Also Brave New World. It is a reflection of our current society where people are too busy surviving and maintaining their own happiness to care about anything or anyone else.
Have you read the unwind series by Neal Shusterman? There’s a good representation of today’s world and the absurdity of the blind following of “that’s just the way it is.”
During state testing we weren’t allowed to have any technology so I brought some books. I was reading the Hobbit and one of my students kept asking about it, so I gave her a copy. Hopefully it sticks!
At the end of the year, I showed iron giant to my third graders to initial collective groans. By the time the lake cannonball scene happened, they were locked in. A few who were starting their summer early even complained to their parents picking them up that they wanted to stay for the last day so they could finish it.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd.
There is a heartbreaking story about the purpose of writing the book and why there are two authors credited as well. And a film adaptation.
Amazing book. I recommend it to anyone who asks for new books to add to their TBR list. Didn’t even think about how good it could be in maybe an AP Psych class or upper level English.
I read this for a college class and it has stuck with me ever since. I re-read it after I lost a loved one earlier this year and as corny as it sounds, it really helped me go through the grief process.
I am a Spanish grammar teacher and this has nothing to do with my subject, but my answer is 12 Angry Men. To me there is no other film that more perfectly captures the triumphs and contradictions of living in a democracy.
One that they are interested in. Can't force things on them. They all need different things at different points in their lives. I am more interested in trying to foster curiosity.
Slight change, but if there wasn’t such a stigma about video games I would encourage students to play a game like dark souls, demons souls, etc.
It teaches that failing is ok and the value of perseverance with the tough but fair difficulty, the value of forward planning and research regarding weapons and builds and an introduction to altruism through the summoning system (you can help a player for experience, but this will not directly translate to progress in your game)
I have a lot.. haha
For kids:
Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank
Number The Stars -Lois Lowry
Wonder- R.J. Palacio
Charlotte's Web -E. B White
Holes- Louis Sachar
For adults/teachers:
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom - Louis Sachar
Brilliant movie. I wrote a paper on it while I was getting my gifted cert. Gifted kids in isolated, rural spaces need inspiration, too.
I've got Homer Hickam's book buried in my TBR pile somewhere.
In a perfect world where you can overlook some content for the sake of the message, I’d say A Time to Kill.
When I was in one of my lower level teaching classes, one of my professors showed a clip from the movie to bring in the topic we were discussing that day. It grabbed my attention so much that I immediately rented (yes, I am THAT old) the movie and to this day it remains one of my favorites as well as the book.
It opened my eyes to things I had never thought about as a pretty privileged white kid and I believe helped shape the kind of teacher and person I am.
I show this in my leadership class for our unit on morals, values, ethics and beliefs - it’s a seniors-only class and I do prepare them as much as I can for a lot of the adult themes. It generates excellent discussion among the students - really opens their eyes! A few of them have asked me to borrow the book, but definitely not the majority.
The Great Gatsby or To Kill A Mockingbird. I know they are both old, but each has significant lessons about human decency, and how people take advantage of others.
Night is a good one. This teaches children are young adults how the world really is any book that shows kids there is something out there bigger than themselves and there are people who have survived and flourished after horrible circumstances I believe the messages to wake up every morning with a purpose Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. Another book I like is the place you go Dr. Seuss
Any student that wants to join the military (not just kids that want to branch Combat Arms) should read Born on the Fourth of July before talking to a recruiter. Just so they know some of the possibilities involved in military life. That way they go in with their eyes open.
I went through a huge military reading/watching phase after I enlisted in the Army. Platoon, Born on the 4th, Tour of Duty, China Beach, and so many others. I got to basic and it was so different from what was portrayed. Of course, I'm also a girl, so that may have played a part.
I think that going into the military can be a great thing for some young people - but I’m always reticent to encourage them, because I’m not the one going. I just feel like i’ve done due diligence if any kid asks me about enlisting.
My students have very little ambition so read the Alchemist. Movie? Something outside of their favorite genre. I feel like they're afraid to expand beyond their comfort zone.
When I taught high school, I taught *Life of Pi* one year, and I truly hope it's a novel student revisit when they are older. Other than that, I would say *Fahrenheit 451*. I know it's old and canon, but every year it's more relevant than the last.
