Honor Veterans’ Voices Through Film and Oral History

We have resources to help you honor veterans’ voices and bring oral history and historical stories to life for Veterans Day and all year long! We are pleased to offer several Journeys in Film curriculum guides, film discussion guides, and other resources to support you in teaching about veterans and about World War II.

Honor Veterans: New Resources 2026

Bomber Boys: World War II Flight Jacket Art

This engaging book features beautiful photographs from award-winning photographer John Slemp. He photographed A-2 jackets worn by pilots in WW2. This book is the most comprehensive visual record of A-2 jackets ever produced. Further, it includes pilot stories and anecdotes. Our teaching resources include:

Materials for teaching Oral History and video links to veteran testimonies
Oral History Handouts and Worksheets
World War II/A-2 Jacket Visual Timeline
Material Culture Handouts and Resources
Resources for teaching about the Women Air Force Service Pilots who served in World War 2

This is a valuable resource that honors veterans’ voices. Additionally, it speaks to the power of the past to inform our understanding of the present. There is a special discount code for educators for this beautiful, large format book. Use: TEACHBB at check out for $30 off!! (This book would also be an excellent gift for a WW2 Veteran in your life or a WW2 history buff!)

▶ Learn more about teaching with Bomber Boys: World War II Flight Jacket Art and get our FREE teaching resources, including multiple ready-to-go handouts and worksheets.

Honor Veterans: The Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen: Return to Ramitelli is an engaging WWII History film. It useful for teaching with primary sources about Black History, Civil Rights, History, Social Studies, US History, and World History.

Narrated by Darius Rucker (the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish), the film weaves together archival footage, veteran interviews, family reflections, and visits to historic sites. Additionally, the film highlights the military achievements and personal sacrifices of the Tuskegee Airmen. It Return to Ramitelli is both a history lesson and a reminder of how stories of resilience and excellence continue to inspire new generations.

Learn more about teaching with The Tuskegee Airmen: Return to Ramitelli and our free discussion guide for the film. (The film’s running time is under one hour so, in most cases, it can be shown in one class period.)

Honor Veterans: Women Serving in World War II

Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer

Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer is an exciting WWII History film that is also useful for teaching with primary sources about Computers and IT, History, Social Studies, Women’s History, Women in Computing, and World History. This film highlights the contributions of women in service of code breaking during World War II alongside the men also involved with this important work.

Learn more about teaching with Breaking Enigma: A World War II Game Changer and our free discussion guide for the film. (The film’s running time is under one hour so, in most cases, it can be shown in one class period.)

Her War, Her Story: World War II

In Her War, Her Story: World War II, the individual stories of more than two dozen women provides a view into the role of women in one of history’s most violent conflicts, from the perspectives of those who served, witnessed, or were caught up in a war that proved women were the equal of men when it came to patriotism, service, or in some cases, self-preservation during crises that called for steadfastness. This film highlights not only women veterans who served in World War 2, but also examines the larger impact of the war on women.

Learn more about teaching with Her War, Her Story: World War II and our free discussion guide for the film. (This film is also under one hour.)

Honor Veterans: D-Day

Day of Days: June 6, 1944 tells the story of D-Day, recalled by the veterans who landed on the French shore. The film features archival footage and seeks to bring the events of that day to life in dramatic and emotional ways. Most of the enlisted soldiers were young and scared as they dropped from the sky or arrived by boat at Omaha and Utah Beaches, unsure of their survival and the efficacy of their mission.

This is a a war documentary that deals with the realities of armed conflict. The film is officially rated for ages 13+ but we recommend it for age 15+. Educators should watch the film to assess its suitability for their learners.

Learn more about teaching with Day of Days: June 6:1944 and our free discussion guide for the film (also under one hour).

Intergenerational Viewing!

We also recommend these documentaries and the rest in our World War II Lesson Collection as recommended for international viewing. These films and their discussion guides are appropriate for classroom learning, libraries, homeschooling and more!

