English

Great Books: The Great Gatsby (2003)

Icon: 
DVD icon

Introduces the main characters and story of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. Discusses the American Dream, background information about the time period and author, and poses pre and post-viewing discussion questions to viewers.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:00
Great Books: The Great Gatsby

Great Books: Walden (2003)

Icon: 
DVD icon

An overview of Henry David Thoreau's Walden looks at the simple story and deeper messages. A discussion of the symbolism in Walden and Thoreau's life at Walden Pond lead to Thoreau's influences on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement. Activists work to preserve Walden Pond and Thoreau's inspirational teachings for later generations.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:00
Great Books: Walden

Great Books: The Lord of the Flies (2003)

Icon: 
DVD icon

Inspired by the atrocities committed during World War II, William Golding wrote "The Lord of the Flies" to address the issue of child murderers. As in any gang culture, the boys in the novel gravitate to a leader to gain a sense of identity and protection.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:00
Great Books: The Lord of the Flies

Great Books: The Odyssey (2003)

Icon: 
DVD icon

Introduces one of the world's first action-adventure stories. Looks at Greek myths and The Odyssey's lessons of morality. Scholars and critics discuss the impact of The Odyssey on Western literature, as well as the now-familiar heroic traits first seen in Homer's characters.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:00
Great Books: The Odyssey

Life's Greatest Miracle (2001)

Icon: 
DVD icon

Once again, Lennart Nilsson's cameras take us into the mysterious and beautiful world of the human body, capturing incredible never-before-seen footage.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:00
Life's Greatest Miracle

Temple Grandin

Icon: 
DVD icon

It doesn't take long to see that Temple Grandin, the main character in this eponymous HBO movie, is, well, different--she (in the person of Claire Danes, who plays her) tells us before the credits start that she's "not like other people." But "different" is not "less." Indeed, Grandin, who is now in her 60s, has accomplished a good deal more than a great many "normal" folks, let alone others afflicted with the autism that Grandin overcame on her way to earning a doctorate and becoming a bestselling author and a pioneer in the humane treatment of livestock. It wasn't easy.

Director: 
Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:49
Temple Grandin

Invictus

Icon: 
DVD icon

He was imprisoned 27 years for his heroic fight against apartheid. So what does Nelson Mandela do after he is elected president of South Africa? He rejects revenge, forgives his oppressors and finds hope of national unity in an unlikely place: the rugby field. Clint Eastwood (the National Board of Review's 2009 Best Director choice) powerfully directs an uplifting film about a team and a people inspired to greatness.

Director: 
Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
02:13
Invictus

The Killer's Trail: The Story of Dr. Sam Sheppard (1999, 2005)

Icon: 
DVD icon

This is fact: Marilyn Sheppard was murdered in 1954. The rest of the crime is a haunting question mark. The Sheppard case led to the infamous trial—and re-trial—of her husband, Dr. Sam Sheppard, and launched the legal career of lawyer F. Lee Bailey. But who was the killer? Dr.

Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
01:00
The Killer's Trail: The Story of Dr. Sam Sheppard

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Icon: 
DVD icon

Everybody's favorite wimp, Greg Heffley (Zachary Gordon), is back for three times the fun in the latest film based on the super-popular book series! When Greg's dad (Steve Zahn) threatens to send him to military school if he doesn't stay out of trouble, Greg finds all-new ways to land himself in the doghouse! For starters, Greg's in over his head when he pretends to work at the swanky country club where Rowley's family has a membership.

Director: 
Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
Length: 
01:34
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Icon: 
DVD icon

Greg Heffley, the kid who made "wimpy" cool, is back in this sidesplitting sequel based on the second installment of the best-selling book series! Having rid himself of the Cheese Touch, Greg enters the next grade with his confidence and friendships intact, and an eye on the new girl in town, Holly Hills. But at home, Greg is still at war with his older brother, Rodrick, so their parents have handed down the toughest "punishment" imaginable - forcing the boys to spend quality time with each other!

Director: 
Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
Length: 
01:39
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Pages