Classic Movies for the Classroom The Spotlight Series: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington: Defending Justice and Truth in the Public Square

At Educational Guidance Institute, we are passionate about helping instructors use classic film to present universal truths to today’s youth teaching character, virtue, truth, goodness and beauty. The lessons of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington can be approached from a wide variety of settings from public school classrooms, after school programs, young adult groups, parent-teen community and church events, as well as by families who homeschool. The story of the idealistic young Senator Jefferson Smith and savvy, but cynical Clarissa Saunders show youth the power of individuals working together as friends to fight for the common good. Classic screen icons Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur teach us the importance of working together to stand up for what is right, even at great personal sacrifice. Through viewing the film and the discussion and activities in the lesson plan, students see and experience such profound lessons as: the importance of self-knowledge in assessing our strengths and weaknesses, good character helps us do what is right in moments of crisis, and the importance of working with others to defend truth and the common good. The act of viewing a film makes these lessons about civic virtue and the common good come alive for students of all ages in a powerful and dynamic way. This lesson plan is excellent on its own, as well as a part of a course comprised of the others in the Classic Movies for the Classroom: The Spotlight Series.