Table of Contents for U.S. History Learning Guides and Lesson Plans from Movies and Film
Full-Length Movies — Short Subjects — Movie Clips — Film Clips — Video Clips — Snippets
- 1629 – 1750: The Colonial Period
- 1750 – 1812: Creating the Nation
- The Frontier and the West
- 1812 – 1860: Manifest Destiny and Prelude to the Civil War
- 1860 – 1865: The Civil War
- 1865 – 1913: Reconstruction and the Beginning of the Age of Invention
- 1913 – 1929: WWI and the Roaring 20s
- 1929 – 1941: The Great Depression and the Clouds of War
- 1940 – 1945: WWII
- 1945 – 1991: The Cold War, Korea, and Vietnam; The Civil Rights Movement
- 1991 – present
Cesar Chavez: Respect for All
(U.S. 1945 – current, Diversity; Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans & California; SEL: Leadership; GBLTQ; Caring for Animals; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [10+; 22 minutes]
Baseball
(Sports; U.S. History; Diversity/African-American; & Culture; SEL: Sportsmanship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness)[10+]
Matewan
U.S./1913 – 1929, Diversity & West Virginia; Religions/Christianity [12+]
12 Years a Slave
(U.S./1812 – 1865; Literature/U.S. (Slave Narrative); Diversity/African-American; Biography; SEL: Human Rights; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [15+]
The Adventures of Huck Finn
U.S./1812 – 1860, Diversity/African-American & Missouri; Literature/U.S. [6+]
American Violet
Snippet Lesson Plan
(U.S. 1991 – Present; Diversity/African-American; Civics; Plea Bargaining; Snippet: Film Clips: First 31 minutes of the film; Lesson: one and one-half 45 – 55 minute class periods [13+]
Amistad
U.S./1812 – 1860 & Diversity/African-American [14+]
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
U.S./1865 – 1991 & Diversity/African-American [10+]
Baseball
(Sports; U.S. History & Culture; Diversity/African-American; SEL: Sportsmanship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness)[10+]
BlackkKlansman
(U.S. History & Culture: 1991 to Present; The African-American Experience and the Civil Rights Movement; SEL: Human Rights; Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect? [13+;2 hours 12 minutes]
Brian’s Song
Sports/Football; U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity/African-American [10+]
Cesar Chavez: Respect for All
(U.S. 1945 – current, Diversity; Hispanic-Americans; African-Americans & California; SEL: Leadership; GBLTQ; Caring for Animals; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [10+; 22 minutes]
The Civil War
(U.S./1860 – 1865; SEL: Courage in War; Diversity/African-American; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [12+]
The Color Purple
Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: motif, theme, symbol, characterization; U.S./1865 – 1913, 1913 – 1929; & Diversity/African-American [15+]
Concussion
(U.S. 1991 – Current; Diversity/African-American; Medicine; Sports; SEL: Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility; Citizenship) [13+]
Conrack
U.S./1945 – 1991,Diversity/African-American & South Carolina [10+]
Crash
(U.S. – 1991 to Current; Diversity/African-American; California; Literary Devices: Irony; SEL: Mother/Son; Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [15+]
Edge of America
Sports/Basketball; U.S./1945-1991; Diversity/Native American & African-American and New Mexico [12+]
Einstein: Light to the Power of 2
Science-Technology; U.S.- 1945 – 1991 & Diversity/African-American; Biography [8 – 13]
Force More Powerful
Short Subject
World/India, Poland, Denmark, Chile, South Africa; 1800s – the Present; U.S./1945 – the Present; Civil Rights Movement, Diversity/African-American, Tennessee
[12+; Six sections, each between 20 and 30 minutes in length]
A Force More Powerful
Snippet Lesson Plan: Civil Rights Movement – The Nashville Sit-ins, 1960
(U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity/African-American) [12+; snippet: 25 minutes; lesson: two class periods]
Free State of Jones
Rethinking the Southern Home Front in the Civil War
(U.S. 1860 – 1991, The African-American Experience and the Civil Rights Movement, and Mississippi; SEL: Rebellion; Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship) [14+]
Fruitvale Station
(U.S./1991 to present, Diversity/African-American & California; SEL: Human Rights; Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [13+]
Gandhi
Biography; World/India, South Africa, England & 1800s – Cold War Era; U.S./Diversity/African-American; Religions [10+]
Ghosts of Mississippi
U.S./1945 – Present, Diversity/African-American, the Law & Mississippi; [12+]
Glory
The Best of TWM
(U.S./ 1860 – 1865 & Massachusetts; SEL: Courage in War; Patriotism; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship; Trustworthiness) [14+]
Gone With the Wind
