What to Teach in March

Let’s make March easy! Get classroom-ready resources to teach with film across the curriculum for Women’s History Month, Music in Our Schools Month, Pi Day (yes, you can teach math with film!), Ramadan, World Poetry Day and more!

March Special Event Highlights

Women’s History Month: Free Resources for Women’s History Month + our new Women’s History Resource Collection

Music in Our Schools Month: Chevalier, Defiant Requiem, Landfill Harmonic, Summer of Soul, The Music of Strangers

Ramadan: Teach about Islam with Film

March 14 Pi Day: Teach Math with Film

March 20 International Day of Happiness: Happy (the Happy movie!)

March Monthly Teaching Themes

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: Crip Camp 

Gender Equality Month + Equal Pay Day falls in March (the date changes each year): Films with Gender Equity-themed lessons – He Named Me Malala, Hidden Figures, Jane, Rebel HeartsThe Neighborhood Storyteller.

National Reading Month: Boost Student Engagement with Film and Book Pairings

March Weekly Teaching Themes

Brain Awareness Week March 10-16, 2025 : Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down – Aphasia, Happy – The Psychology of Happiness, Like Stars on Earth – How the Brain Works, The Dhamma Brothers – Meditation and the Brain

LGBTQ Health Awareness Week March 17-21: Finding Pride, The Invisible Shield

Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination  March 21-27  +  March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Chevalier, Hidden Figures, Just Mercy, LA92, Summer of Soul, The Dhamma Brothers, Unzipped, Youth v Gov
*History teachers may also find our Black History Lesson collection helpful.

March Special Teaching Days

March 1 Zero Discrimination Day: What Are Prejudice, Stereotyping And Discrimination? (Video), The Invisible Shield (about social inequities and public health)

March 1 Read Across America Day: Boost Student Engagement with Film and Book Pairings

March 3 World Wildlife Day: Jane, River of Gold — or check out our Celebration of Nature Collection which introduces students to Bugs, Chimpanzees and the Natural World of the Amazon, with resources for grades 3 to 7.

March 4 World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development: The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

March 5 (2025)* Equal Pay Day: Hidden Figures, Jane.

*This date changes each year.

March 8 International Women’s Day: Women’s History Resources + 10 Documentary Films That Celebrate Women of Faith

March 14 Hindu Festival of Holi (2025): The Story of God 

March 15 International Day to Combat Islamophobia: Countering Islamophobia Through Film, 10 Documentary Films That Celebrate Women of Faith (includes great films about women in Islam).

March 15 World Consumer Rights Day: River of Gold (about consumer rights to ethically sourced gold)

March 15 International Long Covid Awareness Day: The Invisible Shield

March 19 National Agriculture DayGreener Pastures

March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Chevalier, Hidden Figures, Just Mercy, LA92, Summer of Soul, The Dhamma Brothers, Unzipped
*History teachers may also find our Black History Lesson collection helpful.

March 21 World Poetry Day: The Prophet

March 21 International Day of Forests: Learn about Forests for Earth Day and Every Day

March 22 World Water Day: River of Gold

March 23 Earth Hour: Environmental Studies Collection

March 23 World Meteorological Day: Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops

March 30 International Day of Zero Waste: Landfill Harmonic

March 30 Doctor’s Day: The Invisible Shield

March 31 International Day of Transgender Visibility: Finding Pride

Women’s History Month: Teach With Film

Free Resources for Women’s History Month

These free resources to support you through Women’s History Month that all take advantage of the power of film. They include core-based lesson plans, fully prepared and ready for immediate classroom use, as they highlight the stories of women who are changemakers, thought leaders, scholars, scientists and much more. They also work for Gender Equity Month (March), International Women’s Day (March 8), and all year round.

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures tells the story of  Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These women, known as “human computers,” worked for NASA in the 1960s. Our FREE Hidden Figures teaching guide features 8 lessons across the curriculum. It is our most popular resource and features a lesson women in science.  We also offer a free Hidden Figures discussion guide that’s great for film clubs and community groups. Hidden Figures is a great choice for Gender Equity Month and Equal Pay Day on March 31.

