May 1st – May 31st
May, marked officially as Military Appreciation Month, is a special month for both those in and out of the military.
Ballad of a Soldier
(World/WWII & Russia; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Courage Under Fire
(U.S./1991 – Present; SEL: Marriage, Redemption; Leadership; Suicide; Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [12+]
Fail-Safe
(U.S./1945 – 1991; World/Cold War; SEL: Leadership; Ethical Emphasis — Responsibility, Caring) [14+]
Fat Man and Little Boy
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1941 – 1945 & New Mexico; Science-Technology; SEL: Teamwork; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Flags of Our Fathers
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1940-1945; World/WWII; SEL: Courage in War Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [15+]
A Force More Powerful
Snippet Lesson Plan
Civil Rights Movement – The Nashville Sit-ins
(U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity) [12+; snippet: 25 minutes; lesson: one class period]
Gallipoli
(World/ WWI, Australia & Turkey; SEL: Courage in War; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [13+]
Gettysburg
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1860 – 1865 & Pennsylvania; SEL: Courage in War; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [10+]
Glory
The Best of TWM
(U.S./ 1860 – 1865 & Massachusetts; SEL: Courage in War; Patriotism; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship; Trustworthiness) [14+]
The Longest Day
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WW II; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Memphis Belle
(Aviation; U.S./1941 – 1945; SEL: Leadership; Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Midway
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WWII; Seafaring; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Paths of Glory
(World/France & WW I; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Patton
(Biography; U.S./1941 – 1945; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Saving Private Ryan
Snippet Lesson Plan
On the Omaha Beach Landing Using a Film Clip from Saving Private Ryan (U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WWII; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [16+]
Thirteen Days
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1945 – 1991; World/Russia & The Cold War; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Travis: A Soldier’s Story
The Best of TWM
(Health (Resilience); U.S. 1991 – Current; World/Afghanistan; SEL: Courage in War; Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+]
Truman
(Biography; U.S./1941 – 1991; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
National Inventor’s Month
May 1st – May 31st
This annual celebration was created to promote “the positive image of inventors and the real contributions they give to this world.” The work of inventors has shaped our society, fueled our economy, and improved our lives.
Ben and Me
Short Subject
(Biography/Franklin; U. S./1750 – 1812 & Pennsylvania; Science-Technology; SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship) [8 & 9; 27 minutes]
Ben and Me
Talking and Playing for Growth
Short Subject (SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship) [5 – 8; 27 minutes]
Edison: The Wizard of Light
(Science-Technology; U.S./1865 – 1929; Cinema; Biography; SEL: Talent; Disabilities; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring; Citizenship) [8 – 13]
Einstein: Light to the Power of 2
(Biography; Science-Technology; U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity; SEL: Self-esteem; Education; Families in Crisis; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [8 – 13]
Galileo: On the Shoulders of Giants
(Biography; Science-Technology; World/Italy & the Renaissance; SEL: Brothers; Education; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect) [8 – 13]
The Great Inventors
Short Subject
From the series “This is America Charlie Brown” (U.S./1865 – 1913; Science – Technology) [8 – 11; 24 minutes]
Isaac Newton: A Tale of Two Isaacs
(Biography; Science-Technology; World/England & Enlightenment; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Talent) [8-13]
Leonardo: A Dream of Flight
(World/Italy & the Renaissance; Science-Technology; Aviation; Biography; SEL: Talent; Friendship; Mother/Son; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: General) [8 – 11]
Marie Curie: More Than Meets the Eye
(Biography; World/France & WWI; Medicine; Science-Technology; SEL: Female Role Model; Mother/Daughter; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [8 – 12]
Jewish American Heritage Month
May 1st – May 31st
An annual recognition and celebration of American Jews’ achievements and contributions to the United States of America during the month of May.
An American Tail
Talking and Playing for Growth
(U.S./1865 – 1913; Diversity & New York; Religions/Judaism; SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [5 – 8]
The Chosen
(Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: Theme, Symbol, Irony; Religions/Judaism; U.S.: 1941 – 1945 & New York; SEL Parenting; Father/Son; Friendship; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [10+]
Fiddler on the Roof
(Drama/Musicals; Religions/Judaism; U.S./Diversity; World/Russia; Dance/Performance; SEL: Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [7+]
A Gentleman’s Agreement
(U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity; SEL: Male Role Model; Female Role Model; Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Hester Street
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1865 – 1913; Diversity & New York; SEL: Families in Crisis; Marriage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Trustworthiness) [12+]
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 1st – May 31st
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a period for the duration of the month of May for recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
The Joy Luck Club
(U.S./1945 – 1991, Diversity and California; World/China; SEL: Mother/Daughter/ Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [14+]
Physical Fitness and Sports Month
May 1st – May 31st
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, designated in 1983 by the President’s Council on Fitness to promote healthy lifestyles among all Americans and improve our quality of life.
Date Specific
National Space Day
First Friday in May
Space Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday of May. An unofficial educational holiday created in 1997 by Lockheed Martin, Space Day aims to promote the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields among young people.
Apollo 13
(U.S./1945 – 1991; SEL: Teamwork; Male Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [8+]
Contact
(Religions/Judeo-Christian; Science Fiction; Mathematics SEL: Grieving; Father/Daughter; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [12+]
October Sky
(U.S./1945 – 1991 & West Virginia; Science-Technology; SEL: Parenting; Father/Son; Mother/Son; Breaking Out; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [10+]
The Right Stuff
(U.S./1945 – 1991; SEL: Friendship; Teamwork, Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Pulitzer Prize Established
May 7th
The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine, and online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. The following movies were based on or loosely adapted from Pulitzer Prize-winning novels.
