A Modesto City School
Johansen High School
Commitment to Excellence
641 Norseman Drive, Modesto, CA. 95357
(209) 576-4702 • Fax (209) 576-4993 • http://johansen.monet.k12.ca.us
ADMINISTRATION
Modesto City Schools
Approved Supplementary Instructional Materials:
Films or Videos
2016-2017
Nathan Schar
Principal
Dan Iverson
Associate Principal
Curriculum & Instruction
Phuc Pham-Goulart
Assistant Principal
Pupil Services
Tanya Wright
Assistant Principal
Student Supervision
Dear Parent:
The Modesto City Schools Board of Education has approved a list of films
and videos as supplementary instructional materials for classrooms at our
school. The criteria used and judgment employed by the Motion Picture
Association of America (MPAA) regarding the contents of a film or video
provides a solid foundation towards evaluating and determining the use of
appropriate films in the educational setting.
According to Board Policy 6161.11, films or videos rated “NC-17” or “X” and
unrated films or videos of similar content may not be shown in the
classroom. Approved films or videos rated “R” and unrated films or videos
of similar content (NR) that may be shown in the classroom are posted on
our school’s web site at the following link: www.johansen.mcs4kids.com.
Printed versions of the approved list may also be obtained through our
school office.
As a parent or guardian, you have a right to opt your student out
of seeing a particular film or video on this list by completing the
attached form and returning it to Dan Iverson, Associate Principal
of Curriculum. An alternate assignment will be provided.
Sincerely,
Nathan Schar
Principal
MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS
SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
FILMS/VIDEOS
Approved for 2016-2017
Johansen High School
GRADE 9
The following films/videos are approved as supplementary instructional
materials for ninth grade. Parents/Guardians may select to opt their student
out of the assignment by notifying the school and requesting an alternate
assignment. MPAA ratings are indicated. Unrated films are labeled NR.
Sensitive Content Code
N = Nudity
P = Profanity
S = Sexual Conduct
V = Violence
English (Pre-AP/GATE)
Excalibur (R)
The separate myths and legends of King Arthur studied by students are united
in this excellent illumination of the grail quest. [V, limited S, N]
Parenting/Child Development (Gr 9-12)
Losing Isaiah (R)
This video is a culminating activity to a unit on the debated topic of whether
a child is influenced primarily by environment or heredity. The video portrays
both sides, facilitating student understanding of the issue. Some drug use is
involved. [S, P]
MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS
SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
FILMS/VIDEOS
Approved for 2016-2017
Johansen High School
GRADE 10
The following films/videos are approved as supplementary instructional
materials for tenth grade. Parents/Guardians may select to opt their student
out of the assignment by notifying the school and requesting an alternate
assignment. MPAA ratings are indicated. Unrated films are labeled NR.
Sensitive Content Code
N = Nudity
P = Profanity
S = Sexual Conduct
V = Violence
Grade 10 English
Excalibur (R)
The separate myths and legends of King Arthur studied by students are united
in this excellent illumination of the grail quest. [S, V, N]
Of Mice and Men (NR/PG-13)
The film provides excellent topics for writing as students compare and contrast
the movie and Steinbeck’s classic morality tale. [V, P]
Spanish III/IV
Disappearance of Garcia Lorca, The (R)
This drama is about a journalist who returns to fascist Spain to research the murder
of the poet and playwright Garcia Lorca. It motivates students to read Lorca’s
poetry. [V, S, P] [Nudity to be deleted]
El Norte (R)
Students gain insight into the suffering endured by many immigrants in this drama
in Spanish of Guatemalan Indian youths’ journey north to America. [P]
Parenting/Child Development
Losing Isaiah (R)
This video is a culminating activity to a unit on the debated topic of whether
a child is influenced primarily by environment or heredity. The video portrays
both sides, facilitating student understanding of the issue. Some drug use is
involved. [S, P]
MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS
SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
FILMS/VIDEOS
Approved for 2016-2017
Johansen High School
GRADE 11
The following films/videos are approved as supplementary instructional
materials for eleventh grade. Parents/Guardians may select to opt their
student out of the assignment by notifying the school and requesting an
alternate assignment. MPAA ratings are indicated. Unrated films are
labeled NR.
