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– ## Akeelah-DevelopmentalMovieAnalysisPart1.pdf
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**## Akeelah-DevelopmentalMovieAnalysisPart1.pdf**
Neely 1
Don’ Keisha Neely
FMSC-3340-8B
Professor Jiao
4 August 2026
Neely 2
Developmental Movie Analysis Part 1: Akeelah and the Bee
Movie Selected
Akeelah and the Bee is a movie that will be used for this developmental analysis and will
be written by Doug Atchison and directed. The film premiered in 2006, featuring Keke Palmer in
the role of Akeelah Anderson, Angela Bassett playing her mother Tanya and Laurence Fishburne
as Dr. Joshua Larabee. The narrative is about an intelligent, 11-years-old African American girl,
named Akeelah, who is from South Los Angeles and has an exceptional ability to spell. She is
not seeking praise for her academic prowess, but she does enter competitions for spelling and
strives to qualify for the national Scripps Spelling Bee (Atchison, 2008). The movie focuses on
her experiences at school, relationships with family and friends, interactions with adults, and
growing involvement in her community.
Child Character and Approximate Age
The primary child character observed is Akeelah Anderson, who is approximately 11
years old. She is in the seventh grade at a middle school in the Crenshaw area of South Los
Angeles. Akeelah is characterized as being smart and particularly gifted in language and spelling.
However, she does not consistently apply herself at school and sometimes skips classes. Her
actions seem to relate to her home, school and neighbourhood experiences. She also suffers the
loss of her father, who died when she was 6 years old.
Other key young characters are Javier Mendez, a fellow spelling competitor who
becomes Akeelah's best friend, and Dylan Chiu, who is a very good spelling student who is filled
with pressure from his father. The characters make more observations about children with their
friendship, competition, expectations and family relationships.
Developmental Stage Represented
Neely 3
The major developmental period portrayed in the movie is middle childhood and early
adolescence due to Akeelah being eleven years old and in seventh grade. The film also features
other kids and teens involved in academic contests and learning how to deal with their parents,
teachers, peers, and other adults. The characters' experiences provide many opportunities to
observe their behavior, abilities, relationships, emotions, responsibilities, and responses to their
surrounding environments.
Observation 1: Akeelah's School Experience
One important observation is Akeelah's relationship with school. She is intelligent, but
her school is boring and she has poor attention span when it comes to studying. She misses the
classes and is running the risk of detention due to her lack of attendance. This demonstrates a
difference between her intelligence and engagement in school. Her teacher Dalia Phillips feels a
kid like Akeelah could have promise, so she'll do something to discover it; enroll Akeelah in the
school's spelling bee. The principal also suggests that she enter the competition. Akeelah initially
resists because she does not want to attract attention to herself or be viewed as a “brainiac.”
Observation 2: Akeelah's Performance in the School Spelling Bee
A second significant observation is when Akeelah enters a Spelling Bee at school. Even
though she initially does not want to compete, she performs extremely well and wins the
competition. Her achievements come as a surprise to those around her, and allow her to enter
into more advanced levels of competition. This scene helps to show that she and Akeelah see
different things in themselves and what they can do. Her success also alters the way teachers and
school administrators react to her.
Observation 3: Akeelah's Relationship With Her Mother
Neely 4
Another important observation is between Akeelah and her mother, Tanya. Tanya is a
nurse and has lots of responsibilities. Akeelah's father died when she was six, leaving Tanya to
manage the family. Akeelah does not immediately tell her mother about her involvement in the
spelling competition because she believes her mother may not support the activity. Tanya is
worried about Akeelah's schoolwork and thinks that the spelling bee may affect her learning.
Their interactions show differences in expectations and communication between a parent and
child.
Observation 4: Akeelah's Relationship With Dr. Larabee
The fourth observation is about Akeelah's interaction with Dr. Joshua Larabee. He is a
college professor and a former Spelling Bee competitor who then becomes her coach. Initially,
Akeelah thinks that if she can, she can do it without him helping her and resists his coaching. Dr.
Larabee is demanding and challenges her to improve her discipline, creativity and spelling. He
instructs her in words make-up, meaning, and memory techniques. He also provides her with
thousands of words to learn on her own, all the time. Their relationship starts to be important to
Akeelah's development slowly.
