US history in film: watching time go by
Students sit in a dimly lit classroom with couches and cushy chairs lining the edges of the room. “Hamilton,” the musical playing on the projector, gives students a new way to think about history. U.S. history in film is one of a few new electives offered at Cedar Shoals this year. Led by Garrett Walker, he is very excited to be able to teach this subject in a new way.
“I wanted them (the students) to come out of this class respecting U.S. history,” Walker said.
The class has the same curriculum as a U.S. history class but instead of lectures and note taking, the students watch movies about the time periods and historical events in the U.S. Walker gives a short lecture about what the movie or show is focused on, and then they watch it during class. The curriculum includes nine units, starting around the time of colonization and continuing into modern day.
Walker wants to show a wide variety of films. The class has watched documentaries, historical fiction, live action and animated shows and movies. They’ve watched “Pocahontas,” an episode of “America: The Story of Us,” “Hamilton,” two episodes of “Roots” and more.
The class was taught previously at Cedar Shoals and Walker had been thinking about bringing it back since he became part of the Jaguar family six years ago. After an email was sent out asking teachers if they would be willing to teach any of the new classes, Walker was quick to volunteer.
“I had the thought, ‘I would love to start a U.S. history in film class here,’ and it just never happened. I was too busy teaching other stuff and then we got that email and I was like, ‘Well, I might as well try and see what happens,’” Walker said.
He wants the class to be a break from the stress of high school, but that does not mean he wants students to slack off.
“I want this class to be fun and more chill,” Walker said. “If I can give them a place where they’re hopefully learning at least a little bit and they can enjoy it while having very little stress, I’m fine with them taking it as an easy ‘A.’ But if you take this class and you come in here, you sleep, mess around and don’t turn in the work, that’s a different issue.”
Senior Rachel Huff is enjoying the class currently. She previously took U.S. history and says the new class has offered her a new view of the subject.
“It’s more enjoyable,” Huff said. “I think there’s more of an impact being able to see it than just listening to a lecture.”
Senior Macie Knight is also taking the class and has found it both entertaining and educational.
“When you’re just staring at notes, you’re not really interested so you’re not taking it in. But if you get to see how something in history played out in a movie maybe you’ll tuck it in your brain somewhere,” Knight said. “I always remember movie details before I remember what I read on a slideshow in the 11th grade or something.”
In terms of work, the students complete short lists of questions after they watch most of the movies. And at the end of each unit, they are assigned a project that counts for a test grade. So far the class has written a review of one of the films and created a social media page for a character from one of the movies. Walker plans to assign a variety of different projects.
So far, students have enjoyed the unique class format, and Walker has enjoyed putting it together.
“It was fun trying to figure out what movies I wanted to show. It’s fun trying to figure out what projects we’re going to do. Honestly, it’s fun when I have to cut something (remove a film). If I have to cut something that means it’s more time for something else that’s more enjoyable,” Walker said.
