Are you looking for an educational, fun-filled series with lots of party songs and a thrilling documentary in one place? Look no further because Netflix has all that to offer and more. With a range of categories, unlimited series and films, and the most extensive variety of such programs for students, this platform has all you need to gain new knowledge while also having fun.
Many people learn by watching instead of reading, which is why finding the right movies to check out is a great way to gain some insight into various subjects. “Visual media has made it much easier for visual learners to access educational content they might not feel comfortable with otherwise. Online streaming platforms have made it even more convenient to access such information via films and tv programs”, says Samantha Richard, an expert writer at the leading essay service who has also been an educator for multiple years. Whether it is your toddler looking to learn a nursery rhyme or you’re looking for a motivational series, this list is all you need to curb your desires.
The Wolfpack
Telling the story of seven homeschooled children, The Wolfpack is an excellent title to watch by yourself or with your family. Directed by Crystal Moselle and released at the 2015 Sundance festival, the film quickly immerses the viewers in the lives of the seven children. It depicts how they lived and survived through their lives while confined to their apartment on the Lower East side of New York City, coming up with ideas like re-enacting all their favorite movies to pass the time.
Girls Rising
True to its title, Girls Rising follows the stories of nine different girls in nine different parts of the world, including countries from Asia to Africa, South America, and North America. It is often included in the list of the best educational Netflix documentaries because each girl’s life and struggles are beautifully narrated by a writer from their own country. The characters are voiced by incredible and talented actors like Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Frieda Pinto. The film is a big lesson in how nine different tales display the power and will it takes to overcome societal and cultural barriers.
On the Way to School
One of the best documentaries on Netflix, On the Way to School displays how reaching school is not always as simple as getting on a bus. The students from India, Kenya, Argentina, and Morocco have to make their way to school by crossing rivers, going around steep mountain paths, and passing through savannas. Watching how nothing concerns these boys but getting an education while going through lots of obstacles just to get to their institutes is sure to make you question your privilege and be grateful for all that you have.
Mad Hot Ballroom
In this tale of dancing and learning, immerse yourself in how some New York City public school kids compete in a dancing competition, revealing themselves and their heritage along the way. It is a joy to see the kids in their funny and candid perspectives through their journeys of transforming their quirkiness into confident and competitive dancing.
Brooklyn Castle
Follow the life and challenges of five members of the chess club of a junior high school going through an unprecedented financial crisis. The budget cuts threaten to overshadow the success of the chess club and the hard-won victories. Witness the highs and lows of the events throughout the year with this film.
If You Build It
Directed by Patrik Creadon, this is a must-watch movie. This spectacular show from 2013 was filmed largely in Windsor and follows a one-of-its-kind design-based high school program helping the participants transform the space around them. The film shows how, through this rigorous program, the finalists design and build a fruit market pavilion, the only one created by high schoolers in the US, showcasing the power of design through teenagers.
Race to Nowhere
This is a film that sits on the top when it comes to a personal account. Ranking among the top educational movies, the film was created when director Vicki Ables came across how the rising pressure of homework, tuition, and extracurricular activities was making her daughter physically sick in middle school. The teenager being diagnosed with a stress-induced illness was the worst of wake-up calls but proved to be the turning point. The film shows us the brutal reality of how we live in a highly achievement-obsessed society that blinds us to teenagers’ individual needs and daily routines.
American Promise
The best documentary you will likely discover is American Promise. It captures the ways in which most African American boys fall victim to the achievement gap at all socioeconomic levels. The personal accounts of how director Joe Brewster’s son Idris and his friend Seun navigated their way through the rigorous prep school process is an eye-openers and will surely change how you view societal norms.
Resolved
Resolved made its television debut on HBO in the summer of 2008 and went on to be nominated for 2 Emmy awards. This is a film that will show you the complexity of high school debating. The director Whitley explores the different styles and resources that debaters use, revealing how debating is a constantly shifting sport. This a great title for those interested in debating and looking for some information and motivation.
Approaching the Elephant
An account of the events at the Teddy McArdle Free School in New Jersey told through the eyes of the director Alexander, this is a film that you have to see at least once. Wrapped up in democracy and the idea of no rules and no structure, the title engages viewers to form their own opinions along the way. Definitely a great way to understand how education works without required classes.
Conclusion
All these exciting films are top choices for any day. Educational and aimed at highlighting multiple topics, the films can be played in classrooms or watched in the comfort of your own room. Netflix has made it highly convenient to access some of the world’s best titles, whenever you want. So the next time your kids are home and you’re trying to find them something to consume, an option from this list might just do the trick.
