Teach with film in Spanish! We’re delighted to offer a range of film teaching guides in Spanish for compelling social impact films.

• Our Curriculum Guides / Guías Curriculares, Guías del Currículo y Plans de Estudio feature classroom-ready lesson plans across the curriculum, with handouts and activities all in Spanish.
• Our Discussion Guides / Guías de Discusión are designed to deepen the conversation around a film’s subject and themes with questions to encourage critical thinking, powerful discussion, and expanded understanding.
• Our flexible Learning Guides / Guías de Estudio Independiente have sections that can be used as standalone units for instruction or personal use, and adapt well for a wide range of situations and contexts.

In addition to classroom use, our guides are also great for homeschooling, afterschool activities, film clubs, community groups, public screenings and more. Our Spanish-language film guides, like all of our educational resources, are free for everyone. — ¡Por supuesto!

Grades 3-5

The Love Bugs explores the love of nature and the nature of love. We offer a Spanish curriculum guide for this Emmy-winning short film with two learning pathways, one focused on science and one on socio-emotional learning. The SEL pathway can also be adapted for use with older students.

The Love Bugs celebra el amor por la naturaleza y la naturaleza del amor.  El documental ganador de un premio Emmy “The Love Bugs,” y el plan de estudio acompañante, dan una excelente oportunidad para que usted y sus estudiantes se vuelvan entomólogos amateurs y descubran la maravilla de las criaturas pequeñas, al igual que lo hicieron entomólogos Charlie y Lois O’Brien. También ofrece un proceso para entender la naturaleza del amor a través de los ojos de sus estudiantes y los de una pareja que han trabajado y vivido juntos por 60 años.

Grades 8-12

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down follows former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in her relentless fight to recover from an assassination attempt and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence. We offer a Learning Guide and Discussion Guide for this film.

Gabby Giffords No Se Rendirá es una película impactante que da espacio para que la audiencia pueda examinar el fenómeno de la violencia con armas de fuego en los Estados Unidos y lidiar con las difíciles emociones elevadas por esta realidad. Ofrecemos una Guía de Estudio Independiente y una Guía de Discusión para esta película.

For Grades 9-12 + Higher Education

The five short films of Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops use stunning video, interviews with leading climate scientists, and thoughtful narration by Richard Gere to educate the viewer on key feedback loops greatly accelerating climate change. We offer a Curriculum Guide for this film.

Las cinco cortometrajes de Emergencia climática: circuitos de retroalimentación utilizan videos impresionantes, entrevistas con científicos climáticos destacados y una narración reflexiva de Richard Gere para educar al espectador sobre los ciclos de retroalimentación clave que aceleran en gran medida el cambio climático. Ofrecemos una Guía Curricular para esta película.

Greener Pastures provides an intimate window into the lives of four multigenerational farming families as they navigate the stressors that have contributed to farming having one of the highest rates of suicide of any U.S. occupation. Throughout the film, we see how farmers carry on in the face of these challenges and, ultimately, find hope in their successes. We offer an Educational Discussion Guide for this film.

Pastos aún más verdes “Pastos aún más verdes” ofrece una ventana Íntima a la vida de cuatro familias de agricultores multigeneracionales mientras navegan los factores estresantes que han contribuido a que la agricultura tenga una de las cifras de suicidio más altas de cualquier oficio en los EEUU. A lo largo de la película, vemos como los agricultores continúan aun en la cara de estos retos y, ultimadamente, encuentran esperanza en sus logros. Ofrecemos una Guía de Discusión Educacional para esta película.

River of Gold follows journalists who specialize in war reportage, filming them as they witnessed the broad, far-reaching, and criminal eradication of the Amazon. The film reaffirms the right of the rainforest to exist as a repository of priceless biodiversity and not as the toxic remains of man’s greed for gold.

Río de Oro siguiera a los periodistas especializados en reportería de guerra, filmándolos mientras eran testigos de una gigantesca y criminal erradicación del Amazonas. La película reafirma el derecho del bosque tropical a existir como depósito de una biodiversidad invaluable y no como los restos tóxicos de la ambición del hombre por el oro. Ofrecemos una Guía del Currículo para esta película.

