Month-Long

September 15th – October 15th

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Latinex Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

A Better Life

(U.S. 1991 – Current; Hispanic & California; SEL: Father/Son; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [13+]

El Norte

(U.S./1945 to present, Diversity & California; World/Guatemala; SEL: Human Rights; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [14+]

Cesar Chavez: Respect for All

(U.S. 1945 – current, Diversity; Hispanic-Americans & California; SEL: Leadership; GBLTQ; Caring for Animals; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [10+; 22 minutes]

Mi Familia

(U.S. 1929 – 1991; Hispanic & California; World/Mexico; SEL: Families in Crisis; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [13+]

Spare Parts

(Science-Technology; U.S. 1991 – Current, Hispanic & Arizona; SEL: Education; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]

Stand and Deliver

(U.S./1941 – 1996, Diversity & California; Mathematics; ELA; SEL: Male Role Model; Self-esteem; Education; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility; Citizenship) [12+; Literary devices analyzed: character, symbols, subplot, foils, and irony]

September 1st – September 30th

A proclamation for Classical Music Month was issued in 1994 by President Clinton.

Amadeus

(Biography/Mozart; Music/Classical; World/Austria; SEL: Humility; Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [12+]

Bach’s Fight for Freedom

(Biography; Music/Classical; World/Germany; SEL: Friendship; Father/Son; Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [6 – 12]

Beethoven Lives Upstairs

(Biography; Music/Classical; World/Austria; SEL: Grieving; Disabilities; Friendship; Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [9 – 12]

The Bolero

Short Subject

(Music (classical); SEL: Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: None) [9+; 26 minutes]

Handel’s Last Chance

(Biography; Music/Classical; World/England & Ireland; SEL: Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [6-12]

Les Choristes

(Music; World/France; Literature/Poetry Analysis; Literary Devices: theme; SEL: Self-esteem; Talent; Education; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [10+; in French with English subtitles]

Liszts’ Rhapsody

(Biography; Music/Classical; SEL Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [6 – 12]

Mr. Holland’s Opus

(Music/Classical; U.S. 1945 – 1991; SEL: Education; Male Role Model; Parenting; Father/Son; Mother/Son; Marriage; Disabilities; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship; Caring; Respect) [10+]

Music of the Heart

(Music/Classical, U.S./1991 – present & New York; Biography (Guaspari); SEL: Education; Talent, Disabilities; Romantic Relationships; Divorce and Separation; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [9+]

The Red Shoes

[Dance; Music/Classical; SEL: Talent; Work/Career; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [12+]

Small Wonders

(Music/Classical; U.S./1991 – Present & New York; Biography (Guaspari); SEL: Education; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [6+]

Strauss: The King of Three-Quarter Time

(Biography; Music/Classical; World/Austria; SEL: Friendship; Child Abuse; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [6 – 12]

Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey

Electromagnetic Waves, Induction, Capacitance, and Antennae

Snippet Lesson Plan

(Science & Technology/Physics; Music) [12+; Middle and High School Level; film clip 6.5 minutes]

Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould

(Biography/Gould; Music/Classical; World/Canada; SEL: Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+] (Small portions in French with English subtitles.)

Date Specific

World War II began

September 1, 1939

World War II began in Europe on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Great Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany on September 3. The war between the U.S.S.R. and Germany began on June 22, 1941, with Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

Ballad of a Soldier

World/Russia & WWII [10+]

Force More Powerful

Short Subject

World/India, Poland, Denmark, Chile, South Africa; 1800s – the Present; U.S./1945 – the Present; Civil Rights Movement, Tennessee [12+; Six sections, each between 20 and 30 minutes in length]

Grave of the Fireflies

(U.S./1941 – 1991; World/WW-II and Japan; Cinema; SEL: Human Rights; Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [13+]

The Longest Day

U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WWII [10+]

Mrs. Miniver

World/England & WWII [10+]

Saving Private Ryan

Snippet Lesson Plan on the Omaha Beach Landing

(U.S./1941 – 1945; World/WWII; SEL: Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [16+]

The Sound of Music

Drama/Musicals; World/ WWII & Austria [6+]

The White Rose

World/Germany & WWII) (13+)

Mayflower Days

September 16th

Mayflower Day commemorates the day the ship set sail from Plymouth, England in 1620. On September 16 of 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England with 102 souls on board. These colonists- men, women, children, some seeking fortune, some seeking religious freedom – were later known as pilgrims.

The Mayflower Voyagers

Short Subject

From the series “This is America Charlie Brown” (U.S./1629 – 1750; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [7 – 11; 24 minutes]

Constitution Day

September 17

Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is normally observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.

The Birth of the Constitution

Short Subject

From the series “This is America Charlie Brown” (U.S./Creating the Nation; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [9 – 12; 24 minutes]

Historical Birthdays

Buddy Holly

September 7, 1936

Charles Hardin Holley, known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter who was a central and pioneering figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the Great Depression, and learned to play guitar and sing alongside his siblings.

The Buddy Holly Story

(Biography; Music/Popular; U.S./1945 – 1991; SEL: Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: General) [12+]

Roberta Guaspari

September 15, 1947

Roberta Guaspari is an American violinist and music educator. She is known for her work in Harlem, New York, where she taught during the 1980s and 1990s to keep music alive in inner-city schools.

Music of the Heart

(Music/Classical, U.S./1991 – present & New York; Biography (Guaspari); SEL: Education; Talent, Disabilities; Romantic Relationships; Divorce and Separation; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [9+]

Small Wonders

(Music/Classical; U.S./1991 – Present & New York; Biography/Guaspari; SEL: Education; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [6+]

Glenn Gould

September 25, 1932

Glenn Herbert Gould was a Canadian classical pianist. He was one of the best known and most celebrated pianists of the 20th century, and was renowned as an interpreter of the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould

(Biography; Music/Classical; World/Canada; SEL: Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+] (Small portions in French with English subtitles.)