Journeys in Film

Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History for Middle School with classroom-ready lessons. Season 2 of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens features Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosting a series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The project presents a musical exploration of the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad. We offer an Instructional Guide for teachers with 11 lessons based on this Silkroad Ensemble project plus a Student Guide for learners.

Get the teacher and student guides now from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library — or keep reading to learn more!

American Transcontinental Railroad History for Middle School FAQ

Why use My Music with Rhiannon Giddens to Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens brings US history alive to explore the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States. The series also deepens understanding and connection and can build community around the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.

About the American Railroad Instructional Guide for Teachers

The American Railroad Instructional Guide brings accurate historical information regarding the development of the Transcontinental Railroad. The guide address the impact of the railroad’s progress on individuals and groups vital to the success of this national endeavor. The lessons also present realistic experiences, many of which have been overlooked and misrepresented.

The American Railroad Unit is standard-based, with an emphasis on ELA and Social Science for middle school students. The Enduring Understanding – Students understand that progress has varying impacts on the people and cultures it touches – is the foundation that unifies each lesson. Each lesson, then, is designed to be integral to the unit outcome and relies upon the previous lesson(s), ensuring clarity of the day’s learning and the instructional journey.

Each lesson relies on key reading, critical thinking, processing, collaboration, communication, creativity, and reflection. Every lesson contains a student handout and a teacher key.

About the American Railroad Student Guide

The American Railroad Student Guide features printable student handouts for all 11 lessons. Each lesson includes a Share Out, a Daily Learning Target, a detailed Reading Process, and Discussion Questions. They also include related primary sources, terms to know, worksheets and activities.

Who Should Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History

These resources are designed specifically for grades 6 to 8, and may be adaptable to other grades.

What Classes Can I Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History In

These resources may be useful for classes in Asian American History, Black History, Geography, History, Indigenous History / Native American History, Social Studies and U.S. History.

What Cultures Does The American Railroad Instructional Guide Explore

The lessons in The American Railroad Instructional Guide explore the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities, to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America.

Where Can I Get These Guides

Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful and inspiring series.

Where Can I Watch This Series

Get the latest information on where to watch from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens listing in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

The American Railroad Instructional Guide makes a perfect pairing with the Learning Guides designed for individual episodes of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two. Guides are available for Episode 1 with Chinese pipa master Wu Man, Episode 2 with Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist, Episode 3 with Black American musician Mazz Swift, and Episode 6 with Native American vocalist and lap steel guitarist Pura Fé. These Learning Guides and related Extension Activities are available from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

We also offer educational resources for teaching with The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble. This vibrant documentary presents artists from around the world in collaboration. It’s a great tool for teaching about world music, world instruments and world cultures, that complements the cultural and musical explorations of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.

If you’re teaching Middle School Geography, History and Social Studies, we also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Cup (Tibet), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).

Our Windows and Mirrors Media Literacy Activity gives students a way to consider if the perspectives of underrepresented and marginalized people are included in their media diets.

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

Learn more about teaching with our full collection of Learning Guides and teaching resources for this series in our My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources FAQ.

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

Silkroad Ensemble members will be participating in our free professional development webinar Teaching with Primary Sources: Cultural Products as Historical Narrative on January 27, 2026. Learn more and register for the series: Stories That Connect: Using Film and Primary Sources to Build Belonging

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

About Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens has made a singular, iconic career out of stretching her brand of folk music, with its miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities, into just about every field imaginable. A two-time GRAMMY Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, and composer of opera, ballet, and film, Giddens has centered her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased, and advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins through art.

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts a half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The outstanding guest artists of the series are innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices.

About the American Railroad Project

Just as the ancient Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange between Asia and Europe, the railroad transformed the American landscape—both uniting and dividing the people whose lives it touched. While these laborers played a fundamental role in one of the 19th century’s most significant technological and economic achievements, their stories have too often been erased from history. At the same time, the railways had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, displacing people from their ancestral lands. Originally conceived by Silkroad’s Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the American Railroad project sheds light on the history and experience of these peoples.

About the Silkroad Ensemble

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration – for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom: a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.

Journeys in Film is pleased to offer educational resources for two Silkroad Projects: My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two / American Railroad and The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble for grades 6-12.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new teaching tools and professional development opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Pura Fé to introduce students to Native American musician Pura Fé, her musical experiences, Indigenous/Native American History, and American Transcontinental Railroad History. This episode also connects to Music Lessons and History through Music.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode Six features Native American vocalist and lap steel guitarist Pura Fé, who has both Tuscarora and Taino blood in her veins and generations of ancestors in her voice. She shares her personal background and musical journey in an episode that culminates in a Silk Road Ensemble performance of her song “Mahk Jchi”.

Get the learning guide for this episode now from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library — or keep reading to learn more!

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Pura Fé FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens brings US history alive to explore the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States. The series also deepens understanding and connection and can build community around the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.

Why Teach with The Episode Six Learning Guide with Pura Fé

The Episode Six Learning Guide for My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode Six with Pura Fé can help you teach about about:

Creativity and Curiosity
Community and Creative Support
Cultural Preservation and Reclamation
Social and Scientific Constructions of Memory
Language, Art, and Accessibility
History of the American Transcontinental Railroad and Native Americans
History through Music
Music Lessons

This learning guide contains background context about the Transcontinental Railroad, a Pre-viewing Activity, and Active Viewing Recommendations.

It also includes glossaries / lists of useful terms, discussion questions, related resources, and extended learning activates. The extended learning activities can include our supplementary Music Listening Handout and Song Analysis Handout.

Episode running time: 25 minutes
Subjects: History, Music, Music History, Social Studies, U.S. History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful and inspiring series.

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Get the latest information on where to watch from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens listing in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

2022–2032 International Decade of Indigenous Languages
February 11 – National Guitar Day
March – Music in Our Schools Month
March – Women’s History Month
April 7 – National Get Out Your Guitar Day
May – National Train Day (date varies)
May 21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
June – National Indigenous History Month (Canada)
June 21 – World Music Day
June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day (Canada)
August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
October – Global Diversity Awareness Month
October 10 – Indigenous People’s Day
October 1 – International Music Day
November – Native American/Alaska Native Heritage Month
November 28, 2025 – Native American Heritage Day (date varies)

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

This Learning Guide makes a perfect pairing with the American Railroad Instructional Guide Lesson 5 “Native Americans and the Transcontinental Railroad” about the impact the railroad had on the Great Plain Tribes.. The Instructional Guide and matching Student Guide are available from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

We also offer educational resources for teaching with The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble. This vibrant documentary presents artists from around the world in collaboration. It’s a great tool for teaching about world music, world instruments and world cultures, that complements the cultural and musical explorations of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.

Learn more about Pura Fé in this Silkroad Ensemble artist profile: Spotlight:Pura Fé.

Expand the conversation about Cultural Preservation with The Music of Strangers Lesson 6: Preserving Culture in a Globalized World.

For teaching about Dyslexia and Learning Styles, we also recommend Like Stars on Earth about a boy bullied for his dyslexia who discovers a creative passion for visual arts.

Teaching about Indigenous Peoples? Get more resources in our article on teaching about World Indigenous Peoples with film.

If you’re teaching Middle School Geography, History and Social Studies, we also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Cup (Tibet), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).

You can also check out our related resource collections for teaching with film about Music and Women’s History.

Our Windows and Mirrors Media Literacy Activity gives students a way to consider if the perspectives of underrepresented and marginalized people are included in their media diets.

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

Learn more about teaching with our full collection of Learning Guides and teaching resources for this series in our My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources FAQ.

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

Silkroad Ensemble members will be participating in our free professional development webinar Teaching with Primary Sources: Cultural Products as Historical Narrative on January 27, 2026. Learn more and register for the series: Stories That Connect: Using Film and Primary Sources to Build Belonging

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

About Pura Fé

Pura Fé (Tuscarora/Taino) is an Indigenous activist, singer-songwriter, and storyteller known for her distinct, soulful vocals and for breathing life into several musical genres. Her work as a musician has brought her around the world to do work at festivals, benefits in classrooms, online, and in the studio. As a Native activist and cultural leader, she has done work to combat the erasure of native culture, restore traditions, build community, fight corporate takeover of native land, and give a voice to those facing social injustice. As the founding member of the internationally renowned Native Women’s a cappella trio Ulali, Pura Fé helped to create a movement throughout Indian Country, which not only empowered Native Women’s hand drum and harmony, but also built a bridge for Native music into the mainstream music scene. Pura Fé’s solo career has produced six studio albums with her Native Blues and lap-steel slide guitar work. While touring Europe with Music Maker Blues Review under Dixie Frog and Nueva Onda French labels, she won Grand Prix du Disque from L’Académie CharlsCros (French Grammy) for Best WorldAlbum in 2006 for Tuscarora Nation Blues, and a Native American Music Award (NAMMY) for Best Female Artist for Follow Your Heart’s Desire in the same year. Pura Fé and Ulali appeared in and consulted for the Rezolution Pictures Documentary RUMBLE:The Indians That Rocked The World, which won first place at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Pura Fé commented on her experience with the documentary, “This gave me a chance to reenact a piece of the historical birth of blues music that no one considers or hears about”. Incumbent United States Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo once said, “We are systematically being written out of everything.” To have a platform to help bring awareness to the mainstream was crucial to Pura Fé and Ulali. Today, Pura Fé lives in Canada and is writing a film for Rezolution Pictures. She is also working with First Nations dance and theater troops while recording a new album.