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Our Newest Film Guides

As a new year begins, we’re excited to share our newest film guides with you!

Our Latest Teaching Resources for Acclaimed Contemporary Films

To start a new year, we’re recapping our ten newest film guides. These acclaimed documentaries and hit feature films shed new light on history, current events, and the important figures and issues of our time. Our free teaching resources can help you put the rapidly-shifting news landscape into context for your students and lead productive discussions on sensitive and sometimes difficult topics.

Joseph Bologue, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, looks confidently at the viewer, wearing a plum-colored 18th century French suit, and holding a violin in his left hand, while in the background nobles of Marie Antoinette's court look on.

Chevalier (For Grades 11-12)

Inspired by the incredible true story of France’s first Black classical composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Our Chevalier Discussion Guide sheds new light on the realities of 18th century France and can ignite student interest and engagement in learning more about the French Revolution.

Text across the top reads: Crip Camp. A green bus with wheelchair accessibility is below the text.

Crip Camp (For High School)

Crip Camp shares with insight, humor, and joy the experiences of a group of disabled teenagers and their journey to adulthood and activism. Our Crip Camp Curriculum Guide and Discussion Guide delve into this rich and powerful story of disability activism, culture, and history.

Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down nominated for 2 Critics Choice Documentary Awards including Best Documentary Feature.

Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down (For Grades 8-12)

This compelling documentary tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords: her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt in 2011. We’ve created a “Gabby Giffords Discussion Guide and a Learning Guide.” También están disponibles en español.

Navalny (For High School)

Navalny unfolds with the pace of a political thriller. This Oscar-winning documentary follows Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in his quest to identify the men who poisoned him in a failed assassination attempt. We offer a Discussion Guide and a flexible Learning Guide that features six key learning sections which cover 9 subjects across the curriculum.

Image of an outdoor movie theater. On the movie screen are the words Rebel Hearts

Rebel Hearts (For High School)

This heart-grabbing documentary chronicles the bold acts of faith, defiance and activism of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart that turned the Church upside-down. From marching in Selma in 1965 to the Women’s March in 2018, they challenged the notion of what a nun and a woman were supposed to be. Our Rebel Hearts Curriculum Guide includes a hands-on arts lesson based on the pop art of Sister Mary Corita.

Schindler’s List Special 30th Anniversary Guide (For High School)

In 2023, we launched a new improved Schindler’s List Curriculum Guide with a brand new antisemitism lesson to teach with this powerful & inspiring Academy Award-winner.

Promotional image for the film Summer of Soul featuring a graphic image of a Black man in a blue suit with a guitar. Text overlay reads: Academy Award Winner! Best Documentary Feature. Summer of Soul

Summer of Soul (For Grades 7-12)

Summer of Soul is a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record—about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Our Summer of Soul Curriculum Guide provides an engaging introduction to major events in Black history—with an award-winning soundtrack.

Poster for Unzipped, showing a Black woman in a red knit cap and blue denim ovralls making a face at an adorable Black baby girl in a bright flower-print sundress.

Unzipped: An Autopsy of American Inequality (For High School)

This intimate documentary explores the frontline of America’s heated battles over gentrification, lack of affordable housing, and homelessness. UNZIPPED explodes stereotypes and humanizes the lived experiences of people caught in the cross-fire of America’s growing housing divide. Our Unzipped Learning Guide also explores actionable solutions.

A diverse array of youth at a climate march. Text overlay reads Youth V Gov

Youth v Gov (For Grades 7-12)

This compelling climate court case documentary follows 21 courageous youth activists who file a ground-breaking lawsuit against the U.S. government for their right to a safe climate. Our Youth v Gov Curriculum Guide and Discussion Guide provide context to discuss breaking climate litigation news. Redirect your students’ climate anxiety into action-oriented optimism with these powerful teaching tools.