Environmental Studies Lessons: For Grades 5-12 Product Description
Francesco is a powerful film to bring to your classroom about the life and work of Pope Francis (December 17, 1936 – April 21, 2025).
About the materials: These lessons are designed for grades 9-10 and 11-12, and may be adaptable for other grades. Many of the lessons can be used without viewing the film.
The Francesco Curriculum Guide is also available in Spanish / La Guía Curricular de Francesco también está disponible en español.
Film runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes
Film rating: TV-14. A Video Librarian review is available for this film.
Where to watch: Francesco is available on Vimeo, Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms, in English Spanish and Italian.
Curriculum Guide
Lesson 1: Who Is Pope Francis? (English Language Arts, World Religions)
Lesson 2: Laudato Si’ and the Environment (Environmental Science)
Lesson 3: “It Is Not Just About Migrants”: The Appeal for a More Compassionate World (Social Studies, Community Service)
Lesson 4: Genocide—Past, Present, and Future (Social Studies)
Lesson 5: The Children of Abraham (World History, World Religions)
Lesson 6: Issues Within the Church (World Religions)
Preview Curriculum Guide Vista Previa de esta Guía Curricular
This guide was created in 2022. The presence of this guide on our website does not mean that we endorse, agree with or support statements made by Pope Francis.
Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines
In this guide, you will find suggestions for leading productive conversations that broaden perspectives, encourage empathy, and build new paradigms for education. It is adaptable, flexible and useful for a variety of learning settings. We recommend pairing it with this film to create safe space for classroom engagement on these themes and subjects.
How to download your free resources:
1. Click “Add to Cart” (top of page). 2. Click cart icon and select “checkout”. 3. Download your PDF(s).
Related Resources
Teaching about Christianity? We also recommend Rebel Hearts and The Story of God.
Teaching about World Religions? We also recommend:
- For teaching about Buddhism: The Cup, The Dhamma Brothers and The Story of God.
- For teaching about Hinduism: Like Stars on Earth and The Story of God.
- For teaching about Islam: Check out our article on Celebrating Islam with Film.
- For teaching about Judaism: Big Sonia, Defiant Requiem, Schindler’s List, and The Story of God.
Teaching about the Environment? Check out our Environmental Studies Lessons.
Teaching about Genocide? Check out our article on Genocide Education Resources.
Teaching about Refugees? Check out our article on Bringing Refugee Stories to Your Classroom.
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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:
