Introduction:
The Alive movie, released in 1993, tells the harrowing true story of a Uruguayan rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes Mountains in 1972. Stranded for 72 days, they endured extreme cold, limited resources, and the unfathomable decision to resort to cannibalism to survive. Teaching students about the Alive movie provides an opportunity to discuss important themes of resilience, perseverance, and ethical decision-making. In this article, we will explore how educators can effectively integrate this powerful film into their curriculum.
1. Preparing Students for the Content:
Before screening the movie, it is essential to have a conversation with your students about the mature content of the film. Address the inherent sensitivity of themes such as cannibalism and emphasize that discussions surrounding these topics should be mature and respectful. Provide historical context on the events that led to the crash and share some basic information about the survivors’ ordeal to better prepare them for what they are going to watch.
2. Integration into Curriculum Subjects:
The Alive movie can be incorporated into various subjects:
A) History: Investigate the historical events surrounding the crash and draw comparisons to other survival stories throughout history.
B) Sociology/Psychology: Explore group dynamics in extreme situations, assessing how stress can impact interpersonal relationships and leadership within a community.
C) Ethics/Philosophy: Analyze ethical dilemmas faced by the survivors, stimulate debates on moral choices made under desperate circumstances.
D) Language Arts: Encourage creative writing by tasking students with composing a fictional first-person narrative of a survivor’s experience or create an alternative ending based on real-life decisions.
3. Emphasizing Essential Themes:
Following the movie screening, facilitate a comprehensive discussion emphasizing key themes such as teamwork, resilience, and overcoming adversity. Encourage students to reflect on these themes and draw connections to their own lives. For example, consider asking students how they would react in a similar situation and what actions they might take to survive.
4. Additional Activities:
Beyond classroom discussions, you can engage students with additional activities, including:
A) Research projects: Task students with researching the real-life events, survivors, and consequences of the 1972 Andes flight disaster.
B) Guest speakers: Invite survivors or family members associated with the event to speak about their experiences.
C) Field trips: If possible, organize a visit to an aviation museum to foster a deeper understanding of flight dynamics and aviation safety.
5. Further Reading:
To enhance their knowledge of the Alive movie and related themes, suggest additional reading for students such as “Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors” by Piers Paul Read or “Out of the Silence: After the Crash” by Eduardo Strauch and Mireya Soriano.
Conclusion:
Using the Alive movie as a teaching tool fosters deep discussions about resilience, perseverance, and ethical decision-making. By incorporating the film into different subjects and engaging students in various complementary activities, educators can create a multidimensional learning experience exposing young minds to essential life lessons that will remain with them long after they leave the classroom.
