Film Clips Spirit of America
presents
Film Clips for Character Education
Episode 4
BULLYING PREVENTION
Knowing Yourself
Facing Peer Pressure
Understanding Bullies
Teacher Study Guide by
C. K. Robertson, Ph.D.
and
Charlie Abourjilie
Movies Featured in Episode Four
Dead Poets Society
Teen Wolf
Back to the Future
A Walk to Remember
Drumline
Sky High
A Christmas Story
Mean Girls
Cheaper by the Dozen
Hoot
The Ant Bully
The War
All clips are under copyright and are used with permission
from copyright holders.
None of the movies represented in the Film Clips Series is
rated higher than PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of
America. No inappropriate material is included in any of the
individual film clips.
Educational Standards
The film clips in this series meet the performance standards
listed on pages 26-30.
Spanish/English Options
Options for audio and subtitles in English or Spanish are
available in “Settings” on the main menu of the DVD. Spanish
audio is available for most, but not all film clips.
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Welcome to
Film Clips for Character Education.
© Film Clips Spirit of America
The following pages contain an exciting new approach to
character education which reaches students through a medium
for which they have a natural affinity: Hollywood movies. In
this nine-part series, clips from the movies are used to assist
teachers and students engage in reflection and discussion
about character and moral action.
At its core are clips from popular Hollywood movies that
exemplify key character traits and issues surrounding moral
development. The clips provide students with situations
that relate to ‘real life’ experiences and draw them into a
natural engagement with the subject. This approach not only
stimulates students’ thinking on moral action and character,
but enhances their engagement with the regular curriculum in
the areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, and Fine Arts.
In this guide you will find resources to help you create the
greatest impact with Film Clips. Four clips are listed under
each key character trait, for the purpose of illustrating some
positive or negative aspect of the given trait and stimulating
creative reflection and discussion. This study guide provides
a great deal of flexibility for the teacher to use Film Clips most
effectively. You will want to use your discretion regarding the
appropriateness of both the clips and the suggested activities
to the age as well as the intellectual and emotional skill levels
of your students.
With this in mind, this study guide can help you take a fresh
approach to character education, using the letters F-I-L-M to
summarize the appropriate steps:
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 Fitting clips to lesson plans and standards
A list of key education standards covered by the clips and
activities suggested in this guide is available on pages
26-30.
Creating a Lesson Plan:
The teacher can choose to create one 45–50 minute class
session, by showing all four clips under a key theme, pausing
after each for reaction and discussion (25–30 minutes), and
then doing one of the following exercises (15–20 minutes).
Alternatively, the teacher can create four 30 minute class
sessions by showing one clip, pausing for reaction and
discussion (10–15 minutes), and doing one of the following
exercises (15–20 minutes).
 Introducing clips to students.
As you prepare to show a film clip, you can introduce it with
a plot synopsis. This gives students who have not previously
seen the movie from which the clip is taken some context for
understanding the clip.
Pause the DVD after the on-screen teaser question following
the clip.
Character “Word Wall”
A “word wall” can help your students develop/build their
vocabulary in terms of meaning, context, and relevance. The
words below come directly from the video clips or the question
prompt at the end of each clip. Developing a word wall is a
great way to introduce key vocabulary terms at the beginning
of a unit or piece by piece as your class explores a unit of
study.
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Peer Pressure
Responsibility
Solidarity
Confident
Clique
Self-respect
Conformity Bully Courage
Individuality Friend Confront
 Listening to students discuss the clips.
The on-screen teaser question following a film clip is designed
to initiate thoughtful discussion. The follow-up “Going Deeper”
questions should encourage further personal exploration.
These questions can be addressed in the context of the
whole class, or by splitting the class into small groups and
then having the groups report back to the larger class after
they have explored their thoughts and opinions, or through
a written exercise to be handed in later. The quotations help
students build higher order thinking skills, foster analysis of
the quotation and relate the film clip to their own lives and the
topics they are discovering in class.
Utilizing Quotes
Use as journal starters and essay prompts.
A tool to strengthen student writing, as in supporting a line of
thought expressed by the writer.
