Founder tells the story of Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman who stumbles upon a successful burger restaurant run by the McDonald brothers. Enamored by their efficient food-prep process and potential, Kroc convinces the brothers to franchise their concept, leading to the birth of the global fast-food empire, McDonald’s.

Why show The Founder to your children/students?

The Founder is a film that offers valuable life lessons and educational content. It’s a testament to the power of vision and persistence, demonstrating that with determination and a keen eye for opportunity, one can achieve great success. Here are the educational key concepts that the movie embodies:

• Ethics and Moral Decision Making: The film presents a complex portrayal of business ethics, as Ray Kroc navigates the line between ambition and manipulation. It prompts viewers to consider the moral implications of their decisions, particularly in a business context.
• Historical Context: The Founder provides a historical perspective on the rise of fast-food culture in America, offering insights into the societal and economic factors that contributed to McDonald’s success.
• Leadership Skills: Ray Kroc’s journey from a struggling salesman to the head of a global empire showcases essential leadership skills such as vision, determination, and the ability to inspire and influence others.

Why use a Movie Guide?

Our K12MovieGuides The Founder Movie Guide is an excellent tool to help navigate the educational opportunities presented in the film. It provides thought-provoking questions and discussion prompts, allowing learners to delve deeper into the movie’s themes and lessons.

What are teachers saying about this movie guide?

I think this is a great resource. I used this with 9th grade, and I would say the questions were pretty difficult for them, but definitely doable. ~Miranda P. (Rated 5 out of 5)

My students loved writing the letter to Ray Kroc! They had a lot of complaints (a few of them actually praised him). Awesome resource! ~Antonio V. (Rated 5 out of 5)

For more reviews and ratings like these go to TeachersPayTeachers where this movie guide is also available here.

The K12 Kibosh Score (90/100)

K12MovieGuides awards The Founder a commendable 90 out of 100! This score reflects the film’s unique blend of entertainment and educational merit, making it a perfect choice for both classroom and home-based learning.

The Founder is a film that beautifully illustrates the concept of ethics and moral decision making. Ray Kroc, the protagonist, is faced with numerous ethical dilemmas as he navigates the world of business. His decisions, while leading to the success of McDonald’s, also raise questions about the moral implications of ambition and success. This exploration of ethics in a business context provides a valuable learning opportunity for viewers.

Furthermore, the film provides a historical context to the rise of fast-food culture in America. It offers insights into the societal and economic factors that contributed to McDonald’s success. This historical perspective enhances the educational value of the film. It provides viewers with a deeper understanding of American society and culture.

Lastly, Ray Kroc’s leadership skills are a key focus of the film. His vision, determination, and ability to inspire and influence others are showcased throughout his journey. These leadership qualities serve as a powerful lesson for young viewers about the skills required to lead and succeed.

The combination of these educational key concepts contributes to the high K12 Kibosh Score. The Founder is an excellent movie choice for young minds that combines entertainment and education seamlessly.