Observation 5: Akeelah's Friendship With Javier
The fifth is Akeelah's growing friendship with another Spelling Contestant, Javier
Mendez. They interact in the L.A. district competition and form a positive relationship with one
another. Javier is apt to become someone Akeelah can learn about spelling competitions from.
Akeelah finds companions in their friendship as she endures the pressures of competing at higher
and higher levels.
Observation 6: Dylan's Relationship With His Father
Neely 5
The sixth observation is of Dylan Chiu and his father. Dylan is a very talented spelling
competitor, and already has some success in national competitions. However, his father has his
much to prove on his. Dylan must play like there's no tomorrow and he's never going to settle, to
play his very best. This creates a noticeable contrast between his academic talent and the
pressure surrounding his participation. Akeelah sees the predicament and is sympathetic toward
him while competing for the top spot.
Observation 7: Support From the Community
One of the most important revelations happens when Akeelah starts to get help from
people around her. Once Dr. Larabee has given her thousands of words to learn, she figures out
that she isn't up to huge amounts on her own. Family members, friends, classmates and
neighbors help her. People who have nothing to do with her studies and appear to be
disinterested also get involved to help with her preparations. This community involvement
becomes more vital and significant as Akeelah moves on to the national competition.
Neely 6
Reference
Atchison, D. (Director). (2008, April 11). Akeelah and the bee (2006) [Video recording].
**Screenshot_11-9-2026_91852_luonline.blackboard.com.jpeg**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/screenshot-11-9-2026-91852-luonline-blackboard-com-jpeg)
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**## Akeelah-DevelopmentalMovieAnalysisPart1.pdf**
Neely 1
Don’ Keisha Neely
FMSC-3340-8B
Professor Jiao
4 August 2026
Neely 2
Developmental Movie Analysis Part 1: Akeelah and the Bee
Movie Selected
Akeelah and the Bee is a movie that will be used for this developmental analysis and will
be written by Doug Atchison and directed. The film premiered in 2006, featuring Keke Palmer in
the role of Akeelah Anderson, Angela Bassett playing her mother Tanya and Laurence Fishburne
as Dr. Joshua Larabee. The narrative is about an intelligent, 11-years-old African American girl,
named Akeelah, who is from South Los Angeles and has an exceptional ability to spell. She is
not seeking praise for her academic prowess, but she does enter competitions for spelling and
strives to qualify for the national Scripps Spelling Bee (Atchison, 2008). The movie focuses on
her experiences at school, relationships with family and friends, interactions with adults, and
growing involvement in her community.
Child Character and Approximate Age
The primary child character observed is Akeelah Anderson, who is approximately 11
years old. She is in the seventh grade at a middle school in the Crenshaw area of South Los
Angeles. Akeelah is characterized as being smart and particularly gifted in language and spelling.
However, she does not consistently apply herself at school and sometimes skips classes. Her
actions seem to relate to her home, school and neighbourhood experiences. She also suffers the
loss of her father, who died when she was 6 years old.
Other key young characters are Javier Mendez, a fellow spelling competitor who
becomes Akeelah's best friend, and Dylan Chiu, who is a very good spelling student who is filled
with pressure from his father. The characters make more observations about children with their
friendship, competition, expectations and family relationships.
Developmental Stage Represented
Neely 3
The major developmental period portrayed in the movie is middle childhood and early
adolescence due to Akeelah being eleven years old and in seventh grade. The film also features
other kids and teens involved in academic contests and learning how to deal with their parents,
teachers, peers, and other adults. The characters' experiences provide many opportunities to
observe their behavior, abilities, relationships, emotions, responsibilities, and responses to their
surrounding environments.
Observation 1: Akeelah's School Experience
One important observation is Akeelah's relationship with school. She is intelligent, but
her school is boring and she has poor attention span when it comes to studying. She misses the
classes and is running the risk of detention due to her lack of attendance. This demonstrates a
difference between her intelligence and engagement in school. Her teacher Dalia Phillips feels a
kid like Akeelah could have promise, so she'll do something to discover it; enroll Akeelah in the
school's spelling bee. The principal also suggests that she enter the competition. Akeelah initially
resists because she does not want to attract attention to herself or be viewed as a “brainiac.”
Observation 2: Akeelah's Performance in the School Spelling Bee
A second significant observation is when Akeelah enters a Spelling Bee at school. Even
though she initially does not want to compete, she performs extremely well and wins the
competition. Her achievements come as a surprise to those around her, and allow her to enter
into more advanced levels of competition. This scene helps to show that she and Akeelah see
different things in themselves and what they can do. Her success also alters the way teachers and
school administrators react to her.