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts a half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The outstanding guest artists of the series are innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices.

About the American Railroad Project

Originally conceived by Silkroad’s Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the American Railroad project sheds light on the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities, to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America.

Just as the ancient Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange between Asia and Europe, the railroad transformed the American landscape—both uniting and dividing the people whose lives it touched. While these laborers played a fundamental role in one of the 19th century’s most significant technological and economic achievements, their stories have too often been erased from history. At the same time, the railways had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, displacing people from their ancestral lands.

About the Silkroad Ensemble

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration – for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom: a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.

Journeys in Film is pleased to offer educational resources for two Silkroad Projects: My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two / American Railroad and The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble for grades 6-12.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this resource, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new teaching tools and professional development opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Mazz Swift to introduce students to Black American non-binary musician Mazz Swift (they/them), their musical experiences, Black History, and American Transcontinental Railroad History. This episode also connects to Neurodiversity Representation, Non-Binary (/LGBTQIA+) Representation, Music Lessons and History through Music.

In My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode Three, host Rhiannon Giddens shares a musical visit with Mazz Swift,a violinist, vocalist, and improvisational conductor whose musical journey includes education at Juilliard, playing music in the New York subway, and working with goats on a farm.

Get the learning guide for this episode now from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library — or keep reading to learn more!

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Mazz Swift FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens brings US history alive to explore the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States. The series also deepens understanding and connection and can build community around the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.

Why Teach with The Episode Three Learning Guide with Mazz Swift

The Episode Three Learning Guide for My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode Three with Mazz Swift can help you teach about about:

Neurodiversity and Learning Styles
Creative and Artistic Community
Creative and Artistic Growth
Improvisation in Music
History of the American Transcontinental Railroad and Black Americans
History through Music
Music Lessons

This learning guide contains background context about the Transcontinental Railroad, a Pre-viewing Activity, and Active Viewing Recommendations.

It also includes glossaries / lists of useful terms, discussion questions, related resources, and extended learning activates. The extended learning activities can include our supplementary Music Listening Handout and Song Analysis Handout.

Episode running time: 25 minutes
Subjects: History, Music, Music History, Social Studies, U.S. History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful and inspiring series.

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Get the latest information on where to watch from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens listing in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

February – Black History Month
March – Music in Our Schools Month
March – Women’s History Month
March 17 – March 23, 2026 – Neurodiversity pride week (date varies)
April – Jazz Appreciation Month
April 30 – International Jazz Day
May – National Train Day (date varies)
May 21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
June – Black Music Appreciation Month
June – Immigrant Heritage Month
June 16 – Neurodiversity Pride Day
June 19 – Juneteenth
June 21 – World Music Day
July 13 – International Conductor’s Day
July 14 – International Non-Binary People’s Day
October – Global Diversity Awareness Month
October 1 – International Music Day
December 13 – Violin Day

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

This Learning Guide makes a perfect pairing with the American Railroad Instructional Guide Lesson 2 “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”, Lesson 3 “Pullman Porters”, and Lesson 4 “The Legend of John Henry”, about African American railroad workers. The Instructional Guide and matching Student Guide are available from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

We also offer educational resources for teaching with The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble. This vibrant documentary presents artists from around the world in collaboration. It’s a great tool for teaching about world music, world instruments and world cultures, that complements the cultural and musical explorations of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.

Learn more about Mazz Swift in this Silkroad Ensemble artist profile: Spotlight: Mazz Swift.

Looking for more positive LGBTQIA representation and role models? We also recommend the It Gets Better Project’s Finding Pride and LGBTQIA activist Joanna Lohman’s story in Resisterhood.

For teaching about Neurodiversity and Learning Styles, we also recommend Like Stars on Earth about a boy bullied for his dyslexia who discovers a creative passion for visual arts.

If you’re teaching Middle School Geography, History and Social Studies, we also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Cup (Tibet), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).

You can also check out our related resource collections for teaching with film about Black History, Music and Women’s History.

Our Windows and Mirrors Media Literacy Activity gives students a way to consider if the perspectives of underrepresented and marginalized people are included in their media diets.

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

Learn more about teaching with our full collection of Learning Guides and teaching resources for this series in our My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources FAQ.

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

Silkroad Ensemble members will be participating in our free professional development webinar Teaching with Primary Sources: Cultural Products as Historical Narrative on January 27, 2026. Learn more and register for the series: Stories That Connect: Using Film and Primary Sources to Build Belonging

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

About Mazz Swift

Critically acclaimed as one of America’s most talented and versatile performers today, Violin/Vox/Freestyle Composition artist Mazz Swift has engaged audiences all over the world with the signature weaving of song, melody and improvisation that they call MazzMuse. As a singer, composer and Juilliard-trained violinist who plays electronic and acoustic instruments, Mazz has performed and recorded with a diverse accumulation of artists including The Silkroad Ensemble, William Parker, Butch Morris, Jason Lindner, James “Blood” Ulmer, Vernon Reid, Valerie June, Whitney Houston, DJ Logic, Kanye West, D’Angelo. Mx. Swift is a 2021 United States Artist and 2019 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow, currently working on a series of compositions that involve conducted improvisation, and that are centered around protest, spirituals, and the Ghanaian concept of ‘Sankofa’: looking back to learn how to move forward.

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts a half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The outstanding guest artists of the series are innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices.

About the American Railroad Project

Originally conceived by Silkroad’s Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the American Railroad project sheds light on the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities, to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America.

Just as the ancient Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange between Asia and Europe, the railroad transformed the American landscape—both uniting and dividing the people whose lives it touched. While these laborers played a fundamental role in one of the 19th century’s most significant technological and economic achievements, their stories have too often been erased from history. At the same time, the railways had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, displacing people from their ancestral lands.

About the Silkroad Ensemble

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration – for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom: a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.

Journeys in Film is pleased to offer educational resources for two Silkroad Projects: My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two / American Railroad and The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble for grades 6-12.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new teaching tools and professional development opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Maeve Gilchrist to introduce students to Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist, her instrument the harp, Irish / Celtic music, American Transcontinental Railroad History and the experience of Irish-American Immigrants.

In My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode Two, host Rhiannon Giddens shares a musical visit with Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist in an historic North Carolina train station. They discuss the harp’s place in different musical traditions and talk about Maeve’s original composition for Silk Road Ensemble’s “American Railroad” project.

Get the learning guide for this episode now from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library — or keep reading to learn more!

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Maeve Gilchrist FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens brings US history alive to explore the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States. The series also deepens understanding and connection and can build community around the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.

Why Teach with The Episode Two Learning Guide with Maeve Gilchrist

The Episode Two Learning Guide for My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode Two with Maeve Gilchrist can help you teach about about:

Irish / Celtic traditional music and the Celtic harp
History of the American Transcontinental Railroad and Irish-American Immigrants
History through Music
Music Lessons

This learning guide contains background context about the Transcontinental Railroad, a Pre-viewing Activity, and Active Viewing Recommendations.

It also includes glossaries / lists of useful terms, discussion questions, related resources, and extended learning activities. The extended learning activities can include our supplementary Music Listening Handout and Song Analysis Handout.

Episode running time: 25 minutes
Subjects: History, Music, Music History, Social Studies, U.S. History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful and inspiring series.

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Get the latest information on where to watch from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens listing in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

March – Irish-American Heritage Month
March – Music in Our Schools Month
March – Women’s History Month
March 1-17 – International Irish Language Festival, known inIrish as Seachtain na Gaeilge
March 17 – Saint Patrick’s Day
May – National Train Day (date varies)
May 21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
May 26 – Anniversary of the enactment of the U.S. Immigration Act of 1924
June – Immigrant Heritage Month
June 21 – World Music Day
October – Global Diversity Awareness Month
October 1 – International Music Day
October 20 – World Harp Day

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

This Learning Guide makes a perfect pairing the American Railroad Instructional Guide Lesson 10 “Paddy and the Pullmans” about Irish immigrants. The Instructional Guide and matching Student Guide are also available from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

We also offer educational resources for teaching with The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble. This vibrant documentary presents artists from around the world in collaboration. It’s a great tool for teaching about world music, world instruments and world cultures, that complements the cultural and musical explorations of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.

Learn more about Maeve Gilchrist in this Silkroad Ensemble artist profile: Spotlight: Maeve Gilchrist.

If you’re teaching Middle School Geography, History and Social Studies, we also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Cup (Tibet), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).

You can also check out our related resource collections for teaching with film about Music and Women’s History.

Our Windows and Mirrors Media Literacy Activity gives students a way to consider if the perspectives of underrepresented and marginalized people are included in their media diets.

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

Learn more about teaching with our full collection of Learning Guides and teaching resources for this series in our My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources FAQ.

