How Selma Can Teach Students About Civil Rights and Persistence

Are you a teacher or parent looking to educate your students or children about civil rights and the power of persistence? If so, Selma is the perfect film to do just that. This blog post will explore the educational value of Selma, highlighting its key concepts and how it can be used as a teaching tool. So, how Selma can teach students about civil rights and persistence? Let’s dive in!

The K12 Deets

Selma is a 2014 historical drama film that provides a gripping depiction of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King Jr., and John Lewis.

• Running Time: 128 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• IMDb Selma
• IMDb Parents Guide

What is Selma about?

Selma tells the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, to secure equal voting rights in an event that forever altered history. The film presents a vivid portrayal of the obstacles faced by the marchers and the triumph of their perseverance.

Why show Selma to your children/students?

Selma is a film that offers valuable life lessons and educational content. It’s a testament to the human spirit, demonstrating that with determination, resilience, and a positive attitude, one can overcome any obstacle. Here are the educational key concepts that the movie embodies:

• Civil Rights: Selma provides a powerful depiction of the struggle for civil rights in the United States. The film’s portrayal of the Selma to Montgomery marches offers a compelling lesson on the importance of standing up for equal rights and justice.
• Cultural Appreciation: The film presents a diverse array of characters from different racial and cultural backgrounds, promoting an understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.
• Historical Context: Selma offers a historical perspective on the civil rights movement, providing insights into the social and political climate of the time.
• Persistence, Resilience & Grit: The film showcases the persistence and resilience of the marchers in the face of severe opposition and violence, providing a powerful lesson on the importance of determination and grit.

Why use a Movie Guide?

Our K12MovieGuides Selma 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?

This was a really wonderful movie guide. The questions were deep enough to get my students thoughtfully reflecting on the movie and the history behind it. All questions were labeled with time stamps and scene markers, which made it super helpful for teachers. Even used it with a sub and students did well! ~Interact with the Past (TPT Seller) (Rated 5 out of 5)

My remote students were able to effectively watch and learn from the movie SELMA because of the time stamp guide on the questions. I like using historical video as text in my US history course. Great viewing guide- highly recommend! ~Kari Catanzaro (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 (92/100)

K12MovieGuides awards Selma a remarkable 92 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.

Selma is a film that beautifully illustrates the struggle for civil rights. The film’s portrayal of the Selma to Montgomery marches offers a compelling lesson on the importance of standing up for equal rights. It provides a historical perspective on the civil rights movement, offering insights into the social and political climate of the time.

Furthermore, the film showcases the persistence and resilience of the marchers in the face of severe opposition and violence. This aspect of the film provides a powerful lesson on the importance of determination and grit. The marchers’ unyielding spirit in the face of adversity is a testament to the power of resilience and the ability to effect change.

Lastly, Selma promotes cultural appreciation by presenting a diverse array of characters from different racial and cultural backgrounds. This film encourages viewers to appreciate cultural diversity and respect for all.