Videos/Movies
Videos and movies can be a valuable tool for supporting and reinforcing curriculum. While appropriate as an enhancement to instruction, movie videos/DVD’s are not appropriate as a substitute for instruction.
Instructional Guidelines:
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All movies will be previewed before instruction.
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When videos/movies or portions of videos/movies are used as part of the instructional plan, the videos shown should be deeply connected to instructional objectives and curriculum. The teacher has the responsibility to articulate this connection.
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As part of the instructional plan, students should be expected to respond to the videos through a processing activity designed by the teacher.
Rating Guidelines:
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Videos with a “G” rating may be used without parent notification or permission.
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Videos with a ‘PG” rating may be used in the elementary schools with parent notification and the opportunity for a parent to withdraw a student from participation. It is the responsibility of the teacher to provide an alternate activity for non-participating students.
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Videos with a “PG” rating may be used in middle schools without parent notification or permission.
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Videos with a “PG-13” rating may be used in elementary schools with the approval of the principal and written parent permission.
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Videos with a “PG-13” rating may be used in middle schools with parent notification and the opportunity for a parent to withdraw the student from participation. If the parent chooses not to have the student see the video, it is the responsibility of the teacher to provide an alternative activity.
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Videos with a “PG-13” rating may be used in high school without parent permission or prior notification.
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Videos with an “R” rating:
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If “R”-rated videos or video clips have been edited to remove “R” content (vulgar language, excessive or graphic violence, nudity), they may be shown to high school students without prior notification or permission of parents.
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Unedited videos with an “R” rating may be shown to high school students with approval of the principal and written permission from parents. The permission request should include a brief explanation of content and its connection to curriculum. If the parent chooses not to have the student see the video, it is the responsibility of the teacher to provide an alternative activity.
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Rated and Unrated Documentaries
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If Rated and Unrated documentaries have been edited to remove scenes of nudity, they may be shown to high school students without prior notification or permission of parents.
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Unedited documentaries may be shown to high school students with notification of the parent through the class syllabus. Students will have the option of excusing themselves from these documentaries. Parents may also request to have their student excused by giving written notice to the teacher.
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Legal Restrictions:
Copyright laws permit the use of videos for curriculum supported, face to face teaching activities in a classroom or other place of instruction. Showing purchased or rented videotapes for the purpose of entertaining, giving rewards, rainy days, as a filler activity, or other non-instructional purposes is strictly prohibited by copyright laws.