All The King’s Men
(U.S./1913 – 1941, Politics & Louisiana; Literature/U.S.; SEL Ambition; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Fairness) [13+]
The Crucible
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1629 – 1750, 1945-1991 & Massachusetts; Drama/U.S.; SEL: Justice; Marriage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Fairness) (Two versions, one in French with English Subtitles) [12+]
The Grapes of Wrath
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1929 – 1941; Oklahoma & California; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Families in Crisis; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [12+]
The Old Man and the Sea
(Literature/U.S.; SEL: Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [12+]
Roots Vol. I
(U.S./1629 – 1750 & Diversity; World/Africa; SEL: Coming of Age; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Roots Vol. II
(U.S./1629 – 1750 & Diversity; SEL: Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Roots Vol. III
(U.S. 1750 – 1812 & Diversity; SEL: Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Roots Vol. IV
(U.S./1812 – 1860 & Diversity; SEL: Rebellion; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Roots Vol. V
(U.S./1812 – 1860 & Diversity; SEL: Father/Son; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Roots Vol. VI
(U.S./1865 – 1913 & Diversity; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
South Pacific
(Drama/Musicals; U.S./1941 – 1945 & Diversity; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Citizenship) [10+ ]
The Yearling
(U.S./1865 – 1913 & Florida; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Male Role Model; Coming of Age; Running Away; Father/Son; Mother/Son; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [8 – 12]
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
May 10, 1869
On May 10, 1869, the presidents of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads meet in Promontory, Utah, and drive a ceremonial last spike into a rail line that connects their railroads.
The Building of the Transcontinental Railroad
Short Subject
From the series “This is America Charlie Brown” (U.S./1865 – 1913) [8 – 11; 24 minutes]
World Turtle Day
May 23rd
The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
Finding Nemo
(Marine Biology (Science/Technology); SEL: Father/Son; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Respect) [9-12]
Finding Nemo
Talking and Playing for Growth
(Science (Marine Biology); SEL: Father/Son; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis
Ice Age: The Meltdown
Talking and Playing for Growth
(The Environment; SEL: Friendship; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility (Taking Care of the Environment) [6 – 8]
World No Tobacco Day
May 31st
Observed around the world every year on 31 May. This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what the World Health Organization (WHO) is doing to fight against the use of tobacco, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.
Concussion
(U.S. 1991 – Current; Medicine; Sports; SEL: Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility; Citizenship) [13+]
Guns, Germs, & Steel – Jared Diamond’s Theory of the Development of Civilizations
(World History/Cultures; Health) [14+]
The Insider
(U.S./1991 – present, the Law and the Press; SEL: Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Families in Crisis, Marriage, Crime, Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Citizenship) [13+]
Memorial Day
May 31st
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May.
Ballad of a Soldier
(World/WWII & Russia; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Courage Under Fire
(U.S./1991 – Present; SEL: Marriage, Redemption; Leadership; Suicide; Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [12+]
Fail-Safe
(U.S./1945 – 1991; World/Cold War; SEL: Leadership; Ethical Emphasis — Responsibility, Caring) [14+]
Fat Man and Little Boy
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1941 – 1945 & New Mexico; Science-Technology; SEL: Teamwork; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Flags of Our Fathers
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1940-1945; World/WWII; SEL: Courage in War Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [15+]
A Force More Powerful
Snippet Lesson Plan
Civil Rights Movement – The Nashville Sit-ins
(U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity) [12+; snippet: 25 minutes; lesson: one class period]
Gallipoli
(World/ WWI, Australia & Turkey; SEL: Courage in War; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [13+]
Gettysburg
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1860 – 1865 & Pennsylvania; SEL: Courage in War; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [10+]
Glory
The Best of TWM
(U.S./ 1860 – 1865 & Massachusetts; SEL: Courage in War; Patriotism; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship; Trustworthiness) [14+]
The Longest Day
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WW II; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Paths of Glory
(World/France & WW I; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Patton
(Biography; U.S./1941 – 1945; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Memphis Belle
(Aviation; U.S./1941 – 1945; SEL: Leadership; Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Midway
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WWII; Seafaring; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Paths of Glory
(World/France & WW I; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]
Patton
(Biography; U.S./1941 – 1945; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Saving Private Ryan
Snippet Lesson Plan
On the Omaha Beach Landing Using a Film Clip from Saving Private Ryan (U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WWII; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [16+]
Thirteen Days
The Best of TWM
(U.S./1945 – 1991; World/Russia & The Cold War; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Travis: A Soldier’s Story
The Best of TWM
(Health (Resilience); U.S. 1991 – Current; World/Afghanistan; SEL: Courage in War; Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+]
Truman
(Biography; U.S./1941 – 1991; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Historical Birthdays
Harry S. Truman
May 8, 1884
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953, succeeding upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt after serving as the 34th vice president.
Truman
(Biography; U.S./1941 – 1991; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
Mary Cassatt
May 22, 1844
Mary Stevenson Cassatt was an American painter and printmaker. She was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, but lived much of her adult life in France where she befriended Edgar Degas and exhibited with the Impressionists.
Mary Cassatt: American Impressionist
(Visual Arts; World/France; U.S./1865 – 1913; Biography; SEL: Talent; Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [8+]
Walt Whitman
May 31, 1819
Walter Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse.
Beautiful Dreamers
The Best of TWM
(Biography/Whitman; Literature/U.S.; World/Canada; Medicine; SEL: Male Role Model; Mental Illness; Breaking Out; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+; useful for getting students to read and appreciate the poetry of Walt Whitman]