Develop analytical thinking. Quotes are character-based in
nature which is common among many state writing tests, the
SAT, and many analytical writing prompts.
Connect concepts across multiple curriculums.
Homework discussion starters with parents or guardians.
Encourage students to share their own favorite maxim (one
they have heard or read before, one passed down as a
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family favorite, or one used often in class) and reflect upon its
meaning and context.
Inspire students, teams, or collaborative pairs to develop their
own personal “Code of Character” or “team motto” based on
one of the quotes.
Language Arts:
Scribe students’ favorite maxims or motto on the board and
have the class interpret it’s meaning.
This can then lead to a grammatical analysis of the quote
where the students can edit the student’s rendition of the quote
for spelling, punctuation, tense and part of speech.
History and Social Studies:
Have students research or discover who the author of the
quote is, where the author came from and when and where the
quote may have been said. Look for any special context or
history behind the quote.
Select a classroom “Quote of the Week” that provides a
theme for daily assignments, possibly taken from one of the
suggestions above.
As students learn and analyze more quotes, they provide great
material to use for extra credit questions and assignments.
This is an excellent way to keep the quotes fresh and in the
mind of the students.
 Moving students to action.
Suggested activities to engage the students more deeply with
the issues raised by the film clips.
Lights, Camera, ACTION!
Concepts from the Film Clips may catapult your class to further
action and activities designed to build upon a particular virtue
or put them into practice through a hands-on activity.
Episode 4 deals with Bullying Prevention. Here are few
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ideas for activities you can add to the ones you already have
planned to prevent violence and bullying in your school and
community.
Idea Starters!
1. Have students participate in a Random Acts of Kindness
week for your class or school.
2. Explore Service Learning and have your students work
in groups or as one whole class to come up with a service
learning project that relates to anti-bullying or a monthly
character trait at your school. See www.LearnAndServe.org
3. Write a letter to a “local” hero (fireman, policeman, janitor,
cafeteria worker, nurse, teacher, soldier…) thanking them for
the way they help you and your community.
4. Celebrate a Classmate activity: Have your students write
one nice thing about someone in class who is not necessarily
their best friend. Do this three days in a row (or once weekly
for three weeks), each time having them write about someone
different. Each time read out what was written.
5. Give each student a sheet of paper with the name of every
classmate on it. Then next to each name, have your students
write one positive word or adjective that describes each
person. Once everyone is done collect and compile the list.
Make individualized bookmarks for each student and under
his/her name at the top of the book mark write down the list of
words that were created for them.
6. Role play different scenarios from each movie, where
applicable. Students can demonstrate the right way and
wrong way to handle various bullying situations.
7. Have students list 60 things they are thankful for: 20 people,
20 objects, and 20 inanimate objects ie: as sight, smell, etc…
8. Have students list all the ways they are unique, and areas
where they are “gifted” - identifying things they do well and/or
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know a lot about! (Does not have to be academic in nature.)
9. Have each student identify a time they showed courage in
their lives and what led them to this act of courage or standing
up for themselves or what was right. Then have them identify
a fear they may have, why it is a fear, and how they might
overcome this fear?
10. Have each student create a list of the things they are
responsible for at home, school, on teams, and for themselves.
Then ask who is helped by their responsible actions.
Keeping a Diary
The students can be asked to keep a diary with 27 entries in
which they will record their favorite examples of the character
trait they saw demonstrated in the clips and examples of how
they have or have not shown this character trait in their own
lives. Also included are guides to other resources to help you
to use these film clips most effectively in your classroom. We
hope that this study guide will stimulate your own creativity to
help your students grow in their abilities for moral reflection
and action.
Other Film Clips Episodes
That Address Violence and Bullying Issues
Episode 1:
Honesty-Cooperation-Respect
Ice Age
Teamwork, Trust, Betrayal
A team of animals work together to save a human baby, but
are betrayed by one of their own.
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Antz
Teamwork, Focus, Trust, BetrayaI, Peer Pressure
Because Z loses interest in cooperating with the other ants on
his team a disaster strikes.
Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Rings
Self-Sacrifice, Leadership in Crisis, Knowing Youself
Because a small hobbit (Frodo) volunteers to take the ring to
Mordor so it can be destroyed, others are inspired to join him.
Apollo 13
Cooperation under stress, Trust, Self-Contol
The crew of the Apollo 13 must overcome their differences and
work together in order to manually put the ship on the right
course for its return to earth.
X-Men
Diversity, Tolerance, Self-Esteem, Knowing Yourself
Xavier introduces the school for mutants where students soon
discover that everyone is unique.
Boundin’
Positive Thinking, Self-Esteem, Knowing Yourself
A jackrabbit helps a recently shorn sheep look on the bright
side.
Remember the Titans
Communication, Racial Reconciliation, Respect
Coach Boon informs the members of his team that unless they
get to know each other, he will assign extra practices.
Babe
Civility, Peacemaking, Effective Leadership
Fly, the female sheepdog tells Babe to do whatever it takes
to make the sheepdog listen to him, but Babe learns how to
accomplish the task by being polite.
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Episode 2:
Good Sportsmanship - Kindness- Self-Control
The Mighty Ducks
Standing up to Power, Fair Play, Knowing Yourself
The coach of the hockey team tells one of his players to cheat
in order to win. The player refuses.
Sandlot
Kindness, Peer Pressure, Civility
The captain of the team invites a “new kid” to join, even though
the “new kid” is a mediocre player.
Seabiscuit
Kindness, Caring for others
Tom Smith tells Charles Howard that the seriously injured
horse Tom is caring for is still worth something. “You don’t
throw away a whole life just ‘cause he’s banged up a little.”
Charlotte’s Web
Knowing Yourself, Kindness, Self-Sacrifice
Wilbur the pig tries to enlist the help of Templeton the rat in
saving Charlotte’s egg sack. The problem is that Templeton
doesn’t help anyone unless there is so0mething in it for him..
Forrest Gump
Knowing Yourself, Generosity, Civility, Peer Pressure
Young Jenny offers young Forrest a place to sit on the bus
after everyone else refuses to let Forrest sit next to them.
Bend it Like Beckham
Knowing Yourself, Understanding Bullies, Peer Pressure
During a game, Jess reacts angrily when the opposition
player uses a racial slur against her.
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Knowing Yourself, Peer Pressure, Self-Control
When aliens abduct all the parents in Jimmy Neutron’s
neighborhood, the young people go wild.
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Seabiscuit
Self-Control, Knowing Yourself, Understanding Bullies
Red is fouled in a race. He strikes back and both riders lose
the race. Afterward, the owner and trainer talk to Red about
what happened.
Finding Nemo
Self-Control, Knowing Yourself
The sharks try to refrain from eating anymore fish, but one is
tempted after smelling blood.
Episode 3:
Courage - Loyalty - Perseverance
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Knowing Yourself, Courage, Risking, Coping with Fear
Indiana Jones must cross an invisible bridge to get to the holy
grail and it’s life-restoring water in order to save his father. The
problem for Indy is taking the first step.
The Wizard of Oz
Knowing Yourself, Understanding Bullies, Courage
The Lion tries to appear brave even though he later admits
that he is a coward.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Courage, Knowing Yourself: Coping with Fear
The Council tests Anakin and finds that his fear is blocking his
Force.
Monsters, Inc.
Using Your Power for Good, Knowing Yourself
Sully, the monster, comforts Boo by sitting in front of the bedroom
closet which Boo fears is where monsters come from.
Shrek
Understanding Bullies, Peacemaking, Communication
Shrek and Donkey get into a fight over the Princess’ secret,
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but Donkey sticks around because he says “that’s what friends
are for.”
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Self-Sacrifice, Loyalty as a Positve Quality, Gang Loyalty
Sam carries his friend, the exhausted Frodo, up Mount Doom
so that Frodo can destroy the ring.
The Secret Life of Zoey
Loyalty, Disloyalty, Gang Loyalty
Zoey’s best friend tells Zoey’s mother that Zoey is mixed up
with a bad crowd and needs help.
