Lately I have not been to impressed with the Movies that have been released on the public. There has not been any good educational topics or life meaning drama's in some time.

I was very discouraged until I saw "Akeelah and The Bee." The description on the DVD web page says it all:

With an aptitude for words, 11-year-old Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) is determined to spell her way out of South Los Angeles, entering scores of local contests and eventually landing a chance to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Despite discouragement from her mother (Angela Bassett), Akeelah gets support from her bookish tutor (Laurence Fishburne), her principal (Curtis Armstrong) and proud members of her community.
Starring: Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne ...
Director: Doug Atchison
Genre: Drama
Format: Widescreen ...
Language: English
Subtitles: English ...
http://www.netflix.com/MovieDisplay?mqso=80006476&GCID=C17857x001&filler=/&movieid=70044708

I found this movie to be motivating. It made me feel like I could do anything if only I set my mind to achieve it. Akeelah goes against the possibility of loosing her friends, not being cool in school and lying to her own mother. All for the sake of her love for spelling. Her desire to achieve and be someone.

With a few positive role models and later on the support of her local community she goes on to win
her state spelling bee and move on to the finals in Washington D. C.

I would recommend this movie to any English teacher to show to their class room. It is a good film to show your own son and daughters.

It shows how spelling and studying words and their origins can open up the world for any student no matter where they live or go to school.

Akeelah and The Bee would be a wonderful book to give as a gift to any child who has a love for English and spelling. Or to any child that just needs that touch of encouragement to help them find their place in the world of learning.

With the school year brand new. Every child has a new chance to excel and learn. As adults we should mentor, teach and support our children in all areas of educational structure. Just as Akeelah's Principal and her Spelling Coach supported her. Mentorship can begin with one good role model.