Watching movies with your kids ought to be a primary part of any good language arts program. Seriously!

Know why we think so?

Analysis is a process. It can be applied to anything.

Is there symbolism in War and Peace? Yes!
Is there symbolism in Spider-Man? Also yes!

Reach (and teach!) kids where they are! You don't need to sacrifice their engagement and interests in the name of learning.

Our monthly Movie Discussion Clubs take the movies that your kids already love and dig deep into the same principles that make Shakespeare or Dickens great.

Your kids will be so excited about movies, they'll hardly notice they are writing!

Class Overview

Made With You in Mind

Students will experiment with skills that are crucial to essay writing and academic exploration. They'll learn to

  • Articulate a position (think thesis statements!)
  • Communicate their findings
  • Use concrete examples and evidence in support
  • Find deeper meanings and make connections to other perspectives
  • Make persuasive choices in light of their intended audience
  • Develop their writing processes and habits

Don’t tell your kids—while they explore and share and geek out with their new friends in class, they also gain transferable thinking skills and grow their writing proficiency! (I know! 🤯)

How it works

Each club lasts one month. We watch one movie per week.

Students dissect each movie with other fans in our online classroom.

Our coach leads specific discussions to

  • explore character
  • uncover themes
  • analyze plot points
  • examine cinematic technology and art

Students discover fun new movies and appreciate old favorites. You watch them compose, explore, research, and engage in critical thinking. What’s not to love?
 

Here's our must-see list for fall!

Nov 18 - Dec 17 Winter Is Coming

Prepping your course list for winter/spring? We've got you!

Jan 6 - Jan 31, 2025 Flashback to the 80s

Feb 17 - Mar 14, 2025 Survival Stories

Mar 24 - Apr 18, 2025 Musicals through the Ages

May 19 - June 13, 2025 Dystopian Worlds (Teen Club)

At Brave Writer®, we encounter stories told from a wide variety of perspectives that include time-bound references. Please be aware that you may experience strong reactions to what you watch. By using film as a teaching tool to foster understanding and growth, we have the opportunity to discuss these evolving ideologies.

Note: We choose movies ranging from rating G to PG-13. Be sure to evaluate all movies to determine which are appropriate for your family. And remember to check movie availability in your country/region before signing up!

Registration Details

Join Us!

Tuition:
$129.00 per student
Recommended Ages:

9 - 18

Class Size:
30 students
Class Length:
4 weeks
Class Type:
  • High School
  • Middle School
  • Upper Elementary

Select from the available class dates below to register for that session:

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Jen Jackson-Ellery   Session Full
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Jen Jackson-Ellery   Register
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Liv Merryman   Register
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Cahleen Hudson   Register
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Ethan Jacobs   Register

Word on the Street

[I]n every class my student's ability to put his thoughts in words is growing, and so is his enthusiasm. The positive feedback from the writing coach, the interaction with other students, and the general friendly interaction are the main reasons that this class is such a success for us.

Noa (Parent)

It really probably helped me the most. I was able to see the big, juicy conversations modeled. I feel much more confident now.

Kristin (Parent)

I loved seeing all the different points of view! Some people agreed with me, some people took a different point of view, and many people said something I didn't notice before.

Nancy, 14

What surprised me about movie club was how it helped me get better and improve on writing. It helped me improve in writing by asking very creative questions and testing my creativity.

Daniel, 12

More Information

Sample class login

Want to see how our classroom works? Test drive a sample class complete with real class readings, assignments, and instructor comments!

Follow these instructions:

  1. Navigate to class.bravewriter.com. If you are a current student, you’ll need to log out in the upper right corner before proceeding.
  2. Log in using these credentials:
    Username: [email protected]
    Password: Brave1
  3. Next, you will land on our Family Dashboard. You'll find a Parent icon and a Student icon to represent classes where the parent or the student is the primary participant. Click on Parent to view parent participation classes. To find classes with direct student-instructor interaction, click on Student.
  4. Click on the class name of interest and start reading posts!
How Our Classes Work Download a class summary
Recommended materials for this class
Spirited Away Whale Rider Step (2017) Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Black Panther Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Miracle (2004) Abominable Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) Cool Runnings Back to the Future Ghostbusters E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Beetlejuice Eight Below The Martian (2015 film) The Call of the Wild (2020 film) Life of Pi (2012 film) Singin' in the Rain Newsies: The Broadway Musical (1992) Strange Magic The Greatest Showman Divergent (2014 film) The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes The Maze Runner (2014 film) Inception
Other options in High School
Other options in Middle School
Other options in Upper Elementary