Product Description
U.S. Black History Lessons
For Civics, Government, and U.S. History classes
Hidden Figures
Segregation and Civil Rights Lesson This lesson includes 2 handouts and extension activities using short videos available on Youtube, including an activity that connects this historical event to the more recent Dakota Pipeline Protests. Appropriate for US History Classes, especially for teaching about segregation and the Civil Rights Movement. For Grades 7-12.
Hidden Figures Discussion Guide This guide includes history sections on the Jim Crow South, the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s, the realities facing women in this era, the Cold War and the Space Race, plus non-history sections and additional resources. For Grades 5-12.
Film rating: Rating: PG. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 10+. Learn more about teaching with Hidden Figures and where to watch.
Preview Lesson Preview Discussion Guide
Just Mercy
Reconstruction and Post-Reconstruction Lesson This lesson includes activities for using primary sources in the classroom, specifically political cartoons. Features handouts and an activity using an NPR podcast. Appropriate for US History Classes, especially for teaching about Reconstruction and the period following Reconstruction. Ideal for Grades 11-12, but may work for some Grade 9-10 classes.
Legal History / Civil Rights Lesson About the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and Legal History related to the Civil Rights. Includes handouts on constitutional rights and legal case briefs. Appropriate for History and Government classes. For Grades 9-12
Film rating: Rating: PG-13. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 13+. Learn more about teaching with Just Mercy and where to watch it.
Preview Reconstruction Lesson Preview Civil Rights/Legal Lesson
Summer of Soul
Civil Rights Lesson This lesson focuses on the year 1969 within the broader context of the Civil Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act. Includes a handout (and corresponding answer key) focused on major events in African-American History. This lesson was the #1 downloaded product/partner resource on Share My Lesson in 2022. For Grades 7-12.
Film rating: Rating: PG-13. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 13+. Learn more about teaching with Summer of Soul and where to watch it.
Global Black History Resources
For Geography, Regional History and World History Classes.
Chevalier Discussion Guide
The hit Disney movie about historic Black French composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges, plus Black History and the French Revolution. For French History, European History and World History Classes.
Film Rating: PG-13. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 13+. For Grades 11-12. Learn more about teaching with Chevalier and where to watch it.
Preview Chevalier Discussion Guide
Queen of Katwe Discussion Guide
The hit Disney movie about Ugandan Phiona Mutesi, her life in a slum of Kampala, and her rise as an international chess star.
Film rating: PG. Common Sense Media rates this film as appropriate for ages 10+. Learn more about Queen of Katwe and where to watch it.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Discussion Guide
About William Kamkwamba, the Malawian schoolboy who used ingenuity and engineering to save his village from drought. Useful for learning about Malawi. For African History and World History Classes.
Film Rating: TV-PG. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 12+. For Grades 7-12 or adaptable to Grades 5 and 6. Learn more about teaching with The Boy Who Harness the Wind and where to watch it.
Preview Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Discussion Guide
Beat the Drum Discussion Guide
About Apartheid and South Africa Lesson. Includes mapping activities, geography elements, touches on the history of South Africa.
For African History and World History Classes.
Film Rating: not rated. CommonSense Media Rating: not rated. For Grades 11-12. Learn more about teaching with Beat the Drum and where to watch it.
Related Resources
Professional Development Webinars
These webinars support teaching Black History. They are available free and on-demand via Share My Lesson. Participants receive a certificate of completion for one-hour of Professional Development credit.
- Hidden Figures: Using Film to Teach Across the Curriculum
- Inequity in Criminal Justice: Teaching the film Just Mercy
- Summer of Soul: Celebrating Black History Through Music and Film
- 1. At the top of the page, click “Add to Cart”. 2. Check out. 3. Download.
Get updates
Sustainable Development Goals
Journeys in Film supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about teaching with UN SDGs. This curriculum guide connects to the following SDGs.