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

Silkroad Ensemble members will be participating in our free professional development webinar Teaching with Primary Sources: Cultural Products as Historical Narrative on January 27, 2026. Learn more and register for the series: Stories That Connect: Using Film and Primary Sources to Build Belonging

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

About Maeve Gilchrist

Edinburgh born harpist and composer Maeve Gilchrist has been credited as an innovator on her native instrument and taken the Celtic (lever) Harp to new levels of performance and visibility. Currently based in Kingston, NY, Maeve tours internationally as a solo artist and composer as well as being a member of the grammy-nominated Silkroad ensemble, Arooj Aftab’s Grammy winning Vulture Prince Ensemble and as part of the multi-disciplinary quartet Edges of Light. She has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Yo-Yo Ma, Frankie Gavin, Esperanza Spalding, Bruce Molsky, Ambrose Akinmusire and Solas. As a composer, Maeve straddles the worlds of folk and classical with pieces including her original concerto for symphony orchestra and harp (a co-commission with Luke Benton), a three-movement Samuel Beckett-inspired piece for harp, string quartet and sound samples which was premiered at the Edinburgh International Harp Festival in the spring of 2018 and a number of other pieces for harp ensembles and strings. She is a regular visiting artist at the Berklee College of Music and has had a number of instructional books published by Hal Leonard and 80 days publishing. Maeve has released a number of albums to her name on the Adventure Music Record Label as well as being a featured soloist on the Dreamworks blockbuster movie soundtrack, How to tame your dragon: The hidden world. Her most recent album, The Harpweaver, has garnered international acclaim including a five-star review from the Irish Times who described it as “buoyant, sprightly and utterly beguiling….a snapshot of a musician at the top of her game”.

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts a half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The outstanding guest artists of the series are innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices.

About the American Railroad Project

Originally conceived by Silkroad’s Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the American Railroad project sheds light on the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities, to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America.

Just as the ancient Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange between Asia and Europe, the railroad transformed the American landscape—both uniting and dividing the people whose lives it touched. While these laborers played a fundamental role in one of the 19th century’s most significant technological and economic achievements, their stories have too often been erased from history. At the same time, the railways had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, displacing people from their ancestral lands.

About the Silkroad Ensemble

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration – for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom: a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.

Journeys in Film is pleased to offer educational resources for two Silkroad Projects: My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two / American Railroad and The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble for grades 6-12.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new teaching tools and professional development opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens with Wu Man to introduce students to Chinese musician Wu Man, her instrument the pipa, Chinese music, American Transcontinental Railroad History and the experience of Chinese Immigrants.

In My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode One, host Rhiannon Giddens performs and talks with pipa master Wu Man, a 2023 NEA National Heritage Fellow who has been part of Silkroad Ensemble since its founding in 2000 by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Wu Man is a Grammy award-winning pipa virtuoso and ambassador of Chinese music. Her work strives to preserve and innovate pipa music through performance, education, and collaboration. Rhiannon Giddens and Wu Man talk about the origins of the pipa and discuss Silkroad’s multi-year “American Railroad” project.

Get the learning guide for this episode now from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library — or keep reading to learn more!

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Wu Man FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens brings US history alive to explore the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States. The series also deepens understanding and connection and can build community around the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.

Who Should Teach with The Episode One Learning Guide with Wu Man

The My Music Learning Guides work for grades 6-12 (or middle school and high school).

Why Teach with The Episode One Learning Guide with Wu Man

The Episode One Learning Guide for My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two Episode One with Wu Man can help you teach about about:

Chinese music and the pipa (Chinese string instrument)
History of the American Transcontinental Railroad and Chinese Immigrants
History through Music
Music Lessons

This learning guide contains background context about the Transcontinental Railroad, a Pre-viewing Activity, and Active Viewing Recommendations.

It also includes glossaries / lists of useful terms, discussion questions, related resources, and extended learning activates. The extended learning activities can include our supplementary Music Listening Handout and Song Analysis Handout.

Episode running time: 25 minutes
Subjects: History, Music, Music History, Social Studies, U.S. History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful and inspiring series.

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Get the latest information on where to watch from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens listing in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

Early Winter – Chinese / Lunar New Year
March – Music in Our Schools Month
March – Women’s History Month
April 20 – Chinese Language Day
May – Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May – National Train Day (date varies)
May 21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
May 26 – Anniversary of the enactment of the U.S. Immigration Act of 1924
June – Immigrant Heritage Month
June 21 – World Music Day
October – Global Diversity Awareness Month
October 1 – International Music Day

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

This Learning Guide makes a perfect pairing with the American Railroad Instructional Guide Lesson 6 “Chinese Immigrants: The Search for Gold Mountain” and Lesson 9 “Rock Springs”. The Instructional Guide and matching Student Guide are also available from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

We also offer educational resources for teaching with The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble. This vibrant documentary presents artists from around the world in collaboration. It’s a great tool for teaching about world music, world instruments and world cultures, that complements the cultural and musical explorations of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens.

Learn more about the pipa with our Instruments of the World PDF, created for Lesson 7 of The Music of Strangerss: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble and the video it references: Wu Man: Finding a Balance.

Learn more about Wu Man in this Silkroad Ensemble artist profile: Spotlight: Wu Man.

Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 1 about Chinese Pipa Master Wu Man with Please Vote for Me and The Music of Strangers for teaching about about China and Chinese culture.

If you’re teaching Middle School Geography, History and Social Studies, we also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Cup (Tibet), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).

You can also check out our related resource collections for teaching with film about Music and Women’s History.

Our Windows and Mirrors Media Literacy Activity gives students a way to consider if the perspectives of underrepresented and marginalized people are included in their media diets.

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

Learn more about teaching with our full collection of Learning Guides and teaching resources for this series in our My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources FAQ.

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

Silkroad Ensemble members will be participating in our free professional development webinar Teaching with Primary Sources: Cultural Products as Historical Narrative on January 27, 2026. Learn more and register for the series: Stories That Connect: Using Film and Primary Sources to Build Belonging

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

About Wu Man

Recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso, Wu Man is a soloist, educator, and composer who gives her lute-like instrument—which has a history of more than 2,000 years in China—a new role in both traditional and contemporary music. She has premiered hundreds of new works for the pipa, while spearheading multimedia projects to both preserve and create global awareness of China’s ancient musical traditions. Projects she has initiated have resulted in the pipa finding a place in new solo and quartet works, concertos, opera, chamber, electronic, and jazz music as well as in theater productions, film, dance, and collaborations with visual artists. She has performed in recital and with major orchestras around the world, and is a frequent collaborator with ensembles such as the Kronos and Shanghai Quartets and The Knights, and is a founding member of the Silkroad Ensemble. She has appeared on nearly 50 recordings, including numerous Grammy Award-winning and -nominated albums. This season she premieres a new pipa concerto by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Du Yun, titled “Ears of the Book” with The Knights at Carnegie Hall and with the Detroit Symphony.

Born in Hangzhou, China, Wu Man studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where she became the first recipient of a master’s degree in pipa. At age 13, she was recognized as a child prodigy and a national role model for young pipa players. In 2023, Wu man was honored with both a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), one of the United States’ most prestigious honors in folk and traditional art; and with the Asia Society’s Asia Arts Game Changers Award. Wu Man is Musical America’s 2013 “Instrumentalist of the Year,” marking the first time this prestigious award has been bestowed on a player of a non-Western instrument. She is a Visiting Professor at her alma mater the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and a Distinguished Professor at the Zhejiang and the Xi’an Conservatories. In 2021 she received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music.

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts a half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The outstanding guest artists of the series are innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices.

About the American Railroad Project

Originally conceived by Silkroad’s Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the American Railroad project sheds light on the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities, to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America.

Just as the ancient Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange between Asia and Europe, the railroad transformed the American landscape—both uniting and dividing the people whose lives it touched. While these laborers played a fundamental role in one of the 19th century’s most significant technological and economic achievements, their stories have too often been erased from history. At the same time, the railways had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, displacing people from their ancestral lands.

About the Silkroad Ensemble

Yo-Yo Ma conceived Silkroad in 1998 as a reminder that even as rapid globalization resulted in division, it brought extraordinary possibilities for working together. Seeking to understand this dynamic, he recognized the historical Silk Road as a model for cultural collaboration – for the exchange of ideas, tradition, and innovation across borders. In a groundbreaking experiment, he brought together musicians from the lands of the Silk Road to co-create a new artistic idiom: a musical language founded in difference, a metaphor for the benefits of a more connected world.

Journeys in Film is pleased to offer educational resources for two Silkroad Projects: My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two / American Railroad and The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silkroad Ensemble for grades 6-12.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new teaching tools and professional development opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad

We’re pleased to introduce our collection of My Music with Rhainnon Giddens Teaching Resources, new at Journeys in Film!

Season 2 of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens features Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosting a series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The project presents a musical exploration of the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.

Get these resources now from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library — or keep reading to learn more!

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources FAQ

Why Use My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources In Your Classroom

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens is a powerful way to bring US history alive and explore the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States.