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PS Filmmakers, if you would like to extend the educational outreach of your social impact films with multilingual educational materials, talk to us!

These five award-winning documentary and feature films highlight the stories of exceptional women and their impressive accomplishments in STEM, religion, the arts, and human rights advocacy. Our free discussion guides and curriculum guides for these films can deepen engagement with the themes of gender, equality and human rights for all students. These positive representations of women can also expand students’ ideas about what leadership and excellence look like and inspire them in their own ambitions.

Jane

Documentary film Jane follows the life and career of Dr. Jane Goodall. Jane’s work with chimpanzees allowed a new understanding of what it means to be human and at the same time proved that women could be successful as scientists in a world previously dominated by men. Our free discussion guide includes a section on Women in the Biological Sciences Today. This film is a great way to get students of all genders excited about gender equity and STEM careers. For grades 4-12.

He Named Me Malala

He Named Me Malala charts the rise of Malala Yousafzai as an international advocate for girls’ education to become the youngest ever Nobel Prize winner at 17. Our curriculum guide for this documentary includes lessons on Working for Change (Social Studies/Community Service); Global Violence Against Women and Girls (Social Studies/Sociology); and Women’s Education, Health, and Economic Development (Social Studies/Health/Economics). Our discussion guide also explores the global status of girls’ secondary education and why education is so critical. In addition to introducing Malala’s incredible story, this film will inspire students about the power and importance of education for all. For grades 7-12.

Hidden Figures

The hit Disney film Hidden Figures is based on the real-life story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three Black women who overcame adversity to make historic contributions in the 1960s NASA space program. Our curriculum guide includes a career readiness lesson on Women of Science. Our discussion guide includes questions for students to consider about the lived experiences of the title characters as well as an exploration of STEM careers. These materials are our most popular downloads because students and teachers love this film! For grades 7-12.

The Neighborhood Storyteller

In compelling documentary The Neighborhood Storyteller, a Syrian refugee mother in Jordan’s Zaatari camp empowers young girls through transformative reading circles, igniting hope and change. Asmaa Rashed’s read-aloud project uses literature as a catalyst to expand the teenage girl participants’ horizons, nurture self-worth, and inspire them to envision a future filled with opportunities. Our discussion guide deepens engagement with Asmaa’s story and includes a section on Grassroots Work, Life Skills, and Future Vision. This must-watch film inspires students of all genders about the power of finding their own voice and the potential to change the world they live in. For grades 9-12.

Rebel Hearts

Rebel Hearts chronicles the radical activism of The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They bravely stood up to the patriarchy of the Catholic Church in the 1960s, fighting for equality, their livelihoods, and their own freedom. Their bold acts of faith, defiance and activism turned the Church upside down, helping to reshape our society in ways that continue to resonate more than fifty years later. Our curriculum guide explores the sisters journey and also introduces the protest art activism of Sister Mary Corita aka Corita Kent with a hands-on art lesson. This film will fire up students with confidence to face down adversaries and obstacles of all sizes. For grades 9-12.

 

 

 

In honor of School Library Month in April and School Library Week April 7 to 13) we’re highlighting some of our favorite films that inspire a love of learning while they celebrate the critical importance of mentors and educators. These four films from our Global Education Series also encourage cross-cultural understanding, empathy, and knowledge of the people and environments around the world. They are great choices to fire up students and teachers alike, this month and all year long.

Like Stars on Earth

Acclaimed family film Like Stars on Earth (original title: Taare Zameen Par) explores the life and imagination of an artistically-gifted boy who struggles with dyslexia until his new art teacher helps him to thrive. It’s a heartwarming story about how a teacher can transform the life of a student and what students can achieve when they receive the support they need. We offer a Like Stars on Earth Curriculum Guide with nine classroom-ready lessons across ten subjects. For grades 4-12.