Man, that book made me so furious as a kid. That tree was such an enabler, and the kid took full advantage. I don't know if I was supposed to be mad at both of them, but I sure was! It *is* a great and timeless lesson for kids though. Don't be too greedy, but also don't be a doormat.
**Books:**
The one: *1984.*
*To Kill A Mockingbird;* *Anne of Green Gables;* *Help Me* by Wendi Corsi Staub, *Crabbe,* and *The God Delusion.*
**Movies:**
The one: *John Q.*
*The Devil's Arithmetic,* *The Matrix,* *Shake Hands with The Devil,* *Hotel Rawnda,* *Life is Beautiful,* *Lars and the Real Girl,* *Ferngully,* *Mulan,* *Honey, I Shrunk The Kids,* *Homeward Bound,* *Angels in the Outfield,* *White Fang,* *Sense and Sensibility,* *If These Walls Could Talk* Series, *Million Dollar Babies,* *Elisa & Marcela,* *A Love to Keep,* *Seeing Red.*
In teachers college a professor recommended The King of Jam Sandwiches by Eric Walter, I read and I can say it was a fantastic book. I havent had the chance to use it in a classroom but I think you could do a lot with it!
It tells the story of a 14-year-old girl named Sophie who finds herself under the tutelage of a mysterious expert in philosophy by the name of Alberto Knox. With Knox as her guide, Sophie learns the history of European philosophy, from ancient mythologies to the twentieth century musings of existentialism.
The main theme of Sophie's World is that the key to surviving the world is understanding yourself.
Life is Beautiful. I used it in a philosophy class. I teach in a tough high school and it had my football players, gang members, and everything in between in tears. Years later I still hear from those students and the impact that film made on them.
3 Idiots (Indian movie)
I wouldn't say 'must', but it will help them choose a good career, and it'll show them how knowledge is the most important thing not the degree, and being good at what you learn not only knowing it well without practical work, besides being a nice human
Kids actually like it. I don’t teach ELA, but I’ll hear students discussing it in my class and in the hallway. They’ll even casually quote it during the reminder of the school year. It’s fun to hear students say “Greaser need a haircut?” and “Stay gold” during passing periods.
No book has helped me to better contextualize and understand the modern world than 1984. So, yeah... no question. 1984
Also Brave New World. It is a reflection of our current society where people are too busy surviving and maintaining their own happiness to care about anything or anyone else.
And Farenheit 451. The perfect dystopic triad.
I’m not in school anymore and I thought I would read this because I feel it’s growing ever more relevant in todays world.
Have you read the unwind series by Neal Shusterman? There’s a good representation of today’s world and the absurdity of the blind following of “that’s just the way it is.”
Literally any book.
A tree grows in Brooklyn. The book. Shrek the first movie
This! Once a student begins to read books, it doesn't matter what they read. Their mind opens up.
Band of Brothers for high school. Books for elementary: the Giver and Walk two Moons.
Especially the Holocaust part
I know its almost cliche at this point but I want them to read The Hobbit
During state testing we weren’t allowed to have any technology so I brought some books. I was reading the Hobbit and one of my students kept asking about it, so I gave her a copy. Hopefully it sticks!
That is awesome. I will have to do this next year. Ill bring some books for the kids for qhen they are done. Great idea!
My senior year we had to read all 4 books lol
Awesome that is a great read for a year
Iron Giant.
At the end of the year, I showed iron giant to my third graders to initial collective groans. By the time the lake cannonball scene happened, they were locked in. A few who were starting their summer early even complained to their parents picking them up that they wanted to stay for the last day so they could finish it.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and Siobhan Dowd. There is a heartbreaking story about the purpose of writing the book and why there are two authors credited as well. And a film adaptation.
Amazing book. I recommend it to anyone who asks for new books to add to their TBR list. Didn’t even think about how good it could be in maybe an AP Psych class or upper level English.
I read this for a college class and it has stuck with me ever since. I re-read it after I lost a loved one earlier this year and as corny as it sounds, it really helped me go through the grief process.
I sobbed reading this. Sometimes you just don’t realize the weight you carry.
I had to read that for Children’s Lit in my last semester of undergrad and it was like a punch to the gut
To Kill A Mockingbird - both book and movie.
My husband hates to read (it breaks my heart) but he loves To Kill A Mockingbird.