The series also deepens understanding and connection and can build community around the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad

Tell Me More About This Series

Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts a half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The outstanding guest artists of the series are innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices.

Tell Me More About The Silkroad American Railroad Project

Originally conceived by Silkroad’s Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the American Railroad project sheds light on the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities, to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America.

Just as the ancient Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange between Asia and Europe, the railroad transformed the American landscape—both uniting and dividing the people whose lives it touched. While these laborers played a fundamental role in one of the 19th century’s most significant technological and economic achievements, their stories have too often been erased from history. At the same time, the railways had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, displacing people from their ancestral lands.

Tell Me More About The Musicians and Cultures Featured in Each Episode

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 1: Wu Man

Host Rhiannon Giddens performs and talks with Chinese pipa master Wu Man, a 2023 NEA National Heritage Fellow who has been part of Silk Road Ensemble since its founding in 2000 by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. They talk about the origins of the pipa and discuss Silk Road’s multi-year “American Railroad” project.

Relevant for American Railroad and Chinese Immigrants and for Music Lessons or History through Music. Also teaching about Chinese music and about the pipa.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 2: Maeve Gilchrist

Host Rhiannon Giddens shares a musical visit with Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist in an historic North Carolina train station. They discuss the harp’s place in different musical traditions and talk about Maeve’s original composition for Silk Road Ensemble’s “American Railroad” project.

Relevant for American Railroad and Irish Immigrants and for Music Lessons or History through Music. Also for teaching Irish music and about the harp.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 3: Mazz Swift

Host Rhiannon Giddens visits with Black American musician Mazz Swift, a violinist, vocalist, and improvisational conductor whose musical journey includes education at Juilliard, playing music in the New York subway, and working with goats on a farm.

Relevant for American Railroad and Black History. Connects as well as to Neurodivergence, Non-Binary (/LGBTQIA+) Representation, Music Lessons or History through Music.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 4: Sandeep Das

Sandeep Das from India is a virtuoso on the northern India drums called tabla, and his musical education included living for twelve years in the home of a famous guru. Sandeep and host Rhiannon share a visit in L.A.’s Union Station that concludes with a Silk Road Ensemble performance at U.C. Berkeley featuring the tabla.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 5: Haruka Fujii

Japanese percussionist Haruka Fujii talks with Rhiannon about the surprising history of the marimba in Japan and her own mission to spread the beauty of Japanese music to diverse audiences. They discuss Silkroad’s “American Railroad” project, and the episode ends with a performance of Fujii’s original composition “Tamping Song”.

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 6: Pura Fé

Native American vocalist and lap steel guitarist Pura Fé has both Tuscarora and Taino blood in her veins and generations of ancestors in her voice. She shares her personal background and musical journey in an episode that culminates in a Silk Road Ensemble performance of her song “Mahk Jchi”.

Relevant for American Railroad and Indigenous/Native American History, Music Lessons or History through Music.

What Ages Is This Series For

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens is not rated. We recommend it for ages 8 and up.

What Are Available As My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources

1. My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources: American Railroad Curriculum Guide

This curriculum guide contains 11 lessons for teaching about the history of the American Transcontinental Railroad.

It’s available in two companion versions.

The American Railroad Instructional Guide

This guide is for teachers. It features accurate historical information regarding the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States. These classroom-ready lesson plans addressing the impact of the railroad’s progress on individuals and groups vital to the success of this national endeavor. The lessons are standard-based, with an emphasis on ELA and Social Science for middle school students.

The American Railroad Student Guide

This guide features printable handouts for all 11 lessons for students. Each lesson includes a Share Out, a Daily Learning Target, a detailed Reading Process, and Discussion Questions. They also include related primary sources, terms to know, worksheets and activities.

Subjects: History, Social Studies, US History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8

2. My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources: My Music Learning Guides

Learning Guides explore the themes and musicians featured in the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two. Guides are available for Episode 1 with Chinese pipa master Wu Man, Episode 2 with Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist, Episode 3 with Black American musician Mazz Swift, and Episode 6 with Native American vocalist and lap steel guitarist Pura Fé.

The Guides include background information, useful terms, related resources, extended learning activities. They are available in PDF and Google Slideshow formats.

There are also Extension Activities and two Printable Handouts available as separate downloads that work with any of the learning guides: a Music Listening handout and a Song Analysis Handout.

Subjects: Geography, History, Music, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, US History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Who Should Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources

The American Railroad resources are designed for grades 6-8 (or middle school).

The My Music Learning Guides can work for grades 6-12 (or middle school and high school).

What Classes do the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources Work In

The My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources are suitable for classes in: Geography, History, Music, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, and US History.

What Themes Are Explored in the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources

The My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources explores Asian American, Black American, Celtic/Irish American, LGBTQ (Nonbinary) Native American and Neurodiverse representation, culture, history and identity.

The series also explores themes of settler colonialism, human rights, immigration, social emotional learning, and racial equity.

Why use My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources to Teach Music Education

In My Music with Rhiannon Giddens, host Rhiannon Giddens interviews accomplished world musicians who share about their childhoods, early impressions and education with music, and how they came to take up musical careers. The conversations are anchored in their life experiences at the same age as middle school students! These conversations can inspire students about music and learning instruments but also in pursing their own goals and forging their own paths in life.

How Long is This Series

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2 includes 6 episodes that are each 25 minutes long. It’s great for classroom use!

Where Can I Watch This Series

Get the latest information on where to watch from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens listing in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.

Where Can I Get the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources

Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful and inspiring series.

What Other Media Can I Pair with This Series

Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 1 about Chinese Pipa Master Wu Man with Please Vote for Me and The Music of Strangers for teaching about about China and Chinese culture.

Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 3 about Black American Musician Mazz Swift with our Black History collection for teaching about Black History and Black Excellence.

Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 4 about Indian tabla virtuoso Sandeep Das with Like Stars on Earth for teaching about India and Indian culture.

Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 6 about Native American vocalist and lap steel guitarist Pura Fé with our resources for teaching about World Indigenous Peoples with film.

We also recommend the section on first-generation Egyptian-American immigrant Mimi Hannenein in Resisterhood to expand the conversation about American immigrant experiences.

If you’re teaching Middle School Geography, History and Social Studies, we also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Cup (Tibet), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

Our Windows and Mirrors Media Literacy Activity gives students a way to consider if the perspectives of underrepresented and marginalized people are included in their media diets.

You can also check out our related resource collections for teaching with film about:

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

Silkroad Ensemble members will be participating in our free professional development webinar Teaching with Primary Sources: Cultural Products as Historical Narrative on January 27, 2026. Learn more and register for the series: Stories That Connect: Using Film and Primary Sources to Build Belonging

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new teaching tools and professional development opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter.

Learn More About Teaching with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad

We’re pleased to introduce our collection of Searching for Amani Teaching Resources, new at Journeys in Film!

Searching for Amani follows a thirteen-year-old aspiring journalist’s investigation of his father’s tragic murder within the boundaries of one of Kenya’s largest wildlife conservancies.

Why Use Searching for Amani Teaching Resources In Your Classroom

Searching for Amani introduces students to Kenya and explores climate change from multiple perspectives, including Biodiversity, Colonialism, Conflict and Conservation, Economic Justice, Human Rights, and Indigenous Peoples. It’s also a powerful tool for teaching interview skills and inspiring interest in journalism careers.

What Ages Is This Film For

Searching for Amani is not rated. We recommend it for ages 13 and up.

What Are Available As Searching For Amani Teaching Resources

1. Searching for Amani Teaching Resources: Discussion Guide

Provides helpful insights and context about 5 key topics in the film:

Impact of Climate Change in Kenya
Pastoral, Agricultural, and Urban Life
Conflict and Conservation
Role of Investigative Journalism
Making a Difference (Community Service / Service Learning)

Includes guided prompts to help get the conversation started and engagement activities.

Subjects: Geography, Environmental Studies, Journalism, Service Learning, Social Studies.

Designed for: community screenings, panels, and workshops, and for college courses and seminars.

2. Searching for Amani Teaching Resources: Learning Guide

This guide focuses on themes of Community and Climate Change. It includes Driving Questions, Extension Activities. Additional Resources, and Useful Terms. It also includes three printable handouts: a Climate Crisis Timeline, Research Examples about Climate Change and Indigenous Communities, and Interview Tips.

Subjects: Civics, Community Service Learning, Current Events, English Language Arts, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Film Literacy, Human Development, Journalism, Language Arts, Science, Service Learning, STEM

Lesson Grades: 6-12

3. Searching for Amani Teaching Resources: Climate/Environment Lesson

This lesson explores the intersection of Biodiversity, Climate, Colonialism, Economic Justice, Human Rights, and Indigenous Peoples.

This lesson features extension activities and five printable handouts, including a Settler Colonialism and Indigenous Peoples Worksheet and Teacher Answer Key, and an Indigenous Peoples and Climate Justice Worksheet.

Subjects: Community Service Learning, Environmental Science

Lesson Grades: 7-12

4. Searching for Amani Teaching Resources: Journalism Lesson

This lesson explores the intersection of Biodiversity, Climate, Colonialism, Economic Justice, Human Rights, and Indigenous Peoples.