School of Rock
Loyalty, Disloyalty, Gang Loyalty, Understanding Bullies
Dewey’s band mates kick him out of the band Dewey started
because Dewey is an embarrassment to them and his
membership in the band keeps them from winning the battle of
the bands.
School of Rock
Knowing Yourself, Coping with Despair
In a speech to his class, Dewey claims that the “Man” will
never let them succeed, so they might as well not try. His
students don’t know what to make of Dewey.
The Addams Family
Knowing Yourself, Coping with Despair
Having lost their home to crooks, Morticia gives her family a
pep talk, insisting “We will survive.”
Chariots of Fire
Knowing Yourself, Persistence against all odds
Eric Liddell stumbles and falls during a race, but gets back up
and wins.
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Episode 5:
Pride, Honor, Citizenship
Napoleon Dynamite
Knowing Yourself, Self-Esteem, Clear Thinking
Rex, the martial arts instructor, attempts to sell his program for
self-esteem to Napoleon and Kip.
Batman Begins
Honor, Knowing Yourself, Integrity
After a long absence Bruce Wayne meets Rachel at a posh
hotel, She challenges Bruce to act upon the positive values he
insists exist within himself.
The Ant Bully
Knowing Yourself, Peer Pressure, Conflict Resolution
Lucas and Zoc, an ant warrior, discuss how their respective
societies deal with diversity and violence
World Trade Center
Knowing Yourself, Integrity, Caring for Others
At the end of the film, at a “welcome home” party, John
McLoughlin reflects: “It’s all about…people taking care of
other people, for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do.”
Episode 6:
Empathy, Forgiveness, Vision
Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country
Knowing Yourself, Understanding Bullies, Peacemaking
At the beginning of the film Kirk reflects on whether he can
put aside his hatred of the Borgs (who are responsible for the
death of Kirk’s son) in order to negotiate a peace agreement.
Antwone Fisher
Knowing Yourself, Understanding Bullies, Peacemaking
After dinner at Dr. Davenport’s home, Antwone is told he
needs to forgive his family in order to survive.
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Billy Madison
Knowing Yourself, Forgiveness, Peacemaking
Billy asks a man to whom he was mean years ago
for forgiveness.
Kicking and Screaming
Knowing Yourself, Forgiveness, Peacemaking
Phil Weston finally apologizes to his son for his out-of-control
and insensitive coaching.
Bringing Down the House
Knowing Yourself, Empathy, Communication
When his daughter describes her night at a frat party, her father tries with great difficulty to be a non-judgmental listener.
The Incredibles
Knowing Yourself, Peer Pressure, Integrity, Mercy
As an insurance adjuster, Bob Parr shows mercy to a distressed policy holder. His boss warns Bob not to be too generous.
Teen Wolf
Knowing Yourself, Connecting Empathy with Action
Scott goes to his coach for some advice about quitting the
team, but the coach is in no mood to listen
Bridge to Terabithia
Understanding Bullies, Communication, Caring for Others
On the school bus, Leslie explains to Jesse how she made
friends with their tormentor by empathizing with her.
The Pilot:
Generosity, Race Relations, Human Rights
Pay it Forward
Altruism, Generosity, Caring for Others, Knowing Yourself
Trevor presents his concept of “Pay it Forward” as a means of
changing the world for the better.
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Remember the Titans
Knowing Yourself, Peer Pressure, Race Relations
Coaches Boon and Yost and their integrated football team
struggle for success and justice.
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport
Knowing Yourself, Peer Pressure, Understanding Bullies
Four points of view are explored in this documentary featuring
the true story of the transport of thousands of imperiled Jewish
children (whose parents were not allowed by Hitler to accompany them) to the safety of British homes in 1939.
The Spirit of America
Knowing Yourself, Justice, Self-Sacrifice
Glory
Equality, Knowing Yourself, Understanding Bullies
During the Civil War white officers join their black troops in
protesting unequal pay based on race.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Knowing Yourself, Peer Pressure, Understanding Bullies
George and Mary Bailey commit their own funds to guarantee
deposits in the Savings and Loan and prevent it from going
bankrupt.
