Just as object lessons and humor can teach values so can personal stories. What better examples are there to tap into than real people who made a big influence upon the world. Depending upon the time allotment of the class you could either watch the movie or give homework for the movie to be seen away from class.
Here are a few suggestions to consider.
Sully:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sully_(film)
A plane flying out of NY hits a flock of geese. It requires captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s years of experience to land the plane into the Hudson River rather than return back to the airport. The resulting investigation shows how the skills of a pilot can save his entire crew.
Walking tall:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_Tall_(1973_film)
A military vet, Chris Vaughn, returns home to find his town is being controlled by villains who were his friends in the past. He stands up for what is right.
Gandhi :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandhi_(film )
Mohandas Gandhi decides to set up nonviolent resistance against British rule. He starts a fast.
Lean on Me:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lean_on_Me_(film)
Joe Clark becomes a principal at a declining school. He has tog et rid of gangs and drugs before he can improve the test scores of the students.
Michael Jordan: An American Hero:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan:_An_American_Hero
An American Hero is a biographical story of Michael Jordan from him as a kid to becoming a great basketball star.
Code talkers are a group of Navajos, Cherokee and Choctaw speakers who use their language to communicate between units during War World Two.
Boys in the Boat:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_in_the_Boat
Boys from the state of Washington, who are from the middle class, compete against a lot of capable teams until they win the right to participate in the Olympics occurring in Germany. It is an intense race and they win though the German crowd and Hitler are both clearly in favor of a German victory.
A League of Their Own:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_League_of_Their_Own
During World War II with all the men away to war, a Woman’s league of baseball is created. This is a tale of a phenomenal team of lady players.
Stand and Deliver:
A high school teacher, Jaime Escalante, prepares a class of Hispanic students currently performing below their grade level excel and take the AP calculus test in their senior year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand_and_Deliver
Rudy:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_(film)
Rudy Ruettiger has always had the dream to play football at the universe of Notre Dame. He works as a custodian at the school and fights toward his goal.
Schindler’s List:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schindler%27s_List
Oskar Schindler, a businessman, is using Jewish labor during World War II to run his factory. When Jews are getting killed he takes steps to save their lives.
Apollo 13:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13_(film)
An oxygen tank explodes during a mission to the moon. The astronauts and the scientists at Nasa work together to find ways to keep the crew alive until they can return safely to earth.
Miracle:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_(2004_film)
Coach Herb Brooks works with his hot-headed team to get them ready to compete in the Olympics against the heavily-favored Soviet team.
Take the Lead:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_the_Lead
An international famed dancer, Pierre Dulaine, takes up a teaching job in a New York school. Students scoff about the usefulness of learning ballroom dancing. When Dulaine includes hip hop movies with the classic style, the students accept him and his mentorship.
Gifted Hands:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_Hands:_The_Ben_Carson_Story
Ben Carson goes to medical school while facing a lot of challenges. Through perseverance, he becomes a very gifted and accomplished brain surgeon. He is the first to separate twins who were connected at the head.
The Iron Lady:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Lady_(film)
This movie touches upon the political career of Margaret Thatcher. She broke the paned glass ceiling of class and gender and led Britain during a challenging time.
To Sir, With Love:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Sir,_with_Love
E.R. Braithwaite accepts a job as a teacher at a British school until he can get a job in his career. He is instrumental in helping his students excel.