The lesson was created for journalism after-school film clubs, service-learning educational spaces, and other spaces looking to engage in activities related to gathering and reporting information, as well as classroom use.

This lesson features five printable handouts, including a Settler Colonialism and Indigenous Peoples Worksheet and Teacher Answer Key, and an Indigenous Peoples and Climate Justice Worksheet.

Subjects: Career Studies, Civics, Community Service Learning, Creative Writing, Film Literacy, Journalism, Language Arts, Media Literacy

Lesson Grades: 7-12

5. Searching for Amani Teaching Resources: Kenya Historical Context Handout

This three-page printable handout includes :

Map of Kenya.
Background information on the vibrant communities of Kenya and the challenges they face amid climate change, explained in historical context.
Timeline of the Colonization of Kenya.

The handout is designed to work with all our Searching for Amani Teaching Resources. It is also helpful for classes on Kenya, Kenyan history, and contemporary climate conflicts in Kenya.

Subjects: Geography, History, Social Studies, World History

Lesson Grades: 7-12

Who Should Teach with Searching for Amani

These resources are best for Grades 6-12, college and adult learning communities. They are also great for after school clubs, community education, service learning spaces and public screenings.

What Classes do the Searching for Amani Teaching Resources Work In

The Searching for Amani Teaching Resources are suitable for classes in: Career Studies, Civics, Creative Writing, Community Service Learning, Current Events, English Language Arts, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Film Literacy, Geography, History, Human Development, Journalism, Language Arts, Media Literacy, Science, Service Learning, Social Studies, STEM and World History.

What Themes Are Explored in the Searching for Amani Teaching Resources

The Searching for Amani Teaching Resources explore themes of Biodiversity, Colonialism, Conflict and Conservation, Economic Justice, Human Rights, and Indigenous Peoples.

Tell Me More About The Film

Set in a Kenyan conservancy facing extreme drought, Searching for Amani follows a 13-year-old’s pursuit of truth as he uncovers the invisible forces of climate change threatening his home and future. What begins as a young aspiring journalist’s search for answers to his father’s death becomes a powerful coming-of-age story.

How Long is This Film

Searching for Amani is 56 minutes long. It’s great for classroom use!

Where Can I Get the Searching for Amani Teaching Resources

Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the Searching for Amani film page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful film.

What Other Films Does This Film Pair Well With

If you’re teaching about Africa, combine Searching for Amani with Queen of Katwe (Uganda) and The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind (Malawi).

If you’re teaching about Climate and Farming, we recommend Greener Pastures and The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind.

Where Can I Get Related Resources

Check out our related resource collections on Black History, Civics and Civic Engagement, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Peoples, and Media Literacy and Journalism.

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new teaching tools and professional development opportunities. Sign up for our newsletter.

Searching for Amani

We have just added new film guides to our resource library to help you teach about Nobel Prize Winners with film! Alfred Nobel (1833–1896), a wealthy Swedish scientist, left a bequest for annual international awards in physics, chemistry, medicine, and literature, as well as one that he called a Peace Prize. Winners receive medals and diplomas, as well as substantial monetary grants; they also have the opportunity to deliver formal speeches to guests invited to the awards ceremonies in Sweden. The compelling real life stories of Nobel Prize winners like Albert Einstein, the Dalai Lama, Malala Yousafzai and Maria Ressa can empower and inspire students and teachers alike. Plus these award-winning global education films from around the world introduce students to new countries, cultures, and points of view. These are great tools for teaching character education, leadership, and social-emotional learning.

Teach about Nobel Prize Winners with Film

Spotlight on Maria Ressa

“Without facts, you can’t have truth.
Without truth, you can’t have trust.
Without these, we have no shared reality, no rule of law, no democracy.”
Maria Ressa

And So It Begins introduces viewers to Filipino-American investigative journalist and media integrity campaigner Maria Ressa. In October 2021, Ressa was one of two journalists awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

Our And So It Begins Learning Guide features a profile on Maria Ressa, exploring her extraordinary career and her fight for free speech. It also presents her inspirational 2023 commencement speech, which can fire up students to build a better future.

Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Current Events, English Language Arts, Journalism, Media Literacy, Speech

Get the And So It Begins Learning Guide.

More Resources to Teach About Nobel Prize Winners with Film

Teach about Nobel Prize Winners: Albert Einstein

“I don’t care about awards….
I care about science,…about
understanding the world around us.”
Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein’s Nobel prize was not for his theory of relativity but for his paper on the photoelectric effect, and it came well after his theory of relativity had been acclaimed by other scientists. The Royal Academy gave Einstein the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922 “for his services in Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.” The photoelectric effect involves, light, magnetism, and the release of energy in one form or another.

Genius Season One explores the life and work of Albert Einstein. Our Genius: Albert Einstein Discussion Guide provides context for Einstien’s Nobel Prize and provides questions to lead students in discussions of how Einstein reacted to the prize and how it affected his life.

Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: STEM classes (especially physics), US History, World History

Get the Genius: Albert Einstein Discussion Guide.

Teach about Nobel Prize Winners: Malala Yousafzai

“Dear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness.
We realise the importance of our voice when we are silenced.”
Malala Yousafzai

He Named Me Malala introduces students to the life and education advocacy work of Malala Yousafzai. When 11-year-old blogger Malala Yousafzai began detailing her experiences in the Swat Valley of Pakistan for the BBC, she had no idea what momentous changes were coming in her life. She and her father Ziauddin spoke out in favor of girls’ access to education and against restrictions imposed by extremists. When Malala was shot in the head by a gunman on her way home from school and almost killed in 2012, she used the international attention she attracted to advocate for the cause of girls’ education worldwide. In 2014 she was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at age 17, becoming the youngest Nobel Prize laureate in history.

Our He Named Me Malala Curriculum Guide includes a lesson plan focused on Malala’s Nobel Prize address. Although most people recognize the phrase “Nobel Prize,” students may know little about its significance. This lesson begins with an introduction to the history and nature of the Nobel Prize. (Teachers may find this portion of the lesson helpful to use with the other lessons about Nobel Prize winners listed here.) Students then view Malala’s Nobel Peace Prize acceptance
speech and go on to analyze its content. They learn about rhetorical devices and investigate their use and significance in the speech.

Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College
Subjects: English Language Arts, Language Arts, Speech

Get the He Named Me Malala Curriculum Guide.

Teach about Nobel Prize Winners: 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso

“Because we all share this small planet earth,
we have to learn to live in harmony and peace
with each other and with nature.
That is not just a dream, but a necessity.”
Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

In narrative feature film The Cup, two young Tibetans in exile find refuge in Chokling Monastery in Northern India, where they will soon receive their ordination — and turn the life of the monastery upside-down. It’s a powerful tool for teaching students about Tibet, Tibetan culture, and global refugees, plus it’s a film that students love.

Lesson 7: A World of Refugees in our The Cup Curriculum Guide includes a special focus on the 14th Dalai Lama, who is himself a refugee. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Activity 4: The World’s Most Famous Refugee explores the Dalai Lama’s life and work in exile. This activity includes a student handout. The lesson also features an extension activity about Nobel Prize winners, including Martin Luther King Jr.

Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Current Events, International Relations, Service Learning, Social Studies, World History

Get The Cup Curriculum Guide.

Looking for more Global Education Resources? We also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).

At the American Library Association National Conference in 2024, Journeys in Film staff met so many incredible librarians, educators, and organizations including Benoît Calvez, CEO of myfilmfriend. Inspired by the work myfilmfriend is doing, Journeys in Film wanted to interview the organization’s CEO and COO Nora Abbott and share the mission of their library streaming platform.

Myfilmfriend: Highlighting Entertainment that Supports Education and Cultural Enrichment

What drew you to myfilmfriend?

Benoît: We started myfilmfriend in 2017, born out of a growing need to bridge the gap between what libraries could offer and what their users increasingly expected. As DVDs became outdated and streaming giants reshaped how people accessed media, we saw that libraries needed a digital alternative to stay relevant. Our goal was to provide entertainment as well as films that support education and cultural enrichment.

My idea to bring our service to North America gained momentum at a licensing conference in Denmark, where librarians from the U.S. responded enthusiastically. They appreciated our open, customer-oriented approach and mission to make film culture more accessible. That energy inspired the decision to bring myfilmfriend to North America.

Nora: As a lifelong lover of libraries and film, joining myfilmfriend felt like a natural extension of who I am. My mother instilled a deep appreciation for libraries early on. I still remember the barcode number on my childhood library card. That interest in books and learning led me to a career in special education. In my teaching, I used film to help deepen understanding across a wide range of topics, from life skills to the sciences. Through my students, I saw firsthand how powerful film can be, both in the classroom and in developing a sense of self. So, when I discovered myfilmfriend, a platform that celebrates both film and public service, it just made sense. It brings together everything I care about.

What makes myfilmfriend unique from other similar platforms/streaming services for libraries?

Benoît: We’re laser-focused on one thing: films for libraries. Unlike platforms that split their attention across eBooks, audiobooks, and other media, we specialize in high-quality cinema. This singular focus allows us to go deeper in curation and user experience.

