McFarland USA Movie Guide

A complete lesson plan with discussion questions, writing activities, and leadership worksheets

This resource helps teachers address the issues of race, culture, and family in their classrooms using the story of Coach Jim White and his cross country team in McFarland, California.

WARNING

This is a DEEP LEARNING lesson plan to help students employ a LEADERSHIP approach to SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Included in this leadership movie guide:

Time Stamps
Answer Key
Fillable PDF Version
Google Form Version

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Movie Guide Activities

Each of our leadership movie guides includes the following activities:

Reflection: allows students to journal about one of the movie's themes prior to watching.
Analysis: questions and prompts to analyze the movie's characters, plot, and climax.
Practice & Discussion: a partner/group activity that takes the principles of the movie and asks students to take action and grow in their own lives.
Extension: a RAFT (Role-Audience-Format-Topic) writing prompt to help students apply their new knowledge.
Lead for Impact: challenges students to pinpoint how the hero of the story exhibited The 12 Fundamentals of Impact and then synthesize how they can apply the lessons to writing their own story.

The activities in McFarland USA Movie Guide will challenge students to move closer to mastery in the following life skills:

leadership
cooperation with others
creativity
critical thinking
emotional intelligence
problem-solving
judgement and decision-making

1. McFarland USA Movie Guide PDF
2. McFarland USA Answer Key for Movie Guide
3. McFarland USA Fillable PDF Movie Guide
4. McFarland USA Google Form Movie Guide
5. McFarland USA Video Preview
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Social Emotional Learning Competencies

These leadership activities are designed to help students meet the following Social & Emotional Learning Competencies as outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):

Develop SELF-AWARENESS and SELF-MANAGEMENT skills to achieve school and life success.
Use SOCIAL-AWARENESS and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.
Demonstrate DECISION-MAKING skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.

Movie Synopsis

McFarland USA chronicles the inspiring true story of Jim White, a high school coach struggling to find his place in the world after losing multiple coaching jobs due to his temper. In 1987, Jim and his family moved to the predominantly Latino farming town of McFarland, California, where he became a teacher and assistant football coach at the local high school.

Initially met with skepticism and cultural barriers, Jim noticed the extraordinary running ability of some of his students while working in the fields. Recognizing their potential, he formed a cross-country team despite the odds stacked against them. With determination, perseverance, and the guidance of Coach White, the team of underdogs embarked on an unexpected journey to greatness, overcoming various obstacles including financial struggles, prejudice, and personal hardships.

As the team progressed through the season, they not only excelled in their athletic pursuits but also forged deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect. Their remarkable success on the cross-country circuit brought pride and unity to the community of McFarland.

McFarland USA celebrates the triumph of the human spirit and the power of community, showcasing the transformative impact of sports in breaking down barriers and inspiring hope for a brighter future.

Movie Rating

PG
Movie Run Time

2 hours, 9 minutes
Grade Levels

7th-12th
Ideal Classes

Career Development, English Language Arts, Leadership, Character Education, Life Skills, Cross Country Teams, Track & Field Teams

McFarland USA Movie Guide provides activities to help students become better leaders by focusing on the following themes:

Perseverance and Determination:

Coach Jim White and his team of runners demonstrate that hard work, dedication, and a refusal to give up can lead to success, even when faced with numerous obstacles.
Community and Belonging:

Through their shared experiences and struggles, the residents of McFarland come together to support one another and form deep connections, illustrating the strength and resilience of tight-knit communities.
Cultural Identity and Diversity:

McFarland, USA highlights the importance of embracing and celebrating cultural differences, as well as the challenges and prejudices that individuals may face based on their ethnicity or background.
Family and Sacrifice:

Coach White and his students navigate the complexities of balancing their athletic pursuits with their familial responsibilities, illustrating the sacrifices that individuals may make in pursuit of their dreams and the support they receive from their loved ones along the way.
Overcoming Stereotypes and Prejudice:

McFarland, USA challenges stereotypes about the capabilities and potential of individuals from marginalized communities, showcasing the talent, intelligence, and resilience of the characters in McFarland.