This resource focuses on the short film Growing up Ethan from the New York Times Learning Network film club. The first-person perspective or point-of-view of Ethan and that of family, allows students to consider not only how autism impacts on Ethan and his family life, but also how he tells that story.
Structure and features
Learning tasks
Students should:
- watch the short film Growing up Ethan
- review additional content provided with the film. This includes the film text, the script and the film-maker’s comments. Consider these components of film-making
- examine film techniques that convey perspective. Some examples include, lighting, salience, framing, mise-en-scene, composition, sound and colour
- reflect on Ethan's life experiences and connections to their own experiences, assumptions and new knowledge or understanding arising from engaging in the film.
This resource is focussed on the film Growing up Ethan, but teachers or students may wish to focus on an alternative film. There are other choices in the New York Times Learning Network film club.
Who can use these?
These films are designed for classroom use and independent home study.
This site is a part of the New York Times Learning Network. The focus is on short documentaries (from 2 to 20 minutes). They explore a diverse range of topics and concerns and are mostly appropriate for senior students. Each documentary is accompanied by a range of questions, invitations to contribute to and read online posts.
Links and files
Teacher notes
Teacher notes
New York Times Learning Network: 8 Compelling Mini-Documentaries to Teach Close Reading and Critical Thinking Skills will give teachers ideas of different activities they can use with the film club resources to extend student learning.
Focus Areas
- film studies
- critical perspectives
- transformation task
- intertextual study
Curriculum links
- English
- Essential English