Sensitive Content Code
N = Nudity
P = Profanity
S = Sexual Conduct
V = Violence
Grade 11 English
Soldier’s Sweetheart (NR)
The movie set in Vietnam brings to life a chapter of the O’Brien novel The Things
They Carried and stimulates discussion of character analysis and interpretation of
the work. [V, P, some S]
11th Grade U. S. History
Amistad (R)
This film accurately depicts the conditions of slavery and the attitudes toward it of
various segments of society. [V, some N]
Apocalypse Now (Excerpt only) (R)
The futility of war with no clear objective is accurately depicted in this excerpt
of the taking of a beach for surfing while committing carnage to justify it. [V, P]
Glory (R)
Civil War study is enhanced by this authentic film of America’s first unit of
black soldiers commanded by an inexperienced Northerner. [V]
Good Morning Vietnam (R)
The human costs of the Vietnam War are accurately depicted in this story of
an Army disc jockey in Saigon. [V, P]
Legends of the Fall (Excerpt only) (R)
An excerpt depicting a battle in the field shows the development of war technology
and the resulting brutality in World War I. [V, P]
Midnight Clear, A (R)
The relationship between enemy soldiers in battle, where things can quickly
change, is illustrated well in this film. [V, P]
Films/Videos Approved for 2016-2017
Johansen Grade 11
Mississippi Burning (R)
The deaths of three civil rights workers, the power of the Klu Klux Klan, and
the racist climate of the 1960’s are brought together in this film. [V, P]
Saving Private Ryan (R)
The attitudes of soldiers as they landed and the great price of victory in human
lives are depicted realistically in this film of the D-Day invasion. [V, P]
Spanish III/IV
Disappearance of Garcia Lorca, The (R)
This drama is about a journalist who returns to fascist Spain to research the murder
of the poet and playwright Garcia Lorca. It motivates students to read Lorca’s
poetry. [V, S, P] [Nudity to be deleted]
El Norte (R)
Students gain insight into the suffering endured by many immigrants in this drama
in Spanish of Guatemalan Indian youths’ journey north to America. [P]
Knocks At My Door (R) (Spanish version) (Entire video, minus 1 scene with
profanity)
Set in a small Latin American town in political turmoil, this film puts a human face
on the moral dilemma confronting many of the fledgling democracies of South and
Central America. [some S]
Parenting/Child Development
Losing Isaiah (R)
This video is a culminating activity to a unit on the debated topic of whether
a child is influenced primarily by environment or heredity. The video portrays
both sides, facilitating student understanding of the issue. Some drug use is
involved. [S, P]
MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS
SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
FILMS/VIDEOS
Approved for 2016-2017
Johansen High School
GRADE 12
The following films/videos are approved as supplementary instructional
materials for twelfth grade. Parents/Guardians may select to opt their
student out of the assignment by notifying the school and requesting an
alternate assignment. MPAA ratings are indicated. Unrated films are
labeled NR.
Sensitive Content Code
N = Nudity
P = Profanity
S = Sexual Conduct
V = Violence
Grade 12 English
13th Warrior (R)
The screenplay written by Michael Crichton retells the great English epic Beowulf
With realistic depiction of Anglo-Saxon culture, beliefs, feudal practices, and battles.
Macbeth (Polanski version) (R)
Students’ appreciation for Shakespearean drama and their understanding of the play
Macbeth is heightened by this version of the tragedy. [N, V]
Spanish III/IV
Disappearance of Garcia Lorca, The (R)
This drama is about a journalist who returns to fascist Spain to research the murder
of the poet and playwright Garcia Lorca. It motivates students to read Lorca’s
poetry. [V, S, P] [Nudity to be deleted]
El Norte (R)
Students gain insight into the suffering endured by many immigrants in this drama
in Spanish of Guatemalan Indian youths’ journey north to America. [P]
Knocks At My Door (R) (Spanish version) (Entire video, minus 1 scene with
profanity)
Set in a small Latin American town in political turmoil, this film puts a human face
on the moral dilemma confronting many of the fledgling democracies of South and
Central America. [some S]
Films/Videos Approved for 2016-2017
Johansen
Grade 12
Parenting/Child Development
Losing Isaiah (R)
This video is a culminating activity to a unit on the debated topic of whether
a child is influenced primarily by environment or heredity. The video portrays
both sides, facilitating student understanding of the issue. Some drug use is
involved. [S, P]