Here are nine fantastic documentaries that are perfect for students to watch and learn from:
This inspiring film tells the story of Malala Yousafzai, a young girl who won the Nobel Prize. It shows her incredible journey and makes her story relatable to students everywhere.
This documentary is about a young man with autism who uses his passion for Disney movies to understand the world and connect with people around him. It’s a heartwarming story of determination and creativity.
Although it can be tough to watch, this important documentary encourages students to stand up against bullying. It teaches the importance of taking action rather than just watching from the sidelines.
This film follows 11-year-olds from different parts of the world. They share their thoughts, successes, and challenges, giving us a glimpse into their unique lives and perspectives.
This powerful documentary covers serious issues like human trafficking and child marriage. It’s thought-provoking and sure to spark meaningful discussions among students.
This feel-good film tells the story of a group of teens from Phoenix, Arizona, who enter a robotics competition. Despite coming from low-income backgrounds, they achieve amazing success against top university teams.
This documentary explores the history of Wonder Woman and highlights the importance of strong female characters in media. It’s a fascinating look at how superheroes can inspire us.
This inspiring film features Jessica Cox, a young woman born without arms. She becomes a motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities, showing that anything is possible with determination.
This empowering story follows a group of students who learn valuable skills by working on projects that help their community. It’s a great reminder of the importance of hands-on learning and teamwork.
For more great documentaries and ideas on how to use them in your classroom, check out Common Sense Education.
Write a review of one of the documentaries you watched. Include what you learned, what you found most inspiring, and how it relates to your own life. Share your review with the class to encourage others to watch the documentary.
Choose a topic from one of the documentaries, such as the importance of standing up against bullying or the role of strong female characters in media. Prepare arguments for both sides and participate in a class debate. This will help you develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.
Create an art piece inspired by a documentary. This could be a drawing, painting, or digital artwork. Focus on a theme or message from the film that resonated with you. Present your artwork to the class and explain its significance.
Choose a topic or person featured in one of the documentaries and conduct further research. Prepare a short presentation to share your findings with the class. This will help you deepen your understanding of the subject and improve your research skills.
Reflect on how the documentaries have changed your perspective on certain issues. Write a personal essay discussing what you learned and how you can apply these lessons to your own life. Share your reflections with a peer for feedback.
Here are nine great documentaries for middle school classrooms:
1. **He Named Me Malala** – This moving film introduces Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, highlighting her journey and making her relatable to students.
2. **Life, Animated** – This documentary tells the story of a young man with autism who uses his love of Disney movies to navigate the world and connect with others.
3. **Bully** – While it can be difficult to watch, this frank documentary is essential for middle schoolers. It encourages kids to take action against bullying rather than remaining bystanders.
4. **I Am 11** – This film follows 11-year-olds from around the world as they share their thoughts, triumphs, and challenges, providing powerful insights into their lives.
5. **Girl Rising** – Covering serious topics like human trafficking and child marriage, this film is informative and thought-provoking, guaranteed to spark discussions among students.
6. **Underwater Dreams** – This feel-good film follows a group of low-income teens from Phoenix, Arizona, who enter a robotics competition and achieve remarkable success against prestigious university teams.
7. **Wonder Women: The Untold Story of American Superheroines** – This documentary explores the evolution of Wonder Woman and the importance of powerful female representations in media.
8. **Right Footed** – This inspiring film features Jessica Cox, a young woman born without arms, who has become a motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities.
9. **If You Build It** – This empowering story showcases a group of students who learn valuable skills by working on projects that benefit their community, bringing back the essence of shop class.
For more great picks and ideas on using these films in your classroom, visit Common Sense Education.
Documentaries – Non-fiction films or television programs that provide a factual report on a particular subject. – In social studies class, we watched documentaries about historical events to better understand their impact on society.
Students – Individuals who are enrolled in an educational institution for the purpose of learning. – The students participated in a project about global cultures to enhance their understanding of diversity.
Bullying – Unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. – The school implemented a program to prevent bullying and promote a safe environment for all students.
Determination – The quality of being firm in one’s purpose or intent; resoluteness. – Her determination to succeed in her studies inspired her classmates to work harder.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. – The teacher encouraged creativity by allowing students to design their own projects on historical topics.
Perspectives – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. – Learning about different cultural perspectives helped the students appreciate the diversity in their community.
Trafficking – The illegal trade of goods or people, often for exploitation or profit. – The social studies curriculum included a unit on human trafficking to raise awareness among students about this global issue.
Teamwork – The combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient. – Successful teamwork in the group project taught the students the importance of collaboration and communication.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Education is a powerful tool that can transform societies and improve the lives of individuals.
Empowerment – The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights. – The empowerment of young people through education is essential for building a just and equitable society.
