The Blind Side

After watching a movie with your children or students, we encourage parents and teachers to look for education opportunities to teach with movies. Here are a few discussion topics that can help with lesson plans or teaching in the home.

What do you think motivated the Touhy family to bring Michael into their lives? Do you think the risk they took was reasonable? If you were to meet someone like Michael, how would you or your family react? In what other ways could you assist someone?

Kathy Bates plays a tutor in this film, who identifies herself as a Democrat and as a religious person “with doubts.” The Touhy’s later comment that she is the first Democrat they have known. Do you think these statements are examples of religious and political stereotyping? How do you feel about the connections sometimes drawn between religious faith and political leanings?

This movie is based on Michael Lewis’ book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, where he recounts the real life experiences of Michael Oher who became a First Round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, selected by the Baltimore Ravens. Click here to learn more about Michael Oher.