Teaching with IWitness

From the world of Wonder, which sparked a movement to “choose kind,” comes the inspirational next chapter: White Bird. Struggling to fit in at his new school after being expelled for his treatment of Auggie Pullman, Julian (Bryce Gheisar) is visited by his grandmother (Helen Mirren) and is transformed by the compassionate and heroic story of her attempts to escape Nazi-occupied France during World War II. White Bird reminds us to be brave and choose kindness.  

This webinar will engage educators in exploring how to effectively teach with the film White Bird alongside testimony-based resources in IWitness. Participants will build and strengthen their own understanding of the historical context of Nazi-occupied France, including antisemitism, resistance, and the experiences of individuals during the Holocaust. Educators will also investigate how film and firsthand testimony and film can work together to humanize and contextualize this period. They will explore how personal narratives can deepen students’ understanding of complex historical events while supporting critical thinking and inquiry. Through guided examples, educators will learn how to meaningfully integrate IWitness activities and testimony alongside the film to enhance student learning. This includes examining strategies for building essential background knowledge, identifying key concepts, guiding analysis during viewing, and facilitating post-viewing discussions that promote reflection, evidence-based thinking, and personal connection.  

Join us for this webinar to explore best practice for integrating film and testimony in the classroom and to examine how these resources can help students make meaningful connections between past and present.      

During this session, participants will:

• Build and apply their understanding of the historical context of Nazi-occupied France, including antisemitism and resistance, to support effective instruction 
• Examine the Teaching Film with Testimony: White Bird film and resources in IWitness  
• Analyze strategies for teaching the historical context through film and testimony in ways that are accessible and meaningful to students  
• Apply instructional approaches for integrating pre-, during-, and post-viewing activities that promote inquiry, discussion, and critical thinking