Observation 3: Akeelah's Relationship With Her Mother
Neely 4
Another important observation is between Akeelah and her mother, Tanya. Tanya is a
nurse and has lots of responsibilities. Akeelah's father died when she was six, leaving Tanya to
manage the family. Akeelah does not immediately tell her mother about her involvement in the
spelling competition because she believes her mother may not support the activity. Tanya is
worried about Akeelah's schoolwork and thinks that the spelling bee may affect her learning.
Their interactions show differences in expectations and communication between a parent and
child.
Observation 4: Akeelah's Relationship With Dr. Larabee
The fourth observation is about Akeelah's interaction with Dr. Joshua Larabee. He is a
college professor and a former Spelling Bee competitor who then becomes her coach. Initially,
Akeelah thinks that if she can, she can do it without him helping her and resists his coaching. Dr.
Larabee is demanding and challenges her to improve her discipline, creativity and spelling. He
instructs her in words make-up, meaning, and memory techniques. He also provides her with
thousands of words to learn on her own, all the time. Their relationship starts to be important to
Akeelah's development slowly.
Observation 5: Akeelah's Friendship With Javier
The fifth is Akeelah's growing friendship with another Spelling Contestant, Javier
Mendez. They interact in the L.A. district competition and form a positive relationship with one
another. Javier is apt to become someone Akeelah can learn about spelling competitions from.
Akeelah finds companions in their friendship as she endures the pressures of competing at higher
and higher levels.
Observation 6: Dylan's Relationship With His Father
Neely 5
The sixth observation is of Dylan Chiu and his father. Dylan is a very talented spelling
competitor, and already has some success in national competitions. However, his father has his
much to prove on his. Dylan must play like there's no tomorrow and he's never going to settle, to
play his very best. This creates a noticeable contrast between his academic talent and the
pressure surrounding his participation. Akeelah sees the predicament and is sympathetic toward
him while competing for the top spot.
Observation 7: Support From the Community
One of the most important revelations happens when Akeelah starts to get help from
people around her. Once Dr. Larabee has given her thousands of words to learn, she figures out
that she isn't up to huge amounts on her own. Family members, friends, classmates and
neighbors help her. People who have nothing to do with her studies and appear to be
disinterested also get involved to help with her preparations. This community involvement
becomes more vital and significant as Akeelah moves on to the national competition.
Neely 6
Reference
Atchison, D. (Director). (2008, April 11). Akeelah and the bee (2006) [Video recording].
**Screenshot_11-9-2026_91852_luonline.blackboard.com.jpeg**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/screenshot-11-9-2026-91852-luonline-blackboard-com-jpeg)
**Screenshot_11-9-2026_91830_luonline.blackboard.com.jpeg**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/screenshot-11-9-2026-91830-luonline-blackboard-com-jpeg)
**## Akeelah-DevelopmentalMovieAnalysisPart1.pdf**
Neely 1
Don’ Keisha Neely
FMSC-3340-8B
Professor Jiao
4 August 2026
Neely 2
Developmental Movie Analysis Part 1: Akeelah and the Bee
Movie Selected
Akeelah and the Bee is a movie that will be used for this developmental analysis and will
be written by Doug Atchison and directed. The film premiered in 2006, featuring Keke Palmer in
the role of Akeelah Anderson, Angela Bassett playing her mother Tanya and Laurence Fishburne
as Dr. Joshua Larabee. The narrative is about an intelligent, 11-years-old African American girl,
named Akeelah, who is from South Los Angeles and has an exceptional ability to spell. She is
not seeking praise for her academic prowess, but she does enter competitions for spelling and
strives to qualify for the national Scripps Spelling Bee (Atchison, 2008). The movie focuses on
her experiences at school, relationships with family and friends, interactions with adults, and
growing involvement in her community.
Child Character and Approximate Age
The primary child character observed is Akeelah Anderson, who is approximately 11
years old. She is in the seventh grade at a middle school in the Crenshaw area of South Los
Angeles. Akeelah is characterized as being smart and particularly gifted in language and spelling.
However, she does not consistently apply herself at school and sometimes skips classes. Her
actions seem to relate to her home, school and neighbourhood experiences. She also suffers the
loss of her father, who died when she was 6 years old.