Our catalog is truly global, featuring films from over 90 countries in more than 60 languages. Every title is carefully selected by our team of real film lovers, including critics, directors, and producers, prioritizing human curation over algorithms. We also provide background information and context to help viewers engage more meaningfully with each film.

Our model is built for libraries: unlimited streaming and downloads, all for a flat annual fee. No ticketing, no usage caps, no barriers; just equitable access. As a smaller company, we are highly responsive and collaborative, tailoring our service to meet the needs of libraries of all sizes.

Why is it important that libraries offer diverse film and video content to their users?

Nora: Libraries democratize access, making resources equally available to everyone in the community. People rely on libraries as trusted sources of knowledge and inspiration, offering materials that reflect a wide range of interests and viewpoints. When libraries show films from around the world, they help dismantle stereotypes and broaden horizons, making us better citizens and humans.

Diverse content also reflects the real world, not just the mainstream Hollywood lens. It’s about showing nuanced, multifaceted views of humanity. That’s especially important for young people learning about the world and their place in it.

We absorb so much through cinema; learning about culture, geography, social/emotional skills, and countless other topics. In an age of misinformation and AI-generated content, libraries remain trusted sources, and we’re proud to support that mission by providing reliable, meaningful film experiences.

What are some of your favorite films available through myfilmfriend?

Benoît: Two standout titles that come to mind are No Love Lost and I Am Leo.

No Love Lost really resonated with me as a parent, as it’s about a father-daughter relationship. It’s a subtle, sometimes playful study of how young people navigate loss and the search for connection, inspired by French New Wave with stylistic nods to Godard and Gondry.

I Am Leo remains one of my favorites, about gender identity and belonging. Despite its short runtime, it’s a beautifully told story that resonates with both teens and adults, making it an ideal conversation starter across a range of settings.

How are librarians and educators using myfilmfriend?

Nora: Librarians and educators are incredibly resourceful, and they’re using myfilmfriend in a variety of creative ways. Many curate themed film collections to go with in-library displays or events; for example, pairing environmental documentaries with Earth Day book exhibits. These collections are promoted through their newsletters, social media, and can even be featured directly on their myfilmfriend homepage using custom film stripes. Our team also updates the myfilmfriend homepage often with different, topical collections that librarians and educators can use to inspire a display or lesson; such as International Peace Month or Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Libraries can host public screenings using myfilmfriend, turning movie nights into community events. We support these efforts by providing complimentary marketing materials to help boost visibility and attendance.

In educational settings, myfilmfriend is a valuable tool for language and cultural learning, giving students access to global perspectives through film. Educators use it to show films that address social-emotional topics like bullying or mental health, sparking important classroom discussions. With permalinks, films can be embedded in syllabi or shared on class websites, allowing students to watch from home or in class, supporting flexible learning models.

Educators can access myfilmfriend through their public or university libraries, and K-12 schools can now also subscribe directly. We’re happy to provide test accounts so teachers can preview films- just reach out to us!

How does myfilmfriend support filmmakers?

Benoît: We are committed to supporting filmmakers, especially new and rising voices. We actively license debut films and work directly with directors, often discovering new talent at film festivals before they even have a distributor. We send letters of intent early in the process, giving filmmakers confidence and financial security as they seek funding.

Our platform spans 10 countries across two continents, giving filmmakers international visibility and income. We license student films, shorts, and independent projects- many of which wouldn’t find a home on mainstream platforms.

What sets us apart is our editorial approach. We don’t just host films; we write about them, promote them, and push them to the front. Distributors know that films on myfilmfriend actually get watched, which means more impact and better returns for creators. We’re proud to be a platform where filmmakers and audiences can truly connect.

What film did you watch recently that brought you joy or made you think or inspired you?

Nora: One short documentary that’s really stayed with me is Imalirijit, from Canada. It’s set in Nunavut and follows a young researcher who’s leading an effort to monitor water quality, something that feels urgent both locally and globally. What makes it especially powerful is how his work is inspired by his grandfather, blending modern science with traditional knowledge. It’s a beautiful example of environmental stewardship and intergenerational learning. Plus, you get to hear Inuktitut spoken throughout, a language that’s rarely heard in film.

To me, Imalirijit is a reminder of what makes diverse film so important, so exciting. It offers a glimpse into another world that may seem distant, only to show you how deeply connected we all are.

How can interested educators and librarians learn more?

Nora: It’s easy to connect with us! We work with institutions and consortia of all sizes. Visit us at myfilmfriend.org / .com / .mx, depending on your region, or email me directly at nabbott@myfilmfriend.com. We’re currently offering special pricing through Ontario Library Service and Bibliopresto, making it easier than ever to bring curated world cinema to your community.

Benoît Calvez

Benoît is the CEO of myfilmfriend, Inc and filmwerte GmbH. He previously worked with arthouse cinema associations in Germany and worldwide, and organized film festivals for the French Embassy, promoting independent and international cinema. He’s passionate about bringing diverse films to new audiences.

Nora Abbott

Nora is the Chief Operating Officer at myfilmfriend. Before joining the world of film and streaming, she worked as a middle school special education teacher. Her background in education and love for libraries shape her approach to making international cinema more accessible.

About myfilmfriend

myfilmfriend is a new video on demand service offering high quality content for library members in North America. Developed in Europe, the streaming platform provides library users with unlimited access to an expertly curated catalog of European & World Cinema, including great movies, series, concerts, and award-winning documentaries, with daily recommendations for users.

September is Classical Music Month! Celebrate with these beautiful films plus our free lesson plans to boost student engagement across the curriculum. These music film teaching resources are great for classes in Music Education, Music History, Language Arts, Social Studies, History, Environmental Science and more! For grades 4 and up.

Four Great Films to Teach for Classical Music Month

1. Classical Music Month: Teach with Chevalier

Disney’s hit film Chevalier was inspired by the true story of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The historic Black violinist, composer and fencer made a sensation at the court of Marie Antoinette. The Chevalier Discussion Guide explores Joseph Bologne’s legacy, as well as the impact of music and the arts on social and cultural revolutions. For grades 11-12 and college / adult learning.

Lesson Grades: 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: English Language Arts, European History, ‘Film Literacy, French History, French Revolution, History, Language Arts, Music, Music Education, Music History, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, World History.

Get the Chevalier Discussion Guide.

2. Classical Music Month: Teach with Defiant Requiem

Powerful Holocaust Education film Defiant Requiem chronicles how prisoners at Theresienstadt (Terezin) concentration camp used music and the arts as a tool of resilience and resistance. The Defiant Requiem Curriculum Guide includes lessons on Verdi and his requiem, and also on the psychology of art and resilience.

Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Art History, Creative Writing, Current Events, English Language Arts, Film Literacy, History, Holocaust Education, Journalism, Language Arts, Media Literacy, Music, Music Education. Music History, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Studies, Visual History, World History, World Religions.

Get the Defiant Requiem Curriculum Guide.

3. Classical Music Month: Teach with Landfill Harmonic

Landfill Harmonic is an inspiring documentary about the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, the Paraguayan classical music group that plays instruments made entirely out of upcycled garbage. The Landfill Harmonic Curriculum Guide includes a lesson all about this amazing youth orchestra.

Lesson Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Subjects: Community Service Learning, English Language Arts, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Language Arts, Music, Service Learning, Science, Social Studies, STEM.

Get the Landfill Harmonic Curriculum Guide.

4. Classical Music Month: Teach with The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble

The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble presents a vivid portrait of a bold musical experiment and a global search for the ties that bind. It brings together musicians and artists from around the world. The Music of Strangers Curriculum Guide features a lesson on ancient instruments and a printable PDF about traditional instruments around the world.

Lesson Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Art History, Current Events, English Language Arts, Film Literacy, Geography, Journalism, Language Arts, Media Literacy, Music, Political Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts, Visual Literacy, World History

Get The Music of Strangers Curriculum Guide.

Plan Ahead: Important Dates

In addition to Classical Music Month, these films can also be great choices to teach with for International Music Day on October 1, Violin Day on December 13, and Music in Our Schools Month in March.

Get updates

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about launches of new music films and more. Sign up for our newsletter.

We are excited to announce The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources — new at Journeys in Film! This documentary-drama hybrid reveals how social media is reprogramming civilization, with tech experts sounding the alarm on their own creations.

The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources FAQ

What Resources Are Available For This Film

The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources include Classroom Debate Resource, Gen Z Action Guide, Center for Humane Technology – Youth Toolkit, and Bonus Interview Clips.

Classroom Debate Resource

The Classroom Debate Resource guides students in studying the tenets of argumentation. It also shows how to host a debate to advocate a solution to Big Social’s business model. By debating what to do about our toxic information ecosystem, students will drive at the heart of a societal issue that is eroding our ability to engage in constructive discourse. This resource was created in partnership with Newsweek and Washington and Boston Urban Debate League members.

Gen Z Action Guide

The Gen Z Action Guide features discussion prompts and investigative activities to dive into the problem of modern social media and take part in the solution. This guide was created for and with young people!

