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Balanced Learning Resources Lessons
Lesson Plans
THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION SIMPLIFIED AND EXPLAINED
Explore
our lesson plan for grades 8-12 on the Russian Revolution. Featuring a
concise video, key events, and critical analysis of its social justice
impact, this resource includes objectives, discussion questions, and
activities to foster critical thinking and empathy.
Iranian Revolution, Shah’s Exit, and Global Terror
Grades:
10–12 Duration of Video 1: 14 minutes, 55 seconds Duration of Video 2:
1 Minute, 11 seconds Duration of Video 3: 3 Minutes, 4...
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION – America's Commitment To Human Rights And Self-Correction
In
this lesson, students will explore the contradictions of the American
Revolution, particularly regarding slavery and inequality, and how these
flaws led to movements for abolition, women’s suffrage, and civil
rights.
LGBTQIA+ and Women's Rights in the U.S. and EU
This
lesson introduces students to how the United States and European Union
have worked to protect and advance the rights of women and LGBTQIA+
individuals. Students will explore historical milestones, legal
protections, and ongoing struggles for equality, while learning why
these rights are fundamental to free and fair societies.
Hidden Letters - Language, Power, and the Voices of Chinese Women
Hidden
Letters is a haunting and lyrical documentary that uncovers the secret
language of Nüshu—a script invented and passed down in whispers among
generations of Chinese women, who, confined by patriarchal norms and
silenced by tradition, found solace in each other through the written
word. In a world where women were forbidden to learn or express
themselves freely, Nüshu became more than a language—it was a lifeline.
LGBTQIA+ Rights and Representation in Today's China
This
mini documentary "LGBTQ+ in Today's China" explores the growing
visibility and representation of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Chinese
society, focusing on shifting public attitudes, media portrayal, and
inclusive marketing campaigns. It highlights the role of social media in
community-building despite ongoing censorship and traditional cultural
challenges.
LGBTQIA+ AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND EQUALITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
In
many parts of the Middle East, LGBTQIA+ individuals face severe
discrimination, with same-sex relationships criminalized in some
countries and punishable by imprisonment or even death, forcing many to
hide their identities. Despite these dangers, activists and allies
continue to push for legal reforms and safe spaces.
"Louis Brandeis – A Justice for All"
In
this lesson, students will watch the informative and engaging PBS
mini-biography Louis Brandeis: The First Jewish Supreme Court Justice
and reflect on the life and legacy of Justice Louis Brandeis
(1856–1941), a trailblazing Jewish American. Students will explore his
contributions to civil liberties, workers' rights, and the foundational
right to privacy.
RBG: A Documentary Exploring the Life and Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
In
this lesson, students will watch the informative and endearing
documentary RBG (2018) and reflect on the life and career of Supreme
Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020), a Jewish American.
Students will explore her contributions to gender equality and civil
rights and discuss how her legacy continues to influence the American
legal system and our society today. Through this lesson, students will
analyze the role of the judiciary in shaping laws and societal change
HAYM SOLOMON: The Financier Who Helped Fund America's Freedom
Haym
Solomon was a Jewish immigrant, financier, and unsung hero of the
American Revolution who played a crucial role in securing funds for the
war effort. Born in Poland in 1740, he immigrated to America in 1772 and
became a successful merchant and banker.
American Thought Leaders: Black Christians Enslaved in Africa, an Interview With Simon Deng and Charles Jacobs
This
moving interview on American Thought Leaders introduces two modern day
heroes - Simon Deng and Charles Jacobs - who discuss the ongoing
struggle against slavery, human trafficking, and genocide in Africa, and
the impact of Islamist extremism. Simon Deng, formerly enslaved, shares
his personal story of escape and the horrors of slavery in Sudan. He
and Charles Jacobs, who helped free tens of thousands of slaves in
Sudan, highlight the international community's lack of res
I Hated Them Until I Met Them: Loay Al-Shareef's Personal Story
Loay
Al-Shareef is a linguist, educator, and peace activist known for his
efforts in promoting Arab-Jewish coexistence and combating
misinformation. Raised in Saudi Arabia, he was taught anti-Israel and
antisemitic narratives. However, after studying in France and living
with a Jewish family, he realized that much of what he had been taught
was false. This transformation led him to advocate for truth, fight
Jew-hatred, and educate others about historical facts and shared Arab
The Son of Hamas Exposes The Truth On Israel - Gaza: Mosab Hassan Yousef with Douglas Murray
This
lesson focuses on the perspectives and experiences of Mosab Hassan
Yousef, a former Hamas member who later became an informant for Israel.