He Named Me Malala

He Named Me Malala is a dynamic documentary featuring live action and animated sequences to tell the true life story of Malala Yousafzai. She was only 11 years old when she began detailing her experiences in Pakistan for the BBC. terrorists shot and almost killed her — but she survived and continues to advocate for gender equity around the world. Her story, with  our corresponding free discussion guide, is an inspiration to students of all genders. Our extensive curriculum guide explores the history of the Taliban, the geography of Pakistan, and more.

JANE

JANE is a documentary film from National Geographic showcasing the life and important work of revolutionary biologist Jane Goodall. She was a pioneer in the field of primatology. We’ve created a free discussion guide for this film. JANE is another great choice for studying women in STEM alongside Hidden Figures that gets students of all genders excited about STEM careers. JANE likewise works well for Gender Equity Month.

More Popular Women’s History Resources

Two of our recent resources highlight women whose stories resonate with students because of the relevancy to issues facing many students today.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down

This award-winning documentary explores the incredible real life story of gun violence survivor Gabby Giffords. Learn about her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence. For Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, we’ve created a discussion guide and a learning guide. Both highlight Gabby’s inspirational life and our learning guide is perfect for differentiated learning, hybrid learning and for focused lessons on civics, career pathways, gun violence and much more.

Rebel Hearts

This critically-acclaimed documentary tells the story of Los Angeles’s Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, nuns who challenged the patriarchal conventions of the Catholic Church 50 years ago and are still taking a stand today. Rebel Hearts features three standards-based lessons relevant to U.S. History classes, World Religions and Art.

Big Sonia

Big Sonia tells the story of Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski, a vibrant woman in her nineties who speaks to students and prison inmates about her experiences. This outstanding documentary also pairs well with our Antisemitism Today lesson, available from our Schindler’s List page.

Wadjda

Wadjda tells an uplifting story of a ten year-old girl who challenges convention to get her own bicycle. Our Wadjda Curriculum Guide introduces students to the film’s director, Saudi Arabia’s history-making first female filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour. It also explores the lives of women and girls in Saudi Arabia.

Whale Rider

Whale Rider shares  the story of a Maori girl struggling to find her place in her community, whose ambitious dreams are in conflict with tradition. Our Whale Rider Curriculum Guide includes a lesson on Culture and Gender.

Queen of Katwe

Finally, Queen of Katwe is a beautiful narrative film starring Lupita Nyong’o, based on the true life story of young chess champion Phiona Mutesi. This hit Disney movie celebrates the human spirit and the power of chess.

We can’t wait for you to bring these powerful resources to your classroom. Happy Women’s History Month!

Update: Check out our newest film that celebrates a remarkable woman, The Neighborhood Storyteller about Asmaa Rashed. This young Syrian mother in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp empowers young girls through transformative reading circles, igniting hope and change.

Don’t miss out on our newest teaching guides. To get notifications about latest resource launches, sign up for our newsletter.

Women’s History Month: Teach With Film

Free Resources for Women’s History Month

These free resources to support you through Women’s History Month that all take advantage of the power of film. They include core-based lesson plans, fully prepared and ready for immediate classroom use, as they highlight the stories of women who are changemakers, thought leaders, scholars, scientists and much more. They also work for Gender Equity Month (March), International Women’s Day (March 8), and all year round.

Collage of film posters for Big Sonia, Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down, He Named Me Malala, Hidden Figures, JANE, Queen of Katwe, Rebel Hearts, Wadjda, and Whale Rider.

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures tells the story of  Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These women, known as “human computers,” worked for NASA in the 1960s. Our FREE Hidden Figures teaching guide features 8 lessons across the curriculum. It is our most popular resource and features a lesson women in science.  We also offer a free Hidden Figures discussion guide that’s great for film clubs and community groups. Hidden Figures is a great choice for Gender Equity Month and Equal Pay Day on March 31.

He Named Me Malala

He Named Me Malala is a dynamic documentary featuring live action and animated sequences to tell the true life story of Malala Yousafzai. She was only 11 years old when she began detailing her experiences in Pakistan for the BBC. terrorists shot and almost killed her — but she survived and continues to advocate for gender equity around the world. Her story, with  our corresponding free discussion guide, is an inspiration to students of all genders. Our extensive curriculum guide explores the history of the Taliban, the geography of Pakistan, and more.

JANE

JANE is a documentary film from National Geographic showcasing the life and important work of revolutionary biologist Jane Goodall. She was a pioneer in the field of primatology. We’ve created a free discussion guide for this film. JANE is another great choice for studying women in STEM alongside Hidden Figures that gets students of all genders excited about STEM careers. JANE likewise works well for Gender Equity Month.

