Dakota Adventist Academy

After 30 years of teaching history, Bruce Kimball has found the benefit of showing movies to enhance classroom learning.  Visual representations of the stories read in textbooks and historical texts can help the students gain an understanding of important events and eras in our history.  However, he also knows that movies shown during regular class time can take valuable instruction away from the students.  Last winter, with the end of school coming quickly, Bruce devised a plan to work around the problem. Using spare time on Sunday mornings, Mr. Kimball started the History Theater.  Working in conjunction with Gary Way, English teacher at DAA, Bruce was able to add to both of the classes without taking up important class time during the week.  Watching movies that added to both the history and literature curriculum at DAA, students receive 10 points extra credit in each subject area.  However, Bruce says their motivation goes beyond the extra credit.  "The kids really got into the movies and enjoyed them.  It was not just about the points for them."

Mr. Kimball has selected an assortment of movies to showcase different time periods in history.  Leanna Quaile, one of the faithful attendees, has liked the selections Mr. Kimball has made.  "Some have been funny, some make you think, some are sad, but I have learned from all of them," comments Leanna.  To Kill a Mockingbird and A Tale of Two Cities have been two of the favorite movies shown this year.

Mr. Kimball plans to continue this activity during the upcoming school year.  He delights in showing educational, entertaining movies that the students might not choose on their own.  Without using class time, he is able to add a great deal to student understanding through great movies.