Center for Humane Technology – Youth Toolkit

The Center for Humane Technology has created a robust educational curriculum for educators and schedule districts to help high school and college students navigate — and push to change — our broken social media environment. It includes issue and action guides,

Bonus Interview Clips

The Social Dilemma team has created several short bonus clips that draw from interviews conducted in the production of the film to dive deeper into different facets of our shared dilemma.

Why Teach with The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources

With The Social Dilemma as a jumping off point, we hope these resources will empower viewers to demand and create better social media technology for all of us.

Who Should Teach with The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources

These resources are designed to be adaptable for middle, high school, and college levels. They also work for community education and public screenings, such as after school clubs and film societies. The Classroom Debate Resource is a great tool for debating clubs, too!

What Classes Can I Use The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources In

These resources may be useful for classes in Community Service, Computer Science and IT, Current Events, Digital Literacy, English Language Arts, Media Literacy, Online Safety, Psychology, Service Learning, Social Emotional Learning, Sociology and Speech.

What Ages Is This Film For

Common Sense Media recommends The Social Dilemma for ages 13 and up.

How Long Is This Film

The Social Dilemma is 94 minutes long.

Where Can I Get the The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources

Get your free copy of The Social Dilemma Teaching Resources from The Social Dilemma film page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this compelling film.

Where Can I Watch The Film

Get the latest information on where to watch from The Social Dilemma film page.

Where Can I Find More Resources for Teaching About the Media Literacy

Check out our Media Literacy and Journalism Collection.

What Other Films Can I Pair This Film With

If you’re teaching about Social Media, Digital Media and Online Safety, we also recommend And So It Begins and Navalny.

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About More New Resources

Be the first to hear about our newest teaching resources: sign up for our newsletter.

The Social Dilemma

We are excited to announce The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources — new at Journeys in Film!

In The Fast Runner, a young Polish girl comes of age in 1938 during the rise of the Nazi party and subsequently the Holocaust. She is challenged by the compassion shown by her Rabbi toward their oppressors. When the Rabbi’s life is later on the line, she faces a critical test of her beliefs.

“This is not just a film — it’s a call to remember, to feel, and to care. Created with over 200 volunteers, powered entirely by donations, and crafted using 35mm film and period-correct lenses to immerse the viewer in its time, The Fast Runner is a labor of love, remembrance, and compassion.”
– David Bercovici-Artieda
Director, Producer, and Cinematographer, The Fast Runner

The Fast Runner Teaching Resources FAQ

What Resources Are Available For This Film

Our new The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources include two distinct teaching tools to make it easy to teach with this film in a wide range of contexts: a Community Discussion Guide and a Learning Guide.

The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources: Community Discussion Guide

In The Fast Runner Community Discussion Guide, you’ll find questions to engage students and foster productive discussions as well as resources for additional learning and expanded learning activities. It are flexible and adaptable to a wide variety of learning environments. It is also an easy-to-use resource for substitute teachers.

The Community Discussion Guide explores these guiding questions:

How can the Holocaust remind us that oppression and genocide are not a single event, but a long-term process involving political, legal, and social shifts that slowly dehumanize targeted groups?
How does learning about the Holocaust challenge us to think about our actions, prejudices, and the importance of standing up against injustice?

This Community Discussion Guide also includes: an introduction to the film, an overview of the historical context of the Holocaust, and a Glossary of Useful Terms,

The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources: Learning Guide

The Fast Runner Learning Guide is designed to work in a variety of settings including classroom and higher education use, community education, and solo learning.

The Learning Guide includes driving questions for each section (these are great for project-based learning), discussion questions, useful terms and extension activities. It also includes a printable Timeline of the Holocaust handout.

The Learning Guide features sections on:

Impact of the Holocaust on Jewish Communities
Cross-Media to Enhance Understanding of the Holocaust
Human Rights
Resistance and Action
Media Literacy

The guide includes our Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines, to promote safe, productive conversations around sensitive topics.

Why Teach with The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources

The Fast Runner explores how the Holocaust was not just a historical event, but a deep human tragedy shaped by individual choices, moral complexities, and acts of quiet resistance. It helps viewers connect personally to the tragedy of the Holocaust and the dehumanizing impact of hatred and oppression. The film encourages empathy, reminding us that behind every statistic is a human being with dreams, talents, a story, and the right to live freely with dignity.

Who Should Teach with The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources

These resources are are adaptable for Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12, as well as college and adult learning communities. They are also great for community education and public screenings, such as after school clubs and film societies.

What Classes can I Teach The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources In

These resources may be useful for classes in Civics, Community Service Learning, English Language Arts, European History, Film Literacy History, Holocaust Education, Language Arts, Law, Media Literacy, Social Studies, World History, and World War II History.

What Themes Do The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources Explore

These resources are great for teaching about Bystanders and Upstanders, Dehumanization and Extremism, Human Rights, Media Literacy, Resistance and Action, and the Role of Propaganda in the Holocaust.

Tell Me More About The Film

At its core, The Fast Runner tells a deeply Jewish story — a story of resilience, identity, and moral struggle in the face of unprecedented persecution. Through the experience of the film’s protagonist Frida, the film explores how the Jewish community, as the Nazis’ primary target for complete extermination, navigated dehumanization and impossible moral choices during the Holocaust.

The Fast Runner illustrates the different stages of the Holocaust. It begins by portraying the richness of pre-war Jewish life in Poland. It then transitions to the period of ghettoization, when Jewish Poles were forcibly segregated, isolated, and confined to precarious conditions. Finally, the film confronts viewers with deportations — the systematic transportation of Jewish people from towns and cities to ghettos, labor camps, and extermination camps. Through Frida’s story, The Fast Runner invites audiences to witness not only the horrors of the Holocaust but also the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of oppression.

What Ages Is This Film For

The Fast Runner is not rated. We recommend it for ages 13 and up.

How Long is This Film

The Fast Runner is just 15 minutes long. It’s easy to teach with in classes!

Where Can I Get the The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources

Get your free copy of the The Fast Runner Holocaust Education Resources (Community Discussion Guide and Learning Guide) from The Fast Runner film page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this compelling short film.

Where Can I Watch The Film

Get the latest information on where to watch from The Fast Runner film page.

Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Film

Learn more about countering Antisemitism in the classroom with films like The Fast Runner for PD credit in our free, on-demand webinar: Using Media to Foster Critical Thinking and Combat Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Where Can I Find More Resources for Teaching About the Holocaust

Check out our comprehensive Holocaust Education toolkit at Share My Lesson: Teaching Holocaust Education with Film.

What Other Films Can I Pair This Film With

If you’re teaching about Resistance and Action, we also recommend Crip Camp, Defiant Requiem, Rebel Hearts, Summer of Soul. and The Crisis Scientists.

Get more resources for teaching about Media Literacy with film in our Media Literacy and Journalism Collection.

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

How Can I Get Updates About More New Resources

Be the first to hear about our newest teaching resources: sign up for our newsletter.

The Fast Runner

We’re pleased to introduce the Resisterhood Learning Guide, new at Journeys in Film!

Resisterhood is a testament to the strength of ordinary Americans in our extraordinary times. The award-winning documentary follows six diverse Americans as they fight for social justice on the streets and in the halls of power. Over the course of two years, we watch a Muslim immigrant (Mimi Hassanein), an octogenarian Black civil rights marcher (Margaret Morrison), the great-granddaughter of a Suffragist (Dr. Jean Gearon), a Puerto Rican power couple (Luis and Soraida Gutierrez), and an LGBTQ activist (Joanna Lohman) work to protect our rights and inspire others to get involved in civic participation.

What Resources Are Available For This Film

Journeys in Film offers a Resisterhood Learning Guide, designed to work in a variety of settings including classroom and higher education use, community education, and solo learning.

The Learning Guide has discussion questions, useful terms and extension activities. It includes a letter from the filmmaker, a timeline of select political events, and additional resources. There is also a section on effective advocacy, and a printable Personal Civic Action Plan worksheet.

The guide includes our Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines, to promote safe, productive conversations around sensitive topics.

Why Teach With the The Resisterhood Learning Guide

This is an important film and resource for teaching about participation in democracy at every level.

The film is filled with rich examples of individuals motivated to take civic action: marching, organizing, public speaking and running for office.

This film and film guide provide opportunities and resources for learning about several marginalized communities: African-Americans, Immigrants, Latino-Americans, LGBTQIA+, Muslims in the US, and Women.

Together, the film and learning guide are powerful tools to start important conversations around voting, activism, and political engagement.

Who Should Teach with Resisterhood

These resources are best for Grades 10-12, college and adult learning communities. They are also great for community education and public screenings, such as after school clubs, film societies, history and gender studies honor societies, offices of civic engagement, political action clubs, student groups, and voter registration programs.

What Classes does the Resisterhood Learning Guide Work For

The Resisterhood Learning Guide is suitable for classes that cover Civics, Current Events, Community Service Learning, English Language Arts, Gender Studies, Government, History, Political Science, Service Learning, Social Studies, US History and Women’s Studies.

The Resisterhood Learning Guide for Civics Teachers

Use the Resisterhood Learning Guide to teach about civic engagement and participation, current events, grassroots activism, government, running for office and more.