More Popular Women’s History Resources

Two of our recent resources highlight women whose stories resonate with students because of the relevancy to issues facing many students today.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down

This award-winning documentary explores the incredible real life story of gun violence survivor Gabby Giffords. Learn about her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence. For Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, we’ve created a discussion guide and a learning guide. Both highlight Gabby’s inspirational life and our learning guide is perfect for differentiated learning, hybrid learning and for focused lessons on civics, career pathways, gun violence and much more.

Rebel Hearts

This critically-acclaimed documentary tells the story of Los Angeles’s Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, nuns who challenged the patriarchal conventions of the Catholic Church 50 years ago and are still taking a stand today. Rebel Hearts features three standards-based lessons relevant to U.S. History classes, World Religions and Art.

Big Sonia

Big Sonia tells the story of Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski, a vibrant woman in her nineties who speaks to students and prison inmates about her experiences. This outstanding documentary also pairs well with our Antisemitism Today lesson, available from our Schindler’s List page.

Wadjda

Wadjda tells an uplifting story of a ten year-old girl who challenges convention to get her own bicycle. Our Wadjda Curriculum Guide introduces students to the film’s director, Saudi Arabia’s history-making first female filmmaker Haifaa al-Mansour. It also explores the lives of women and girls in Saudi Arabia.

Whale Rider

Whale Rider shares  the story of a Maori girl struggling to find her place in her community, whose ambitious dreams are in conflict with tradition. Our Whale Rider Curriculum Guide includes a lesson on Culture and Gender.

Queen of Katwe

Finally, Queen of Katwe is a beautiful narrative film starring Lupita Nyong’o, based on the true life story of young chess champion Phiona Mutesi. This hit Disney movie celebrates the human spirit and the power of chess.

We can’t wait for you to bring these powerful resources to your classroom. Happy Women’s History Month!

Update: Check out our newest film that celebrates a remarkable woman, The Neighborhood Storyteller about Asmaa Rashed. This young Syrian mother in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp empowers young girls through transformative reading circles, igniting hope and change.

Don’t miss out on our newest teaching guides. To get notifications about latest resource launches, sign up for our newsletter.A collage image featuring movie posters or curriculum guide covers for Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down, Hidden Figures, Rebel Hearts, Wadjda, He Named Me Malala, Queen of Katwe, Whale Rider, Jane, Big Sonia

Written by Jennifer Fischer.

What to Teach in March

Here are guides and other suggestions for educators, homeschooling individuals and others who plan ahead and want to teach with film in March!

March Teaching Highlights

Women’s History Month: Free Resources for Women’s History Month

Music in Our Schools Month: Chevalier, Defiant Requiem, Landfill Harmonic, Summer of Soul, The Music of Strangers

March 10-April 8 Ramadan: Children of Heaven, He Named Me Malala, The Neighborhood Storyteller, Wadjda, The Story of God

March 14 Pi Day: Children of Heaven, Genius, Hidden Figures, Like Stars On Earth, Please Vote For Me, The Cup, The Way Home, Walden, Whale Rider

March 20 International Day of Happiness: Happy

March Monthly Teaching Events

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: Crip Camp 

Gender Equality Month + Equal Pay Day falls in March (the date changes each year): Films with Gender Equity-themed lessons – He Named Me Malala, Hidden Figures, Jane, Rebel HeartsThe Neighborhood Storyteller.

National Reading Month: Bringing Books and Films Together

March Weekly Teaching Events

March 11-17 Brain Awareness Week: Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down – Aphasia, Happy – The Psychology of Happiness, Like Stars on Earth – How the Brain Works, The Dhamma Brothers – Meditation and the Brain

March 20-24 LGBTQ Health Awareness Week: Finding Pride, The Invisible Shield

March 21-27 Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination  +  March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Chevalier, Hidden Figures, Just Mercy, LA92, Summer of Soul, The Dhamma Brothers, Unzipped, Youth v Gov
*History teachers may also find our Black History Lesson collection helpful.

Special Teaching Days in March

March 1 Zero Discrimination Day: What Are Prejudice, Stereotyping And Discrimination? (Video), The Invisible Shield (about social inequities and public health)

March 1 Read Across America Day: Bringing Books and Films Together to Inspire and Engage Students

March 3 World Wildlife Day: Jane, River of Gold — or check out our Celebration of Nature Collection which introduces students to Bugs, Chimpanzees and the Natural World of the Amazon, with resources for grades 3 to 7.

