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 Ridershares 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.
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 Ridershares 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.
Written by Jennifer Fischer.
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!
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.
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 Riderconnects with students as it shares the story of a Maori girl struggling to find her place in her community.