(U.S./1860 – 1865 & Georgia; SEL: Female Role Models (Melanie and Mammy, not Scarlet); Diversity/African-American; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: General) [12+]
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
U.S./ 1945 – 1991 & Diversity/African-American [10+]
Harriet
(U.S. History 1812- 1865; Diversity/African-American; Maryland; SEL: Human Rights; Female Role Model; Breaking Out; Courage; Disabilities; Moral/Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
The Help
(US 1945-1991, Diversity/African-American & Mississippi; SEL: Self-Esteem, Friendship, Courage; Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [13+]
Hoop Dreams
(Sports/Basketball; U.S. 1991 – Present & Illinois; Diversity/African-American; SEL: Sportsmanship; Breaking Out; Talent; Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility Fairness) [10+]
Hidden Figures
(U.S. 1940 – 1991, Diversity/African-American; and Virginia; Mathematics; Science-Technology; Cinema; SEL: Courage; Human Rights; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [13+]
The Jackie Robinson Story
Biography; Sports/Baseball; U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity/African-American [8+]
Just Mercy
(Drama/England; World/Ancient Rome; Diversity/African-American; SEL: Ambition; Rebellion; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]
Lincoln
Lesson Plan
The End of America’s Nightmare Dance with Slavery Using Spielberg’s Lincoln (U.S./1812 – 1865; Biography; Diversity/African-American; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship) [13+]
The Long Walk Home
U.S./1945 – 1991, Diversity/African-American & Alabama [12+]
Native Son
U.S./1945 – 1991, Diversity/African-American & Illinois; Literature/U.S.; Character Development: Justice; Friendship [15+]
Partners of the Heart
Medicine; U.S./1917 – 1991, Diversity/African-American, Tennessee & Maryland [10+]
The Pursuit of Happyness
(U.S./1991 – present; Diversity/African-American; and Biography; SEL: Father/Son; Parenting; Surviving, Work/Career; add the following SEL topics when using TeachWithMovies.org’s student handout for this film entitled Episodes in the Life of Chris Gardner (What’s Not in the Movie): Alcohol & Drug Abuse; Breaking Out; Spousal Abuse; Child Abuse; Education; Male Role Model; Ambition; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [12+]
A Raisin in the Sun
U.S./1945 – 1991, Diversity/African-American & Illinois; Drama/U.S [12+]
Remember the Titans
U.S./1945 – 1991, Diversity/African-American & Virginia; Sports/Football; [11+]
Roots Vol. I
U.S./1629 – 1750 & Diversity/African-American; World/Africa [12+]
Roots Vol. II
U.S./1629 – 1750 & Diversity/African-American [12+]
Roots Vol. III
U.S./1750 – 1812 & Diversity/African-American [12+]
Roots Vol. IV
U.S./1812 – 1860 & Diversity/African-American [12+]
Roots Vol. V
U.S./1812 – 1860 & Diversity/African-American [12+]
Roots Vol. VI
U.S./1865 – 1913 & Diversity/African-American [12+]
Selma
(U.S.: 1945-1991; Civil Rights Movement; Diversity/African-American; Civics; SEL: Leadership; Courage; Human Rights; Ethical Emphasis: Fairness, Citizenship) [12+]
Show Boat
U.S./1865 – 1913 & Diversity/African-American; Cinema; Drama/Musicals; Dance/Performance [11+]
Something the Lord Made
Medicine; U.S./1917 – 1991, Diversity/African-American, Tennessee & Maryland [10+]
To Kill A Mockingbird
U.S./1929 – 1941, the Law & Diversity/African-American; Literature/U.S. [11+; Literary devices analyzed: symbol; flashback; irony; humor]
Tuskegee Airmen
Aviation; U.S./1941 – 1945, Diversity/African-American & Alabama [10+]
TWO CONTRASTING TRADITIONS RELATING TO RACE RELATIONS IN AMERICA and a Tragic Irony of the American Revolution: the Sacrifice of Freedom for the African-American Slaves on the Altar of Representative Democracy
(U.S.: all time periods & Diversity/African-American and World: The Enlightenment and all time periods thereafter; SEL: Human Rights; Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect)
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
U.S./1812 – 1865; 1865 – 1913; and Diversity/African-American & the Civil Rights Movement; Literature/U.S. (Narrative Writing) (Narrative Writing) [10+]
White Nights
Dance; World/Cold War & Russia; U.S./Diversity/African-American [13+]
The Joy Luck Club
U.S./1945 – 1991, Diversity; California; World/China [14+]
Sayonara
U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity; World/Japan [12+]
An American Tail
U.S./1865 – 1913; Diversity & New York [7 – 10]
An American Tail
Talking and Playing for Growth
U.S./1865 – 1913; Diversity & New York; Religions/Judaism) [5 – 8]
Fiddler on the Roof
Drama/Musicals; Religions/Judaism; U.S./Diversity; World/Russia; Dance/Performance [7+]
A Gentleman’s Agreement
U.S./1945 – 1991 & Diversity [12+]
