Examples of Teaching with Film

Movies can do wonders to enhance students’ learning experience. They can change perspectives, help students form emotional connections with subject matters and spark dialogue – all leading to a more engaged classroom. And with Swank K12-Streaming’s academic streaming library of more than 30,000 movies and TV shows, it’s never been easier to press “play” on learning. Check out some of the films educators across the country use as resources for enhancing a variety of lesson plans.

In the Time of the Butterflies

Grade: High School
Subjects: Spanish 2, Spanish 3

Synopsis: A fact-based tale centering on the Mirabal sisters, three patriotic women, who helped instigate the plot to overthrow tyrannical Dominican Republic dictator Gen. LeonidasTrujillo, who ruled from 1930 to 1961.

1776

Grade: Elementary School, Middle School
Subjects: American Politics, American Revolution, American History

Synopsis: Patriotic musical celebrates the founding fathers' midwifery of the Declaration of Independence, the document that would give birth to a nation.

The Right Stuff

Grade: Middle School
Subjects: Space Science, Environmental Science, Engineering

Synopsis: A profile of the early days of the American space program that focuses on the first astronauts, as well as that of Chuck Yeager, the test pilot who initially breaks the sound barrier, but never becomes as famous as the men who go into space.

Wonder Woman

Grade: Middle School, High School
Subjects: Classical Literature, Mythology, Film Studies

Synopsis: Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

True Grit

Grade: High School
Subjects: Film Studies, American History

Synopsis: An alcoholic U.S. Marshal and a 14-year-old girl track down her father's killer with the help of a Texas Ranger. As the three brave dangerous Indian territory, they discover their prey has fallen in with a more-experienced criminal.

Dinosaur 13

Grade: Elementary School, Middle School
Subjects: Science

Synopsis: In this intimate and engaging documentary, a paleontologist's life changes dramatically after he discovers the most-well-preserved fossil of a T. rex in history.

On the Basis of Sex

Grade: Middle School, High School
Subjects: Government, Law, Women's History, Politics, Journalism

Synopsis: Young wife, mother and lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg battles the U.S. Supreme Court for gender equality and women's rights. She works with the American Civil Liberties Union to argue cases on behalf of both men and women, demonstrating that discrimination "on the basis of sex" is unconstitutional. Her trailblazing work paved the way for her to become a beloved Supreme Court Justice.

Download our free Movies for Every Subject Guide to check out commonly used films by subject area.