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He Named Me Malala

He Named Me Malala tells the inspiring true story of Malala Yousafzai. When she began detailing her experiences in the Swat Valley of Pakistan as am 11-year-old blogger for the BBC, she had no idea what momentous changes were coming in her life. Her father Ziauddin, a school founder and dedicated teacher, was outspoken in his belief that girls, including his beloved daughter, had a right to an education. As they continued to speak out against restrictions imposed by extremists, Ziauddin received constant death threats, so many that he began to sleep in different places. But it was Malala who was almost killed, shot in the head by a gunman on her way home from school. Her survival and recovery have been little short of miraculous.
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Overview

He Named Me Malala introduces students to the real life story of education advocate Malala Yousafzai, who became the youngest Nobel Prize laureate in history at the age of 17.  We offer a Curriculum Guide classroom-ready lessons and a Discussion Guide for this film. These are great tools for exploring the importance of education and discussions about gender equity.

Literary connections

For film-book pairings, teach He Named Me Malala with:

Teaching Tips

Speech educators use Lesson 7 as a powerful standalone lesson for examining Malala’s iconic Nobel Peace Prize address.

Educators pair He Named Me Malala and our curriculum guide and/or discussion guide with Malala Yousafzai’s biography I Am Malala in English Language Arts and Social Studies classes.

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Where to Watch

Watch it on Amazon and other streaming platforms. Or buy the DVD.

Curriculum Guide

  • Lesson 1: Introducing Pakistan

    Subject: Geography, Social Studies, World History

    Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Lesson 2: The Story of Malala: Growing Up

    Subject: English Language Arts, Language Arts, World History

    Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Lesson 4: The Story of Malala: A New Life of Global Advocacy

    Subject: Community Service Learning, Geography, Language Arts, Service Learning, World History

    Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Lesson 5: Working for Change

    Subject: Community Service Learning, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies

    Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Lesson 6: Global Violence Against Women and Girls

    Subject: Social Studies, Social Work, Sociology

    Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Lesson 7: ‘Let this end with us’: Malala’s Nobel Peace Prize Address

    Subject: English Language Arts, Language Arts, Speech

    Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College

  • Lesson 8: The United Nations and the Rights of Women and Children

    Subject: Social Studies

    Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Lesson 9: Women’s Education, Health, and Economic Development

    Subject: Economics, Health, Public Health, Social Studies, Social Work, Sociology

    Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

  • Lesson 10: Telling a Story Through Film (Film Literacy)

    The Glossary of Film Terms is useful for this lesson.

    Subject: Film Literacy, Media Literacy

    Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

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Discussion Guide

  • A Letter From Malala and Ziauddin Yousafazi
  • Introduction to the Film
  • About Pakistan
  • The Influence of Family
  • Religious Extremism Comes to the Swat Valley
  • The Global Status of Girls’ Secondary Education
  • Why Education Is So Critical (I)
  • Why Education Is So Critical (II)
  • Reaching Around the World: The Malala Fund at Work
  • What Can You Do?
  • Resources for Study and Action

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Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines

These tips can help you create safe space for classroom engagement on the themes and subjects of this film.

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Glossary of Film Terms

The Glossary of Film Terms is useful for the Film Literacy lessons that are part of this curriculum guide.

Download glossary

Preview Glossary guide

Sustainable Development Goals

Journeys in Film supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about teaching with UN SDGs. This curriculum guide connects to the following SDGs.
  • Quality_Education
  • Gender_Equality
  • Reduced_Inequalities
  • Peace_Justice_and_Strong_Institutions
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