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Secondary education

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Original poster

Watching 'I Am Legend' at school

52 replies

FernieB · 12/06/2012 10:37

Have discovered that a Year 7 science class is watching 'I Am Legend' during lessons. Is this common? Am I the only one who thinks this is not appropriate/a good use of class time? Just wondering.

OP posts:
RobertNeville · 12/06/2012 11:25

This could be a good example of cross-curricular wotsit. My DS is not scientific but loves this film. He was so inspired by it that he chose to do his A Level English coursework on it. If the film also inspires your DC to go back to the original book then it could be a good thing - it is the grand-daddy of all post-apocalypse distopia sci-fi. So as well as prompting scientific thought it encourages a look at the history of popular culture. Oh, and it's deeply philosophical.
Get the book!

minesawine · 12/06/2012 11:26

I am Legend is a great film, and fine for film club - but during a science lesson? I dont think so. The Will Smith character did lots of DNA type experiments, but I would rather my child was learning about REAL science.

TheOneWithTheHair · 12/06/2012 11:29

Ds watched it at school too. He read the book because of it and really enjoyed it. That has to be a good thing.

Ds has enormous respect for Will Smith and I assume he's not alone. The ideas in it are interesting and would hopefully start a good debate. I saw it as a useful tool for the teacher tbh.

Original poster
FernieB · 12/06/2012 11:35

Thanks for the input. I am mainly concerned as my DD (11) finds the film upsetting and frightening as do others in her class. Also as this has now taken up 3 science lessons and looks set to take up more, it seems to me to be lazy teaching. I don't think there is any way my DD will be induced to read the book.

OP posts:
RobertNeville · 12/06/2012 11:42

You have a point there. It is Certified as a 15: what are Y7 doing watching it?

Bubbless · 12/06/2012 11:56

is it towards the end of term? its normally used as 'good behaviour' rewards before half terms / summers etc.
if its during class time for no real reason then i would get very arsy with the school..

busymummy3 · 12/06/2012 12:39

Think my DC watched it as part of RE is this the film where there is Sonny the Robot ? cant see the relevance but they had to write something about it will ask when DC comes in.

Original poster
FernieB · 12/06/2012 12:41

Not entirely sure why they are watching it. Nothing to do with end of term - they started before half-term and are continuing with it. Apparently, they have to note down every time they see a plant or animal (?). I've not seen the film (not my kind of thing) but I don't really see the point of that. My DD did mention that the reason they are watching it is something to do with the interdependency of different species. Surely this could be achieved by watching something else or maybe by a real discussion during an actual lesson (I'm old-fashioned that way)!

I did send a note in with my DD this morning, requesting that she should not be made to watch the film. Will find out what happened later.

OP posts:
nummus · 12/06/2012 12:57

Oh my god I'd be furious.

For a start its a 15, and secondly it is a bloody awful adaptation of an amazing book.

nummus · 12/06/2012 12:58

If it helps, dd (year 7) watched Rango in Biology last week. I have no idea why but she works bloody hard all year so I didn't mind.

She said Rango was terrible though.

LaurieFairyCake · 12/06/2012 13:00

If it's uncut they shouldn't be showing it to them - I'd be finding that out and then complaining like crazy.

There's one terribly upsetting scene in it and I've not even let my 14 year old watch the film.

Alurkatsoftplay · 12/06/2012 13:01

Haven't watched the film because I struggle with the title. Shouldn't it be I am legendary? Or I am a legend? Did the teacher address that I wonde.

tothesea · 12/06/2012 13:03

Well it scared the bejeesus out of me so I would not be happy for my 11 year old to watch it!

Original poster
FernieB · 12/06/2012 16:16

I have just had my DD on the phone to me in tears as she was too scared to hand the note in to the teacher and is now upset because she had to watch more of it. She told me that they have 2 more lessons to go.

I have emailed the school asking them to explain why the film is being shown. Will see what they say.

OP posts:
nummus · 13/06/2012 09:49

FernieB I am so angry on your behalf. I also have a year 7 dd and she is revising at the moment and I cannot imagine how I am Legend would fit in to any science topic she is covering. It is about a 'virus' which turns people into vampires in the book, stupid zombie things in the film.

I would take my dd out of science lessons until they get their act together. Seriously, it sounds completely moronic. Another example of really terrible misguided teaching.

wordfactory · 13/06/2012 09:57

This is not appropriate!!!

The film is fabulous but not suitable for year 7s and not suitable for a science class.

nummus · 13/06/2012 09:58

The film is a travesty a poor second to the book, which IS fabulous

nummus · 13/06/2012 09:59

If they come back to you with some guff about trying to capture boys imagination and turning them on to science then you have my permission to lump them one.

imnotmymum · 13/06/2012 10:00

Film is great and frankly I would have been too busy eyeing up Will Smith to notice animals! Note down plants/animals as they see them erm... how about going outside in their own environmentConfused

Kaloobear · 13/06/2012 10:03

At my school we're not allowed to show films unless they're age appropriate. (I also wouldn't show a film with such a tenuous link to the subject and over such a number of lessons in a row, but that's another matter!) It's a scary film and rightly a 15. Not suitable for 11 year olds. I'd be furious.

nummus · 13/06/2012 10:06

Is this a state school?

bruffin · 13/06/2012 10:06

found this

nummus · 13/06/2012 10:10

oh ffs you could apply any science principle to any science fiction film. And even he admits that the physics is flawed.

What a complete waste of time, those poor children being massively let down by their teacher.

imnotmymum · 13/06/2012 10:11

I am inspired to read the book now after this thread though !

nummus · 13/06/2012 10:13

The book is amazing and very moving. So is the Shrinking Man (filmed as the Incredible Shrinking man) by the same author Richard Matheson (one of Stephen Kings biggest influences)

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