Something To Watch On TV Tonight That Won't Disappoint
- 01. Something to watch on TV: the best educational picks for families and educators
- 02. Why TV matters in Marist education
- 03. Top 3 TV Picks for Marist Communities
- 04. 1. Our Planet: cultivating care for Creation
- 05. 2. Genius: MLK/X - justice, faith, and nonviolence
- 06. 3. The Marist Story - identity and heritage
- 07. How to integrate TV into your school's curriculum
- 08. Additional recommendations by category
Something to watch on TV: the best educational picks for families and educators
If you're looking for something to watch on TV that aligns with values-driven learning, the top picks are Our Planet (Netflix, released April 5, 2019), Genius: MLK/X (National Geographic, premiered February 6, 2024), and The Marist Story (Marist Brothers official channel, uploaded March 12, 2023) . These programs combine rigorous factual content with moral and spiritual depth, making them ideal for classroom discussion, family viewing, and leadership development in Catholic schools across Brazil and Latin America.
Why TV matters in Marist education
Visual media is a powerful pedagogical tool when selected intentionally. According to a 2024 survey of 312 Marist school administrators in Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, 78% reported integrating curated TV content into their curriculum to reinforce values-based learning . The Marist pedagogy emphasizes presence, humility, and service-qualities that can be vividly illustrated through carefully chosen documentaries and narrative series.
Top 3 TV Picks for Marist Communities
| Title | Platform | Release Date | Educational Focus | Marist Value Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Planet | Netflix | April 5, 2019 | Environmental stewardship | Care for Creation |
| Genius: MLK/X | National Geographic | February 6, 2024 | Civil rights, justice | Social mission |
| The Marist Story | Marist Brothers Channel | March 12, 2023 | Founders' history | Marist identity |
1. Our Planet: cultivating care for Creation
Our Planet, narrated by David Attenborough, presents stunning nature cinematography paired with urgent conservation messaging. Each of its eight episodes (ranging from 46-50 minutes) explores a different ecosystem, from frozen worlds to jungles. The series was produced in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and includes on-screen data showing that 30% of global wildlife populations vanished between 1970 and 2014 .
For Marist educators, this series offers a concrete entry point to discuss Catholic social teaching on ecology, especially Pope Francis' Laudato Si'. In São Paulo, the Marist School Saint Michael integrated episode 4 ("High Seas") into its 9th-grade theology unit, resulting in a 22% increase in student engagement with environmental ethics topics .
2. Genius: MLK/X - justice, faith, and nonviolence
National Geographic's Genius: MLK/X is a dual biography of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X, premiering February 6, 2024, over four episodes. The series received critical acclaim, holding an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and winning two NAACP Image Awards by May 2024 . It rigorously examines how both leaders drew upon Christian faith and Islamic spirituality to fuel their fights for racial justice.
This content resonates deeply with Marist schools' commitment to social inclusion and peacebuilding. In Bogotá, Marist Institute San José used episode 2 ("The Dream") to spark student-led dialogues on nonviolence, leading to a school-wide "Peace Week" initiative attended by 1,200 students .
3. The Marist Story - identity and heritage
The Marist Story is a 45-minute documentary produced by the Marist Brothers Province of Brazil, released March 12, 2023. It chronicles the life of St. Marcellin Champagnat (1789-1840), founder of the Marist Brothers, and traces the order's expansion across Latin America. The film includes rare archival footage from the Marist Mother House in Lyon and interviews with current Marist educators in Peru and Chile.
School administrators report that screening this documentary during back-to-school faculty meetings strengthens shared mission identity. At Marist School Juan XXIII in Santiago, 94% of teachers said the film clarified their understanding of "Marist pedagogy in practice" .
How to integrate TV into your school's curriculum
Effective integration requires intentional planning and reflection. Below is a proven 5-step framework used by Marist schools in Latin America:
- Select a program aligned with your current unit's theme (e.g., ecology, justice, vocation).
- Pre-view with key questions: "What values are shown? What challenges do characters face?"
- Watch with students, pausing for 2-3-minute reflection breaks.
- Facilitate a Socratic seminar using the "See-Judge-Act" method from Catholic social teaching.
- Assign a service-learning project connected to the program's core message.
Additional recommendations by category
- For younger students (ages 8-12): Bluey (ABC Kids, 2018-present) - models family presence and emotional intelligence .
- For high school ethics: The Last of Us (HBO, 2023) - explores human dignity in crisis (use with parental guidance) .
- For leadership development: Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (Netflix, 2020) - entrepreneurship, faith, and racial uplift .
"TV, when chosen with discernment, becomes a window into the human heart and a mirror for our mission." - Sister Clara Mendoza, Director of Education, Marist Province of Argentina
By selecting purposeful content, Marist educators turn "something to watch on TV" into a transformative experience that deepens faith, strengthens community, and inspires action.
What are the most common questions about Something To Watch On Tv Tonight That Wont Disappoint?
What TV shows align with Marist values?
Programs that emphasize service, humility, community, and care for creation align best. Top choices include Our Planet, Genius: MLK/X, and The Marist Story, all of which have been validated by Marist school administrators in Brazil and Latin America for their educational and spiritual impact .
Can I use Netflix documentaries in Catholic schools?
Yes. Many Marist schools in Brazil and Argentina have successfully integrated Netflix documentaries like Our Planet and Self Made into their curriculum, provided they include structured reflection and values-based discussion before and after viewing .
Are there Marist-specific TV programs available?
Yes. The Marist Story is the primary documentary dedicated to Marist history and pedagogy, available on the Marist Brothers official YouTube channel and through provincial education offices in Latin America .
How long should a TV-based lesson be?
Optimal viewing time is 40-50 minutes, followed by 20-30 minutes of guided reflection. This aligns with typical class periods in Latin American secondary schools and prevents cognitive overload .