March 4 World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development: The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

March 8 International Women’s Day: Big Sonia, Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, He Named Me Malala, Hidden Figures, Jane, Queen of Katwe, Rebel Hearts.

March 12 (2024)* Equal Pay Day: Hidden Figures, Jane.

*This date changes each year.

March 15 International Day to Combat Islamophobia: Countering Islamophobia Through Film, 10 Documentary Films That Celebrate Women of Faith (includes great films about women in Islam).

March 15 World Consumer Rights Day: River of Gold (about consumer rights to ethically sourced gold)

March 15 International Long Covid Awareness Day: The Invisible Shield

March 19 National Agriculture DayGreener Pastures

March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Chevalier, Hidden Figures, Just Mercy, LA92, Summer of Soul, The Dhamma Brothers, Unzipped
*History teachers may also find our Black History Lesson collection helpful.

March 21 World Poetry Day: The Prophet

March 21 International Day of Forests: Learn about Forests for Earth Day and Every Day

March 22 World Water Day: River of Gold

March 23 World Meteorological Day: Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops

March 25 Hindu Festival of Holi (2024): The Story of God 

March 30 International Day of Zero Waste: Landfill Harmonic

March 31 International Day of Transgender Visibility: Finding Pride

Text across the top reads: Teach with Film in March. A collage of movie posters is below.

Celebrating Women in History Through Film

Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. This holiday highlights gender inequities. It also draws attention to the importance of a world free of bias, discrimination and stereotypes. Additionally, March is Women’s History Month. Both provide opportunities for educators to highlight and celebrate women in history in their classrooms. We provide free resources to achieve this goal through the use of film. We also encourage educators to include the important contributions of women in history throughout the year! 

Collage of photos of atherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Jane Goodall, and Malala Yousafzai, plus the Journeys in Film logo. Text in the middle says: "International Women's Day. Free teaching resources & discussion guides for films about NASA's "Hidden Figures" — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson; plus Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, and more! From JourneysInFilm.org."

Free Resources Celebrating Women in History

Hidden Figures tells the story of  Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. These women, known as “human computers,” worked for NASA in in the 1960s. Our FREE curriculum guide for this film features 8 lessons focusing on topics including the Cold War, segregation, the math of space travel and more. Additionally, we offer a free discussion guide for this film. 

 

He Named Me Malala is a dynamic documentary about the true life story of Malala Yousafzai. She was only 11 years old when she began detailing her experiences in Pakistan for the BBC. Terrorists shot and almost killed Malala when she was still a teen. She survived and continues to advocate for gender equity around the world. Teach her inspirational story with our free discussion guide and extensive curriculum guide.

JANE is a documentary film from National Geographic showcasing the important work of Jane Goodall. She was a pioneer in the field of primatology. We’ve created a free discussion guide for this film.  

On the left side there is detail from the film poster for Hidden Figures, showing three Black women in 1960s business suits striding confidently forward in front of a rocket blasting off. On the right side, text says: "teach with Hidden Figures. Featured Lesson: "The Math of Space Travel: Orbits and Conic Sections".

More Timely Women’s History Resources

We recommend that you consider and explore more additional resources and films.

Big Sonia is a documentary about Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down documents how US politician Gabriel Giffords survived an assassination attempt and went on to become one of the most effective activists in the battle against gun violence.

Queen of Katwe is a beautiful narrative film starring Lupita Nyong’o and based on the true life story of young chess champion Phiona Mutesi.

Rebel Hearts tells the true story of a group of rebel nuns who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church in the 1960s and who fight for human rights and social justice to this day.

Wadjda tells an uplifting story of a ten year-old girl committed to getting her own bicycle. The film’s director is Saudi Arabia’s first female filmmaker.

Whale Rider connects with students as it shares  the story of a Maori girl struggling to find her place in her community.

Over a deep rose background vertical white text on the left side says "Teach with Film For Women's History Month." On the right there is a collage of film posters for Whale Rider, Hidden Figures, Rebel Hearts, Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down, He Named Me Malala, Queen of Katwe, Big Sonia, Jane, and Wadjda.

Written by Jennifer Fischer

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