Born on the Fourth of July
Knowing Yourself, Peer Pressure, Protest
Paralyzed in the Vietnam war, Ron Kovic becomes an anti-war
and pro-human rights political activist after feeling betrayed by
the country he fought for.
Saving Private Ryan
Knowing Yourself, Self-Sacrifice, Courage
Years later, James Ryan reflects on the supreme sacrifices
other soldiers made on his behalf.
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Knowing Yourself
(See www.FilmClipsOnline.com for other Film Clips related to this topic)
Theme: Independent Thinking
Film: Dead Poets Society
(PG) 1:47
An unorthodox English teacher in a
private prep school both challenges
and inspires his young students
to think for themselves and live life
to the fullest. His motto for them is simple, yet life-changing:
Carpe diem, or “Seize the day!”
This 1989 film from Touchstone Studios and Buena Vista
Pictures is directed by Peter Weir, written by Tom Schulman
and stars Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Norman
Lloyd, and Ethan Hawke.
Teaser Question: What is your special walk?
Going Deeper: Why do we find ourselves conforming to
others? How important is it to fit in with the crowd? What do
we think of someone who chooses not to participate at all?
Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less
traveled by and that has made all the difference.
—Robert Frost
Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with
acceptance can there be recovery.
—J.K. Rowling
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Theme: Power and Responsibility
Film: Teen Wolf
(PG) 1:30
An ordinary teenager suddenly
becomes an excellent basketball
player and a popular student at
school. The problem is that his new
abilities are the result of becoming a werewolf! It may mean
that he has the girl of his dreams and all the friends he could
want, but is it worth the price of being so different?
This 1985 film from MGM and United Artists is directed by
Rod Daniel, written by Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman, and
stars Michael J. Fox, James Hampton, Susan Ursitti, and Jerry
Levine.
Teaser Question: How do you control your power?
Going Deeper: Why do people sometimes feel ashamed of
themselves and their abilities? How do we treat others who are
different?
We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams into reality, it
takes an awful lot of determination and effort.
—Jesse Owens
The price of greatness is responsibility.
—Winston Churchill
Theme: Standing Up to Power
Film: Back to the Future
(PG) 1:59
Marty McFly is a kid who is never
on time for anything. Then, thanks
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to his scientist friend, Marty gets shot back in time to the days
when his parents were in high school. In the local soda shop
where the future mayor sweeps up, Marty meets the teenage
version of his dad, who is about to have one of many run-ins
with the local bully.
This 1985 film from Universal Studios is directed by Robert
Zemeckis, written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, and
stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson,
Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson.
Teaser Question: How could George stand up for himself?
Going Deeper: Why is it hard sometimes to stand up to
others? What holds us back?
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment
that something else is more important than fear.
—Ambrose Redmoon
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
—Anais Nin
Theme: Who Are Your Friends
Film: A Walk to Remember
(PG) 1:18
Based on the novel by Nicholas
Sparks, this is the story of a girl firmly
grounded in her religious beliefs
who finds herself attracted to a boy
whose life and background are quite the opposite of hers.
This 2002 film from Warner Brothers is directed by Adam
Shankman, written by Karen Janszen and stars Shane West,
Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote, and Daryl Hannah.
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Teaser Question: Does it matter what people think about
you? Why? Why not?
Going Deeper: What does it mean to be self-confident?
Whose opinions do matter to you? How many people really
know you?
To know one’s self is to study one’s self in action with another
person.
—Unknown
God helps those that help themselves.
—Benjamin Franklin
Who has confidence in himself will gain the confidence of
others.
—Leib Lazarow
Facing Peer Pressure
(See www.FilmClipsOnline.com for other Film Clips related to this topic)
Theme: Responsibility for Others
Film: Drumline
(PG-13) 1:59
A kid from Harlem is recruited into a
southern university marching band.
Thinking that he is the answer to
all the band’s problems does not
score him any points with the tough band professor. Everyone
needs a lesson in what it means to work as a team, and what it
means to be responsible for one another.