He Named Me Malala

Acclaimed documentary He Named Me Malala charts the journey of Malala Yousafzai as an 11-year-old blogger detailing her experiences in the Swat Valley of Pakistan for the BBC, the assassination attempt against her at 15, and her determined rise as an education and human rights advocate. We offer a Curriculum Guide and a Discussion Guide for this film, that both explore Malala’s inspirational story and celebrate the importance of education. Many educators pair this film with Malala’s biography I Am Malala in English Language Arts and Social Studies classes. For grades 7-12.

The Neighborhood Storyteller

In award-winning documentary The Neigbhorhood Storyteller, a young Syrian mother in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp empowers young girls through transformative reading circles, igniting hope and change. The film celebrates the importance of reading and sharing stories to find one’s voice. Our Discussion Guide explores the topics of Girls and Education, as well as Reading, Literacy and Storytelling. The Guide also features a Literary Connection with Muzoon: A Syrian Refugee Speaks Out by Muzoon Almellehan with Wendy Pearlman, and includes discussion questions about the connections between the book and the film. For grades 9-12 and higher education.

Queen of Katwe

Hit Disney Movie Queen of Katwe is based on the inspiring true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she meets Robert Katende who introduces her to the game of chess. With the support of her family, her community and Katende as her coach and mentor, she is determined to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. Our free Discussion Guide helps students learn more about Phiona Mutesi and Robert Katende, and explores the power and potential of mentoring young people. The film is based on the book The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess, and One Extraordinary Girl’s Rise from an African Slum by Tim Crothers, for a powerful film and book pairing. For grades 9-12.

April is Stress Awareness Month. Films can be powerful tools for alleviating stress and also for teaching about stress awareness, resilience, emotional regulation and coping strategies! We recommend the following lessons in our film guides to help you teach about stress and mental wellness with film.

For Grades 4-12

The Cup, a feature film about a young Tibetan Buddhist monk living as a refugee in India who develops a passion for the World Cup, includes a Visual Arts lesson on Mandala Art as Contemplative Practice. Pair it with our handout on Mandalas from The Story of God Curriculum Guide.

For Grades 7-12 + Higher Education

Big Sonia, bout Holocaust survivor and Holocaust educator Sonia Warshawski, has a lesson on PTSD and Intergenerational Trauma.

The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble follows more than 50 artists as they explore the ways art can both preserve traditions and shape cultural evolution. Lesson 4 about The Ongoing Syrian Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis is a great way to teach about using art to respond to crisis. It includes a handout on Art as Self-Reflection. This lesson and handout pair well with Defiant Requiem.

The Neighborhood Storyteller, about girls’ education activist Asmaa Rashed, includes “Work, Life Skills, and Visions for the Future,” a section that explores the intersection of identity, purpose, and happiness.

Award-winning documentary Happy explores The Psychology of Happiness. The Happy Curriculum Guide is a great tool to bolster social emotional learning (SEL).

The Discussion Guide for Youth v Gov, about the young people suing the US government for the right to a safe climate, includes a great section for launching discussions about Climate Anxiety and coping strategies, as well as empowering sections on Climate Justice and Climate Activism.

For Grades 8-12 + Higher Education

Our Learning Guide for Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, about gunshot survivor turned gun violence activist Gabby Giffords, includes a section on the impact of gun violence on Mental Health which features prompts for personal reflection and for discussion, as well as extension activities.

For Grades 9-12 + Higher Education

Greener Pastures follows four midwestern farming families in an underdog story of perseverance and determination. The Greener Pastures Discussion Guide is a great springboard for discussing stress, mental health, and resilience.

For Grades 10-12 + Higher Education

Defiant Requiem, about how prisoners at Therienstadt (Terezin) concentration camp used art and music as tools of survival and resistance, features a lesson on Art and Resilience.

The Dhamma Brothers, about a meditation program in an Alabama prison, includes an experiential lesson, Introduction to Meditation, which pairs well with the mediation section in The Story of God. The Dhamma Brother curriculum guide also features lessons on the mental and physical effects of meditation.

April 7 is World Health Day. The World Health Day theme for 2024 is ‘My health, my right’, to champion the importance of healthcare for all, as well as safe and healthy living conditions including safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. 

