Lesson Plans by Subject
The Way We Get By | Historical Perspectives: Coming Home from War
November 3, 2009
This lesson plan utilizes the film and website resources for The Way We Get By, which tells the story of a group of volunteers who have greeted more than 900,000 troops at a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine. Classrooms can use these resources to conduct an investigation that compares and contrasts the homecoming experiences of soldiers who served in World War II and the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bronx Princess | Exploring Parent-Child Relationships Through Letter Writing
September 21, 2009
This lesson plan is designed to be used with the film Bronx Princess, which chronicles the complex relationship between a young woman named Rocky and her Ghanaian mother as Rocky progresses from high school to college. Classrooms can use this film and its companion website resources to help students explore their own relationships with their parents through letter writing. (Note: This film sometimes uses English subtitles.)
The Principal Story | Principles of Leadership
September 14, 2009
Classrooms can use this lesson plan and its companion website resources to explore the nature of leadership. This plan is designed to be used with the film, The Principal Story, which follows the activities of both a veteran and a novice school principal during the course of a school year.
Ella Es el Matador (She Is the Matador) | The Struggle for Equal Opportunities for Women
August 27, 2009
This lesson plan is designed to be used with the film Ella Es El Matador (She Is the Matador), which shows the struggles that two women face while trying to succeed in the male-dominated world of bullfighting in Spain. Classrooms can use this film and its companion website resources to spark student interest in those who have fought for equal opportunities for women in other "arenas."
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon) | Human Consequences of U.S. Foreign Policy Decisions
July 16, 2009
This lesson plan is designed to be used with the film The Betrayal (Nerakhoon), which tells the story of members of a Laotian family whose father and husband helped the United States wage a so-called "secret war" in Laos during the Vietnam War, only to face imprisonment or execution after the United States withdrew its forces. This family's story represents the experiences of many Laotians and is an excellent case study for showing students how U.S. foreign policy decisions have the potential to impact generations.
New Muslim Cool | Interpreting Diverse Images of Muslim Life in the United States
June 17, 2009
New Muslim Cool follows the day-to-day life of a Muslim family living in Pittsburgh, PA. Classrooms can use this program to help increase their understanding of Muslim culture in the United States.
Soldiers of Conscience | Perspectives on the Morality of Killing in Wartime
October 14, 2008
Soldiers of Conscience explores the morality of killing in wartime. Classrooms can use this lesson to help students consider opposing arguments on this issue and then develop and defend their own positions.
In the Family
October 1, 2008
This lesson plan is designed to be used with the film In the Family, which explores issues related to genetic testing and the difficult decisions some must face when they learn they are at high risk for certain forms of cancer.
Critical Condition | The U.S. Health Care Crisis
September 30, 2008
Critical Condition tells the stories of four uninsured Americans as they battle illness over a two-year period. Classrooms can use this lesson to examine health insurance coverage in America and create public service announcements to connect the uninsured with free and subsidized health care services.
Calavera Highway | Connect Family Stories With History
September 16, 2008
This lesson plan is for use with the film Calavera Highway, which follows the road trip of two Mexican-American men who reunite with their five brothers and try to piece together their family's history. Classrooms can use this lesson to connect the family experiences of students to larger events or periods in history.