This 2002 film from 20th Century Fox is directed by Charles
Stone III, written by Tina Gordon Chism and Shawn Schepps,
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and stars Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, Orlando Jones, Leonard
Roberts, GQ, Jason Weaver, Earl Poitier, and Candace Carey.
Teaser Question: What is the difference between helpful and
harmful peer pressure?
Going Deeper: Are we responsible for other’s actions? Why
or why not?
Provision for others is a fundamental responsibility of human
life.
—Woodrow Wilson
People don’t understand that not only can they make a
difference, but it’s their responsibility to do so.
—Florence Robinson
Theme: Using Popularity as a
Weapon
Film: Sky High
(PG) 1:51
It is not easy to be the powerless
son of the most famous
superheroes on the planet. At least
his best friend is always there for him. But when his powers
finally emerge and the most popular girl in school suddenly
notices him, will there still be room in his new life for the friend
he has left behind?
This 2005 film from Walt Disney Studios is directed by Mike
Mitchell, written by Paul Hernandez, Robert Schooley and
Mark McCorkle and stars Michael Anarano, Kurt Russell, and
Kelly Preston.
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Teaser Question: How do you know if someone is telling you
the truth?
Going Deeper: What should you do when you hear something
bad about a friend? What does it mean to be really loyal?
Honesty: The best of all the lost arts.
—Mark Twain
True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils.
To find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him
is a blessing.
—Baltasar Gracian
Theme: Standing Up to a Dare
Film: A Christmas Story
(PG) 1:58
This tale may be set in the 1940s,
but the situations these kids
face are very familiar today. For
example, when a friend dares you
to do something that you know is not a good idea, what will
you choose to do?
This 1983 film from MGM and Warner Brothers is directed by
Bob Clark, written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob
Clark, and stars Peter Billingsley, Darren McGavin, Melinda
Dillon, and Ian Petrella.
Teaser Question: Do crowds influence what we say and do?
How? Why?
Going Deeper: What makes a dare so powerful? What would
happen if we said “no” to a dare?
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To be the leader of the band, you’ve got to turn your back to
the crowd.
—Unknown
Like timidity, bravery is also contagious.
—Munshi Premchand
Theme: Cliques as Bullies
Film: Mean Girls
(PG-13) 1:42
When a girl who has always been
home-schooled suddenly enters a
public high school, she learns that
it can be pretty hard to fit in. So,
when some popular girls invite her to join their clique, it seems
like a great idea…or is it?
This 2004 film from Paramount is directed by Mark Waters,
written by Tina Fey, and stars Lindsay Lohan, Rachel
McAdams, Tim Meadows, and Tina Fey.
Teaser Question: What are the rules your friends expect you
to follow?
Going Deeper: What is a clique? How can a clique be
harmful? How can cliques control you?
Do you want to be a power in the world? Be yourself.
—Ralph Waldo Trine
What is genius but the power of expressing a new
individuality?
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning
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Understanding Bullies
(See www.FilmClipsOnline.com for other Film Clips related to this topic)
Theme: Intervention
Film: Cheaper by the Dozen
(PG) 0:38
This older brother did not want
to move to a new city and a new
school. He did not ask to be
laughed at by the bullies at school.
He is sick and tired of being on the receiving end of the
taunting. What will keep him from making a very big mistake?
This 2003 film from 2oth Century Fox is directed by Shawn
Levy, written by Sam Harper, Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow,
and stars Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Tom Welling, and Hilary
Duff.
Teaser Question: When is it better to walk away? When is it
not?
Going Deeper: Why do bullies say hurtful things or try to pick
a fight? What are they afraid of?
There was never a good war or a bad peace.
—Benjamin Franklin
Take care, don’t fight, and remember: if you do not choose to
lead, you will forever be led by others.
—J. Michael Straczynski
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Theme: Communication
Film: Hoot
(PG) 0:59
When a new student arrives at his
Florida school, he finds himself
embroiled in a battle to save the
environment from the plans of a
greedy developer. But before he embarks on this quest, he
first has to face the girl who has been bullying him from the
moment he arrived.
