Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
11-year-old Akeelah (played by Keke Palmer) loves words. This love stems from her relationship with her father, who has passed away. The two of them played Scrabble together. At school, Akeelah’s teacher encourages her to participate in the school spelling bee.
Her success at this bee opens her up to the world of professional spelling and connects her with Dr. Larabee (played by Laurence Fishburne), who becomes her spelling coach and mentor. Her desire to succeed and reach her goal of participating in the national spelling bee has her crisscrossing Los Angeles and connecting with new friends and communities.
Into the Film’s free educational guide for this film focuses on education, literacy, and citizenship.
Check out our review of Akeelah and the Bee
Get your copy of the Akeelah and the Bee Blu-ray DVD by clicking here.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Based on the autobiographical book by William Kamkwambe, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s screenplay and direction expertly bring William’s story to life. This movie depicts the life story of a 13-year-old boy who teaches himself about wind energy and brings his village together to construct a windmill for their drought-stricken community in Malawi.
Journeys In Film has a free curriculum guide for this film, which includes science, geography, social studies lessons, and more.
Brooklyn Castle (2012)
This documentary film chronicles five members of a junior high chess team. The team is based in a low-income area, and there are those who doubt this team’s ability to succeed. These students prove everyone wrong by becoming one of the most successful chess teams ever. The film highlights the challenges the students face on the chessboard and in life.
The filmmakers feature a free film guide for educators on their website and an after-school club guide created by Beyond the Bell.
Check out our review of Brooklyn Castle
Get your copy of the Brooklyn Castle DVD by clicking here.
Children of Heaven (1997)
In this beautiful Iranian film, siblings Ali and Zahra are forced to share one pair of shoes when 9-year-old Ali accidentally loses Zahra’s only pair of shoes. The siblings struggle to share Ali’s pair of shoes until Ali can win a new pair for his sister in a citywide running competition.
Journeys in Film has a free curriculum guide for this film with lessons about Iran, Math, Science, Art, and more.
Get your copy of the Children of Heaven DVD by clicking here.
The Great Debaters (2007)
Based on a true story, this movie, starring Denzel Washington, tells the story of a debate team at Wiley College, a historically black college (HBCU). Set in the 1930s amidst the inequities prevalent during the Jim Crow era, Wiley College’s debate team succeeds and inspires others despite the many challenges and obstacles they face. The film highlights the unjust laws of that era.
The blog, Mrs. Carter’s Class, features an Assignment and Viewing Guide for the film.
Check out our review of The Great Debaters
Get your copy of The Great Debaters Blu-ray DVD by clicking here.
He Named Me Malala (2015)
When then 11-year-old blogger Malala Yousafzai began detailing her experiences in the Swat Valley of Pakistan for the BBC, she had no idea it would lead to such sweeping changes in her life. Her father, Ziauddin, a school founder, and dedicated teacher, was dedicated to equal education for boys and girls.
The family’s vocal support for this belief made them a target of the Taliban. They recieve many death threats and Malala is shot in the head by a gunman on her way home from school. Her miraculous survival and recovery are shown in this film as well as her continued efforts to advocate for equal education for girls around the world.
Journeys In Film features a free curriculum guide for this film with ELA, Social Studies, Geography lessons, and more.
Check out our review of He Named Me Malala
Get your copy of the He Named Me Malala DVD by clicking here.
Remember the Titans (2000)
Remember the Titans, tells the story of Coach Boone (played by Denzel Washington) who arrives in a Southern town as the head coach of their first desegregated football team. Boone is committed to discipline and hard work. He is convinced that his white and Black players can come together as a team and succeed.
The team faces many challenges from their community and friends, but ultimately they overcome these hurdles and become state champions.
Teach with Film created educational materials for the film with three focus areas: historical fiction, ELA and Film Studies.
Check out our review of Remember the Titans
Get your copy of the Remember the Titans DVD by clicking here.
School of Rock (2003)
In this fun, fictional film, Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, an out-of-work wannabe rock star who impersonates his responsible roommate and takes a substitute teaching gig at a prestigious private school.
As Mr. Schneebly, Finn manages to inspire his students through the creation of a class rock band that amazes fans, and their parents, at the town’s Battle of the Bands event.
ISL created ESL worksheets for this comedic film.
Check out our review of School of Rock
Get your copy of the School of Rock Blu-ray DVD by clicking here.
Spellbound (2002)
This touching documentary follows the inspirational story of eight students as they prepare and compete in the Scripps’ National Spelling Bee. The audience gets to know students of all types who share a love for words and spelling. This film pulls on your heartstrings and, ultimately, leaves you smiling. Common Sense Media states, “families should see this m-a-r-v-e-l-o-u-s film” and I couldn’t agree more.
Check out our review of Spellbound
It would pair well with Akeelah and the Bee.
Get your copy of the Spellbound DVD by clicking here.
Wonder (2017)
Inspired by the book of the same name, Wonder tells the story of Auggie. Auggie is a 5th-grade boy with facial differences. His parents (played by Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson) join Auggie on a journey of discovery and struggle when he enters public school for the first time.
This inspiring story offers opportunities for students to discuss what is viewed as “ordinary” or “normal” and what is viewed as “different.” Students can focus on acceptance through this film. The Harvard University X-Media Lab project and resources for this book and film focus heavily on social and emotional learning.
Check out our review of Wonder
Get your copy of the Wonder 4K Blu-ray by clicking here.