The Resisterhood Learning Guide for History Teachers

Use the Resisterhood Learning Guide to teach about Black History, Women’s History, the Equal Rights Amendment, and US Modern History — particularly 2016-2018.

What Themes Does the Resisterhood Learning Guide Explore

This film is great for teaching about Human Rights, Antisemitism, Gender Equity, Islamophobia, and Racial Equity — and above all, about the power and importance of civic participation.

Tell Me More About The Film

The story of the aftermath of the 2016 presidential elections will be told for years to come. Resisterhood presents a vivid picture of this unusual period in American history.

This powerful documentary captures the stories of everyday Americans who became grassroots activists working tirelessly to defend democracy and stop the erosion of civil rights. Resisterhood showcases the wave that brought the US the most ethnically, racially and gender diverse Congress in history. It shares stories of hope that will re-energize and inspire even more people to join the fight to secure a bright future for democracy.

Resisterhood is also a love letter to civic participation. It champions those standing up for our democracy. It inspires viewers to get involved. And it reminds us that we have the power to create the country we want — we just need to use it.

What Ages Is This Film For

Resisterhood is not rated. We recommend it for ages 14 and up.

Where Can I Get the Resisterhood Learning Guide

Get your free copy of the Resisterhood Learning Guide from the Resisterhood film page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful film.

Where Can I Watch The Film

Get the latest information on where to watch from the Resisterhood film page.

Free campus screening events are also available through the filmmaker.

What Other Films Can I Pair This Film With

If you’re teaching about Activism, Protest and Resistance, we also recommend Crip Camp, Rebel Hearts, Summer of Soul and The Crisis Scientists.

If you’re teaching about Political Corruption, combine Resisterhood with And So It Begins and Navalny.

If you’re teaching about Women in Politics, combine Resisterhood with And So It Begins and Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.

Where Can I Get Related Resources

Check out our related resource collections on Black History, Civics and Civic Engagement, and Women’s History. We also offer global education films about Muslim stories.

You can get more suggestions for related resources on our Resisterhood film page.

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

Check out our Teacher Toolbox to make teaching with film fun, easy and effective.

How Can I Share Feedback

If you are teaching with this film, we would love to hear how it works for you and your students. Please get in touch with us by using our contact form.

Resisterhood

Homeschoolers, try a new approach to learning: teach with film for homeschooling. If you are looking for ways to spice up your homeschool curriculum and boost engagement for your learners, film-based lessons are a great option. Whether you’re looking for film guides, free homeschooling lesson plans, or fun learning activities, we’ve got you covered.

Film can abe a powerful tool for learning about life. Students explore and understand other cultures, and feel empathy for people whose lives are different from their own. Film can also help kids see the real-life applications of what they’re learning. All around it’s a great way to broaden your students’ perspectives.

Journeys in Film has created a series of film-based lesson plans that follow the national Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McRel) standards system and Common Core Standards.

Subject areas covered in the Journeys in Film guides include:

Language Arts
Math
Media Literacy
Social Studies
Science
Visual Arts

Our resources are also designed to help teach Critical Thinking, Cross-Cultural Understanding, and Social-Emotional Learning. These resources helps make learning fun and allows your children to explore other cultures — without even leaving home.

A growing number of our film guides also include suggestions for film-book pairings. These literary connections turn teaching with film into a cross-media experience and can be a great way to get reluctant readers excited about books.

The most important part of teaching with film is the follow-up analysis and discussion. Journeys in Film curriculum guides can help you delve deeply into the films to discover all of the ways in which information is being conveyed and how your students can use this information to expand their knowledge and engage their creative and intellectual abilities.

We are a non-profit organization that makes our educational resources available for free to educators of all kinds, including homeschoolers. There’s no cost to you involved at all.

Our resources include lesson plans and discussion guides for box office hits like Disney’s Hidden Figures, Academy Award-winning films like Summer of Soul, and internationally acclaimed films like Like Stars on Earth. We also offer free teaching resources for short films like Golden Age Karate, documentary series like Genius about Albert Einstein, animated films like Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, and educational games like Walden, A Game. We hope that in all this vibrant, creative variety, you can find the perfect tools to teach with film for homeschooling, whatever your needs may be.

If you are looking for ways to add variety to your homeschool curriculum, check out our lesson plans and discussion guides today to teach with film for homeschooling. You can sort our free educational resource library by age, grade, subject, theme, and also recommended audience age, media type, and film running time. If you’re new to teaching with film, our Teacher Toolbox is a great place to start. If you have any questions about our materials, please contact us.

Have fun exploring our Resource Library and happy homeschooling.

Get Updates

Don’t miss out! Get notifications about our newest teaching tools and lesson collections. Sign up for our newsletter.

You Might Also Like…

…our article on Making the Most of Screen Time for families and caregivers.

We have added a new film guide to our library to help you teach with film about political corruption and civic engagement! Political corruption is an abuse of power in which public officials and political leaders use their positions of public trust and influence for private gain. An informed and educated population is essential for a thriving democracy because people can hold government officials accountable and make it harder for them to abuse their power. Government transparency and a free press are also important. Our Civic Engagement Lessons are designed to introduce students to the the mechanics of political corruption and the ways that everyday citizens can play a role in maintaining healthy democracies. These are great tools for teaching Civics, Current Events, Government, Political Science, and Social Studies.

Resources to Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement

Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement: And So It Begins — New Resource!

“How can you have election integrity
if you don’t have integrity of facts?”
Maria Ressa

And So It Begins follows key players in the 2022 Philippines presidential election from two sides of an increasingly dangerous war between press and government. Journalist Maria Ressa faces many legal charges because the government of the Philippines specifically enacts laws aimed at undermining journalistic freedoms and integrity in order to pave the way for increased political corruption. The Philippines is an important case study on the relationship between a free press and political corruption.

Our And So It Begins Learning Guide features a section on Political Corruption and Civic Engagement. It explores the actions that weaken democratic institutions and pave the way for political corruption. It also examines the power of civic engagement and the civic responsibilities of global citizens. This section includes questions for discussion, writing, or personal reflection, as well as extension activities, and additional resources.

Journalism teachers may wish to pair this section with the Journalist Profile on Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa.

Lesson Grades: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Current Events, Journalism, Media Literacy

Get the And So It Begins Learning Guide.

More Resources to Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement:

Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement: Navalny

The Navalny documentary provides an intimate portrait of Russian opposition leader, democracy champion and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, the man most feared by Vladimir Putin. Our Navalny Learning Guide includes a section on Civic Engagement: Political Corruption, Nationalism, Leadership that explores the civic engagement responsibilities of global citizens. The Navalny film and learning guide make a powerful combination with And So It Begins.

Lesson Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning
Subjects: Civics, Current Events, Political Science, Social Studies

Get the Navalny Learning Guide.

Teach with Film about Political Corruption & Civic Engagement: Civics and Civic Engagement Lesson Collection

We recommend the classroom-ready lessons in our Civics and Civic Engagement Lesson Collection to further explore issues raised in the resources listed here. Relevant subjects and themes in this collection include: Civic Engagement and Community Belonging. Community Action and Engagement, Effective Advocacy, Grassroots Work, The Strategic Use of Power, What is Power, and Working for Change.

Lesson Grades: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, College, Adult Learning

Explore the Civics and Civic Engagement Lesson Collection.

To get updates notifications about our new civic engagement lessons and other new resources, sign up for the Journeys in Film newsletter.

Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History for Middle School

American Transcontinental Railroad History for Middle School FAQ

Why use My Music with Rhiannon Giddens to Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History

About the American Railroad Instructional Guide for Teachers

About the American Railroad Student Guide

Who Should Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History

What Classes Can I Teach American Transcontinental Railroad History In

What Cultures Does The American Railroad Instructional Guide Explore

Where Can I Get These Guides

Where Can I Watch This Series

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

About Rhiannon Giddens

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

About the American Railroad Project

About the Silkroad Ensemble

How Can I Share Feedback

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Pura Fé

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Pura Fé FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

Why Teach with The Episode Six Learning Guide with Pura Fé

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

About Pura Fé

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

About the American Railroad Project

About the Silkroad Ensemble

How Can I Share Feedback

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Mazz Swift

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Mazz Swift FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

Why Teach with The Episode Three Learning Guide with Mazz Swift

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

About Mazz Swift

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

About the American Railroad Project

About the Silkroad Ensemble

How Can I Share Feedback

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Maeve Gilchrist

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Maeve Gilchrist FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

Why Teach with The Episode Two Learning Guide with Maeve Gilchrist

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

Where Can I Get More Related Resources

How Can I Learn More about Teaching with this Series

How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series

What if I’m New to Teaching With Film

About Maeve Gilchrist

About My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2

About the American Railroad Project

About the Silkroad Ensemble

How Can I Share Feedback

How Can I Get Updates About New Resources

Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Wu Man

My Music with Rhiannon Giddens and Wu Man FAQ

Why Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens

Who Should Teach with The Episode One Learning Guide with Wu Man

Why Teach with The Episode One Learning Guide with Wu Man

Where Can I Get This Learning Guide

Where Can I Watch This Episode

Important Dates for Teaching With This Resource

Where Can I Get More Related Resources