Home > For Educators > Our Lesson Plans > Discovering Iran

Discovering Iran

View All Countries

The Film – Children of Heaven

Children of Heaven is a contemporary Iranian film about families, compassion, moral responsibilities and issues of limited resources. This film, shot in and around Tehran, follows the lives of two siblings who are forced to share one pair of shoes after an unfortunate accident. Not wanting to burden their struggling parents, the children must work together and find a solution to deal with this significant loss. The film shows the inner strength we have when faced with adversity.

Purchase Film »

Download FREE Intro and Table of Contents

Download FREE Notes to the Teacher

Download Common Core Standards

Authors: John Egbert, Mari Haas, Pat McCarthy, Eileen Mattingly, Deenah Dunkelman Mollin, Sarah Rainsberger and Dede Sinclair

The Curriculum Guide – Available FREE

This interdisciplinary curriculum guide for educators based on the film ‘Children of Heaven’ includes 10 lesson plans that cover math, science, language arts, social studies, media literacy, visual arts and specialty areas. It is available in both print and electronic versions.

Watch Our Video

Lesson Plans

  1. Social Studies | The Islamic Republic of Iran
  2. Media Literacy | Viewing Children of Heaven
  3. Language/Visual Literacy | Understanding Children of Heaven
  4. Film-specific Cross-Cultural Understanding | Perspectives on Iranian Culture
  5. Social Studies | My Home is Tehran
  6. Media Literacy/Language Arts | Film as Storytelling
  7. General Cross-Cultural Understanding | Put Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes
  8. Mathematics | Keeping Secrets
  9. Science | Iran: The Land of Earthquakes
  10. Art | Persian Carpets

Additional themes explored through the guide are:

  • Social Economics
  • Iran as Land of Contrast
  • Middle East
  • Belief systems
  • Islam
  • Urban life
  • Setting and achieving goals
  • Coming of age / responsibility
  • Iranian traditions and culture

Choose Your Preferred Format

Order Discovering Iran Through Journeys in Film

Lesson Plans for Teachers
Discovering China
Share a thought-provoking lesson on Democracy with your students, and discover Chinese culture and more along the way.
View   
Discovering Iran
Help your students understand cultures of the Middle East through Iranian cuisine, geography, and other social studies lessons.
View   
Discovering South Africa
Follow young Musa's quest for survival, understanding, and community while learning about HIV/AIDS.
Free Download  
Discovering Maori Culture
Explore cultural changes across generations, as young Pai becomes the first female leader of a Maori community.
View   
Discovering South Korea
Teach students about inter-generational conflict and globalization.
View   
Discovering Tibet
Immerse your students in the traditions and culture of Tibet through this award-winning film.
View   
Discovering India
Explore India’s culture through Bollywood and a young boy's struggle with dyslexia and bullying.
View   
DOWNLOAD LESSONS
Join Our Global Education Community

  • Journeys in Film is a project of
©2012 Journeys in Film - All Rights Reserved - 46 Sandia Lane, Placitas, NM 87043 - Privacy - Terms and Conditions