Students will learn about the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, particularly through Yousef's perspective. The lesson will
also address common misconceptions and the political narrative of
genocide, particularly the claims surrounding the Gaza conflict.
Dorothy Pitman Hughs: Life and Legacy
In
this lesson, students will explore the life and contributions of
Dorothy Pitman Hughes, a Black feminist, child welfare advocate, and
community activist.
Frida Kahlo - Expressing Ourselves through Art
"The
Story of Artist Frida Kahlo" by Lillian Gray is an educational video
exploring the life, challenges, and artistic legacy of Frida Kahlo, one
of the most significant artists of the 20th century. In a time when most
famous artists were men, she broke barriers, fearlessly painting taboo
topics like pain, femininity, and personal struggles. The video
highlights how her experiences—overcoming illness and a near-fatal
accident—shaped her art, allowing her to express her identi
Gloria: In Her Own Words
The
video "In Her Own Words" is a documentary that explores the life and
work of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. Through interviews and archival
footage, it provides insight into Steinem's personal experiences,
including her pivotal role in the feminist movement in the 1960s and
1970s.
Asian American Activists in the Civil Rights Movement
The
fight for justice has never been fought alone. Asian American activists
worked alongside Black, Latinx, and Indigenous leaders to challenge
oppression and demand equality. Their contributions remain inspiring and
relevant today, offering powerful lessons on solidarity, resilience,
and social change.
The Young Lords Grassroots Activism and Social Change - Fighting for Justice, Then and Now
Grade
Level: 6-12 Duration of video: Under 7 minutes Themes: Multiracial and
Multicultural Alliances, Solidarity, Advocacy Image: March...
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – A Shared Struggle for Justice
Rabbi
Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were united by a
deep commitment to justice and human dignity. Heschel, a Jewish
theologian and Holocaust survivor, believed that the fight for Black
civil rights was a moral and spiritual imperative. He famously marched
alongside Dr. King during the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965, later
saying, “I felt my legs were praying.”
60 Minutes on Sir Nicholas Winton
This
is a "60 Minutes" episode that focuses on the story of Sir Nicholas
Winton, a British humanitarian who famously rescued hundreds of Jewish
children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia just before World War II,
often referred to as "Nicky's Children." Meet Sir Winton and the people
he saved!
Schindler’s List
Schindler’s
List is a powerful film by Steven Spielberg that tells the true story
of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over 1,100 Jewish
people during the Holocaust by employing them in his factory. The movie
shows the horrors of the Holocaust and the impact one person can make.
Miracle at Moreaux
An
exciting, endearing film about how a Catholic nun, Sister Gabrielle
(played by Loretta Swit), and a group of Christian school children in
France helped three Jewish children escape the Nazis. Due to antisemitic
lies their parents told them, the Christian children are, at first, not
very friendly to these unexpected Jewish strangers. In a short time,
however, the children develop a strong bond.
The Number on Great Grandpa’s Arm
This
short family film, presented with the Museum of Jewish Heritage,
introduces Holocaust history to a new generation. When 10-year-old
Elliott asks his 90-year-old great-grandfather, Jack, about the number
tattooed on his arm, he sparks an intimate conversation about Jack’s
life that spans happy memories of childhood in Poland, the loss of his
family, surviving Auschwitz, and finding a new life in America.
