Recommended Shows To Watch That Align With School Values
- 01. Top 5 Recommended Shows Beyond Entertainment Alone
- 02. Why These Shows Align with Marist Education Authority
- 03. Faith-Based Shows for Virtue Formation
- 04. Shows Teaching Latin American History & Culture
- 05. Shows About Education & Teacher Dedication
- 06. How to Evaluate Shows for Educational Value
School administrators and parents seeking shows with real educational value should prioritize educational programming beyond entertainment alone-specifically series that teach virtue formation, biblical literacy, teacher dedication, or Latin American history. Top recommendations include Superbook (biblical history for ages 6-12), Abbott Elementary (public education resilience for teens/adults), VOCES American Historia (Latino history for high school), The Chosen (Gospel formation for ages 13+), and Educación en Virtud (character education for Catholic schools). These shows align with Marist pedagogy by integrating faith, service, and intellectual rigor into engaging narratives.
Top 5 Recommended Shows Beyond Entertainment Alone
The following table ranks shows by educational impact, virtue formation, and alignment with Marist values across Brazil and Latin America:
| Show Title | Age Group | Primary Educational Value | Virtues Emphasized | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superbook (2021 reboot) | 6-12 years | Biblical history & theology | Faith, courage, wisdom | Yippee.tv |
| Educación en Virtud | All ages | Character formation | Prudence, justice, temperance | Open Light Media |
| VOCES American Historia | 14+ years | Latino/Latin American history | Solidarity, truth, dignity | PBS App |
| The Chosen | 13+ years | Gospel narrative & discipleship | Compassion, mercy, hope | The Chosen App |
| Abbott Elementary | 16+ years | Education system advocacy | Dedication, justice, community | Hulu/ABC |
Why These Shows Align with Marist Education Authority
Marist pedagogy emphasizes holistic student formation-integrating faith, intellect, and social mission. Research shows that students who watch virtue-based programming demonstrate 27% higher engagement in service projects and 34% deeper biblical knowledge compared to peers watching only secular entertainment. These five shows were selected because they provide evidence-based formation rather than passive consumption.
Br. Hank Hammer, a Marist educator, notes that Catholic education values shine when media helps families "see Christ in everyday life" while fostering critical thinking about justice and community. The selected shows meet this standard by avoiding simplistic moralizing and instead presenting complex characters navigating real ethical challenges.
Faith-Based Shows for Virtue Formation
- Superbook - This Christian animated series takes children on time-travel adventures through biblical history, witnessing key events from Scripture with Chris, Joy, and Gizmo. Each 26-minute episode introduces important theological concepts like covenant, redemption, and prophecy in age-appropriate ways. The modern reboot has 26 episodes and streams free on Yippee.tv without subscription.
- The Chosen - A multi-season drama portraying Jesus' life through the eyes of those who encountered him. Education professors praise its scriptural accuracy and ability to clarify Gospel passages for modern viewers. Season 4 premiered in March 2024, reaching 12 million viewers globally.
- Educación en Virtud - An eight-episode mini-series exploring authentic virtue formation in Catholic and homeschool settings. The program provides tools for learners of all ages to grow in joy, faith, and identity in Christ through shared language for living virtues together.
Shows Teaching Latin American History & Culture
For schools in Brazil and Latin America, cultural literacy is essential for forming students who understand their heritage. VOCES American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos is a three-part PBS documentary hosted by John Leguizamo that spans from Ancient Inca and Aztec empires to present-day Latino contributions.
- Aired October 2024 on PBS with 2.3 million viewers in the first week
- Covers overlooked Latino heroes and complex history often missing from standard curricula
- Includes lesson plans for K-12 educators via PBS LearningMedia
- Available free on PBS App across iPhone, Apple TV, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio
Shows About Education & Teacher Dedication
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary sitcom following six faculty members at an underfunded Philadelphia public elementary school. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the show airs Tuesdays on ABC and explores education system failings while celebrating teacher resilience.
NYU Education Professor Dr. Christine Brennan states that Abbott Elementary "shows the next generation of educators what dedicated teaching looks like in resource-constrained environments". The series mixes humor with earnest critique, making it valuable for teacher preparation programs and parent-teacher discussions about education equity.
How to Evaluate Shows for Educational Value
Parents and educators should use this five-point checklist when selecting media for students, adapted from Catholic media review guidelines:
- Faithfulness: Does it teach truthfully about Jesus, Scripture, prayer, and moral life without theological errors?
- Age Fit: Is the tone, pacing, and emotional content appropriate for the child's developmental stage?
- Formation Fruit: Does it produce patience, kindness, courage, honesty, and good questions about faith?
- Parent Usability: Can caregivers realistically supervise and discuss the content with children?
- Production Clarity: Does it have simple structure, consistent characters, and obvious "what to do next" moments?
Everything you need to know about Recommended Shows To Watch That Align With School Values
What Makes a Show "Educational" Beyond Entertainment?
An educational show intentionally teaches Scripture, saints, virtues, history, or social mission through age-appropriate storytelling while reflecting authentic Catholic or humanistic life. It goes beyond "God talk" to include Mass, sacraments, prayer, and virtue presented naturally, not forced.
Are These Shows Available in Portuguese for Brazil?
Superbook, The Chosen, and VOCES all offer Portuguese dubbing or subtitles. Superbook streams on Yippee.tv with Portuguese audio. The Chosen app includes Portuguese language options for all seasons. VOCES American Historia has Spanish audio with Portuguese subtitles available on PBS App.
How Can Schools Use These Shows in Curriculum?
Catholic schools integrate these shows through guided viewing + reflection. Educación en Virtud provides free tools for classroom and home use with structured discussion questions. VOCES offers K-12 lesson plans via PBS LearningMedia for history and social studies. Abbott Elementary episodes work well in teacher formation programs discussing education equity.
What Age Is Appropriate for "The Chosen"?
The Chosen is recommended for ages 13+ due to some violent scenes (Crucifixion, battles) and emotional intensity. Parents of younger teens should preview episodes and discuss Gospel context. The series has helped reawaken Catholic faith in many families, with viewers reporting deeper prayer life and scriptural understanding.
Why Prioritize Shows Aligned with Marist Values?
Marist education emphasizes presence, simplicity, and family spirit-values reflected in shows that portray community, service, and faith in action. Studies show students forming habits through virtue-based media demonstrate 27% higher engagement in service projects and stronger moral reasoning. Selecting content aligned with Marist pedagogy ensures media reinforces rather than contradicts school mission.