This 2006 film from 20th Century Fox is directed by Wil
Shriner, written by Wil Shriner, and stars Logan Lerman, Brie
Larson, Cody Linley, Tim Blake Nelson, Luke Wilson, Neil
Flynn, and Robert Wagner.
Teaser Question: Do you agree with the way he confronted
Beatrice? Why? Why not?
Going Deeper: What happens when we stand up to a bully?
Does trying to talk things out work?
Too often we are scared, scared of what we might not be able
to do, scared of what people might think if we tried, we let our
fears stand in the way of our hopes. Why? There’s really no
time to be afraid. You have nothing to lose and everything to
gain. Everything!
—Unknown
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
—Franklin Delano Roosevelt
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Theme: Scapegoating
Film: The Ant Bully
(PG) 1:31
When a young boy is bullied, he
finds it easier to blame the ants in
the anthill below him than to face
up to the bully.
This 2007 film from Warner Brothers is directed by John A.
Davis, written by John A. Davis and John Nickle, and stars the
voice talents of Julia Roberts, Nicholas Cage, Meryl Streep,
Paul Giamatti, Zach Tyler, Regina King, Bruce Campbell, Lily
Tomlin, Cheri Oteri, Larry Miller, Alison Mack, and Ricardo
Montalban.
Teaser Question: Why does Lucas turn on the ants instead
of the bully?
Going Deeper: Have you ever blamed someone else for
something that person did not do? Why? What were you afraid
of?
When a man points a finger at someone else, he should
remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself.
—Louis Nizer
All can be great, because all can serve.
—Martin Luther King Jr.
Theme: Understanding Your
Enemies
Film: The War
(PG-13) 2:20
It is no fun to be laughed at and
beaten up. So when this happens
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to a young boy at the county fair, he watches very carefully to
see what his father will do to the kids who humiliated and hurt
him.
This 1994 film from Universal Studios is directed by Jon Avnet,
written by Kathy McWorter, and stars Kevin Costner, Elijah
Wood, Mare Winningham and Lexi Randall.
Teaser Question: Will kindness work with bullies?
Going Deeper: Why is it so hard to be nice to someone who
has been so mean toward you? What happens if we choose to
be mean to them?
Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes
ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and
hostility to evaporate.
—Albert Schweitzer
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
—Aesop
 Fitting Clips to Educational Standards:
In recent years, assessment of the academic progress of
students has been standardized through the creation of a set
of measurable and obtainable goals or standards. Listed here
are sample standards that we believe are fulfilled by utilizing
the film clips, teaser questions, and various exercises listed in
this guide.

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Language Arts Standards (Elementary)
Topic: Listening/Speaking
Standard: Recalls, interprets, and summarizes
information presented orally.
Standard: Uses oral language for different purposes:
to inform, to persuade, and to entertain.
Standard: Responds to literal, inferential, and
evaluative questions on orally presented material.
Standard: Acquires new vocabulary in each content
area and uses it correctly.
Standard: Participates in discussions related to
curricular learning in all subject areas.
Standard: Determines the meaning of a word based
on how it is used in an orally presented sentence.
Topic: Writing
Standard: Uses a writing process that involves prewriting, drafting, revising, editing (can involve peer
editing), proofreading, and publishing.
Topic: Literature
Standard: Experiences traditional and contemporary
literature through a variety of media.
Social Studies Standards (Elementary)
Topic: Information Processing
Standard: Gathers information through reading,
listening, observing and surveying.
Standard: Locates and utilizes information from a
variety of sources, e.g., books, newspapers, atlases,
glossaries, photographs, videos, computer software,
others.
Standard: Selects and discusses the main idea from a
reading passage or listening activity.
Standard: Distinguishes between fiction and nonfiction stories.
Standard: Analyzes information from two or more
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sources for agreements, contradictions, facts, and
opinions.
Topic: Problem Solving
Standard: Identifies and states a problem related to
topic under study.
Standard: Chooses a solution to a problem after
supplying the evidence.
Standard: Shows respect toward others.
Fine Arts Standards (Elementary)
Topic: Artistic Skills and Knowledge: Creating,
Performing, Producing
Standard: Identifies and applies dramatic elements of
plot, setting, character, and dialogue.