Hester Street
U.S./1865 – 1913; Diversity & New York [12+]
The Jazz Singer
Cinema; U.S./1913 – 1929, Diversity & New York; Music/Popular [12+]
A Better Life
(U.S. 1991 – Current; Hispanic & California; SEL: Father/Son; Courage; Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [13+]
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]
El Norte
U.S./1945 to present, Diversity & California; World/Guatemala [14+]
McFarland, USA
(Sports; U.S. 1945 – Current, Hispanic, & California; SEL: Education; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]
My Family
(U.S. 1929 – 1991; Hispanic & California; World/Mexico; SEL: Families in Crisis; Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [13+]
Spare Parts
(Science-Technology; U.S. 1991 – Current, Hispanic & Arizona; SEL: Education; Breaking Out; Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Stand and Deliver
U.S./1941 – 1996, Diversity & California; Mathematics; ELA [12+; Literary devices analyzed: character, symbols, subplot, foils and irony]
Underwater Dreams
(Science-Technology; U.S. 1991 – Current, Hispanic & Arizona; SEL: Education; Breaking Out; Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+]
Edge of America
Sports/Basketball; U.S./1945-1991; Diversity/Native American & African American and New Mexico [12+]
Smoke Signals
U.S./1991 – Present, Diversity (Native American) & Idaho [12+]
All The King’s Men
U.S./1913 – 1941, Politics & Louisiana; Literature/U.S. [13+]
All the President’s Men
U.S./1945 – 1991 & Politics [12+]
Eleanor Roosevelt
Biography; U.S./1865 – 1991; Politics [10+]
Iron Jawed Angels
The Best of TWM
(U.S. 1913 – 1929; SEL: Human Rights; Courage; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Fairness) [11+]
The Paw Project
Lesson Plan
In Civics and American Government: CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY; U.S./Politics & California; SEL: Caring for Animals; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Citizenship) [13+]
See also Index for Civics Lesson Plans.
12 Angry Men
U.S./1945 – 1991 & The Law (due process; jury selection [11+ ]
American Violet
(U.S. 1991 – Present; Civics; Plea Bargaining; Snippet: Film Clips: First 31 minutes of the film; Lesson: one and one-half 45 – 55 minute class periods [13+]
Ghosts of Mississippi
U.S./1945 – Present, Diversity, the Law & Mississippi [12+]
The Insider
U.S./1991 – present, the Law and the Press [13+]
The Ox-Bow Incident
U.S./The Frontier and the West; 1865 – 1913; The Law (due process); & Nevada [12+]
Judgment at Nuremberg
U.S./1941 – 1945, The Law (War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity); World/WWII [10+]
Shakespeare Behind Bars
(Drama and U.S./The Law; SEL Redemption; Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [14+]
To Kill A Mockingbird
U.S./1929 – 1941, the Law (due process) & Diversity; Literature/U.S. [11+; Literary devices analyzed: symbol; flashback; irony; humor]
Whistleblowers
A Unit on National Security Whistleblowers featuring a choice of three films: War on Whistleblowers, Silenced, and The Most Dangerous Man in America
(U.S. 1945 – Current & the Press; the Law; Civics; SEL: Courage; Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [13+]
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
(Health, ELA, United States (1949 to 1991; 1991 to Present; and the Press); SEL: Father/Son; Male Role Model; Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [14+]
All the President’s Men
U.S./1945 – 1991 & Politics [12+]
The Insider
U.S./1991 – present, the Law and the Press [13+]
The Post
(U.S. 1945 – 1991; the Press; SEL: Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+; 1 hr 56 minutes]
Spotlight
(U.S. 1945 – Current, the Press & Massachusetts; Religions; SEL: Child Abuse; Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [13+; 128 minutes]
Whistleblowers
A Unit on National Security Whistleblowers featuring a choice of three films: War on Whistleblowers, Silenced, and The Most Dangerous Man in America
(U.S. 1945 – Current & the Press; the Law; Civics; SEL: Courage; Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [13+]
For more U.S. History Lesson Plans from movies and film
relating to the individual states, click here.
TeachWithMovies.org Learning Guides are ideal lesson plan makers for teachers of U.S. history. Each Learning Guide contains sections on Helpful Background, Benefits of the Movie, Possible Problems, Discussion Questions, and Assignments. They are designed to allow you to quickly create great U.S. history lesson plans.
The film clips and short subjects used in Snippet Lesson Plans are less than 40 minutes in length and are ideal for classroom use.
Movies make the events they portray come alive. TeachWithMovies.org helps teachers and parents make U.S. history vivid and personal for children.