Selma, Lord, Selma Movie Guide | Worksheet | Questions (1999)

Selma, Lord, Selma Movie Guide | Worksheet | Questions | Google Classroom (TV – 1999) challenges students to connect with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s movement through the lens of 11 year old Sheyann. Analyze the struggle between using King’s non-violent approach and reacting violently to the injustice they face. Explore the arguments some people in Selma, Alabama have for not wanting to join the movement. Discuss the ever present conflict of wanting to stand up for what is right and wanting to stay silent and safe. Finally, challenge students to research and react to primary source content of Bloody Sunday (03/07/1965) and President Johnson’s Civil Rights speech (03/15/1965).

Note: This is movie guide is meant to accompany the Wonderful World of Disney’s episode from 1999. Please see the movie description on IMDb here.

Check the preview file for high resolution sample questions to see if this movie guide is suitable for your students. This resource consists of 11 high-level, short answer reflection and essay questions that will do more than just ask your students to regurgitate information.

This product .zip file includes:

• A student movie guide, PDF digital fillable form version (4 pages)
• A student movie guide, PDF print version (4 pages)
• An answer key (4 pages) is included, however, some answers will vary as students are encouraged to construct their own meaning throughout the film and many questions are open-ended.
• A Google Forms & Google Slides Version of the Movie Guide
• A generic movie guide permission slip (1 page)
• CCSS alignment indicating standards met, PDF (1 page – see also preview image)
  • CCSS Note: I’ve taken the liberty of aligning certain reading standards with the act of consuming content via the movie instead. Although students aren’t reading they are asked to perform the same cognitive functions on the content that they consumed from the movie.

Here are my tips for using Selma, Lord, Selma Movie Guide | Worksheet | Questions (1999) in your classroom:

1. Print one, double-sided movie guide for each student
2. Preview each question on the movie guide as you come to it before resuming the movie
3. Pause at the times designated on the movie guide and help students if necessary
   • Discussion here is great, encourage and allow students to share their ideas and thoughts for any question
   • Discourage students from simply copying answers
   • If needed, and if time allows, feel free to rewind and show important parts of the movie for additional analysis
4. After completing the short answers on the movie guide, allow 5-10 minutes for each essay question at the end
5. On average, completing this movie guide will require about 30-45 minutes in addition to the length of the movie