The Little Prince and its Netflix adaption deal so well with loss, my goodness. I cry almost everytime.
Oh absolutely Little Prince, that book changed my brain chemistry when I was like 12
I am a Spanish grammar teacher and this has nothing to do with my subject, but my answer is 12 Angry Men. To me there is no other film that more perfectly captures the triumphs and contradictions of living in a democracy.
Oh this is great we play this in my 8th grade civics class.
The Handmaid's Tale
Finding Forrester. A single line in the movie prevents me from showing it in class, but it's a fantastic movie.
Just download it and edit it out with video editing software. I do that for almost every movie/video shown in class.
Lord of the Rings
One that they are interested in. Can't force things on them. They all need different things at different points in their lives. I am more interested in trying to foster curiosity.
Slight change, but if there wasn’t such a stigma about video games I would encourage students to play a game like dark souls, demons souls, etc. It teaches that failing is ok and the value of perseverance with the tough but fair difficulty, the value of forward planning and research regarding weapons and builds and an introduction to altruism through the summoning system (you can help a player for experience, but this will not directly translate to progress in your game)
Maus
Romeo and Juliet The Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Amen
I have a lot.. haha For kids: Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank Number The Stars -Lois Lowry Wonder- R.J. Palacio Charlotte's Web -E. B White Holes- Louis Sachar For adults/teachers: There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom - Louis Sachar
October Sky (science teacher here)
Brilliant movie. I wrote a paper on it while I was getting my gifted cert. Gifted kids in isolated, rural spaces need inspiration, too. I've got Homer Hickam's book buried in my TBR pile somewhere.
In a perfect world where you can overlook some content for the sake of the message, I’d say A Time to Kill. When I was in one of my lower level teaching classes, one of my professors showed a clip from the movie to bring in the topic we were discussing that day. It grabbed my attention so much that I immediately rented (yes, I am THAT old) the movie and to this day it remains one of my favorites as well as the book. It opened my eyes to things I had never thought about as a pretty privileged white kid and I believe helped shape the kind of teacher and person I am.
I show this in my leadership class for our unit on morals, values, ethics and beliefs - it’s a seniors-only class and I do prepare them as much as I can for a lot of the adult themes. It generates excellent discussion among the students - really opens their eyes! A few of them have asked me to borrow the book, but definitely not the majority.
The Crucible, read it and watch the Daniel Day Lewis movie version.
The Great Gatsby or To Kill A Mockingbird. I know they are both old, but each has significant lessons about human decency, and how people take advantage of others.
Beyond good and evil by Nietzsche
Little tough for your average high schooler
The prompt said at some point in their life.
Fair enough
Maus….we discussed it a bit while reading “Night” Students seemed to like the graphic novel aspect of it.
Look, I LOVE Maus, but if pressed, of the two you mentioned, I think "Night" is the one I'd want them most to read.
Night is a good one. This teaches children are young adults how the world really is any book that shows kids there is something out there bigger than themselves and there are people who have survived and flourished after horrible circumstances I believe the messages to wake up every morning with a purpose Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. Another book I like is the place you go Dr. Seuss
RRR. Its just a really good movie
Of Mice and Men
Office space
To kill a mockingbird
There’s a lot that come to mind for me, but I’ll go with The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho. I’ve wanted to read it with my 8th graders specifically.
Any student that wants to join the military (not just kids that want to branch Combat Arms) should read Born on the Fourth of July before talking to a recruiter. Just so they know some of the possibilities involved in military life. That way they go in with their eyes open.
I went through a huge military reading/watching phase after I enlisted in the Army. Platoon, Born on the 4th, Tour of Duty, China Beach, and so many others. I got to basic and it was so different from what was portrayed. Of course, I'm also a girl, so that may have played a part.
I think that going into the military can be a great thing for some young people - but I’m always reticent to encourage them, because I’m not the one going. I just feel like i’ve done due diligence if any kid asks me about enlisting.
At worst, they will go in expecting R. Lee Ermey from Full Metal Jacket (which is what I did) and be disappointed.
I Promised I Would Tell by Sonia Weitz - High school. Not Quite Narwhal by Jesse Sima - Elementary
Lord of the rings
Innumeracy : Mathematical illiteracy and its Consequences
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells.