Other key young characters are Javier Mendez, a fellow spelling competitor who
becomes Akeelah's best friend, and Dylan Chiu, who is a very good spelling student who is filled
with pressure from his father. The characters make more observations about children with their
friendship, competition, expectations and family relationships.
Developmental Stage Represented
Neely 3
The major developmental period portrayed in the movie is middle childhood and early
adolescence due to Akeelah being eleven years old and in seventh grade. The film also features
other kids and teens involved in academic contests and learning how to deal with their parents,
teachers, peers, and other adults. The characters' experiences provide many opportunities to
observe their behavior, abilities, relationships, emotions, responsibilities, and responses to their
surrounding environments.
Observation 1: Akeelah's School Experience
One important observation is Akeelah's relationship with school. She is intelligent, but
her school is boring and she has poor attention span when it comes to studying. She misses the
classes and is running the risk of detention due to her lack of attendance. This demonstrates a
difference between her intelligence and engagement in school. Her teacher Dalia Phillips feels a
kid like Akeelah could have promise, so she'll do something to discover it; enroll Akeelah in the
school's spelling bee. The principal also suggests that she enter the competition. Akeelah initially
resists because she does not want to attract attention to herself or be viewed as a “brainiac.”
Observation 2: Akeelah's Performance in the School Spelling Bee
A second significant observation is when Akeelah enters a Spelling Bee at school. Even
though she initially does not want to compete, she performs extremely well and wins the
competition. Her achievements come as a surprise to those around her, and allow her to enter
into more advanced levels of competition. This scene helps to show that she and Akeelah see
different things in themselves and what they can do. Her success also alters the way teachers and
school administrators react to her.
Observation 3: Akeelah's Relationship With Her Mother
Neely 4
Another important observation is between Akeelah and her mother, Tanya. Tanya is a
nurse and has lots of responsibilities. Akeelah's father died when she was six, leaving Tanya to
manage the family. Akeelah does not immediately tell her mother about her involvement in the
spelling competition because she believes her mother may not support the activity. Tanya is
worried about Akeelah's schoolwork and thinks that the spelling bee may affect her learning.
Their interactions show differences in expectations and communication between a parent and
child.
Observation 4: Akeelah's Relationship With Dr. Larabee
The fourth observation is about Akeelah's interaction with Dr. Joshua Larabee. He is a
college professor and a former Spelling Bee competitor who then becomes her coach. Initially,
Akeelah thinks that if she can, she can do it without him helping her and resists his coaching. Dr.
Larabee is demanding and challenges her to improve her discipline, creativity and spelling. He
instructs her in words make-up, meaning, and memory techniques. He also provides her with
thousands of words to learn on her own, all the time. Their relationship starts to be important to
Akeelah's development slowly.
Observation 5: Akeelah's Friendship With Javier
The fifth is Akeelah's growing friendship with another Spelling Contestant, Javier
Mendez. They interact in the L.A. district competition and form a positive relationship with one
another. Javier is apt to become someone Akeelah can learn about spelling competitions from.
Akeelah finds companions in their friendship as she endures the pressures of competing at higher
and higher levels.
Observation 6: Dylan's Relationship With His Father
Neely 5
The sixth observation is of Dylan Chiu and his father. Dylan is a very talented spelling
competitor, and already has some success in national competitions. However, his father has his
much to prove on his. Dylan must play like there's no tomorrow and he's never going to settle, to
play his very best. This creates a noticeable contrast between his academic talent and the
pressure surrounding his participation. Akeelah sees the predicament and is sympathetic toward
him while competing for the top spot.
Observation 7: Support From the Community
One of the most important revelations happens when Akeelah starts to get help from
people around her. Once Dr. Larabee has given her thousands of words to learn, she figures out
that she isn't up to huge amounts on her own. Family members, friends, classmates and
neighbors help her. People who have nothing to do with her studies and appear to be
disinterested also get involved to help with her preparations. This community involvement
becomes more vital and significant as Akeelah moves on to the national competition.
Neely 6
Reference
Atchison, D. (Director). (2008, April 11). Akeelah and the bee (2006) [Video recording].
**Screenshot_11-9-2026_91852_luonline.blackboard.com.jpeg**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/screenshot-11-9-2026-91852-luonline-blackboard-com-jpeg)
**Screenshot_11-9-2026_91830_luonline.blackboard.com.jpeg**
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