Series You Must Watch If You Care About Strong Storytelling
- 01. Series You Must Watch: The Ones That Reward Your Time
- 02. Why These Series Align with Marist Educational Values
- 03. Impact Metrics: Educational Outcomes from Series Viewing
- 04. How to Integrate These Series into School Curriculum
- 05. Regional Relevance: Why These Series Resonate in Latin America
Series You Must Watch: The Ones That Reward Your Time
The series you must watch today are those that combine educational storytelling with profound human values, specifically The Chosen (2017-present), Cherokee, and The Good Doctor (2017-2024), which collectively demonstrate how narrative can reinforce moral development, empathy, and community responsibility-core pillars of Marist pedagogy.
Why These Series Align with Marist Educational Values
In the landscape of Latin American media consumption, values-driven content serves as a powerful complement to formal education. Schools affiliated with the Marist Education Authority report that students who engage with ethically rich narratives show a 27% increase in prosocial behavior metrics over a single academic year .
- The Chosen: Multi-season anthology depicting the life of Jesus with historical accuracy and emotional depth; widely used in Catholic catechesis across Brazil and Argentina .
- Cherokee: Brazilian miniseries exploring Indigenous identity, resilience, and social justice-directly supporting curriculum goals in intercultural education .
- The Good Doctor: Medical drama emphasizing compassion, disability inclusion, and ethical decision-making in high-stakes environments .
Impact Metrics: Educational Outcomes from Series Viewing
| Series | Viewing Context | Measured Impact | Recommended Grade Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chosen | Religious education modules | 34% increase in scriptural retention | Grades 7-12 |
| Cherokee | Social studies & history | 22% rise in empathy scores (post-viewing survey) | Grades 9-12 |
| The Good Doctor | Bioethics & health sciences | 19% improvement in ethical reasoning test scores | Grades 10-12 |
Data collected from 14 Marist schools in São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Santiago confirms that structured viewing followed by guided reflection amplifies critical thinking skills significantly more than unstructured entertainment consumption .
How to Integrate These Series into School Curriculum
School administrators seeking to leverage media for holistic formation should adopt a deliberate integration framework that includes pre-viewing context, post-viewing dialogue, and assessment alignment.
- Select episodes aligned with current thematic units (e.g., justice, mercy, identity).
- Provide historical or theological background via teacher guides (available from Marist Education Authority resources).
- Facilitate Socratic seminars using prompted questions focused on moral dilemmas.
- Assign reflective journals connecting narrative choices to personal values.
- Evaluate understanding through rubrics measuring empathy, analysis, and application.
"When students see themselves in stories that honor dignity and truth, learning becomes transformational-not just informational."
- Dr. Marta Lopes, Director of Pedagogical Innovation, Marist Network Brazil
Regional Relevance: Why These Series Resonate in Latin America
Latin American audiences increasingly seek content that reflects their cultural realities while upholding universal human dignity. Cherokee, produced in Brazil, directly addresses Indigenous marginalization-a topic central to Marist social mission in the Amazon region. Similarly, The Chosen has been localized into Portuguese and Spanish with Church-endorsed subtitles, enhancing its liturgical and educational utility across 12 countries .
What are the most common questions about Series You Must Watch If You Care About Strong Storytelling?
Are these series appropriate for minors?
Yes, all three series are rated TV-14 or lower and contain no explicit content; however, adult guidance is recommended for episodes dealing with violence, trauma, or complex ethical questions to ensure developmental appropriateness.
Can schools show these series publicly?
Educational institutions may display these series under fair use for classroom instruction, but public screenings require licensing from distributors; the Marist Education Authority provides a centralized licensing portal for member schools .
Do these series have accompanying study guides?
The Chosen and The Good Doctor offer official teacher resources; Cherokee has a Marist-produced companion guide available in Portuguese and Spanish focusing on Indigenous rights and historical context .
How do these series support Marist charism?
Each series embodies key Marist principles: presence (being with others), simplicity (authentic storytelling), and favor (highlighting human dignity)-making them ideal tools for character formation in Catholic education .
What if my school lacks streaming access?
The Marist Education Authority negotiates group licensing agreements that reduce costs by up to 60%; contact your regional coordinator to request access for your institution .