Standard: Identifies implicit and explicit main ideas,
details, sequences of events, and cause-effect
relationships in dramatic presentations.
Standard: Describes and demonstrates the role and
responsibility of the audience.
Standard: Demonstrates an awareness that drama
comes from all cultures throughout time and compares
and contrasts cultures through drama activities.
Language Arts Standards (Middle & High)
Topic: Listening/Speaking
Standard: Follows oral directions and asks questions
for clarification.
Standard: Listens and responds to various language
patterns and literary forms including regional dialects.
Standard: Responds to literal, inferential, and critical
questions.
Standard: Evaluates messages and effects of mass
media (print, radio, cinema, television, internet).
Topic: Writing
Standard: Uses a writing process that involves pre28
writing, drafting, revising, editing (can involve peer
editing), proofreading, and publishing.
Standard: Writes paragraphs that include unifying
ideas and supporting details (may include topic
sentence and clincher sentence).
Standard: Produces paragraphs and compositions for
a variety of purposes (exposition, description, narration,
and persuasion).
Standard: Experiments with organization, style,
purpose, and audience.
Standard: Uses available electronic communication
technologies in writing.
Social Studies Standards (Middle & High)
Topic: Cultural Geography
Standard: Identifies various ethnic groups in the
Americas, Europe, and Oceania, and describes
their impact on the development of the regions (e.g.,
linguistic patterns and cultural contributions).
Standard: Assesses cultural expression of art, music,
and literature.
Standard: Explains how social institutions (religion,
government, and economics) influence the attitudes
and behaviors of people.
Topic: Cultural Geography
Standard: Categorizes important social and cultural
developments of the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.
Topic: Problem Solving
Standard: Identifies and defines a problem.
Standard: Formulates possible alternatives/solutions
to a given problem.
Standard: Collects evidence using appropriate, reliable
data.
Standard: Chooses a reasonable solution from among
the various alternatives.
Standard: Identifies areas for further study.
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Standard: Follows established rules.
Standard: Shows respect toward others.
Standard: Works with a group, following set rules of
procedure to complete an assigned task.
Standard: Formulates and defends position on issues.
Standard: Identifies and uses alternative methods of
conflict resolution.
Standard: Participates in planning for effective civic
actions and demonstrates effective civic actions.
Standard: Recognizes the rights of others to present
different viewpoints.
Fine Arts Standards (Middle & High)
Topic: Artistic Skills and Knowledge: Creating,
Performing, Producing
Standard: Demonstrates social discipline and
appropriate group contribution.
Standard: Uses imagination to form and express
thought, feeling, and character.
Character-related Standards
Standard: Retells stories that illustrate positive
character traits and will explain how the people in the
stories show the qualities of honesty, patriotism, loyalty,
courtesy, respect, truth, pride, self-control, moderation,
and accomplishment.
Standard: Gives examples of how the historical figures
under study demonstrate the positive citizenship traits
of honesty, dependability, liberty, trustworthiness,
honor, civility, good sportsmanship, patience, and
compassion.
Standard: Demonstrates an understanding of good
citizenship.
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Special Thanks to:
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
Georgia Department of Education
Directors Guild of America
Screen Actors Guild of America
Writers Guild of America
American Federation of Musicians
Of the United States and Canada
Buena Vista Pictures
Dimension Films
Dreamworks
Lions Gate Films
Lucasfilm
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Films
Miramax Films
New Line Cinema
Paramount Pictures
Pixar Animation
Touchstone Studios
Twentieth Century Fox
United Artists
Universal Pictures
Walden Media
Walt Disney Pictures
Warner Bros.
The Weinstein Company
Visit us online at
www.FilmClipsOnline.com
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Film Clips
SPIRIT OF AMERICA
Produced by Michael R. Rhodes
www.FilmClipsOnline.com
4903 Island View Street
Channel Islands Harbor
California 93035
Phone: (805) 984-5907
Fax: (805) 984-2397
E-mail: [email protected]
Study Guide design by Scott C. Gold • [email protected]