This study guide follows the documentary Plastic Paradise about the garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean. Activity includes questions in chronological order for the film, discussion questions for small or large groups and a list of things students could do at home or school to take steps to reducing our plastic consumption. The movie is excellent, and is well suited for middle or high school environmental science students. Lesson takes 2-3 days to run depending on how much dialogue you want to incorporate.

Roy Germano PhD in poli sci visits small Mexican towns to interview people about why many people risk their lives to leave for work in the US. Germano talks with workers, farmers, spouses, families and municipal employees to discover reasons people leave and what happens to their families when they go. This compelling documentary is 55 minutes long and fits neatly in 1 class. It is an excellent companion to one of the many movies about undocumented immigrants and their journeys to the US. Most of this film is in Spanish w English subtitles and works well with any level high school Spanish or Social Studies where you have spent time discussing the immigration. This film is very well made, not rated, and has won awards at film festivals, available on Netflix or for purchase on Amazon. Movie guide contains 22 questions that follow the film. I divide students into small groups and assign each group sections to answer, then share out. Questions included in Spanish and English.

This short but powerful documentary Recycled Life presents the sad reality of the thousands of people who live and work in the Guatemala City Dump. Narrated by Edward James Olmos in English with interviews in Spanish of Guaejero dump workers, this film presents the sad day to day reality of the thousands of people who recycle millions of pounds of trash every day. The film will most certainly provoke discussion with students and for many serve as the first time they actually see the kind of poverty that motivates immigrants to risk their lives to come here. Movie guide contains 17-18 questions in chronological order and a couple of personal opinion/reactions. Guide is in English and Spanish. Amazing film, it will bring you to tears, while still leaving you with a sense of pride and dignity that these humble people maintain intact despite horrific circumstances.

This movie chronicles three generations of a Mexican American family living in East Los Angeles. Several themes in the film include the importance of the family unit and the cultural differences of Hispanic families, deportation of Mexican immigrants during the Great Depression, discrimination against Mexican workers,and the Pachuco gangster movement of the 50's. My students really enjoyed this film and it goes well with any unit on the family or as a mini lesson. The movie carries an R rating for strong language and one very brief partial nudity scene which could be easily edited out. There are 32 chronological questions in the movie guide. Students will enjoy identifying the cast of characters as there are many familiar faces in this film. This film is also suitable for ESL students of Hispanic origin as the story relates well to challenges faced by previous generations of Hispanic immigrants.

This HBO/National Geographic Documentary chronicles several immigrants perilous journey to attempt to cross into the US. Its one of the best films I have ever used to teach this theme to students of all levels. Most of the film is in Spanish, but has subtitles. Suitable for Spanish students of any level or ESL students of Hispanic origin, this film will open students eyes to the dangers and despair that illegal immigrants face while trying to pursue the American dream. 20 chronological questions in English and a 2nd version in Spanish. Word bank of additional vocabulary for students should you wish to give them an out of class follow up writing assignment.

The newest documentary from the makers of Living on One Dollar, Zach and Chris head to Jordan for an up close look at life in a Syrian refugee camp. There they take on the challenges that refugees face daily living in close quarters in tents, in places where many amenities are non existent, and some of the survival mechanisms they have implemented to rise above their circumstances. Much like their first documentary, Salam Neighbor is very well made, with great explanations and up close interviews with refugees about the challenges they face and the hardships which forced them to flee their country. If you are teaching Middle East, this is an excellent overture into the conflict in Syria. Download includes warm up activities to build prior knowledge and separate fact from fiction, questions for the film and topics for follow up. Since many questions in this guide will depend on student opinion, answer key is not included. Lesson takes two days to complete and is suitable for any high school social studies class. Documentary is available on Netflix for free or available for purchase from http://livingonone.org/salamneighbor/

This outstanding documentary chronicles the effects of global warming on our oceans and its consequences on the bleaching/death of coral reefs worldwide. Documentary explains the process and scientists efforts to document the effects of the rising ocean temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas emissions. If you teach environmental science or oceanography, this documentary is an excellent, easy to understand resource suitable for middle or high school students. Download contains twenty questions that follow the film and some suggestions for follow up activities for students including the opportunity to take a virtual reef dive.

This 90 minute documentary produced by Netflix chronicles the trend in mass incarcerations, with emphasis on its impact on African American males. It follows trends in legislation through the Nixon, Reagan, Bush and Clinton presidencies and how policy decisions have negatively impacted minorities disproportionally. It also examines the role of ALEC in crafting legislative policy and how member corporations directly benefit from increased mass incarcerations. This documentary would be excellent for any Ethnic Studies or Social Studies class where you are discussing civil rights, racial disparities, and how current legislative policies affect populations differently in the US. Download contains 30 questions that accompany the documentary chronologically and a list of suggested follow up activities for students to take their learning to the next level around the issue.