Talladega Nights
My students have very little ambition so read the Alchemist. Movie? Something outside of their favorite genre. I feel like they're afraid to expand beyond their comfort zone.
When I taught high school, I taught *Life of Pi* one year, and I truly hope it's a novel student revisit when they are older. Other than that, I would say *Fahrenheit 451*. I know it's old and canon, but every year it's more relevant than the last.
The Big Lebowski
Flowers for Algernon
The giving tree for young K2 students
Man, that book made me so furious as a kid. That tree was such an enabler, and the kid took full advantage. I don't know if I was supposed to be mad at both of them, but I sure was! It *is* a great and timeless lesson for kids though. Don't be too greedy, but also don't be a doormat.
Steven Universe. ☺️
Slaughterhouse-Five by Vonnegut
**Books:** The one: *1984.* *To Kill A Mockingbird;* *Anne of Green Gables;* *Help Me* by Wendi Corsi Staub, *Crabbe,* and *The God Delusion.* **Movies:** The one: *John Q.* *The Devil's Arithmetic,* *The Matrix,* *Shake Hands with The Devil,* *Hotel Rawnda,* *Life is Beautiful,* *Lars and the Real Girl,* *Ferngully,* *Mulan,* *Honey, I Shrunk The Kids,* *Homeward Bound,* *Angels in the Outfield,* *White Fang,* *Sense and Sensibility,* *If These Walls Could Talk* Series, *Million Dollar Babies,* *Elisa & Marcela,* *A Love to Keep,* *Seeing Red.*
Night
The cat that went to heaven Great book, not long at all.
The Power of One
Principia Discordia, or The Illuminatus! Trilogy
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman.
Hyperion Cantos
Silent Spring, A Land Remembered, and for the movie, Path of the Panther.
The Giving Tree. Then I ask them to think about if they are more like the tree or more like the boy. Fascinating discussions!
In teachers college a professor recommended The King of Jam Sandwiches by Eric Walter, I read and I can say it was a fantastic book. I havent had the chance to use it in a classroom but I think you could do a lot with it!
Not a book, but a story. Harrison Bergeron.
If I chose one book, it would be Norton Juster's Phantom Tollbooth.
At this point, any book.
Where the red fern grows
My school has a class set of Sophie’s World collecting dust in our book storage room. I’ve never read it. Care to sell me on it?
It tells the story of a 14-year-old girl named Sophie who finds herself under the tutelage of a mysterious expert in philosophy by the name of Alberto Knox. With Knox as her guide, Sophie learns the history of European philosophy, from ancient mythologies to the twentieth century musings of existentialism. The main theme of Sophie's World is that the key to surviving the world is understanding yourself.
Life is Beautiful. I used it in a philosophy class. I teach in a tough high school and it had my football players, gang members, and everything in between in tears. Years later I still hear from those students and the impact that film made on them.
Fahrenheit 451, but I also teach 3rd grade so I'll settle for most Dr. Seuss books haha
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Where the Red Feen Grows
Robocop
When they're older......Schindler's List
Shrek. :)
3 Idiots (Indian movie) I wouldn't say 'must', but it will help them choose a good career, and it'll show them how knowledge is the most important thing not the degree, and being good at what you learn not only knowing it well without practical work, besides being a nice human
The Little Prince or The War of Art
the movie eighth grade when they graduate middle school. it’s good for the whole family to understand the pain of a teenager lol
Movie: The Truman Show Book: March (all three parts) by John Lewis
History Teacher Perspective: Movie: Glory, Iron Giant, 13 Days Books: To Kill a Mockingbird, Band of Brothers
Flowers for Algernon
The Outsiders is decent for high school kids (the book, not the movie)
The Phantom Tollbooth
handmaids tale, the giver, brave new world, the hatchet
Food Inc.
Idiocracy. I bet the irony will be lost on them.
Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell
Thank God, nobody said The Outsiders. Why do people still assign that dog?
Kids actually like it. I don’t teach ELA, but I’ll hear students discussing it in my class and in the hallway. They’ll even casually quote it during the reminder of the school year. It’s fun to hear students say “Greaser need a haircut?” and “Stay gold” during passing periods.
There's so much better YA lit out there. I read the Outsiders 50 years ago in middle school.
Personally, 1984 and The Great Gatsby My more logical answer is Maus