Viewing the new PIXAR short entitled PURL, I watched it in many ways.
As a mom of two adult daughters, wondering about their work force experiences.
As a teacher, whose work force is mostly all women. Yet, I know decisions are made that affect me by a “Bros” world. And never have I sat as the lone woman around the conference table, striving to solve a problem with a bunch of Bros.
As some of my male middle-schoolers ask, “How do you know Purl’s a girl?” Their innocent question made me glad I shared the video so a class conversation could occur.
As some of my other middle-schoolers saw it as a video about fitting in, changing to fit in and having the courage to be oneself when someone is around that is like me.
As a Reading 6 teacher, currently teaching using the TCRWP Social Issue Unit of Study for Middle School, I saw how work place discrimination and gender discrimination were explored through examples of discrimination.
What do you notice TODAY using the lens of social issues?

Reading Notebook pages by four Reading Teachers, made during a Professional Development meeting, while sitting around a conference table. (Next time, we need to include a “bro”!)
I love these videos and also using them with kids. I haven’t seen Purl but I’m excited to check it out. Thanks for sharing!
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Now I am really looking forward to checking out Purl! Thanks for introducing it to us here. It’s funny how we can take in media through different lenses based on the roles we play in life.
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I like using animations for discussions. PURL is new to me. Thank you for sharing.
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Like the other people who have left comments, I haven’t seen Purl yet. Your thoughtfulness about it has me intrigued. 🙂
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I decided to watch PURL before I read your post. It was new to me. As a knitter, I enjoyed the clever use of the word/name PURL and the many subtle references to yarn and needle crafts. As a woman, I was sad that Purl felt she had to reinvent herself to be successful in the company, but in the end, it seemed like the message was that by keeping the essence of who she was, she was able to have a greater influence for good. I will need to watch it a few more times. I think another important message is that we are sometimes not aware of the ways we exclude others and need to be more intentionally inclusive. Thanks for making me think (again). You do such great work – lucky middle schoolers!
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I loved that video! I saw it the other day. Really cool teaching idea that you did, taking it into the classroom as discussion and having them journal their thoughts. 🙂
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