We recommend the following films plus our free teaching guides for teaching about the intersection of individual health, public health, and human rights:

• Our Environmental Studies Lesson Collection, about environmental conditions;
• From the Ashes, about coal and public health;
• Greener Pastures, about the impact of soil and food quality on nutrition and health;
• Landfill Harmonic, about waste, recycling and water;
• The Invisible Shield, about the public health system that makes modern life possible;
• Unzipped, about homelessness and the affordable housing crisis.

We are also pleased to offer free teaching resources for films about human rights and freedom from discrimination:

• Our Black History Lesson Collection, about Black history and racial equity;
• Crip Camp, about disability rights;
• Finding Pride, about LGBTQ identities;
• He Named Me Malala and The Neighborhood Storyteller, about gender equity in education;
• Hidden Figures and Jane, about gender equity in STEM fields;
• Wadjda and Whale Rider, about gender equity in contemporary society.

These teaching materials are available for free to help you teach about the complex social issues that affect individual health and public health — today and all year round.

Did you know you can teach math with film? For Mathematics and Statistics Month in April, we’re highlighting some of our favorite math teaching tools. Our free film teaching guides feature classroom-ready lesson plans across the curriculum suitable for grade 4 all the way to grade 12 — including math lessons!

Our most popular math lesson is part of our Hidden Figures Curriculum Guide, about The Math of Space Travel: Orbits and Conic Sections, for grades 9 to 12. You can download the full Hidden Figures guide from our library, or get this lesson on its own from Share My Lesson.

Children of Heaven features two math lessons:  Lesson 8: Keeping Secrets and Lesson 9: Iran: The Land of Earthquakes.

Like Stars on Earth Lesson 4 explores the math of Determining Your Grade.

Please Vote for Me Lesson 4 introduces students to Integer Calculations with Chinese Number Rods.

The Cup Lesson 9 looks at the math of The Value of Money.

The Way Home Lesson 9 teaches students about Using Graphs.

Whale Rider Lesson 9 shows students how to Count the Uncountable with Fermi problems, using examples from the film.

Get your free math lesson plans from our library and liven up your math classes today!

April is full of opportunities to engage your students about public health:

• National Interprofessional Healthcare Month;
• National Minority Health Month;
• National Public Health Week April 1-7; 
• World Health Day April 7; 
• Black Maternal Health Week April 11-17;
• National Infant Immunization Week April 22-29; 
• World Immunization Week April 24-30. 

The Invisible Shield is a powerful teaching tool for exploring the importance of public health and public health workers, the critical role of immunizations in public health, and the urgency of addressing public health inequities to make healthcare available for all.

The free Journeys in Film discussion guide for The Invisible Shield offers questions to encourage critical thinking, powerful discussion, and expanded understanding of public health. This 4-part docuseries is a great way to get students excited about careers in STEM fields and public health. For grades 11-12, higher education, community groups, and general public use.

Get The Invisible Shield Learning Guide now.

Related Resources

Learn more about our full range of teaching materials for World Health Day 2024.

The Invisible Shield series and learning guide were made possible by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Alexei Navalny was the subject of the 2022 Oscar-winning documentary NAVALNY, part of the Journeys in Film collection.

We are deeply saddened to learn that Russian anti-corruption campaigner and outspoken Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is dead. Navalny died as a political prisoner in a Siberian penal colony on February 16, 2024.

Journeys in Film had the privilege of creating teaching resources for Oscar-winning documentary NAVALNY which chronicles Alexei Navalny’s life. NAVALNY speaks to a world transformed by Russia, its war in Ukraine, and the growing and treacherous threat of authoritarianism around the world.

Our Navalny Learning Guide and our Navalny Discussion Guide, like all of our education resources, are available to the public for free. Educators and community groups may find these materials helpful to accompany viewings of the film as you discuss current events.

As Putin’s brand of authoritarianism wreaks havoc on the world, the urgency of the message of NAVALNY is more critical than ever. For this is not just the story of Alexei Navalny and Russia, but a rallying cry to remind the world of the importance of free speech and a free press to counter dictatorship and uphold democracy. “Evil is only able to proliferate if good people do nothing, so don’t be inactive,” Navalny warns at the end of the film.

Our hearts go out to the Navalny family and their loved ones.